Offline Software License Authentication Without Serial Number Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing license authentication methods for software installed on devices not connected to a network require manual input of a serial number each time, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses unique authentication information generated by the device and server to authenticate software licenses, eliminating the need for manual serial number input, by presenting unique authentication information and receiving server authentication information based on device-generated unique information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual serial number input is required for license authentication, then authentication can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and storing unique authentication information on the device and pre-storing license information on the server. During authentication, the device simply needs to present the pre-stored unique authentication information and receive the pre-computed server authentication information, eliminating the need for manual serial number input and significantly reducing authentication time
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system operates autonomously by automatically generating unique authentication information on the device side and automatically computing server authentication information on the server side. The device presents its unique authentication information and receives the corresponding server authentication information without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-serving and efficient
2Productivity
If unique authentication information is generated and stored, then authentication efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates the authentication complexity into two distinct parts: unique authentication information generation handled by the device and server authentication information generation handled by the server. This extraction divides the complexity burden, allowing the device to store only lightweight unique authentication information while the server handles the more complex license validation logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using unique authentication information as a mediator between the device and server. This mediator simplifies the device's role to merely presenting pre-stored information while the server uses it to generate appropriate authentication responses, reducing the complexity burden on the device without compromising authentication functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An authentication method is performed by a device to authenticate a license of software that is installed on the device and managed by a server. The authentication method includes: presenting unique authentication information that is unique to the software; receiving input of server authentication information generated by the server based on: license information of the software managed by the server in association with the unique authentication information; and the unique authentication information; and authenticating the license of the software based on the unique authentication information and the inputted server authentication information.