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US 6,618,810 B1Granted
Bios based method to disable and re-enable computers
AssigneeDell USA, L.P.
InventorHerzi Dirie
Life of this patent
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AssigneeDell USA, L.P.
InventorHerzi Dirie
Estimating the term…
A system, method, and program product for disabling operation of a computer system upon expiration of an authorized period of time, and to re-enable operation of the computer system when an extension of time is authorized by the provider of the system. Security features including protected memory for a security timer that keeps track of the amount of time the computer system has been utilized, and encrypted messages for authorizing extensions of time are employed. At one or more predetermined times before the security timer expires, an expiration notice is published to remind the user to renew before the computer system is disabled. After the security timer expires and the computer system is disabled, the computer system may be re-enabled by entering an update to the security timer. Providers of computer systems may thereby prohibit use of the computer systems once the authorized amount of time has expired, and thus encourage payment of lease fees or other agreed performance.
A method for disabling operation of a computer system, the computer system including a data processor, a read only memory, a clock, a security timer operative with the clock, and a BIOS operative with the security timer, the method comprising:
A security system for enabling and disabling initialization of a computer system, the computer system including a central processing unit, a memory, and program instructions for initializing and controlling operation of the computer system, the security system comprising:
A computer program product for enabling and disabling initialization of a computer system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.