The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 30, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1997
Thomas G Xydis, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ensure Technologies Incorporated, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A method of controlling a computer (12) system (10) comprising the steps of: disposing a computer (12) in an operating space and placing the computer (12) in a lockout mode to prevent operation of the computer (12) software by a user. A database (26) of authorized user codes is compiled in the computer. A transponder (20) places a first authorized user code in the operating space and a transceiver (18) scans the operating space for the presence of a transponder transmitting an authorized user code and senses the presence of the first authorized user code in the operating space. A comparator (29) compares the first authorized user code to the database (26) for verification to unlock the computer (12) for use by the first authorized user in response to sensing the authorized user code in the operating space. The authorized user then is free to operate the computer software while the sensing for the presence of a transponder (20) transmitting an authorized user code in the operating space is continued. The computer (12) is relocked in the lockout mode at the termination of the first authorized user code by removing the transponder from the operating space and locking the software in a re-lockout operational status at the time of relocking to prevent operation of the computer (12) software by a user.