JP5136161B2 - Software license management system, terminal device capable of installing software, license management device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to software license management in an apparatus that implements software, and more particularly, to management of application installation or uninstallation in an apparatus that implements such software.

  Conventionally, a method for preventing unauthorized use of software, such as installing software recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM in an unauthorized device, has been developed.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-351469 (A) describes a software license management method. In this method, at the time of installation and activation of the software program, it was possible to recognize whether or not the identification information mounted on the predetermined memory card or the predetermined memory card read when the program was installed could be recognized. Only when the program can be executed.
JP 2002-35169 A

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-46756 (A) describes a license management method. In this method, the license management server determines whether or not the client is correct when requesting the software license from the client, grants the license, and the client records the latest update time and the client-specific information, and In use, the software is activated by determining that the recorded license is correct, the recorded client-specific information is correct, and within a certain period of time from the recorded latest update time.
JP 2004-46756 A

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-92382 (A) describes a software license management method. In this method, the software management agent detects the software installation, queries the license management server whether the installation can be executed, and the license management agent authenticates the client using public key cryptography, and then refers to the license usage information database. Then, permission information indicating the permission result of the installation is transmitted to the client, and the software management agent controls execution of the installation based on the permission information. The execution result of the installation is stored in the software management information, and the contents of the license usage information database are changed based on the software management information.
JP 2006-92382 A

  In conventional software license management, countermeasures against unauthorized installation on the device where the software is installed are taken, but when the software is uninstalled from that device and installed on another device, the license of that software Transition is not considered.

  Even if software such as anti-virus software is first installed in the first device and then the software is uninstalled from the first device, the software cannot be installed in the second device. To install the software on the second device, the same software needs to be purchased and installed. Such a license scheme is disadvantageous for the user of the software.

  On the other hand, even if the software is uninstalled from the first device and the software is installed on the second device, the software can be installed again on the first device, whereby the software is installed on the two devices. It is possible to install twice. Such a license scheme is disadvantageous to the copyright holder of the software.

  The inventors need only build a system that allows the transfer of software licenses from the first device to the second device, thereby compromising the rights of the software user and the copyright owner. I realized that it would disappear.

  An object of the present invention is to facilitate license management of software that can be installed in an apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to enable the transfer of exclusive licenses of software between devices.

According to a feature of the present invention, a software license management system is capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices capable of installing software, and the plurality of terminal devices via a network. Each of the plurality of terminal devices, an identification information management unit for managing device identification information unique to the terminal device and a unique identification code for the license, or A storage unit for storing a valid license code and / or an invalid license code of software to be transmitted, a transmission unit for transmitting the device identification information and the installation request for the certain software to the license management device, and the license management device Unique license code or installation not allowed A receiving unit for receiving, an output unit for outputting information indicating that the installation is not permitted in response to the reception of the installation non-permission, and an uninstall certificate when the certain software is uninstalled from the terminal device An uninstall certificate generating unit for generating a code; and a license information database for storing device identification information of each of the plurality of terminal devices and a unique license code for a license related to license grant And a receiving unit for receiving device identification information of the one terminal device and the installation request for the certain software from one terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices, and device identification based on the uninstall certification code Obtain information and the license code that should be invalidated Based on the device identification information of the terminal device received from the terminal device when the number of granted licenses of the software is less than a predetermined number Or if the uninstall certification code is determined to be valid, the software identification of the software is based on the device identification information obtained based on the uninstall certification code and the license code to be invalidated. A license generation unit that generates a new unique license code that enables installation, and a license that stores the generated new unique license code as an effective license code in association with the device identification information of the terminal device Information database and its new fixed And a transmission unit that transmits a license code to the terminal device that transmitted the installation request.

  The present invention also relates to a terminal device and a license management device used in the above-described system.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program for realizing the above terminal device and license management device.

  According to the present invention, license management of software that can be installed in a device becomes easy, and exclusive license transfer of software between devices can be performed.

  Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are given the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 shows a license management server 10 as a license management device for managing licenses of copyrighted application software according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a plurality of terminals for installing and / or uninstalling such applications. An installation management system 1 including devices 20, 22 and 24 is shown. The license management server 10 and the terminal devices 20, 22, and 24 are interconnected via an external network 50 such as the Internet. The terminal devices 20, 22 and 24 are, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an NC device (numerical control device) mobile phone, an automatic transaction device (ATM, automatic teller machine), and automatic. It is a device that executes an installed use application having an OS (operating system) such as a ticket vending machine.

  The license management server 10 includes a processor 102, a storage device 104, a license generation unit 110, a license information database (DB) 114, an uninstallation certification check unit (inspection unit) 116, and a network interface (NW / IF) 130. Yes. The network interface 130 includes a transmitter and a receiver.

  The processor 102 controls the components 104 to 120. Each function of the license generation unit 110 and the uninstallation certification check unit 116 is implemented on the processor 102 in the form of hardware, or on the processor 102 in the form of software according to a program stored in the storage device 104. May be.

  The license generation unit 110 generates a unique unique license code as license information given to the terminal devices 20 to 24 when the application software to be used is installed in the terminal devices 20 to 24.

  The license information database 114 includes identification information (AS #) of the application used (256), unique device identification information (ID) unique to the pre-registered devices of the terminal devices 20 to 24 to which the license can be granted, and the license The unique unique identification code for the license of the terminal devices 20 to 24 related to the assignment of the license information and the generated valid license code in association with the device identification information (ID) are stored. The license information database 114 may be stored in the storage device 104. The device identification information unique to the device is identification information unique to the device such as a MAC address or a product serial number assigned in advance to the terminal devices 20 to 24 at the time of manufacture or shipment. The unique identification code includes device identification information. As will be described later, the unique identification code includes device identification information and an invalid license code when there is an invalid license code associated with the application in use.

  The license generation unit 110 can generate a new license code only when there is no valid license code for the identification information or number of a specific application in the license information database 114. The code is stored in the license information database 114. As an alternative configuration, a new license code can be generated only when there are fewer than a predetermined number of valid license codes for the identification information or number of a particular application in use in the license information database 114. The license code may be stored in the license information database 114. Accordingly, a predetermined number of licenses can be simultaneously given to a user for a predetermined application.

  The uninstallation certification check unit 116 verifies the validity of the uninstallation certification information received from the terminal devices 20 to 24 in the license management server 10.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of each of the terminal devices 20, 22 and 24 in FIG.

  Each of the terminal devices 20, 22, and 24 includes a processor 202, a storage device 204, an input device 206 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display device or an information presentation (output) device 208, an identification information management unit 210, and a license check unit. 212, an uninstall certificate generation unit 214, a license storage unit 216, an invalid license storage unit 218, a device identification information storage unit 220 as device identification information unique to the device, and a network interface (NW / IF) 230. The display device or information presentation device 208 may include a display for visual display and a speaker for acoustic or audible display. Network interface 230 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The processor 202 controls the components 204-230.

  The functions of the identification information management unit 210, the license check unit 212, and the uninstallation certificate generation unit 214 may be implemented on the processor 202 in the form of application software in accordance with a program stored in the storage device 204.

  The license storage unit 216 and the invalid license storage unit 218 may be a single storage unit. The license storage unit 216 and the invalid license storage unit 218 may be an area of the storage device 204 or a registry for registering a use application in the OS. Information stored in the registry is not easy to delete.

  An identification generation application 252, an install / uninstall application 254, and use application software 256 can be installed in each of the terminal devices 20, 22, and 24. Using the identification generation application 252 and the install / uninstall application 254, the use application 256 can be installed or uninstalled in each of the terminal devices 20, 22 and 24.

  The device identification information storage unit 220 stores device-specific identification information such as a MAC address or a product serial number assigned in advance to the corresponding terminal devices 20, 22, and 24.

  The identification information management unit 210 includes device identification information (ID) unique to the terminal devices 20 to 24 registered in advance regarding the license of the specific usage application 256 and the terminal devices 20 to 24 regarding the license of the specific usage application 256. Manages unique identification codes for licenses.

  The license check unit 212 checks the validity of the received license code. The license check unit 212 permits the installation in the terminal device only when the license code given by the license management server 10 for the installation of the specific usage application is valid.

  The uninstall proof generation unit 214 generates an uninstall proof code as proof information certifying that the usage application 256 has been uninstalled in the corresponding terminal devices 20 to 24. The uninstall certificate generation unit 214 may further send the uninstall certificate code to the license management server 10.

  The license storage unit 216 stores identification information of the use application 256 and information related to the granted valid license code or certification. The invalid license storage unit 217 stores identification information of the usage application 256 that has been uninstalled, and information related to a cumulative license code or certification invalidated by the uninstallation.

  3A to 3C show flowcharts for installing the application software or program 256 used in the terminal device 20 executed by the license management server 10 and the terminal device 20 in FIGS. Each step in the flowchart can be regarded as a means for realizing each function. The terminal devices 22 to 24 can operate in the same manner as the terminal device 20.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, in step 402, the processor 102 of the terminal device 20 operates to install the identification generation application 252 from the license management server 10 via the Internet 50 and the network interface 220, and install / The uninstall application 254 is downloaded and installed in the terminal device 20 or installed in the terminal device 20 from the software recording medium CD-ROM and executed.

  The usage application 256 may be stored in a CD-ROM such as anti-virus software, document creation software, drawing creation software, or device control software. The identification generation application 252 and the install / uninstall application 254 may be free (free) software that can be downloaded from any web site provided by the license management server 10 or the like. As an alternative configuration, the identification generation application 252 and the install / uninstall application 254 may be stored on the same CD-ROM as the use application program 256.

  In step 404, the identification generation application 252 generates a unique identification code (for example, aaaaaaaaa) from the device identification information (ID) unique to the device stored in the device identification information storage unit 220 or the identification information management unit 210, and performs identification. The information management unit 210 stores and manages the generated unique identification code in its own or a predetermined storage area of the storage device 204. The specific processing is shown in FIG. The unique identification code may be, for example, unique device identification information previously given to the terminal device 20 and stored in the storage device 104, or may be a communication MAC address or a product serial number of the terminal device 20. Good.

  The unique identification code includes device identification information (ID) unique to the device when the use application is first installed, and the invalid license storage unit 218 has a cumulative invalid license code related to the use application. Contains device identification information and its invalid license code. The unique identification code is derived from the device identification information (ID) or the device identification information (ID) and the cumulative invalid license code, and the device identification information (ID) or the device identification information (ID) and the cumulative identification code are accumulated. An invalid license code may be encrypted. The encryption method may be, for example, DES (Data Encryption Standard), MD5, or PGP (Pretty Good Privacy).

  In step 406, the identification information management unit 210 generates information or an installation request including the generated unique identification code together with the identification information of the usage application 256 by the user's operation of the input device 206. The identification information management unit 210 (and / or the install / uninstall application 254) or the processor 202 (transmission unit) sends an installation request including the information via the network interface 230 (transmitter) and the network 50 to the license management server. 10 to send. As an alternative configuration, the user may mail an installation request document displaying the unique identification code and the identification information of the application 256 to be used.

  Referring to FIG. 3B, in step 412, the processor 102 (reception unit) of the license management server 10 identifies the unique identification code and the usage application 256 via the network 50 and the network interface 130 (receiver) or by mail. The installation request including the information is received, the license information in the license information database 114 is referred to, and the validity of the received unique identification code is analyzed. The specific processing is shown in FIG.

  In step 414, the processor 102 determines whether the license of the application to be used should be permitted to the terminal device 20 by determining whether the unique identification code is valid as the analysis result. If it is determined as a result of the analysis that the unique identification code is invalid and therefore the license should not be permitted, then in step 416, the processor 102 (transmission unit) associates the identification information with the identification information of the usage application 256. A notification indicating that the received unique identification code is invalid and the license is not permitted or installation refusal is transmitted to the terminal device 20 via the network interface 130 (transmitter) and the network 50. As an alternative configuration, the licensee may mail the notification document to the user.

  If it is determined in step 414 that the unique identification code is valid as a result of the analysis and the license should be permitted, in step 420, the license generation unit 110 determines a new license based on the received unique identification code. A code is generated, and the generated license code is stored in the license information database 114 as a valid license code in association with the identification information of the use application 256 and the unique identification code.

  The license generation unit 110 derives or generates a new license code based on the device identification information in the unique identification code, or on the information obtained by concatenating the device identification information and the invalid license code, or the device identification information or the A new license code may be generated by encrypting the concatenated information. The license generation unit 110 derives or generates a new license code from the identification information or number of the use application 256 in addition to the information in the unique identification code, and in addition to the information in the unique identification code, the identification information of the use application 256 or The new license code may be generated by encryption including the number. The encryption method may be, for example, DES (Data Encryption Standard), MD5, or PGP (Pretty Good Privacy). Therefore, device identification information, or device identification information and a cumulative invalid license code can be obtained by analyzing, decrypting or decrypting the license code.

  In step 422, the license generation unit 110 or the processor 102 (transmission unit) sends an installation permission including the generated license code together with the identification information of the usage application 256 to the network interface 130 (transmitter) and the network 50. Via the terminal device 20. As an alternative configuration, the licensee may mail a document displaying the installation permission including the license code and identification information of the application 256 used to the user.

  Referring to FIG. 3C, in step 432, the processor 202 (receiving unit) of the terminal device 20 receives an invalid unique identification code from the license management server 10 via the network 50 and the network interface 230 (receiver). A notification of permission or installation refusal (message) or a permission notification including a license code is received, and the notification is temporarily stored in the area of the storage unit 204. As an alternative configuration, the user inputs the license code displayed in the document mailed from the license supplier to the terminal device 20, whereby the processor 202 temporarily stores the license code in the area of the storage unit 204. May be.

  If a license code is obtained or received, at step 434, the processor 202 launches the install / uninstall application 254. The install / uninstall application 254 fetches the license code from the storage unit 204 area. Upon receiving the notification of disapproval or installation refusal, the license check unit 212 (and / or the install / uninstall application 254) visually or audibly displays a message indicating that the installation is rejected on the display device 208. May be displayed intentionally (audibly).

  In step 436, the license check unit 212 receives or acquires the license code and analyzes the validity. The specific processing is shown in FIG.

  In step 438, the license check unit 212 determines whether to permit installation based on the analysis result. If it is determined that the installation should not be permitted, the license check unit 212 (and / or the install / uninstall application 254) indicates in step 440 that the received license code is invalid. And the installation of the usage application 256 is stopped, and a message indicating that the installation is rejected may be displayed on the display device 208 visually or acoustically (audible).

  If it is determined in step 438 that the installation should be permitted, then in step 442, the installation / uninstallation application 254 responds to the permission with a predetermined usage application 256 based on the license code. Install in the terminal device 20. In step 444, the license check unit 212 stores the valid license code in the license storage unit 216 as a valid license code in association with the corresponding unique identification code in the identification information management unit 210 of the terminal device 20.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C show that the application application software 256 that is executed by the license management server 10 and the terminal devices 20 and 22 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is uninstalled from one terminal device 20, and is then transferred to another terminal device 22. The flowchart for installing the use application software 256 is shown. Each step in the flowchart can be regarded as a means for realizing each function.

  Referring to FIG. 4A, in step 502, the processor 102 of the terminal device 20 installs / uninstalls the usage application 254 from the license management server 10 via the Internet 50 by operating the user input device 206. The installation application 254 is downloaded, installed in the terminal device 20, and executed. The install function and the uninstall function in the install / uninstall application 254 may be implemented as separate applications.

  In step 504, the install / uninstall application 254 uninstalls the usage application 256. Next, in response to the usage application 256 being uninstalled, the uninstall certificate generating unit (or application) 214 of the terminal device 20 generates an uninstall certificate code and stores it in the invalid license storage unit 218. Then, it is displayed on the display device 208. The specific processing is shown in FIG.

  In step 506, the processor 102 of the other terminal device 22 performs the identification generation application 252, installation / uninstallation / installation from the license management server 10 via the Internet 50 and the network interface 220 by the operation of the user input device 206. The application 254 is downloaded, installed in the terminal device 22, and executed.

  In step 508, similar to the processing in step 404 of FIG. 4A, the identification generation application 252 of the terminal device 22 generates a unique identification code, and the identification information management unit 210 stores the generated unique identification code in its own or storage device. The data is stored in a predetermined storage area 204 and managed. The specific processing is shown in FIG.

  In step 510, the uninstallation certificate generation unit 214 of the terminal device 20 operates the user's input device 206 to license the uninstallation certificate code together with the identification information of the application 256 to be used via the network interface 230 and the network 50. It transmits to the management server 10. As an alternative configuration, the processor 202 (or uninstall certificate generation unit 214) (transmission unit) of the terminal device 22 sends the uninstall certificate code and the identification information of the application 256 to be used by the user's operation of the input device 206. 10 may be transmitted via the network interface 230 and the network 50. Furthermore, the identification information management unit 210 of the terminal device 22 generates information or an installation request including the unique identification code together with the identification information of the usage application 256 by the user's operation of the input device 206. The identification information management unit 210 (and / or the installation / uninstall application 254) or the processor 202 (transmission unit) transmits an installation request including the information to the license management server 10 via the network interface 230 and the network 50. To do. As an alternative configuration, the user may mail an installation request document displaying the uninstall certification code, the unique identification code, and the identification information of the usage application 256 to the license agent.

  The license code is obtained by encrypting the device identification information of the terminal device to which the usage application 256 is to be installed, and the invalid license code related to the usage application 256 if an invalid license code exists, Information or derived from or generated from that information and its cumulative invalid license code. By decrypting or analyzing the license code, the device identification information of the terminal device and, if there is an invalid license code, a cumulative invalid license code regarding the application to be used are obtained.

  Referring to FIG. 4B, in step 522, the processor 102 (receiving unit) of the license management server 10 receives the uninstallation certification code and the unique identification code via the network 50 and the network interface 120 (receiver), The uninstall certification code and unique identification code are analyzed. The specific processing is shown in FIG.

  In step 524, the processor 102 determines whether the license transfer from the terminal device 20 to the terminal device 22 should be permitted by determining whether the unique identification code and the uninstall certification code are valid as the analysis result. If it is determined that the analysis result is an invalid unique identification code or uninstall certification code, and therefore license transfer should not be permitted, the processor 102 (transmission unit) identifies the usage application 256 identification information in step 526. In addition, a notification indicating that the received unique identification code or uninstallation certification code is an invalid unique identification code or uninstallation certification code is transmitted to the terminal device 22 via the network interface 120 and the network 50 (transmitter). To do. As an alternative configuration, the licensee may mail the notification document to the user.

  If it is determined in step 524 that license transfer should be permitted, the license generation unit 114 generates a new license code based on the received unique identification code, similarly to the process in step 420 of FIG. 3B. The license code generated in association with the identification information and the unique identification code of the application 256 is stored in the license information database 114 as an effective license code.

  In step 530, the license generation unit 110 or the processor 102 (transmission unit) sends an installation permission including the generated license code together with the identification information of the usage application 256 via the network interface 120 (transmitter) and the network 50. To the terminal device 22. The installation permission may further include a valid uninstall certification code and identification information of the application 256 used. As an alternative configuration, the licensee may mail a document displaying the installation permission including the license code and identification information of the application 256 used to the user.

  Referring to FIG. 4C, the terminal device 22 executes steps 432 to 440 similar to the processing of FIG. 3C in the terminal device 20.

  FIG. 5 shows a more specific flowchart of step 404 in FIG. 3A and step 508 in FIG. 4A.

  In step 462, the identification information management unit 210 of the terminal device 20 obtains unique device identification information (ID) of the terminal device 20, such as a MAC address or a product serial number, from the identification information management unit 210 or the device identification information storage unit 220. get.

  In step 464, the identification information management unit 210 searches the invalid license storage unit 218, and if there are invalid license codes, obtains all the invalid license codes.

  In step 466, the identification generation application 252 of the terminal device 20 sends the acquired information (device identification information or device identification information and all invalid license codes concatenated) to the identification information management unit 210 of the terminal device 20. hand over. The identification information management unit 210 stores the information in the storage area of the identification information management unit 210.

  In step 468, the identification generation application 252 generates or derives the obtained information (device identification information or device identification information and invalid license code) as a unique identification code or encrypts it as a unique identification code, and the unique identification. The code is displayed on the display device 208, and the generated unique identification code or the encrypted unique identification code is stored in the identification information management unit 210. When the usage application 256 is first installed, the identification generation application 252 may use the device identification information itself as a unique identification code, or may process or encrypt the device identification information as a unique identification code. When the usage application 256 is installed after being uninstalled, the identification generation application 252 may use a combination of device identification information and one or more invalid license codes as a unique identification code, or a combination thereof. Processed or encrypted data may be used as the unique identification code.

  As described above, the unique identification code of the terminal device to which the usage application is to be installed includes the device identification information of the terminal device, and the cumulative invalid license code related to the usage application if an invalid license code exists. Or derived from them or encrypted from them. By analyzing, deciphering or decrypting the derived or encrypted unique identification code, the device identification information of the terminal device, and if there is an invalid license code, the cumulative invalid license code for the application being used is obtained. can get.

  FIG. 6 shows a more specific flowchart of step 412 in FIG. 3B.

  In step 472, the license generation unit 110 of the license management server 10 analyzes or decrypts (decrypts) the unique identification code received from the terminal device 20 or received by mail from the user.

  In step 474, the license generation unit 110 searches the license information database 114 for the device identification information included in the analyzed or decrypted unique identification code, or the device identification information and the invalid license code.

  In step 476, the license generation unit 110 determines whether the license information database 114 includes device identification information with a unique identification code without a license code, or device identification information with a unique identification code and an invalid license code. To determine whether to permit the license. If it is determined that none (device identification information without a license code, device identification information, and invalid license code) is present, in step 478, the license generation unit 110 determines that the unique identification code is invalid. It is determined that the license code generation should not be permitted.

  If it is determined in step 476 that there is device identification information without a license code, or device identification information and an invalid license code, the license generation unit 110 should permit generation of a new license code in step 480. Is determined.

  FIG. 7 shows a more specific flowchart of step 440 of FIGS. 3C and 4C.

  In step 502, the install / uninstall application 254 of the terminal device 20 or 22 supplies the received derived or encrypted license code to the license check unit (inspection unit) 212, and the license check unit 212 Capture the license code.

  In step 504, the license check unit 212 analyzes or decrypts (decodes) the received license code to obtain device identification information (ID) in the unique identification code, or device identification information and invalid license code. . As an alternative configuration, the license check unit 212 may generate a comparison license code based on the transmitted unique identification code and / or invalid license code, similar to the processing in step 528 of FIG. 4B.

  In step 506, the license check unit 212 uses the acquired device identification information (ID) and / or invalid license code as the device identification information (ID) stored in the identification information management unit 210 and / or the invalid license storage unit 218. ) And / or invalid license code. As an alternative configuration, the license check unit 212 may compare the received license code with the generated comparison license code.

  In step 508, the license check unit 212 acquires the acquired device identification information and / or invalid license code, and the device identification information and / or invalidity stored in the storage area of the identification information management unit 210 or the invalid license storage unit 218. By determining whether or not the license code matches, it is determined whether or not installation of the specific usage application 256 is permitted. As an alternative configuration, the license check unit 212 determines whether to permit installation of a specific usage application 256 by determining that the received license code does not match the comparison license code. Also good. If it is determined that they do not match, the license check unit 212 determines in step 512 that the license code is invalid and installation is not permitted.

  When it is determined that the device identification information and / or invalid license code acquired in step 508 matches the device identification information and / or invalid license code stored in the identification information management unit 210 or the invalid license storage unit 218 In step 522, the license check unit 212 determines that the license code is valid and installation is permitted. In this case, when the use application 256 uninstalled from the terminal device 20 is installed in the terminal device 22 for the first time, only the device identification information may be compared in the terminal device 22. As an alternative configuration, when it is determined that the received license code matches the comparison license code, the license check unit 212 determines that the license code is valid and permits installation. May be.

  FIG. 8 shows a more specific flowchart of step 504 in FIG. 4A.

  In step 602, the install / uninstall application 254 of the terminal device 20 deletes the use application 256.

  In step 604, the uninstall certificate generation unit 214 or the identification information management unit 210 acquires a unique identification code stored in the identification information management unit 210 in association with the identification information of the usage application 256.

  In step 606, the uninstall certificate generating unit 214 processes the license code to be deleted and the device identification information (ID) to be deleted associated with the identification information of the use application 256 stored in the license storage unit 216. Alternatively, the uninstall certificate code is generated by encryption, or the uninstall certificate code is derived from the information and displayed on the display device 208. The encryption method may be, for example, DES (Data Encryption Standard), MD5, or PGP (Pretty Good Privacy).

  In step 608, the uninstall certificate generation unit 214 of the terminal device 20 deletes the license code to be invalidated from the license storage unit 216 and stores it in the invalid license storage unit 218. As an alternative configuration, the uninstall certificate generation unit 214 may add an invalid flag (FLG = 1) to the license code for the application 256 used in the license storage unit 216.

  In step 610, the install / uninstall application 254 ends the uninstall process of the usage application 256.

  FIG. 9 shows a more specific flowchart of step 522 of FIG. 4B.

  In step 622, the uninstall certificate check unit 116 of the license management server 10 decrypts or analyzes the uninstall certificate code received from the terminal device 20 and / or 22, and the invalid license code to be deleted and the corresponding code. Get a unique identification code.

  In step 624, the uninstall certification check unit 116 searches the license information database 116 for invalid license codes and unique identification codes to be deleted.

  In step 626, the uninstallation certification check unit 116 determines whether the license code and the unique identification code exist in the license information database 116. When it is determined that they do not exist, in step 628, in step 628, the uninstall certification check unit 116 determines that the uninstall certification code is invalid.

  If it is determined in step 626 that the license code and the unique identification code exist in the license information database 116, the uninstall certification check unit 116 invalidates the license code in association with the unique identification code in step 630. The license code is stored in the license information database 116 as a license code.

  In step 632, the uninstall certificate check unit 116 determines that the received uninstall certificate code is valid, and permits the generation of a new license code.

  With the installation management system 1 of the above-described embodiment, the usage application 256 can always be installed only in a predetermined number of terminal devices, for example, one terminal device.

  The embodiments described above are merely given as typical examples, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art to combine the components of each embodiment, and variations and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Obviously, various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the scope.

FIG. 1 shows a license management server as a license management device for managing licenses of copyrighted application software according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a plurality of terminal devices for installing and / or uninstalling such applications. An installation management system including FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the terminal device in FIG. 3A to 3C show flowcharts for installing the application software or program to be used in the terminal device, which is executed by the license management server and the terminal device in FIGS. (Explained in Figure 3A) (Explained in Figure 3A) FIGS. 4A to 4C show that the application application software 256 that is executed by the license management server 10 and the terminal devices 20 and 22 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is uninstalled from one terminal device 20, and is then transferred to another terminal device 22. The flowchart for installing the use application software 256 is shown. (Explained in Figure 4A) (Explained in Figure 4A) FIG. 5 shows a more specific flowchart of step 404 in FIG. 3A and step 508 in FIG. 4A. FIG. 6 shows a more specific flowchart of step 412 in FIG. 3B. FIG. 7 shows a more specific flowchart of step 440 of FIGS. 3C and 4C. FIG. 8 shows a more specific flowchart of step 504 in FIG. 4A. FIG. 9 shows a more specific flowchart of step 522 of FIG. 4B.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Installation management system 10 License management server 50 Network 102 Processor 104 Storage device 110 License generation part 114 License information database 116 Uninstall certification check part 20, 22, 24 Terminal device 202 Processor 204 Storage device 206 Input device 208 Display device 210 Identification information Management unit 212 License check unit 214 Uninstall certificate generation unit 216 License storage unit 218 Invalid license storage unit 220 Device identification information storage unit

Claims (8)

Software / license management comprising: a plurality of terminal devices capable of installing software; and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating via the network with software to be installed and a license management device for managing licenses of the software In the system,
Each of the plurality of terminal devices is
An identification information management unit for managing device identification information unique to the terminal device and a unique identification code for a license;
A storage unit for storing a valid license code and / or an invalid license code of software;
A transmission unit for transmitting the device identification information and the installation request for the certain software to the license management device;
A receiving unit for receiving a unique license code or installation non-permission from the license management device;
An output unit that outputs information indicating the installation non-permission in response to the installation non-permission,
An uninstall certificate generating unit that generates an uninstall certificate code when the certain software is uninstalled from the terminal device;
With
The license management device includes:
A license information database storing device identification information of each of the plurality of terminal devices and a unique license code for a license relating to license grant;
A receiving unit for receiving device identification information of the one terminal device and an installation request for the certain software from one terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices;
Obtaining an apparatus identification information and a license code to be invalidated based on the uninstall certification code, and determining an authenticity of the uninstall certification code;
When the number of licenses granted for the certain software is less than a predetermined number, based on the device identification information of the terminal device received from the terminal device or when it is determined that the uninstall certification code is valid A license generation unit that generates a new unique license code that enables installation of the certain software based on the device identification information acquired based on the uninstall certification code and the license code to be invalidated When,
A license information database for storing the generated new unique license code in association with the device identification information of the terminal device as an effective license code;
A transmission unit that transmits the generated new unique license code to the terminal device that transmitted the installation request;
It must have
A software license management system. The uninstall certificate generating unit of the terminal device generates an uninstall certificate code by encrypting the valid license code and the device identification information of the certain software, and transmits the uninstall certificate code to the license management device.
The uninstall certification inspection unit of the license management device acquires and decodes the uninstall certification code, acquires the device identification information and a license code to be invalidated, and obtains the acquired device identification information and invalidity. Determining the legitimacy of the uninstall certification code by comparing the license code to be made with device identification information and valid license code for the software in the license information database;
The license generation unit of the license management apparatus encrypts the device identification information and the invalid license code acquired based on the device identification information in the terminal device received from the terminal device or the uninstall certification code . Generating the new unique license code that enables installation of the certain software;
The software license management system according to claim 1, wherein: Further, when the certain software is installed, the terminal device further captures and decodes the new unique license code inputted with the certain software to identify the device identification information or the device identification information and the invalid license. Obtaining a code, based on the device identification information of the identification information management unit or the device identification information and the invalid license code of the identification information management unit and the storage unit, and the new unique license code by comparing the device identification information acquired the acquired device identification information or on the basis of the new, unique license code and invalid license code, the license checking unit for checking the validity of the new license code It is what comprises, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Software license management system according to 2. An identification information management unit that manages unique device identification information and a unique identification code for a license;
A storage unit for storing a valid license code and / or an invalid license code of software;
A transmission unit for transmitting the device identification information and the installation request for the certain software to the license management device;
A receiving unit for receiving a unique license code or installation non-permission from the license management device;
An output unit that outputs information indicating the installation non-permission in response to the installation non-permission,
An uninstall certificate generating unit that generates an uninstall certificate code by encrypting the valid license code and the device identification information of the certain software when the certain software is uninstalled from the terminal device; ,
A terminal device that can install software. A license information database storing device identification information of each of a plurality of terminal devices, and a unique license code for a license relating to license grant;
A receiving unit for receiving device identification information of the one terminal device and a certain software installation request from one terminal device;
Obtaining an apparatus identification information and a license code to be invalidated based on the uninstall certification code, and determining an authenticity of the uninstall certification code;
When the number of licenses granted for the certain software is less than a predetermined number, it is determined based on the device identification information of the one terminal device received from the one terminal device or that the uninstall certification code is valid A new unique license code enabling installation of the software based on the device identification information obtained based on the uninstall certification code and the license code to be invalidated A license generator to
A license information database for storing the generated new unique license code as an effective license code in association with the device identification information of the one terminal device;
A transmission unit that transmits the generated new unique license code to the terminal device that transmitted the installation request;
A license management device comprising: The uninstall certification inspection unit obtains and decodes the uninstall certification code, obtains the device identification information and a license code to be invalidated, and obtains the acquired device identification information and the license license to be invalidated. Determining the validity of the uninstall certification code by comparing the code with device identification information and valid license code for the software in the license information database;
The license generating unit encrypts the device identification information and the invalid license code acquired based on the device identification information or the uninstall certification code in the terminal device acquired from the terminal device, thereby Generating the new unique license code enabling installation of certain software;
The license management apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein A program for installing software used in a terminal device capable of installing software,
In the terminal device,
Transmitting specific device identification information of the terminal device and an installation request for the certain software to a license management device when certain software is installed in the terminal device;
Receiving a unique license code or installation refusal from the license management device;
In response to receiving the installation non-permission, outputting information representing the installation non-permission to an output unit;
Generating an uninstall certification code by encrypting the valid license code and the device identification information of the software when the software is uninstalled;
A program that executes A program for generating a software license used in a license management device,
In the license management device,
Receiving, from one terminal device, device identification information of the one terminal device and a certain software installation request;
When obtaining the uninstall certification code, obtaining device identification information and a license code to be invalidated based on the uninstall certification code, and determining the validity of the uninstallation certification code;
When the number of licenses granted for the certain software is less than a predetermined number, it is determined based on the device identification information of the one terminal device received from the one terminal device or that the uninstall certification code is valid A new unique license code enabling installation of the software based on the device identification information obtained based on the uninstall certification code and the license code to be invalidated And steps to
Storing the generated new unique license code in association with the device identification information of the one terminal device in the database as an effective license code;
Sending the generated new unique license code to the one terminal device;
A program that executes

Images