Adaptive Software Licensing Using Usage Feedback and Policy Audits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software licensing systems are not adaptive enough for cloud computing environments, leading to inefficiencies such as wasted or underutilized licenses, misuse, and difficulty in monetizing software effectively while maintaining customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive licensing system that collects usage data, analyzes it through various modules, and modifies licenses dynamically based on usage patterns, policies, and incentives to optimize usage and monetization, while reducing tampering and churn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static licensing strategies are used, then compliance tracking is simplified, but license utilization efficiency deteriorates due to wasted or underutilized licenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic licensing by continuously monitoring software usage metrics and automatically adjusting license allocations in real-time. The system transitions from static predetermined licenses to dynamic licenses that adapt based on actual usage patterns, ensuring licenses are allocated efficiently without waste while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated processes.
2Reliability
If concurrent usage limits are imposed, then license control is improved, but adaptability to actual software usage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where usage data is continuously collected from the software environment, analyzed against licensing policies, and used to dynamically adjust license allocations. This closed-loop system maintains reliable control through automated monitoring while simultaneously adapting to actual usage patterns, resolving the contradiction between control and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts concurrent usage limits based on real-time usage patterns rather than imposing fixed limits. License allocations are continuously modified according to actual software usage metrics, enabling the system to maintain control while adapting flexibly to changing usage requirements.
3Productivity
If pay per use strategies are implemented, then monetization is improved, but tracking and compliance monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines usage tracking, compliance monitoring, and billing functions into a single integrated system. By merging these previously separate processes, the system achieves accurate pay-per-use monetization while reducing overall complexity through unified automated processing rather than separate manual systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automated tracking and compliance monitoring that continuously collects usage data, verifies licensing terms, and generates billing information without manual intervention. This automation maintains accurate monetization tracking while reducing operational complexity by eliminating manual processes.
4Ease of operation
If traditional license slicing is used, then pay per use support is provided, but dynamic adaptation to usage patterns is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances traditional license slicing by making it dynamic rather than static. License slices are automatically adjusted in size and duration based on real-time usage patterns, maintaining the ease of pay-per-use operation while adding dynamic adaptation. The system continuously monitors usage and modifies license allocations accordingly, preventing both over-provisioning and under-provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a license delivery module that delivers to or enables software for a licensee under a license at a licensee client device or a plurality of licensee client devices, a license usage collection module that collects data regarding usage of the license at the licensee client device or at the plurality of licensee client devices, one or more analyzer modules coupled to the license usage collection module for analyzing or auditing of usage based on adherence to one or more usage policies under the license, and an adaptive factor computation engine that modifies the license under one or more predetermined options for usage policies based on the analyzing or auditing of usage to provide the licensee with a more cost effective license for the licensee or a more robustly monetizable license under a modified license.