US 4,599,489 A · Solid state key for controlling access to computer software

Abstract

A semiconductor device that functions as a key to control access to a software program resident in a computer. The device includes a continuously running pulse generator that produces an output representative of real time, a shift register permanently storing a unique number and circuitry for executing an algorithm that combines real time and the permanently stored unique number to produce a password. The password is input to the computer. The computer is coded to execute an equivalent algorithm to produce a password within the computer. The two passwords are compared and access to the computer program is afforded only if they bear a prescribed relationship. The computer can be coded to produce on the video display thereof a time-space pattern on the computer video display, circuitry for deriving the stimulus number therefrom, and circuitry for processing the stimulus number so that the password displayed by the key is a function of the value of the stimulus number. The computer executes a similar procedure on the stimulus number so that access to the software program is afforded only if correspondence exists between the user input password and the password generated in the computer.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for affording access by a user to a software program residing in a computer, comprising an access key capable of generating a password and of being transported independently of the computer and an access key verification means adapted to be resident in the computer, for verifying a passward generated by the access key and allowing access and use to the software program wherein:

said access key includes:
(a) pulse generating means for generating a signal that is dependent in the elapse of time;
(b) password generating means coupled to said pulse generating means for generating a password from the signal from said pulse generating means;
(c) displaying means communicating with the password generating means for displaying at least part of said password;
and
said access key verification means includes:
(a) means for receiving at least initially a time input;
(b) means for receiving the password as generated by the access key and input by the user;
(c) means for processing the time input for producing an internal password;
(d) means for determining if the internal password bears a prescribed relationship to the password generated by said access key;
(e) means for affording access to the software program if the prescribed relationship exists.

8 more elements

Apparatus for affording access by a user to a software program residing in a computer, comprising an access key capable of generating a password and of being transported independently of the computer, and an access key verification means adapted to be resident in the computer, for verifying a password generated by the access key and allowing access and use of the software program wherein:

said access key includes:
(a) pulse generating means for generating a signal that is dependent on the elapse of time;
(b) password generating means coupled to said pulse generating means for encrypting the signal from said pulse generating means into a password;
(c) displaying means communicating with the password generating means for displaying at least part of said password;
and
said access key verification means includes:
(a) means for receiving at least initially a time input;
(b) means for receiving the password as generated by the access key and input by the user;
(c) means for decrypting the password for producing a decrypted password;
(d) means for determining if the decrypted password bears a prescribed relationship to the time input;
(e) means for affording access to the software program if the prescribed relationship exists.

8 more elements

Apparatus for affording access by a user to a software program residing in a computer with a video display comprising access key verification means adapted to be resident in the computer, for verifying an encrypted password and allowing access and use of the software program, and an access key capable of generating an ecrypted password and of being transported independently of the computer, wherein:

said access key verification means includes:
(a) means for receiving at least initially a time input;
(b) a stimulus number generating means for generating a stimulus number;
(c) means for generating a signal on the video display that is representative of said stimulus number;
and
said access key includes:
(a) pulse generating means for generating another signal that is dependent on the elapse of time;
(b) at least one sensor accessible from the exterior of said access key so that juxtaposition of the access key and the video display affords excitation of the sensor by the signal;
(c) means coupled to said sensor for decoding the signal to produce the stimulus number;
(d) password generating means for encrypting said another signal produced by said pulse generating means and said stimulus number for producing an encrypted password;
(e) displaying means communicating with the password generating means for displaying at least part of said encrypted password, so that the user can input the encrypted password into the computer;
wherein said access key verification means further includes:
(a) means for decrypting the encrypted password displayed on the access key;
(b) means for determining if the decrypted password has a prescribed relationship to at least one of the stimulus number and the input time;
(c) means for affording access to the software program if the prescribed relationship exists.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid state key for controlling access to computer software

Life of this patent

Solid state key for controlling access to computer software

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20