Floating License Management via Hardware Clock Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to enable electronic devices that do not directly communicate with a server to use a time-limited floating license provided by the server.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device sets the start and end dates and times of a license for an electronic device based on a hardware clock, and manages the license usage until the valid period passes, allowing the license to be transferred between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floating license is provided by a server to electronic devices, then the function can be used in more electronic devices than the number of licenses, but electronic devices that do not directly communicate with the server cannot use the time-limited floating license
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by setting the use start date and time, use end date and time, and valid period on the license before it is transferred to electronic devices. These time parameters are embedded in the license data structure, allowing the license to be self-validating without requiring continuous server communication. The license management unit on each device uses its hardware clock to automatically verify these time parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The license data structure acts as an intermediary that carries time limitation information from the server to electronic devices. The license includes use start date and time, use end date and time, and valid period parameters that mediate between the server's authorization and the device's local enforcement, enabling time-limited usage without direct server communication.
2Reliability
If license time limits are enforced through direct server communication, then license validity can be controlled, but electronic devices cannot use licenses when disconnected from the server
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by setting the use start date and time, use end date and time, and valid period on the license before it is transferred to electronic devices. These time parameters are embedded in the license data structure, allowing the license to be self-validating without requiring continuous server communication. The license management unit on each device uses its hardware clock to automatically verify these time parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device's license management unit independently verifies license validity by comparing its hardware clock against the use start date and time, use end date and time, and valid period embedded in the license. This self-service mechanism allows the device to enforce time limits locally without requiring ongoing server communication or validation.
3Reliability
If license parameters are set based on server time, then centralized control is maintained, but devices with different hardware clocks may experience time synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by setting the use start date and time, use end date and time, and valid period on the license before it is transferred to electronic devices. These time parameters are embedded in the license data structure, allowing the license to be self-validating without requiring continuous server communication. The license management unit on each device uses its hardware clock to automatically verify these time parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present technology relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, an electronic device, and an information processing system that enable use of a time-limited floating license in an electronic device that does not directly communicate with an information processing device that provides a floating license. An information processing device includes a license management unit that sets at least one of a first use start date and time or a first use end date and time of a license to be provided to a first electronic device on the basis of a date and time of a hardware clock, and responds to return of the license from the first electronic device and provision of a second electronic device with the license returned from the first electronic device until the date and time of the hardware clock pass a first valid period with reference to the first use start date and time or pass the first use end date and time. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a server that provides a floating license.