License Wrapper Embedding in Software Executables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small-scale software installations often lack license management mechanisms, making it expensive and labor-intensive to develop and implement license management systems, which are typically designed for enterprise environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generates license-enabled executable files by wrapping existing executable files with a license wrapper, creating a new installer package that includes license administration functionality, allowing for license compliance and monitoring without modifying the software application itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional license server system is implemented, then license management capability is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds a license wrapper library directly within the executable file, creating a nested structure where the license management code is contained inside the application itself. This eliminates the need for external license server infrastructure while maintaining license management functionality, thereby reducing system complexity and implementation cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The license wrapper acts as an intermediary layer between the executable code and the licensing verification process. By inserting this wrapper that communicates with the license server on behalf of the application, the patent simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving license management capabilities.
2Reliability
If license management is added to small-scale installations, then license compliance is improved, but development cost and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses code copying techniques where the license wrapper library is embedded within the executable file. This approach allows license management functionality to be replicated within each application instance without requiring separate development efforts for each deployment, significantly reducing development cost and labor intensity for small-scale installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The license wrapper is designed as a universal component that can be applied to any executable file regardless of its function or size. This multi-functional approach allows the same wrapper code to provide license compliance for different applications, reducing overall development costs through code reusability.
3Reliability
If executable files are modified to include license management, then license control capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the license management functionality into a separate wrapper library that is then embedded in the executable. This extraction allows the core application code to remain unchanged and simple, while the wrapper handles all license control operations transparently, maintaining ease of operation for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The license wrapper serves as an intermediary that handles all license verification and control operations automatically in the background. Users interact with the application as usual without noticing the license management process, preserving ease of operation while implementing robust license control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for creating license management in software applications are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving an installer package associated with a software application to be run on a computer, the installer package not including license administration functionality. One or more executable files are extracted from the installer package. One or more license-enabled executable files are generated with the one or more executable files and a license wrapper. A new installer package is created with the one or more license-enabled executable files, the new installer package supporting the license administration functionality.