Open Source Software License Compatibility Verification System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for verifying compatibility among open source software components are manual or semi-automatic, time-consuming, and lack dynamic verification, particularly concerning licensing restrictions, which complicates ensuring compatibility and protecting intellectual property rights.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented system and method that dynamically traces and maps licensing information of software components against pre-stored data, using processor-executable modules to receive, categorize, and map licensing information, display queries to users for confirming compatibility, and generate reports ensuring compatibility and intellectual property rights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual or semi-automatic methods are used to verify compatibility among open source software components, then the verification process can be conducted with simple tools, but it requires significant manual intervention and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of compatibility verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of verification system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification system is divided into distinct functional modules: a receiving module for inputting software component information, a processing module for analyzing licensing compatibility, and a generation module for outputting verification reports. This segmentation enables automated verification while keeping each module's complexity manageable and well-defined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing module that acts as a mediator between the input data (software component information) and the output (compatibility verification results). This intermediary automatically traces and maps licensing information, reducing manual intervention while maintaining system clarity through a dedicated analysis layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dynamic verification of licensing information is implemented, then compatibility assurance is improved, but the verification process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility verification accuracyVSAvoidverification processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary tracing and mapping of licensing information automatically during the verification process. By pre-processing and organizing licensing data before final compatibility assessment, the system ensures accurate reliability verification while reducing the time required for manual analysis of licensing restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with an automated computer-implemented system that electronically traces and maps licensing information. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual intervention while maintaining high reliability through systematic automated analysis of software component compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If comprehensive licensing information tracing is performed, then intellectual property rights protection is enhanced, but the manual effort and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelicensing information completenessVSAvoidverification throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification system performs self-service by automatically tracing, mapping, and analyzing licensing information without requiring manual intervention. The system independently completes the comprehensive verification of intellectual property rights and compatibility, ensuring complete licensing information capture while maintaining high productivity through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual information gathering and analysis with an automated computer-based system that electronically traces licensing information across software components. This substitution ensures comprehensive IP rights protection through complete licensing data collection while dramatically increasing verification throughput by eliminating manual processing bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9152414B2System and method to select compatible open-source software and components for developed or conceptualized solution

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system and method for verifying the compatibility among the software components used in the software solution using an auto-license compatibility verifier. Further, the present invention provides the method for enabling the auto-license compatibility verifier, a tool for automatically and dynamically mapping the licensing information of the software components which are used in the software solution with respect to the already stored licensing information which are stored in the database.