Method and system for soft modem protection

A system which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having registers, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots being designated for data of said registers, the system comprising:

• bit data of said key stored in a subset of the bits of at least one of said registers;
• means for transmitting said bit data from said at least one register to said CPU in said at least one register data time slot;
• a second key associated with said soft modem software;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said associated second key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a random amount of time after said soft modem software becomes operative.

A system which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having general purpose input output (GPI/O) pins, a hardware device connected to said GPI/O pins, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O read data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the system comprising:

• bit data of said key stored in said hardware device;
• means for transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• means for transmitting said at least one control signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said GPI/O output pin;
• means for reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said GPI/O input pin;
• means for transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one GPI/O read data time slot;
• a second key associated with said soft modem software;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said associated second key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a predetermined amount of time after said soft modem software becomes operative.

A system which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having general purpose input output (GPI/O) pins, a hardware device connected to said GPI/O pins, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O read data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the system comprising:

• bit data of said key stored in said hardware device;
• means for transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• means for transmitting said at least one control signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said GPI/O output pin;
• means for reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said GPI/O input pin;
• means for transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one GPI/O read data time slot;
• a second key associated with said soft modem software;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said associated second key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a random amount of time after said soft modem software becomes operative.

A system which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having an on/off hook pin and an analog input pin, a hardware device connected to said on/off hook pin and said analog input pin, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for analog input data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the system comprising:

• bit data of said key stored in said hardware device;
• means for transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• means for transmitting at least one trigger signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said on/off hook pin;
• means for reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said analog input pin;
• means for transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one analog input data time slot;
• a second key associated with said soft modem software;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said associated second key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a predetermined amount of time after said soft modem software becomes operative.

A system which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having an on/off hook pin and an analog input pin, a hardware device connected to said on/off hook pin and said analog input pin, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for analog input data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the system comprising:

• bit data of said key stored in said hardware device;
• means for transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• means for transmitting at least one trigger signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said on/off hook pin;
• means for reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said analog input pin;
• means for transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one analog input data time slot;
• a second key associated with said soft modem software;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said associated second key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a random amount of time after said soft modern software becomes operative.

A system for protecting soft modem software on a computer having a CPU, the system comprising:

• a first key associated with said soft modem software;
• a second key stored in a hardware device on said computer;
• means for transmitting said second key from said hardware device to said CPU;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted second key is incompatible with said associated first key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a predetermined amount of time after said soft modem software becomes operative.

A system for protecting soft modem software on a computer having a CPU, the system comprising:

• a first key associated with said soft modem software;
• a second key stored in a hardware device on said computer;
• means for transmitting said second key from said hardware device to said CPU;
• and
• means for altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted second key is incompatible with said associated first key,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a random amount of time after said soft modem software becomes operative.

A system for protecting soft modem software, the system comprising:

• a local computer having a unique key;
• an external computer for receiving said key from said local computer when said local computer accesses said external computer in order to download said software, for embedding information related to said key in a customized version of said software, and for downloading said customized version to said local computer;
• and
• means for altering operation of said customized version, said means for altering including at least one of a group including the following:
• means for stopping execution of said customized version, means for limiting the operation of said customized version to predetermined service level, and means for changing data samples passing through said customized version in a magnitude and frequency which prevents useful communication,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a predetermined amount of time after said customized version becomes operative.

A system for protecting soft modem software, the system comprising:

• a local computer having a unique key;
• an external computer for receiving said key from said local computer when said local computer accesses said external computer in order to download said software, for embedding information related to said key in a customized version of said software, and for downloading said customized version to said local computer;
• and
• means for altering operation of said customized version, said means for altering including at least one of a group including the following:
• means for stopping execution of said customized version, means for limiting the operation of said customized version to predetermined service level, and means for changing data samples passing through said customized version in a magnitude and frequency which prevents useful communication,
• wherein said means for alteration is configured to become operative a random amount of time after said customized version becomes operative.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having registers, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots being designated for data of said registers, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in a subset of the bits of at least one of said registers;
• transmitting said bit data from said at least one register to said CPU in said at least one register data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a predetermined amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having registers, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots being designated for data of said registers, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in a subset of the bits of at least one of said registers;
• transmitting said bit data from said at least one register to said CPU in said at least one register data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a random amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having general purpose input output (GPI/O) pins, a hardware device connected to said 10 GPI/O pins, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O read data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in said hardware device;
• transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• transmitting said at least one control signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said GPI/O output pin;
• reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said GPI/O input pin;
• transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one GPI/O read data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted key is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a predetermined amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having general purpose input output (GPI/O) pins, a hardware device connected to said 10 GPI/O pins, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O read data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in said hardware device;
• transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• transmitting said at least one control signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said GPI/O output pin;
• reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said GPI/O input pin;
• transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one GPI/O read data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted key is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a random amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having an on/off hook pin and an analog input pin, a hardware device connected to said on/off hook pin and said analog input pin, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for analog input data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in said hardware device;
• transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• transmitting said at least one trigger signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said on/off hook pin;
• reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said analog input pin;
• transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one analog input data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted key is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a predetermined amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having an on/off hook pin and an analog input pin, a hardware device connected to said on/off hook pin and said analog input pin, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots designated for analog input data and at least one of said time slots designated for GPI/O write data, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in said hardware device;
• transmitting at least one control signal from said CPU to said modem codec over said at least one time slot designated for GPI/O write data;
• transmitting said at least one trigger signal from said modem codec to said hardware device over said on/off hook pin;
• reading said bit data from said hardware device to said modem codec over said analog input pin;
• transmitting said bit data from said modem codec to said CPU over said at least one analog input data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted key is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a random amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method for protecting soft modem software on a computer having a CPU, a serial bus having designated time slots, and a modem subsystem, the method comprising the steps of:

• associating a first key with said soft modem software;
• storing a second key in a hardware device in said modem subsystem;
• transmitting said second key from said hardware device to said CPU in at least one of said designated time slots;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted second key is incompatible with said associated first key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a predetermined amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method for protecting soft modem software on a computer having a CPU, a serial bus having designated time slots, and a modem subsystem, the method comprising the steps of:

• associating a first key with said soft modem software;
• storing a second key in a hardware device in said modem subsystem;
• transmitting said second key from said hardware device to said CPU in at least one of said designated time slots;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted second key is incompatible with said associated first key,
• wherein said alteration step begins a random amount of time after operation of said soft modem software begins.

A method for protecting soft modem software to be downloaded from an external computer to a local computer having a unique key, the method comprising the steps of:

• sending said unique key to said external computer;
• generating a customized version of said modem software with which said key is associated;
• downloading said customized version to said local computer;
• reading said unique key from said local computer;
• and altering operation of said customized version if said read key is incompatible with said associated key,
• wherein said alteration step includes at least one of the following steps:
• stopping execution of said customized version,
• limiting the operation of said customized version to a predetermined service level, and
• changing data samples passing through said customized version at a predefined magnitude and frequency, and
• wherein said alteration step begins a predetermined amount of time after operation of said customized version begins.

A method for protecting soft modem software to be downloaded from an external computer to a local computer having a unique key, the method comprising the steps of:

• sending said unique key to said external computer;
• generating a customized version of said modem software with which said key is associated;
• downloading said customized version to said local computer;
• reading said unique key from said local computer;
• and altering operation of said customized version if said read key is incompatible with said associated key,
• wherein said alteration step includes at least one of the following steps:
• stopping execution of said customized version,
• limiting the operation of said customized version to a predetermined service level, and
• changing data samples passing through said customized version at a predefined magnitude and frequency, and
• wherein said alteration step begins a random amount of time after operation of said customized version begins.

A method which uses a key for soft modem software protection on a computer having a CPU, a modem codec having registers, and a serial bus having designated time slots, at least one of said time slots being designated for data of said registers, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing bit data of said key in a subset of the bits of at least one of said registers;
• transmitting said bit data from said at least one register to said CPU in said at least one register data time slot;
• associating a second key with said soft modem software;
• and
• altering operation of said soft modem software if said transmitted bit data is incompatible with said second key,
• wherein said step of alteration further includes the step of stopping installation of said modem software.

A method for controlling soft modem software to be run on a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer, the method comprising:

• storing first key data in at least one of a plurality of registers provided on a modem codec;
• coupling the modem codec to communicate over a serial bus with the CPU, in accordance with a protocol operative on the serial bus;
• transmitting the first key data from the modem codec to the CPU over the serial bus;
• and
• if the first key data transmitted to the CPU do not match second key data associated with the soft modem software, inhibiting communication by the CPU via the modem codec using the soft modem software.

A system for protection of soft modem software, comprising:

• a modem codec, comprising a plurality of registers, at least one of the registers storing first key data;
• a serial bus, coupled to the modem codec;
• a memory, which is arranged to store second key data associated with the soft modem software;
• and
• a central processing unit (CPU), which is adapted to run the soft modem software and is coupled via the serial bus to communicate with the modem codec in accordance with a protocol operative on the serial bus so as to receive the first key data from the modem codec, and which is further adapted to compare the first key data to the second key data stored in the memory and, if the first key data transmitted to the CPU do not match the second key data, to inhibit communication using the soft modem software via the modem codec.