License Management System for Seamless Application Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing license management systems require administrative intervention to update the MAC address on a server when a program needs to be transferred to a different computer, making it inconvenient for changing the installation computer.
Innovation Solution
A license management system that allows for the management of application programs installed on an installation computer connected via a network, using management information including program identification, device identification, and external device identification to facilitate the transfer and installation of programs across different devices without requiring server updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MAC address of the installation computer is managed by the server, then license security and control are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when transferring programs to different computers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device identification function by introducing an external device with its own identification information, separating it from the installation computer's MAC address. This allows the license management system to maintain security through server-managed identification while enabling flexible transfers by updating only the external device identification rather than requiring server intervention for MAC address changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external device as an intermediary between the installation computer and the license management server. This external device holds identification information that can be updated independently, serving as a mediator that enables computer transfers without requiring direct server intervention for MAC address management, thus resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the server manages the device identification, then license control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to required server intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the identification management into two segments: the installation computer's MAC address (managed locally) and the external device identification information (managed independently). This segmentation allows license control to be maintained through the external device identification while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for server intervention in every identification update.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the installation computer to independently update the external device identification information without requiring server intervention. This self-service capability reduces system complexity by allowing the client system to manage its own identification updates while the server maintains overall license control through authentication of the external device identification.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to facilitate a change of a computer into which an application program is to be installed, a license management computer stores management information, and in receipt of an installation request from an installation computer, it extracts the management information corresponding to the installation request. When there is no relevant management information, the license management computer generates and stores new management information, and permits installation of the application program to the installation computer. When the relevant management information is extracted, the license management computer compares device identification information and external device identification information included in the installation request with device identification information and external device identification information included in the extracted management information, and if at least one of the device identification information and the external device identification information matches the corresponding one, the license management computer permits installation of the application program to the installation computer.