Method and apparatus for remotely controlling and monitoring the use of computer software

Apparatus for renting computer programs comprising:

• a rental control unit coupled to a rental computer and including first transmitting and receiving means for transmitting first type information to a user computer and for receiving second type information from said user computer, said first type information including at least one computer application program, said rental control unit also including encryption means for encrypting at least one preselected portion of said computer program to form an encrypted module before transmission of said first type information by said transmitting and receiving means, said encryption means including a first encryption key for use in forming said encrypted module, said encryption module being only a fraction less than one of said computer program;
• and
• a user control unit coupled to a user computer and including second transmitting and receiving means coupled to said first transmitting and receiving means for transmitting second type information to said rental computer and for receiving said first type information from said rental computer, said second transmitting and receiving means including decryption means for decrypting said encrypted module to form a decrypted module, said user control unit also including storage means coupled to said decryption means for storing said decrypted module and transfer means for causing said decrypted module to be transferred from said storage means to said user computer for execution by said user computer and for removing said decrypted module from said user computer when execution by said user computer is completed.

Apparatus for controlling the use by a second computer of information stored in a first computer, said apparatus comprising:

• first transmitting and receiving means coupled to said first computer for transmitting information to said second computer;
• a second transmitting and receiving means coupled to said first transmitting and receiving means and to said second computer for receiving information transmitted by said first computer;
• said first and second transmitting and receiving means each including encryption/decryption means for encrypting and decrypting, respectively, preselected portions of the information, said preselected portions including application program information, and a first encryption key for encrypting and decrypting said preselected portions of the information including, said application program information;
• said first and second transmitting and receiving means each including a second encryption key for encrypting and decrypting, respectively, said first encryption key;
• error detection means for detecting errors, on a block-by-block basis using a polynomial checker, in data transmitted from said second computer to said first computer and for producing an error signal representative thereof;
• and
• retransmission means coupled to said error detection means and responsive to said error signal for producing a signal representing a request for retransmission of said data, said second transmitting and receiving means responsive to said request for retransmission for retransmitting said data.