System and Method for Controlling Usage of Software on Computing Devices

Abstract

Described is a method and system for controlling usage of software on a computing device. An authorization key is generated as a function of a device string and a software string. The device string is a unique string stored in the device. The software string is a unique string stored in a software authorized for use on the device. The authorization key is encrypted using a private key and stored in the device. Upon a request to use software on the device, the authorization key is decrypted using a public key corresponding to the private key. A test key is generated as a function of the device string and a request software string. The request software string is a unique string stored in the software for which use has been requested. The authorization key is compared to the test key. When the test key matches the authorization key, usage of the software for which use has been requested on the device is permitted.

1 . A method for securing software on a computing device, comprising: 
 (a) generating an authorization key as a function of a device string and a software string, the device string being a unique string stored in the device, the software string being a unique string stored in a software authorized for use on the device;    (b) encrypting the authorization key using a private key; and    (c) storing the authorization key in the device.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) includes the following substeps: 
 performing at least one of combination and concatenation of the device string and the software string to create a resulting string, and    hashing the resulting string to generate the authorization key.    
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein step (b) includes the following substeps: 
 converting the authorization key into a binary large object, and    encrypting the binary large object using the private key to generate the encrypted authorization key.    
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) includes the substep of storing the authorization key into a registry of the device.  
   
   
       5 . A computing device capable of securing software loaded thereon, comprising: 
 a processor; and    a memory arrangement storing a preloaded authorization key and a device string which is a unique string, the authorization key being generated as a function of the device string and a software string, the software string being a unique string stored in a software authorized for use on the device, the authorization key being encrypted using a private key.    
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the device includes a portable computing device.  
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the device is using Windows CE operating system, and wherein the software includes Windows CE compatible software.  
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the authorization key is created by at least one of combining and concatenating of the device string and the software string to create a resulting string, the resulting string being hashed to generate the authorization key.  
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein before the authorization key is stored into the memory, the authorization key is converted into a binary large object which is encrypted using the private key to generate the encrypted authorization key.  
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the device is one of a handheld scanner and an imager.  
   
   
       11 . A computing device for controlling usage of software on a further computing device, comprising: 
 a memory arrangement; and    a processor generating an authorization key as a function of a further device string and a software string, the software string being a unique string stored in a software authorized for use on the further device, the further device string being a unique string being stored in the further device, the authorization key being encrypted using a private key,    wherein the processor stores the authorization key and a public key corresponding to the private key in the memory arrangement.    
   
   
       12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the further device includes a portable computing device.  
   
   
       13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the further device is using Windows CE operating system, and wherein the software includes Windows CE compatible software.  
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the processor generates the authorization key by converting the authorization key into a binary large object and encrypting the binary large object using the private key to generate the encrypted authorization key.  
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the device is one of a handheld scanner and an imager.  
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions capable of being executed by a processor to control usage of software on a computing device, the set of instructions performing the steps of: 
 (a) generating an authorization key as a function of a device string and a software string, the device string being a unique string stored in the device, the software string being a unique string stored in a software authorized for use on the device;    (b) encrypting the authorization key using a private key; and    (c) storing the authorization key in the device.    
   
   
       17 . A method, comprising: 
 (a) upon a request to use software on a computing device, performing the following substeps: 
 decrypting an authorization key using a public key which corresponds to the private key, the authorization key generated as a function of a device string and a software string and encrypted using a private key, the device string being a unique string stored in the device, the software string being a unique string stored in a software authorized for use on the device;  
 generating a test key as a function of the device string and a request software string, the request software string being a unique string stored in the software for which use has been requested, and  
 comparing the decrypted authorization key to the test key; and  
   (b) when the test key matches the decrypted authorization key, permitting usage of the software for which use has been requested on the device.