Blockchain Software Usage Tracking for License Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for software vendors to accurately establish and track software instance usage, particularly in cloud-computing environments where instances are executed repeatedly and on a demand basis, as existing methods lack a reliable and tamper-proof mechanism for determining usage and associated license fees.
Innovation Solution
A blockchain-based system that records billing rules and authorized transactions, using a consensus protocol like proof of work to create immutable blocks, ensuring accurate and provable software instance usage and license fee determination, and dynamically authorizing software instance execution based on current usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional centralized methods are used to track software instance usage, then the system is easier to operate and implement, but the reliability and tamper-proof nature of usage records deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain network as an intermediary between software vendors and customers for tracking instance usage. The blockchain serves as a neutral, decentralized ledger that both parties trust, eliminating the need for one party to unilaterally trust the other's usage reports. This mediator (blockchain) ensures tamper-proof recording while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of usage data across multiple nodes in the blockchain network. Each authorized transaction is replicated and stored in blocks across the distributed network, ensuring that usage records are preserved in multiple identical copies. This copying mechanism guarantees reliability and prevents single-point failures or tampering.
2Measurement precision
If blockchain technology is implemented to ensure tamper-proof usage tracking, then the reliability and accuracy of usage determination improves, but the device complexity and implementation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain system into distinct functional components: software instance authorization, usage transaction generation, blockchain block creation, and fee calculation. Each component handles a specific aspect of the process, making the overall complex system manageable through modular design. The segmentation allows independent optimization and troubleshooting of each functional segment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic authorization based on current usage is implemented, then the adaptability and fairness of license fee determination improves, but the processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors current software instance usage through blockchain transactions and dynamically adjusts authorization decisions based on this real-time feedback. The fee calculation and authorization process incorporates feedback from the current state of the blockchain, ensuring adaptability while maintaining efficient processing through optimized consensus mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Blockchain-based software instance usage determination is disclosed. A span identifier that identifies a span is received. A blockchain is traversed to identify a plurality of authorized transactions generated within the span, the blockchain including a plurality of blocks of authorized transactions, each authorized transaction authorizing execution of a software instance. Information about software instances identified in the plurality of authorized transactions is output.