Rainbow Technologies, Inc.

Safenet, Inc.

Patrick N Godding

Mehdi Sotoodeh

Reed Tibbetts

Allan D Anderson

Bahram Afghani

Maarten G Punt

Dominique Vincent Pavlin

Alain Raymond Spiewek

Roger Graham Nixon

Shawn D Abbott

Rudy Goetz

A method and apparatus for protecting computer software from unauthorized execution or duplication using a hardware key is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a means for communicating with the computer to receive command messages from the computer in the hardware key and to provide response messages to the computer, a memory for storing data for translating command messages into response messages enabling software execution, and a processor coupled to the communicating means for translating command messages into response messages using the data stored in the memory. The processor further comprises a memory manager, including means for logically segmenting the memory storing the data into at least one protected segment, and a means for controlling access to the protected segment.

Software protection device and method

A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for a USB-compliant personal key has been described. The personal key includes an integrated connector design that is simple and easy to manufacture, and allows broken or defective connecting pins to be easily replaced. In the several embodiments disclosed, the personal key also comprises a biometric sensor for authenticating the identity of the user, and visual and aural sensors for providing information to the user.

USB-compliant personal key

A method and apparatus for protecting computer software from unauthorized execution or duplication using a hardware key is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a means for communicating with the computer to receive command messages from the computer in the hardware key and to provide response messages to the computer, a memory for storing data for translating command messages into response messages enabling software execution, and a processor coupled to the interface port for translating command messages into response messages using the data stored in the memory. The processor further comprises a memory manager, for logically segmenting the memory storing the data into at least one protected segment, and for controlling access to the protected segment.

A compact hardware key for protecting software executing on a computer is disclosed. The hardware key uses a two piece insulator design in which each insulator piece provides a double layer insulator body for protection from tampering, insulator areas for electrically isolating I/O connector pins, and an integral circuit board support portion for securely mounting the circuit board assembly. The compact hardware key also comprises a unique coaxially displaced interrupt pin structure.

Compact transparent dongle device

Growing community of inventors

Lake Forest, CA, United States of America

Patrick N Godding