Patents Assigned to Softvault Systems, Inc.
  • Method and system for embedded, automated, component-level control of computer systems and other complex systems
    Patent number: 6594765
    Abstract: A method and system for protecting and controlling personal computers (“PCs”), components installed in or attached to PCs, and other electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical devices and systems. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a server running on a remote computer and hardware-implemented agents embedded within the circuitry that controls the various devices within a PC. The agents intercept all communications to and from the devices into which they are embedded, passing the communications when authorized to do so, and blocking communications when not authorized, effectively disabling the devices. Embedded agents are continuously authorized from the remote server computer by handshake operations implemented as communications messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Softvault Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Sherman, Mark P. Sherman, George M. Reed, Larry Saunders, Wayne Goldman, Simon Whittie, Richard N. Hunter, Jr.
  • Method and system for embedded, automated, component-level control of computer systems and other complex systems
    Patent number: 6249868
    Abstract: A method and system for protecting and controlling personal computers (“PCs”) and components installed in or attached to PCs. The method and system may be used to protect PCs from use after being stolen. An exemplary embodiment of the system includes a server running on a remote computer and hardware-implemented agents embedded within the circuitry that controls the various devices within a PC. The agents intercept all communications to and from the devices into which they are embedded, passing the communications when authorized to do so, and blocking communications when not authorized, effectively disabling the devices. Embedded agents are continuously authorized from the remote server computer by handshake operations implemented as communications messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Softvault Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Sherman, Mark P. Sherman, George M. Reed, Larry Saunders, Wayne Goldman, Simon Whittie