Offline Software License Upgrade via Key Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software upgrades for computers disconnected from the Internet, such as those used in secure analysis devices, require complex manual processes due to the inability to perform online activation or license authentication, leading to inefficiencies in software maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A software license management system that includes a network-connected first computer with a browser, a license management server, and a second computer without network access, where the system issues a license authentication cancellation key, changes the software license state, and provides an upgrade license authentication key for offline activation of upgraded software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a PC is disconnected from the Internet for security reasons, then security is improved, but the ability to perform online license authentication and software upgrades deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the license authentication process into two independent parts: (1) license cancellation key generation performed locally on the offline PC, and (2) license state change and upgrade authentication performed on the online server. This segmentation allows the offline PC to maintain security while still enabling software upgrades through a simplified local operation followed by server verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary license cancellation key generation on the offline PC before contacting the server. The generated key is then used in the subsequent server communication to prove ownership and enable upgrade authentication. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous online presence during the upgrade process.
2Reliability
If manual license management processes are used for offline PCs, then manufacturer control is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables offline PC users to perform license cancellation key generation themselves through a simple local operation. The generated key is then automatically verified by the server, which autonomously updates the license state and issues upgrade authentication. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual manufacturer intervention while maintaining secure license control.
3Reliability
If online activation is required for software upgrades, then license security is improved, but the complexity of the upgrade process for offline PCs worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the offline PC to initiate and complete the full authentication process online, the system inverts the approach: the offline PC generates a license cancellation key locally, and the server performs the verification and license state change. This inversion simplifies the offline PC's role while maintaining secure server-side authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
When upgrading a software installed in an analysis device PC (1) that is not connected to the Internet (4), a user performs a predetermined operation with the analysis device PC (1) to acquire a license authentication cancellation key. When the user accesses a server (5) from a user terminal (2) with a predetermined account and enters the license authentication cancellation key, a license authentication cancellation unit (52) cancels authentication of a license for a previous version. Furthermore, when the user enters a product serial number of an upgrade version software 3 and the like, an upgrade verification unit (53) confirms that the user owns the license for the previous version and that the authentication has been canceled, and an activation key issue unit (54) issues an activation key for an upgrade license. Using this, a device user activates the upgraded software installed in the analysis device PC (1). In this way, when upgrading the software on the offline PC, license authentication can be simply performed.