Computer systems to inhibit unauthorized copying, unauthorized usage, and automated cracking of protected software
A method and apparatus are provided for inhibiting unauthorized copying, unauthorized usage and automated cracking of proprietary software used in computer systems. The computer systems execute protected programs, which …
Original patent title: “Computer systems to inhibit unauthorized copying, unauthorized usage, and automated cracking of protected software”
What this patent covers
The actual claim
A method and apparatus are provided for inhibiting unauthorized copying, unauthorized usage and automated cracking of proprietary software used in computer systems. The computer systems execute protected programs, which are protected by encapsulation and/or encryption. To provide security against unauthorized copying of software, means are provided that detect and inhibit automated cracking of protected programs. These means will destroy or make inaccessible information in the CPU during conditions when automated cracking could occur. These means will also store interrupt contexts in secret to prevent implementation of automated cracking. Additional features may be provided to allow operation as a general purpose computer system, where protected programs are distributed using public key cryptography and a means is provided to convert from this distribution form to the protected execution form.
What this patent does NOT cover
The boundaries
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Patent Abstract
Patent abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for inhibiting unauthorized copying, unauthorized usage and automated cracking of proprietary software used in computer systems. The computer systems execute protected programs, which are protected by encapsulation and/or encryption. To provide security against unauthorized copying of software, means are provided that detect and inhibit automated cracking of protected programs. These means will destroy or make inaccessible information in the CPU during conditions when automated cracking could occur. These means will also store interrupt contexts in secret to prevent implementation of automated cracking. Additional features may be provided to allow operation as a general purpose computer system, where protected programs are distributed using public key cryptography and a means is provided to convert from this distribution form to the protected execution form.
Patent Journey
From filing to expiry
Patent Filed
1982
Patent Granted
1985 · 3yr after filing
Highly Cited
280 patents cite this
Patent Expired
2002
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
9/20
Moderate scope
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assignee
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
The original legal language
Original claims
14 claims as filed with the patent office.
Citations
Patent lineage
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 12564871 · 2026
A Fixture for Cleaning Showerheads with Multiple Separate Chambers
This patent describes a cleaning device for showerheads that uses a fixture with three or more separate internal compartments and channels to direct cleaning fluid to the showerhead's upper surfaces.
ASM IP HOLDING BV
US 12324579 · 2025
Surgical Stapler Battery Health Check During Operation
This patent describes a powered surgical stapler that can detect if some of its rechargeable battery cells are damaged while it's actually firing staples, helping ensure the procedure finishes safely.
CILAG GMBH INT
US 12471982 · 2025
Surgical Tool That Combines Energy Treatment and Stapling
CILAG's patent details a surgical instrument that applies therapeutic energy to tissue, monitors its properties, then deploys staples, adapting the stapling based on the initial energy treatment and monitoring.
CILAG GMBH INT
US 11918209 · 2024
Real-Time Surgical Instrument Status on Live Video During Operations
This patent describes a surgical system that shows live video from inside the body and overlays important information about the surgical tool directly onto the screen, helping surgeons operate more precisely.
CILAG GMBH INT
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Use CRISPR-Cas9 to Edit Genes in Human Cells
This patent describes a method and system for precisely altering gene expression in eukaryotic cells, including human cells, using an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system that targets and cleaves specific DNA sequences.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Many Copies of a Specific DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a fundamental process for making millions of copies of a specific DNA or RNA segment from a tiny sample, enabling its detection.
Cetus Corp
Same assignee
More from Individual
Patent monitoring