Michael P Dunham

US Patent:

47915650, Dec 13, 1988

Filed:

Jun 20, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/622657

Inventors:

Michael D. Dunham - Shorewood WI
Thomas M. Dykstra - Mequon WI
Donald W. Vahlsing - Grafton WI
Paul L. Ehlers - Menasha WI

Assignee:

Effective Security Systems, Inc. - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

G06F 1214

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

Apparatus for controlling the use of software in accordance with authorized software license limits, including a limit of the number of concurrent usages of a particular software in a computer system having one or more operator terminals and a central processor containing the software. The apparatus includes a receiver that monitors usage requests from the software in the central processor. A microprocessor based controller accesses authorized use data stored in an EEPROM. Depending on the propriety of usage requests, the controller and an interruptor and transmitter coupled to the central processor and its software prevents operation of the software and/or provides warning messages on the terminal screen.