Dynamic Digital Content Licensing Across Local and Remote Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing licensing methods for digital content are inefficient, as they require separate purchases for each user and product, lead to idle software due to peak usage mismatches, and lack flexibility in execution between local computers and remote application service providers, resulting in unnecessary costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A licensing method that allows digital content to be executed on either a customer's computer network or an application service provider, with independently selectable units and flexible assignment of resources, enabling users to choose where content is executed and accommodating peak usage demands without the need for constant software updates or server management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If node-locked licenses are used to restrict software use to specific computers, then software usage control is improved, but software utilization efficiency deteriorates due to idle licenses during non-peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic license allocation that allows licenses to be flexibly assigned between local and remote execution based on real-time usage patterns and capacity availability, transforming static node-locked licenses into dynamic resources that optimize both control and utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal licensing system that works across multiple execution environments (local customer computers and remote application service provider processors), allowing a single license to serve multiple functions and locations, thereby improving utilization without sacrificing control
2Reliability
If separate licenses are purchased for each product to ensure availability during peak usage, then product availability is improved, but licensing cost deteriorates due to purchasing more licenses than needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple product licenses into a unified licensing pool that can be dynamically allocated across different products based on demand, allowing customers to access multiple products through a single licensing agreement rather than purchasing separate licenses for each product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary licensing management system that mediates between the customer and multiple software products, dynamically allocating license units across products based on usage patterns and availability, thereby reducing the total number of licenses needed while ensuring product availability
3Ease of operation
If traditional suite licensing is used to provide access to multiple products with common licenses, then licensing simplicity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates because it assumes equal value for each product and cannot expand to wide ranges of software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the licensing parameter from fixed suite-based allocations to dynamic unit-based allocations, where each product is assigned a value in terms of units and licenses can be flexibly distributed based on actual usage and value, enabling both simplicity and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms static suite licensing into a dynamic system where license units can be reallocated across different products and services based on changing demands, allowing the licensing model to adapt to new products and usage patterns while maintaining operational simplicity
4Adaptability or versatility
If units-based licensing is implemented to allow flexible access to multiple products, then adaptability is improved, but user efficiency deteriorates due to stacking of units that forces users to terminate one product to run another
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary licensing management system that monitors and coordinates unit usage across multiple products, preventing the stacking problem by dynamically allocating units in real-time and allowing users to run multiple products simultaneously without termination, thereby maintaining both flexibility and efficiency
5Power
If customer computer capacity is increased to handle more users and larger applications, then processing capability is improved, but infrastructure cost deteriorates due to memory, disk space, and processor speed expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary application service provider layer between the customer and the software applications, allowing customers to access high-capacity processing resources remotely without having to invest in expanding their own infrastructure, thereby providing enhanced processing capability while controlling infrastructure costs
Data Source
AI summary
A predetermined number of assigned units for each of a plurality of individually selectable pieces of digital content are checked when each piece of digital content is executed in a customer computer network or on an application service provider. Execution of a requested digital content is granted when the number of required units to execute the requested digital content is less than or equal to the total number of available units. Any licensed digital content may be executed on the separate application service provider through a communication network. Access is granted for execution of the requested digital content by a license manager based on whether the application service provider required units of the requested digital content are greater than the available units on the requesting customer computer network. Execution of the requested digital content on the application service provider may be immediate if the application service provider is available or execution can be delayed. If the requested digital content cannot be executed immediately, the required units can be locked up and charged to the customer computer network available units or left uncharged.