Abstract: A system and method to remotely enable software based options for a trial period in remote equipment is disclosed. The invention includes receiving and authenticating a user, and receiving an option-enabling request from the user specifying the particular option requested to be enabled in a particular piece of equipment at a remote location. A system I.D. is validated, and the system ensures that the option has not already been enabled at least once before, and if it has not, a software enabling key is generated and sent to activate the option in the remote equipment.

Abstract: A system for granting indefinite use of inactivated software options pre-installed on a device is provided. The system includes receiving, at a remote processing facility, a recurrent use request from a user requesting access to an inactivated software option resident on the device. The system is further configured to validate the request and generate an activation key. The activation key is transmitted from the processing facility to the device automatically activating the option and granting recurrent access. The activation key or code is generated at the processing facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a recurrent use identifier, and the selected option. A method to permit recurrent use of resident, yet, inactivated software of a device is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for requesting remotely enabled access to inactive software options resident on a device. A graphical user interface (GUI) is electronically linked to a centralized facility remotely located from the device. Option identifying parameters, such as a user ID, host ID, system ID, modality selection, and option selection are entered using the GUI and transmitted via an electronic request to the centralized facility. In response to the received request, the centralized facility generates a software key and transmits same to the device for activation of the option if approved by the centralized facility.

Abstract: A central service facility is connected via a network and a uniform service interactive platform to a multiplicity of remotely located medical diagnostic systems. The interactive platform includes a video/audio plug-in application which can be used to access a library of videos via a network. The video library is stored at the central service facility or on a local area network at the remote facility. The interactive platform of the medical diagnostic system comprises a web browser which enables the end-user to search and select a training video from the database, and a video/audio player for viewing the selected video directly from the operator's console. Depending on bandwidth availability, the video file can be downloaded to the remotely located medical diagnostic equipment prior to display or streamed in real-time.

Abstract: A system for granting indefinite use of inactivated software options pre-installed on a device is provided. The system includes receiving, at a remote processing facility, a recurrent use request from a user requesting access to an inactivated software option resident on the device. The system is further configured to validate the request and generate an activation key. The activation key is transmitted from the processing facility to the device automatically activating the option and granting recurrent access. The activation key or code is generated at the processing facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a recurrent use identifier, and the selected option. A method to permit recurrent use of resident, yet, inactivated software of a device is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that remotely grants limited access and permits use of resident software options in accordance with terms consistent with an access grant. The invention includes receiving an access request from a user to access a software option resident in memory of a device, determining whether to grant access in response to the request, and generating an access grant in response to a qualified access request that is transmitted from a centralized facility to a remote device to automatically enable access to the option.

Abstract: A central service facility is connected via a network and a uniform service interactive platform to a multiplicity of remotely located diagnostic systems. The diagnostic system is programmed to provide the equipment user with the ability to create an electronic list of non-urgent service tasks to be performed by a field engineer. The task list is transmitted from the diagnostic system to the service center via the network. The service center subsequently transmits the task list to the assigned field engineer via the same network or via any other available communications channel, e.g., a facsimile or wireless communication. Preferably, the task list is provided to the field engineer prior to an on-site visit based upon a call schedule.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for activating inactive software options pre-installed on a device upon initialization of the device and thereby preventing installation during device operation. The invention includes receiving a request from a user at a centralized facility for access to an inactive option resident on the device. After validation of the request, an option-specific activation key or code is generated at the centralized facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a host identifier, a use period identifier, and the selected option. The activation key is then transmitted from the centralized facility to the device whereupon only during initialization or reboot of the device is access to the inactive option automatically granted. The limiting of access to the inactive option until device initialization ensures that option enablement is prevented during device operation.

Abstract: A system for managing the generation of licensed end-user software applications based on contracting information which is automatically fed from one or more business contract systems. A license manager communicates with a license database, a license generator and one or more business contract systems. The license manager receives an automated feed of contract and subscription information from each business contract system, interprets which of the bundled features require a license, filters or strips out the licensing information needed to generate the required license, and then logs that licensing information in the license database. If the license manager determines that a license file needs to be generated, the license manager outputs the licensing information to the license generator with a request that the latter generate a tamper-proof encrypted license file.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing image artifact to medical diagnostic institutions and systems. The information and images is created and stored on machine readable media. A user may enter a problem query at a user interface at the diagnostic institution or system and search a database of information located at a centralized service facility. A list of solutions and images having characteristic artifacts is displayed at the diagnostic institution. The user may then select and display a desired image or solution from the user interface. The particular solution may include textual and exemplary images descriptions of the solution. Moreover, additional links may be provided to access other related sources of information. The information stored on the machine readable media may be easily solutions to existing case problems.

Abstract: A method and a system for delivery of protected software applications to remote systems from a central service facility wherein delivery is managed on the basis of the community membership of the remote system user. Business rules are utilized to determine whether a particular authenticated user seeking access to a protected software application from a particular remote site should be authorized. A multiplicity of web servers are programmed to allow selective access to one or more resident software applications by remote system users via a network. Access is managed by a central policy server based on user and system information and community definitions stored in a database. The policy server communicates with each web server via an agency module incorporated in the web server. The agency module intercepts requests for access from remote system users and then interfaces with the policy server.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for activating inactive software options preinstalled on a device upon initialization of the device and thereby preventing installation during device operation. The invention includes receiving a request from a user at a centralized facility for access to an inactive option resident on the device. After validation of the request, an option-specific activation key or code is generated at the centralized facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a host identifier, a use period identifier, and the selected option. The activation key is then transmitted from the centralized facility to the device whereupon only during initialization or reboot of the device is access to the inactive option automatically granted. The limiting of access to the inactive option until device initialization ensures that option enablement is prevented during device operation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that remotely grants limited access and permits use of resident software options in accordance with terms consistent with an access grant. The invention includes receiving an access request from a user to access a software option resident in memory of a device, determining whether to grant access in response to the request, and generating an access grant in response to a qualified access request that is transmitted from a centralized facility to a remote device to automatically enable access to the option.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for requesting remotely enabled access to inactive software options resident on a device. A graphical user interface (GUI) is electronically linked to a centralized facility remotely located from the device. Option identifying parameters, such as a user ID, host ID, system ID, modality selection, and option selection are entered using the GUI and transmitted via an electronic request to the centralized facility. In response to the received request, the centralized facility generates a software key and transmits same to the device for activation of the option if approved by the centralized facility.

Abstract: A system for granting indefinite use of inactivated software options pre-installed on a device is provided. The system includes receiving, at a remote processing facility, a recurrent use request from a user requesting access to an inactivated software option resident on the device. The system is further configured to validate the request and generate an activation key. The activation key is transmitted from the processing facility to the device automatically activating the option and granting recurrent access. The activation key or code is generated at the processing facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a recurrent use identifier, and the selected option. A method to permit recurrent use of resident, yet, inactivated software of a device is also provided.