Patent ID: 7899754
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for generating a key to enable an authorized feature on a computerized system, the method comprising the following steps: receiving a request for a key to enable an authorized feature on a target system, the request including a serial number of the target system; generating a machine identifier identifying at least a portion of the serial number of the target system; generating a key type identifying a feature to be enabled on the target system; generating a key data value identifying a quantity of enablement associated with the key type; encrypting the machine identifier, the key type and the key data value into a feature key; transmitting the feature key from the key server to the target system; verifying that the machine identifier corresponds with the portion of the serial number of the target system and the key type identifies a feature supported on the target system; after verifying that the machine identifier corresponds with the portion of the serial number of the target system and the key type identifies a feature supported on the target system, enabling the feature only in the quantity indicated by the key data value on the target system for the key type; incrementing a key generation number by one over the key generation number of a currently installed feature key for the feature to be enabled on the target system; encrypting the key generation number into the feature key; determining whether the key generation number is not one greater than the key generation number of the currently installed feature key for the feature type; and rejecting the feature key, by the target system, after determining that the key generation number is not one greater than the key generation number of the currently installed feature key for the feature type.