David Charles Colvin

US Patent:

6446211, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Nov 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/709707

Inventors:

David Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 709229, 705 51, 713150

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for securing software to reduce unauthorized use and provide repeated contact with a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, or marketing information include repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for an authorization code for continued use of the software. Authorization codes and registration information may be used with encryption to transfer information from the authorized representative to resist tampering by unauthorized users. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides authorization information which allows continued use of the software for a period based on value of the software.

US Patent:

6460142, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Mar 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/535321

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

24 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 709229, 705 51

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing repeated contact with a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, or marketing information include repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides authorization information which allows continued use of the software for a period based on value of the software.

US Patent:

6484264, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/573771

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 709229, 705 51

Abstract:

A method for providing repeated contact with computer software or a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, and/or marketing information includes repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides authorization information which allows continued use of the software for a period based on value of the software.

US Patent:

6502195, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/573659

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 709229, 705 51

Abstract:

A computer readable storage medium for providing repeated contact with computer software or a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, or marketing information includes repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides authorization information which allows continued use of the software for a period based on value of the software.

US Patent:

6785825, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/161278

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 705 51, 713150

Abstract:

A method for reducing unauthorized software use includes supplying a first code with the software. The first code enables the software on a computer for use by a user for an initial authorization period upon entry by the user. The user is required to contact the representative for retrieval of an additional code. The software is operable during a subsequent authorization period beyond the initial authorization period without further communication with the representative following entry of the additional code. The user provides registration information to the representative prior to retrieval of the additional code. The registration information is compared with previously provided registration information to determine if the user is authorized or unauthorized. The software is disabled following the initial authorization period if the user is unauthorized. The additional code is transferred to at least one of the software, the user, and the computer if the user is authorized.

US Patent:

6792548, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/993112

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 705 51, 717168

Abstract:

A method for providing repeated contact with computer software or a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, and/or marketing information includes repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application.

US Patent:

6792549, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/993113

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 705 51

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing repeated contact with a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, or marketing information include repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry.

US Patent:

6795925, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Nov 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/993102

Inventors:

David S. Colvin - Commerce Township MI

Assignee:

Z4 Technologies, Inc. - Commerce Township MI

International Classification:

H04L 932

US Classification:

713202, 705 51, 717168

Abstract:

A computer readable storage medium for providing repeated contact with computer software or a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, or marketing information includes repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application.