Embedded Building Controller License Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building control systems face challenges in managing software licenses, including high implementation costs, technical support requirements, and difficulties in transferring licenses between computers, due to the use of hardware dongles and license files tied to specific hardware.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a building control system where embedded building controllers store and manage license files, which specify authorization information and restrictions, and can act as a license server to verify the authenticity of the license, allowing for a floating license model that enables multiple users and devices to access the system within defined limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware dongles are used to enforce license restrictions, then license security and control are improved, but implementation cost and technical support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the license enforcement functionality from external hardware dongles and relocates it to the embedded building controller itself. The controller stores license information internally and performs self-authentication, eliminating the need for separate hardware security devices while maintaining license security.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded building controller performs self-authentication by storing license information internally and verifying its own licensing status. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external hardware dongles and reduces implementation complexity while maintaining reliable license control.
2Reliability
If hardware dongles are used for license enforcement, then license control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to physical access requirements and manual transfer needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical hardware dongle requirement and extracts license enforcement to the controller's internal memory. This allows license information to be accessed and transferred digitally through standard communication protocols, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining license control.
Solution Approach 2:
The license information is copied and stored within the embedded controller's memory, creating a digital replica that can be easily transferred and accessed without physical hardware. This digital copying approach maintains license control while enabling convenient remote access and transfer.
3Device complexity
If license files are installed on the hard drive of the general purpose computer, then hardware cost is reduced, but license management complexity increases and security decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the license storage and authentication functions directly into the embedded building controller, combining what were previously separate components (controller and license management). This integration reduces hardware costs by eliminating separate license servers while improving security through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller performs self-authentication using internally stored license information, eliminating the need for external license servers or hard drive installations. This self-service approach reduces hardware complexity while maintaining strong security through cryptographic verification.
4Reliability
If licenses are tied to a particular personal computer, then license control is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when computers need to be replaced or upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the embedded building controller universal by enabling it to store and verify license information independently of any specific personal computer. The controller can serve multiple workstations and PCs on the network, providing license control while enabling flexible adaptability when computers are replaced or upgraded.
Data Source
AI summary
A building controller unit having a building controller adapted to control one or more building components of a building, and a license file stored within the building controller unit for storing software license information. In some cases, the building controller unit may include a license server for granting and/or denying software access requests from one or more software applications running external to the building controller unit based on the software license information stored in the building controller unit.