Automated Licensing System for Communication Feature Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manual process for upgrading communication systems is inefficient, requiring advance license estimation and payment, lacks immediate availability of licenses, is prone to fraud, and involves significant manual effort and costs.
Innovation Solution
An automated method for licensing features during system upgrades, where features are extracted from a database, transmitted to a license server, and installed in the new system, using a License Authorization Code to ensure secure and timely activation, preventing unauthorized upgrades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual license procurement procedures are used, then license activation can be controlled, but the process requires significant time and manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the license server automatically detects upgraded features in the communication system and generates appropriate license files without requiring manual intervention from product managers. The system extracts feature information automatically and procures licenses through automated processes, eliminating the need for manual license management while maintaining control.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of license procurement is replaced by an automated electronic system. The license server communicates with the communication system through electronic interfaces, automatically detecting features and generating license files digitally, thereby substituting the manual paper-based or semi-automated processes with a fully electronic automated system.
2Reliability
If licenses are procured in advance, then license availability is ensured, but costs are incurred before actual use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of features that will require licensing during the upgrade process. The license server identifies upgraded features before license procurement is initiated, allowing the system to prepare license files in advance of actual activation while based on confirmed feature requirements rather than estimates.
Solution Approach 2:
The license server continuously monitors the communication system to detect when features are actually activated or upgraded. This feedback mechanism allows the system to procure licenses based on actual usage requirements rather than advance estimates, triggering license generation and procurement only when and if features are actually deployed.
3Reliability
If manual license management is used, then license distribution can be controlled, but errors and fraud are more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The manual process of license distribution is replaced by automated electronic processes. The license server automatically generates license files based on detected feature information, eliminating manual transcription errors and reducing the risk of fraud through automated verification and electronic delivery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The license server acts as an intermediary between the communication system and the licensing authority. It automatically detects features, determines licensing requirements, and manages the license distribution process, thereby controlling license distribution through an automated mediator rather than manual human intervention, reducing errors and enhancing security.
4Productivity
If automated license extraction is implemented, then processing speed is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The license server is designed as a multi-functional system that performs feature detection, license file generation, automated procurement, and secure distribution all through a single platform. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into one system, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system itself provides information about its features to the license server through automated interfaces. The system self-describes its upgraded features, eliminating the need for complex external detection mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for automatically licensing service features during the upgrade of a first communication system (11) into a second communication system (12), said method having the following steps: (a) extracting the service features to be licensed from a database, (b) transmitting the service features to be licensed to a License Server (CLS), (c) generating a license file (LF) in the License server (CLS), (d) transmitting the license file (LF) to the second communication system (12), and (e) installing the license file (LF) in the second communication system (12). This invention also relates to a corresponding computer program and corresponding licensing system.