License State Monitoring for Function Execution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for managing licenses in multifunction peripherals (MFPs) do not effectively handle changes in license acquisition states during process execution, leading to potential unauthorized use and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and system that acquires license information from a dongle or similar device, and restricts process execution when the license state changes, displaying alerts and enabling lower productivity modes to prevent unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system allows process execution to continue without checking license state changes, then process continuity is maintained, but unauthorized use may occur and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring license acquisition states during process execution. The processing circuitry periodically checks whether license information is still acquired, and based on this feedback, dynamically adjusts process execution permissions to prevent unauthorized use while maintaining operational continuity when licensed
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static license checking (performed only at startup) to dynamic license verification (performed continuously during execution). The execution permission state changes dynamically based on real-time license acquisition status, allowing the system to adapt its security level during operation
2Reliability
If the system frequently checks license acquisition state during process execution, then security is improved by detecting license loss, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring that would overwhelm the system, the patent implements periodic license state checks at predetermined intervals during process execution. This periodic verification maintains security by detecting license loss while avoiding excessive processing overhead and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary license acquisition checks before initiating process execution and at predetermined intervals during execution. This preliminary and periodic checking approach ensures license validity is confirmed in advance and maintained throughout operation, preventing unauthorized use without requiring complex real-time monitoring mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry to acquire license information indicating a license of a predetermined function, and execute a process related to the predetermined function permitted by the license. In a case where a state of the license information being acquired changes to a state of not acquired during execution of the process, the processing circuitry restricts the execution of the process related to the predetermined function.