License Adaptation via Device-Bound Certificates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing device usage through licenses lack flexibility in restricting, changing, or expanding device functionality, especially in scenarios requiring authorized adaptation and compliance with varying encryption standards across different regions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a processing unit and transceiver unit that checks for a valid license, generates a certificate request, and adapts device usage based on a certificate issued by a certification server, allowing for the expansion, modification, or restriction of device features, ensuring compliance with encryption requirements and authorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software licenses require online connection to manufacturer's licensing server or user's network, then license verification and control can be achieved, but device complexity and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating device-specific parameters (such as device identifiers, hardware fingerprints, or cryptographic keys) during the device manufacturing or initialization phase, before the software is installed or activated. These pre-generated parameters are then embedded in the software license, eliminating the need for complex online verification systems while ensuring the license is tightly bound to the specific device. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable license verification through pre-computed device binding rather than runtime network-based verification.
2Reliability
If device usage is restricted through existing license mechanisms, then unauthorized use can be prevented, but flexibility to adapt device functionality for different regions and use cases is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the device usage restrictions configurable and adaptable through the license mechanism. The license can dynamically adjust which device functions are enabled or restricted based on the specific license terms, allowing the same hardware device to be legally adapted for different use cases (e.g., personal use, commercial use, different geographic regions) while maintaining theft protection. The device-specific binding ensures that even though functionality changes, the security tie to the physical device remains intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing different license parameters to control various aspects of device functionality. By changing the license parameters (such as enabling/disabling specific features, setting geographic restrictions, or defining usage duration), the device can be adapted to different regions and use cases without requiring hardware modifications. The device-specific parameters ensure that these parameter changes are securely bound to the authorized device.
3Reliability
If device-specific parameters are used to bind licenses to specific devices, then license security is improved, but ease of adapting device usage for different scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the device itself to participate in the license adaptation process. The device-specific parameters are automatically generated and used by the device's own processing unit to verify and adapt license terms without requiring manual intervention or complex external verification systems. When usage adaptation is needed, the system can automatically generate new device-specific parameters or update existing ones based on authorized changes, making the process self-contained and easier to operate while maintaining security.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for adapting the use of an apparatus. The device has a processing unit for checking if a license for the apparatus exists and for producing a certificate request and a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting the certificate request to a certification server and for receiving a certificate from the certification server in response to the certificate request. The processing unit is designed to check if information contained in the certificate match the license information and to adapt the use of the apparatus on the basis of the certificate. The invention further relates to a system having such a device and to a corresponding method for adapting the use of an apparatus. By means of the device according to the invention, acceptance of a certificate by an apparatus can be restricted such that the newly obtained certificates can be subjected to certain conditions. Said conditions can, for example, define the use of the apparatus.