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| Comparative performance modeling for distributed object oriented applications |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a typical distributed system with mixed hardware ... |
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| Multi-transaction service system |
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| System and method of targeted marketing |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the overall conceptual framework of the present ... |
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| System configuration proposal method and tool therefor |
| It is an object of the invention to provide a system configuration evaluation/proposal support ... |
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Secure on-line PC postage metering system
| Details |
Inventors: Ananda, Mohan;
Assignee: Stamps.Com, Inc. (Santa Monica, CA)
Primary Examiner: Wright; Norman Michael
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: The Hecker Law Group
The present invention is a system for providing secure access and execution of application software stored on a first computer by a second computer using a communication device while a communication link is maintained between the first and second computers. More specifically, the present invention is a secure software rental system. The system enables a user in a remote location using a personal computer and a modem to connect to a central rental facility, transfer application software from the central rental facility to the remote computer, and execute the application software on the remote computer while electronically connected to the central rental facility. When the communication link between the central rental facility and the remote computer is interrupted or terminated, the application software no longer executes on the remote computer. The application software stored on the central rental facility is integrated with the header software to provide a security feature of the present invention. The use of header software allows the user to execute the application software only while the user is electronically connected to the central rental facility continuously. In one embodiment, the rental software is an on-line postage metering program. In this embodiment, a user computer and a user printer, electronically connected to the PSD server and the USPS computer, constitute an on-line electronic postage meter. The on-line electronic postage meter allows a remote user to print postage using a local printer in a secure manner. A printed postage appears as a two-dimensional bar-code that includes a unique serial number, mail delivery point information, and the amount of postage. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A method and apparatus for providing a secure software rental system is described.
In the following description, numerous specific details, such as number and nature of messages, communication applications, etc.
, are described in detail in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention.
It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
The Secure Software Rental System and a User Computer FIG.
1 is a diagram illustrating a remote user computer system 150 connected to a central rental facility 180 by electronic communications path 136A for securely renting software.
The remote user computer system 150 includes user computer 102, a display device 104, a keyboard 114, and a communication modem 106.
The central rental facility 180 includes database computer 122, a display device 124, a keyboard 128, and a multiuser communication modem 126.
Coupling 112 connects user computer 102 to display 104 for providing output to a user.
Coupling 114 connects keyboard 108 to user computer 102 for providing input from a user.
Modem 106 is connected to user computer 102 by coupling 110.
Modem 106 of remote user computer system 150 is coupled to multiuser communication modem 126 by communication path 136A.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, communication path 136A is a telephone transmission line.
The present invention is not limited to a telephone transmission line, and other communication paths may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Multiuser modem 126 is coupled to a plurality of communication paths 136A-136C for establishing communications with a plurality of remote user computer systems concurrently.
Multiuser modem 126 is connected to database computer 122 by coupling 120
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Finance 
