Patent ID: 7219222

Claim:
A method to remotely permit user enablement of software options resident on a medical imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (A) prompt a user to input a request and I.D. data into a data entry module remote from and communicatively coupled with a remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, the request and I.D. data including a user identifier, a system identifier, a stand-alone device identifier, and a non-enabled option identifier; (B) receiving, at a centralized facility, the request and I.D. data from the user, via the data entry module remote from and communicatively coupled with a remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, wherein the request and I.D. data seek access to the non-enabled option resident on the device; (C) generating an electronic licensing contract; (D) prompt the user to either accept or decline the licensing contract; (E) if the user accepts the licensing contract, generating an electronic enabler configured to enable the non-enabled option; (F) transmitting the electronic enabler to the user via the data entry module; and (G) providing instructions to the user via the data entry module to install the electronic enabler in the remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device to activate the option on the remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, upon user-input of the enabler on the data entry module or the stand-alone medical imaging device.