Caterpillar Inc.

April D Scott

Kenneth Lee Stratton

Steven Wayne O'Neal

Dennis A Barney

Vernon Richard Smith

Steven V Christensen

Julie A Gannon

David G Young

Ron J Penick

Timothy A Cross

Christian A Schreiner

Michael R Lyons

Curtis V Rocke

The present disclosure is associated with a user requesting access to the software option associated with a machine, a remote facility receiving the request, authorizing access to the software option, and sending an enabling signal to enable the software. The enabling signal (e.g., a software key) may then be used to access and use the software option. An intermediary may be used to authenticate the enabling signal.

Method and system of enabling a software option on a remote machine

The present invention includes a method and apparatus of managing time for a processing system located on a machine. The processing system includes a plurality of controllers and a communication network connecting each of the controllers. Each of the controllers has a local clock. The method includes the steps of establishing an operating characteristic of the machine, determining whether to update a local time in response to said operating characteristic, and updating said local time based upon the local clock in response to said update determination.

Method and apparatus of managing time for a processing system

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

April D Scott