SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REMOTELY GENERATE ACTIVATION KEY AND SCRIPT FOR REMOTE ACTIVATION OF SOFTWARE-BASED OPTION
A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a device includes generating an activation key configured to activate an option resident in a memory of an in-field device and selecting a verification script to at least confirm enableability of the option in the in-field device. The invention also includes sending the activation key and the verification script to the in-field device wherein the in-field device is capable of executing the verification script and receiving a report from the in-field device. If the report is satisfactory, the activation key is installed in the in-field device whereby the option is activated and if the report is not satisfactory, activation of the option is aborted.
1 . An automated method of remotely activating options resident on a device comprising the steps of:
generating an activation key configured to activate an option resident in a memory of an in-field device;
selecting a verification script to at least confirm enableability of the option in the in-field device;
sending the activation key and the verification script to the in-field device wherein the in-field device is capable of executing the verification script;
receiving a report from the in-field device; and
if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device whereby the option is activated and if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating the activation key to be unique to the in-field device.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of bundling the activation key and the verification script together and wherein the step of sending the activation key and the verification script to the in-field device includes sending the bundle.
4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting the verification script such that the report is automatically generated when executed by the in-field device.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the step of selecting includes selecting the verification script to provide the report including at least one of:
options currently active;
options supported by the in-field device; and
dependencies of options supported by the in-field device.
6 . The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of determining, from the report, whether the option to be activated is one of currently active, not supported by the in-field device, and requires dependent activations and, if the determination is positive, deeming the report unsatisfactory.
7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of sending a message prompting contact with a centralized facility if the report is unsatisfactory.
8 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of monitoring use of the option an providing a warning of an expiration of the activation key.
9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating the activation key upon receiving an access request from the in-field device at a centralized facility.
10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of receiving a system ID as part of the access request, wherein the system ID is a unique identifier of a customer initiating the access request.
11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of verifying whether the access request and system ID are valid.
12 . The method of claim 1 wherein the in-field device is configured for medical imaging.
13 . A system to respond to a request to remotely enable an option resident on an in-field device, the system comprising:
a centralized facility located remotely from an in-field device having an inactive option, and the centralized facility having at least one access computer programmed to:
select a verification script to check that the in-field device is in condition to activate the inactive option;
send the verification script to the in-field device wherein the in-field device is capable of executing the verification script; and
install an activation key in the in-field device to activate the inactive option if the verification script indicates that the in-field device is in condition to activate the inactive option.
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the computer is further programmed to generate an activation key upon receipt of an access request from the in-field device.
15 . The system of claim 14 wherein the activation key is based upon a unique host ID received from the in-field device.
16 . The system of claim 15 wherein the computer is further programmed to electronically transmit the activation key to the in-field device to active the inactive option.
17 . The system of claim 13 wherein the in-field device is in condition to activate the inactive option if the in-field device supports the inactive option and dependent configuration is unnecessary to activate the inactive option.
18 . The system of claim 17 wherein the computer is further programmed to receive a report automatically generated by the verification script from the in-field device indicating whether the in-field device supports the inactive option and whether dependent configuration is necessary to activate the inactive option.
19 . The system of claim 13 wherein the computer is further programmed to send a notification to contact the centralized facility if the in-field device is not in condition to activate the inactive option.
20 . The system of claim 13 wherein the in-field device is a medical imaging device.
21 . A system to remotely enable an option resident on an in-field device, the system comprising:
an in-field device located remotely from a centralized facility and programmed to:
send an access request to the centralized facility to request activation of an option of the in-field device;
receive an activation key uniquely configured to activate the option of the in-field device and a verification script to authenticate a current status of the in-field device;
send a report generated by the verification script to the centralized facility indicating the current status of the in-field device; and
install the activation key to activate the option if the current status of the in-field device is determined to be satisfactory by the centralized facility.
22 . The system of claim 21 wherein the activation key is based upon a host ID unique to the in-field device.
23 . The system of claim 21 wherein a message prompting communication with the centralized facility is sent to the in-field device if the current status of the in-field device is unsatisfactory.
24 . The system of claim 23 wherein the current status of the in-field device is unsatisfactory if the report indicates that at least one of: the option is currently active, the in-field device does not support the option, and absent dependencies preclude activation of the option.
25 . The system of claim 21 wherein the activation key and the verification script are received as a bundle.
26 . The system of claim 25 wherein the bundle is compressed.
27 . The system of claim 21 wherein the in-field device is a medical imaging device.
28 . The system of claim 21 wherein the report includes at least one of:
options currently active;
options supported by the in-field device; and
dependencies of options supported by the in-field device.
29 . The system of claim 21 wherein the in-field device is determined to be satisfactory if the option is enableable in the in-field device.