# US 2018/0025134 A1 · Software distribution method and apparatus

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- Number: US 2018/0025134 A1
- Document ID: US20180025134A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/670,961
- Filed: 2017-08-07
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2000-03-03
- Assignees: Micron Technology, Inc.
- Applicants: Micron Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: Kurt Clement
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180025134A1

## CPC

- G06F 21/10: Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material (protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16) {; Digital rights management [DRM]}
- G06F 21/12: Protecting executable software
- G06Q 30/0609: {Qualifying participants for shopping transactions (payment transaction verification G06Q20/401)}
- G06Q 40/12: Accounting
- Y10S 707/99933: Query processing, i.e. searching
- Y10S 707/99943: Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

-29. (canceled)

### Claim 30

A method of enabling fully functional use of a software application, the software application being resident on a computer system at the time of purchase of the computer system, the method comprising:
initiating access to a third party authorization entity, the third party authorization entity being resident over a network remote from the computer system;
providing identifying information for the computer system to the third party authorization entity in the form of a query;
receiving a response to the query from the third party authorization entity, the response configured to enable fully functional use of the software application;
recording at least a portion of the response on the computer system, the recording enabling fully functional use of the software application;
accessing the software application subsequent to the recording, the accessing comprising verifying the at least a portion of the response that has been recorded on the computer system; and
enabling fully functional use of the software application in response to the verifying, the enabling occurring without requiring subsequent access to the third party authorization entity.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising comparing the identifying information for the computer system with the at least a portion of the recorded response.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the comparing occurs automatically upon access of the software application.

### Claim 33 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising providing account information associated with a user of the computer system; and
receiving a periodic bill for continued fully functional use of the software application.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The method of claim 33, further comprising disabling the fully functional use of the software application for not receiving payment in response to the received periodic bill.

### Claim 35

A method of enabling fully functional use of a software application, the software application being resident on a computer system at the time of purchase of the computer system, the method comprising:
receiving a request to initiate access of a third party authorization entity, the third party authorization entity being resident over a network remote from the computer system;
receiving identifying information for the computer system at the third party authorization entity in the form of a query;
transmitting a response to the query from the third party authorization entity, the transmission configured to enable fully functional use of the software application;
causing the recordation of at least a portion of the response on the computer system, the recordation enabling fully functional use of the software application;
wherein the causing of the recordation permits subsequent access to the software application via a verification procedure that verifies the recorded at least a portion of the response, the subsequent access occurring without requiring subsequent access to the third party authorization entity.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35, further comprising causing a disabling of the software application subsequent to transmitting the response to the query.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The method of claim 36, wherein the disabling is resultant from a lack of payment for continued fully functional use of the software application.

### Claim 38 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35, further comprising comparing the received query with a listing of those computing systems that are authorized to access the software application.

### Claim 39 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35, further comprising recording the software application on the computer system prior to purchase of the computer system.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the recording of the software application on the computer system occurs prior to transfer of the computer system to a reseller.

### Claim 41

A computer system that is configured to enable fully functional use of a software application resident on the computer system, the computer system comprising:
a processing apparatus coupled to a memory apparatus, the memory apparatus comprising a plurality of computer-executable instructions, the plurality of computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing apparatus, is configured to:
initiate access to a third party authorization entity, the third party authorization entity being resident over a network remote from the computer system;
provide identifying information for the computer system to the third party authorization entity in the form of a query;
receive a response to the query from the third party authorization entity, the response configured to enable fully functional use of the software application;
record at least a portion of the response on the computer system, the recordation enabling fully functional use of the software application;
access the software application subsequent to the recordation, the access comprising a verification of the at least a portion of the response that has been recorded on the computer system; and
enable fully functional use of the software application in response to the verification, the enablement occurring without requiring subsequent access to the third party authorization entity.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The computer system of claim 41, wherein the software application comprises one or more of a word processing application and a spreadsheet application.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The computer system of claim 42, wherein the software application resident on the computer system is recorded prior to a purchase by an entity.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The computer system of claim 43, wherein the entity comprises an end consumer of the computer system.

### Claim 45 (depends on 43)

The computer system of claim 43, wherein the entity comprises a reseller of the computer system.

### Claim 46 (depends on 43)

The computer system of claim 43, wherein the software application is recorded as part of a manufacturing process for the computer system.

### Claim 47 (depends on 41)

The computer system of claim 41, wherein the verification of the at least a portion of the response further comprises a comparison of the identifying information for the computer system with the at least a portion of the recorded response.

### Claim 48 (depends on 47)

The computer system of claim 47, wherein the comparison occurs automatically upon access of the software application.

### Claim 49 (depends on 48)

The computer system of claim 48, wherein the plurality of computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing apparatus, is further configured to:
provide account information associated with a user of the computer system to the third party authorization entity on a periodic basis;
wherein provision of the account information on the periodic basis enables access to the fully functional use of the software application; and
when the provision of the account information does not occur on the periodic basis, disable the fully functional use of the software application.