Generic License File Activation via Distributed Ledger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current license key management systems for hardware and software systems are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring multiple license generators for different versions and involving significant overhead for OEMs, while also posing security risks and failing to ensure that customers receive only original components.
Innovation Solution
A distributed ledger network, utilizing a customized blockchain with encryption/hash technology, generates a generic license file that includes purchase order information and placeholders for partners, allowing secure and standardized license activation and enforcement, eliminating the need for multiple license generators and ensuring that customers receive only the features they purchased.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional license key management systems are used with multiple license generators for different software/hardware versions, then each specific version can be licensed, but the device complexity and overhead for managing different versions increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal license generator that can generate license keys for multiple software and hardware versions using a single system. The license key format is designed to be version-agnostic, allowing one license generator to serve multiple product versions without requiring separate generators for each version, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The license key structure incorporates dynamic parameters that can represent different software and hardware versions. By encoding version information as changeable parameters within the license key itself rather than requiring different generation systems, the patent enables a single license generator to adapt to multiple versions through parameter variation
2Reliability
If customers need to obtain and manage license keys from vendors or be redirected to vendors, then license enforcement can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and non-customer friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables customers to self-generate license keys using the universal license generator without requiring vendor intervention or redirection. The system allows customers to obtain their own license keys directly through an automated process, eliminating the time-consuming steps of contacting vendors or navigating to external websites while maintaining proper license enforcement through the standardized key format
3Reliability
If traditional license management processes are used, then license verification can be performed, but the process involves significant overhead and is not customer friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines license generation, verification, and activation into a single integrated process. By merging these previously separate steps into one unified workflow using the universal license generator, the system maintains reliable license verification while dramatically simplifying the overall operation for customers, eliminating the need for separate vendor interactions and manual processes
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for managing activation of functionalities in an information processing system are provided. For example, a method generates, at a first node in a distributed ledger network, at least one data object comprising data associated with a system and one or more unactivated functionalities of the system, and the data object further comprises one or more parameter fields configured for one or more other nodes in the distributed ledger network to subsequently insert data therein. The method obtains the at least one data object after data is inserted in the one or more parameter fields by the one or more other nodes. The method sends the at least one object to an additional node in the distributed ledger network for use in activating the one or more unactivated functionalities of the system.