JP6269357B2 - Client device, server device, license management method, program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a license management technique, and more particularly to a client device, a server device, a license management method, and a program for managing a license for executing an application.

  In a system that requires license authentication when using application software, a terminal that is to execute the application software is authenticated by a server connected via a network. Each terminal is provided with a user detection sensor. When the server receives a use request for predetermined application software from the terminal and there is no free license, the server disconnects the license of the terminal where the user is absent and grants the license to the terminal that has requested use ( For example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-258962

  In the terminal whose license has been disconnected, there is a possibility that the user was accidentally absent at the disconnection timing. For this reason, even a terminal that is frequently used for application software, that is, a terminal that has a high need for a license, the license may be disconnected depending on the timing. For this reason, it is desired that the license is preferentially disconnected from a terminal having a low license requirement.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for efficiently using a license.

In order to solve the above problem, a client device according to an aspect of the present invention executes an application based on an acquisition unit that acquires a license for executing the application from the server device, and the license acquired in the acquisition unit. An execution unit, a determination unit that determines whether license holding is necessary or unnecessary, and a return unit that returns a license to the server device when the determination unit determines that license holding is not required Is provided. The determination unit compares the score value derived from the actual value for each of one or more determination items with a threshold value , or compares the actual value with a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. And performing determination based on the comparison result, and at least one of application use frequency, abnormal value in the client device, and operating system support period of the client device as one or more determination items Use .

Another embodiment of the present invention is also a client device. This device requires or does not require an acquisition unit that acquires a license for executing an application from the server device, an execution unit that executes an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit, and a license. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a server that returns information about the timing of determination processing in the determination unit and a return part that returns the license to the server device And a reception unit for receiving . The determination unit compares the score value derived from the actual value for each of one or more determination items with a threshold value , or compares the actual value with a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. The determination is executed based on the comparison result, and the timing of the determination process received by the reception unit is determined according to the number of unassigned licenses in the server device .
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a client device. This device requires or does not require an acquisition unit that acquires a license for executing an application from the server device, an execution unit that executes an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit, and a license. A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is held by the determination unit, and a return unit that returns the license to the server device. The determination unit inputs an actual value for each of one or more determination items into a rule having nonlinear input / output characteristics, derives a score value as an output thereof, and performs determination based on the derived score.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a client device. This device requires or does not require an acquisition unit that acquires a license for executing an application from the server device, an execution unit that executes an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit, and a license. A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is held by the determination unit, and a return unit that returns the license to the server device. The determination unit performs a comparison between the actual value and the threshold value for each of the one or more determination items, executes a determination based on the comparison result, and uses one or more determination items as the client device At least one of the usage period and the time when the user of the client device or the organization related to the user purchases a new client device is used.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a server device. This device requires or does not need to hold a license for the granting unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device and the client device to which the license is given by the granting unit. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a cancellation unit that cancels the license. The determination unit executes a comparison between a score value derived from the actual value of the client device for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or a comparison between score values corresponding to each of the plurality of client devices, The determination is performed based on the comparison result , and at least one of one or more determination items including an application usage frequency on the client device, an abnormal value on the client device, and an operating system support period of the client device. Is used .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a server device. This device requires or does not need to hold a license for the granting unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device and the client device to which the license is given by the granting unit. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a cancellation unit that cancels the license. The determination unit performs determination based on a comparison result between the actual value of the client device and a threshold value for each of one or a plurality of determination items, and uses the application frequency in the client device as one or a plurality of determination items. At least one of an abnormal value in the client device and a support period of the operating system of the client device is used .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a server device. This device requires or does not need to hold a license for the granting unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device and the client device to which the license is given by the granting unit. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a cancellation unit that cancels the license. The determination unit derives a score value from the actual value of the client device for each of one or a plurality of determination items for a plurality of client devices, and displays so that the client device having a relatively large score value can be determined Create data to do .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a server device. This device requires or does not need to hold a license for the granting unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device and the client device to which the license is given by the granting unit. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a cancellation unit that cancels the license. The determination unit derives a score value from the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items for the plurality of client devices, selects the plurality of client devices in descending order of the score value, and selects the selected client device It is determined that license holding is unnecessary .
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a server device. This device requires or does not need to hold a license for the granting unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device and the client device to which the license is given by the granting unit. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a cancellation unit that cancels the license. The determination unit determines the necessity of license retention according to the number of determination items satisfying the predetermined condition, using the determination result of whether or not the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items satisfies the predetermined condition.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a server device. This device requires or does not need to hold a license for the granting unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device and the client device to which the license is given by the granting unit. A determination unit that determines whether the license is not required to be held by the determination unit, and a cancellation unit that cancels the license. The determination unit uses a determination result as to whether or not the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items satisfies a predetermined condition, selects a predetermined number of client devices in descending order of the number of determination items that satisfy the predetermined condition, It is determined that it is not necessary to hold the license of the selected client device .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a license management method. This method is a license management method executed by a computer, and includes a step of acquiring a license for executing an application from a server device, a step of executing an application based on the acquired license, and holding a license. A step of determining whether it is necessary or unnecessary, and a step of returning the license to the server device when it is determined that holding of the license is unnecessary . The step of determining is a comparison between a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or a comparison between an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. And the determination is executed based on the comparison result, and at least one of application use frequency, abnormal value in the client device, and operating period of the client device operating system is used as one or more determination items. Is used .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a license management method. This method is a license management method executed by a computer, and includes a step of acquiring a license for executing an application from a server device, a step of executing an application based on the acquired license, and holding a license. Information on the timing of determination processing in the step of determining whether it is necessary or unnecessary, the step of returning the license to the server device when it is determined that the license is not required, and the step of determining And a receiving step received from the apparatus. The step of determining is a comparison between a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or a comparison between an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. The determination is executed based on the comparison result, and the timing of the determination process accepted in the reception step is determined according to the number of unassigned licenses in the server device .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a license management method. This method is a license management method executed by a computer, in which a client device needs to grant a license for executing an application to the client device, and it is necessary to hold the license for the client device to which the license has been granted. And determining whether the license is not required, and revoking the license when it is determined that the license is not required . In the determining step, the score value derived from the actual value of the client device for each of the one or more determination items is compared with a threshold value , or the score values corresponding to each of the plurality of client devices are compared with each other. The determination is performed based on the comparison result, and at least one of the usage frequency of the application on the client device, the abnormal value on the client device, and the operating system support period of the client device as one or more determination items. Use one .

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a license management method. This method is a license management method executed by a computer, in which a client device needs to grant a license for executing an application to the client device, and it is necessary to hold the license for the client device to which the license has been granted. And determining whether the license is not required, and revoking the license when it is determined that the license is not required . The determining step executes determination based on a comparison result between the actual value of the client device and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items, and uses the application in the client device as one or more determination items. A license management method using at least one of a frequency, an abnormal value in a client device, and a support period of an operating system of the client device .

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a license can be used efficiently.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the license management system which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the client apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table hold | maintained at the determination part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the instruction | indication procedure of the determination timing by the server apparatus of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a license management procedure by the client apparatus of FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the table hold | maintained at the determination part which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the management procedure of the license by the client apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another management procedure of the license by the client apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another management procedure of the license by the client apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the client apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server apparatus which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the reporting procedure by the client apparatus of FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a license management procedure by the server apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the report procedure by the client apparatus which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the management procedure of the license by the server apparatus which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the score value hold | maintained at the determination part which concerns on Example 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the management procedure of the license by the server apparatus based on Example 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the report procedure by the client apparatus which concerns on Example 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the management procedure of the license by the server apparatus based on Example 6 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the management procedure of the license by the server apparatus based on Example 7 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the management procedure of the license by the server apparatus based on Example 8 of this invention.

Example 1
Before describing the present invention specifically, an outline will be given first. Embodiment 1 of the present invention relates to a license management system that manages licenses used to execute application software executed in a client device such as a PC. The license management system includes a plurality of client devices, which are connected to the server device, and the server device manages the license. The number of licenses managed in the server device is smaller than the number of client devices included in the license management system. Therefore, when the server apparatus receives a grant request from a new client apparatus in a state where all licenses have been granted to the client apparatus, the server apparatus cancels the license granted to any one of the client apparatuses. Thereafter, the server device grants a license to the new client device.

  Therefore, it is desirable to use licenses efficiently in a situation where the total number (upper limit number) of licenses that can be used by a plurality of client devices is determined. In order to cope with this, in this embodiment, software usage status, hardware abnormality, operation system (OS) support deadline, etc. are detected in each client device, and the score is based on those actual values. The value is calculated. In addition, the license is returned based on the score value.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a license management system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The license management system 100 includes a first client device 10a, a second client device 10b, a third client device 10c, a fourth client device 10d, a fifth client device 10e, a network 12, a server device 14, A database 16 is included.

  The client device 10 is a PC or the like on which application software is installed. When application software is activated by an instruction from a user operating the client device 10, license authentication is required. When the license is not granted to the client device 10, the client device 10 transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as “grant request”) for requesting the license grant to the server device 14 via the network 12.

  The network 12 connects the client device 10 and the server device 14. The network 12 may be wired or wireless. The server device 14 receives a grant request from the client device 10 via the network 12. The server device 14 refers to the license grant status information stored in the database 16 and grants a license to the client device 10 if the license can be granted. Here, the license grant status information is information indicating the correspondence between the currently granted license and the client device 10. That is, the upper limit number of licenses, the number of uses, the remaining number, etc. are managed by this information. Further, this information may include information such as the time when the license is granted. “License can be granted” indicates that the upper limit number of licenses that can be granted on the network 12 is larger than the number of licenses currently granted.

  When the server device 14 grants a license to the client device 10, the server device 14 stores the information in the database 16 and transmits information related to the license grant to the client device 10 via the network 12. The client device 10 is granted a license by receiving information from the server device 14. The client device 10 activates application software using the assigned license.

  On the other hand, when it is impossible to grant a license in the server device 14, that is, when the number of licenses currently granted has reached the upper limit, the server device 14 has a plurality of client devices 10 to which licenses have already been granted. Information about determination of necessity of license is transmitted to each. Hereinafter, this information is also referred to as a license necessity determination request and a license holding (maintenance) necessity determination request. Further, since the client device 10 performs the determination process at the timing of receiving the license necessity determination request, it can also be referred to as information regarding the determination or the timing of the determination process. Each of the plurality of client devices 10 that has received information from the server device 14 determines whether or not it is necessary or necessary to hold (maintain) a license. Details of the determination process will be described later. The client device 10 that has determined that holding (maintaining) the license is unnecessary transmits the signal indicating that holding (maintaining) the license is not required to the server device 14 and returns the license.

  When the server device 14 receives the signal indicating that the license is not required, the server device 14 cancels the license for the client device 10 and updates the information in the database 16. Further, the server device 14 grants a vacant license to the client device 10 that is newly requesting the license grant. Subsequent processing is the same as heretofore, and the description is omitted here.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the client device 10. The client device 10 includes a communication unit 20, a request unit 22, an acquisition unit 24, a reception unit 26, a return part 28, an execution unit 30, a determination unit 32, and a storage unit 34. The storage unit 34 stores application software to be executed in the client device 10. In addition, when the storage unit 34 has acquired a license for executing the application software, the storage unit 34 stores the license.

  When receiving an instruction from a user (not shown), the execution unit 30 activates application software stored in the storage unit 34. At this time, if the license has not been acquired, the request unit 22 transmits the above-described grant request to the server device 14 (not shown) via the communication unit 20. The communication unit 20 is an interface with the network 12 (not shown), and transmits a signal to the server device 14 via the network 12 and receives a signal from the server device 14 via the network 12. Note that the license may be stored in the database 16 in association with the client device 10 without storing the license in the storage unit 34. In this case, when the client device 10 activates the application software, the server device 14 transmits a signal for confirming the presence / absence of the license together with the identification information of the client device 10, and the server device 14 indicates that the license is present. Control is executed only when the application software is returned.

  The acquisition unit 24 acquires the license from the server device 14 by receiving information regarding the grant of the license from the server device 14 via the communication unit 20 after transmitting the grant request from the request unit 22. When acquiring the license, the acquisition unit 24 outputs the license to the execution unit 30. When the execution unit 30 receives a license from the acquisition unit 24, the execution unit 30 stores the license in the storage unit 34 and executes the application software based on the license stored in the storage unit 34 as described above.

  The accepting unit 26 receives information related to the determination of the license necessity from the server device 14 via the communication unit 20. As described above, the timing at which the license necessity determination request is transmitted from the server device 14 is determined according to the number of unassigned licenses in the server device 14. Specifically, the number of unassigned licenses is “0”. It is supposed to be the timing. When receiving the information, the receiving unit 26 instructs the determination unit 32 to make a determination.

  When the determination unit 32 receives an instruction from the reception unit 26, the determination unit 32 determines whether a license for executing the application in the execution unit 30 is necessary or unnecessary. If it demonstrates concretely, the determination part 32 will derive a score value from the track record value with respect to each of a some item (determination item), and will perform determination based on the comparison with a score value and a threshold value. A plurality of items are stored in the determination unit 32 in advance. FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the table held in the determination unit 32. As shown in the drawing, the plurality of items are S [1] = total software startup time ratio, S [2] = total number of bad sectors in HDD, and S [3] = number of days until the OS support end date. Suppose that These correspond to the usage frequency of the application, the abnormal value in the client device 10, and the support period of the operating system of the client device 10.

  Moreover, the determination part 32 prescribes | regulates a score (score according to item) with respect to each item like FIG. As illustrated, regarding S [1], for example, “less than 0.1%” = 10, “0.1% to less than 1%” = 5, “1% to less than 5%” = 3, “5 % To less than 8% "= 1, and" 8% or more "= 0. In this example, the score for S [1] is any one of 10, 5, 3, 1, and 0. Regarding S [2], for example, “100 or more” = 10, “50 or more and less than 100” = 6, “20 or more and less than 50” = 4, “10 or more and less than 20” = 2. “Less than 10” = 0 is defined. For S [3], for example, “3 months or more have elapsed” = 10, “1 month or more but less than 3 months have elapsed” = 7, “0 days or more but less than 1 month have elapsed” = 5, “less than 1 month until the end date “= 2” and “1 month or more until the end date” = 0. Returning to FIG.

The determination part 32 acquires the performance value with respect to each item. These performance values are stored in the client device 10, for example, and the determination unit 32 acquires the performance values therefrom. The determination unit 32 derives a score value from the actual value while referring to the table shown in FIG. 3 for each item. Further, the determination unit 32 calculates a final score value S (overall score) based on the following equation 1 from the score values for each of the plurality of items.
S = αS [1] + βS [2] + γS [3] Equation 1
Here, α, β, and γ are coefficients each having a positive value.

  The determination unit 32 compares the score value S calculated in this way with a threshold value, and determines that the license is unnecessary if the score value S is equal to or greater than the threshold value. On the other hand, the determination unit 32 determines that a license is necessary when the score value S is not equal to or greater than the threshold value. Here, for example, the threshold value is set as “15”. In the above example, the score value S indicating the degree of license unnecessary is calculated using three items, but may be calculated using any number of items. For example, the score value S may be calculated with one item, or the score value S may be calculated with ten items. The determination unit 32 outputs the determination result to the return part 28. Further, the item-specific score and the overall score may not be monotonously increased. For example, regarding the number of days until the OS support end date, “1 year or more has elapsed” = 8, “3 months to 1 year has elapsed” = 10, “1 month or more to less than 3 months have elapsed” = 7, “0 days or more to The score may be calculated according to the rule that “less than one month has elapsed” = 5, “less than one month until the end date” = 2, and “one month or more until the end date” = 0. In this example, when the OS support end date has passed for more than one year, it is estimated that there is a high possibility that the old OS will continue to be used without updating the OS in the future. Compared to the score value. In this way, by using a non-linear and non-monotonic increase rule (mapping), it is possible to accurately calculate a score in consideration of the property (characteristic) of each determination item.

  When the determination result from the determination unit 32 indicates that the license is not required, the return unit 28 returns the license to the server device 14 by transmitting a signal indicating that the license is not required to the server device 14. . After the return unit 28 transmits the signal, when the receiving unit 26 receives the signal from the server device 14 and indicating that the license is canceled, the execution unit 30 is connected via the determination unit 32. Cancels the license stored in the storage unit 34. Note that the execution unit 30 may cancel the license stored in the storage unit 34 after the return unit 28 transmits the signal.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it can be realized by a program loaded in the memory, but here it is realized by their cooperation. Draw functional blocks. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the server device 14. The server device 14 includes a communication unit 50, an acquisition unit 52, a grant unit 54, an output unit 56, a reception unit 58, and a management unit 60. The communication unit 50 is an interface with the network 12 (not shown), and transmits a signal to the client device 10 via the network 12 and receives a signal from the client device 10 via the network 12.

  The acquisition unit 52 receives a request for grant from the client device 10 (not shown) via the communication unit 50. The acquisition unit 52 outputs the grant request to the management unit 60. Upon receiving the grant request from the acquisition unit 52, the management unit 60 determines whether or not the license can be granted while referring to the database 16 (not shown). For example, if the number of free licenses stored in the database 16 is “1” or more, the management unit 60 grants a license to the client device 10. At that time, authentication processing such as password authentication may be executed. When the license is granted, the management unit 60 stores information on the client device 10 to which the license is granted in the database 16. The management unit 60 outputs the granted result to the granting unit 54. When the granting unit 54 receives the granting result from the management unit 60, the granting unit 54 transmits information regarding the granting of the license to the client device 10 via the communication unit 50.

  When the management unit 60 cannot grant a license, that is, when the number of free licenses stored in the database 16 is “0”, the management unit 60 outputs that fact to the output unit 56. Upon receiving the notification from the management unit 60, the output unit 56 transmits information related to the determination timing to the client device 10 via the communication unit 50.

  After transmitting the information from the output unit 56, the reception unit 58 receives a signal indicating that a license is unnecessary from the client device 10 via the communication unit 50. The accepting unit 58 outputs the received signal to the management unit 60. The management unit 60 cancels the license of the client device 10 indicated that the license is unnecessary, and reflects the cancel result in the database 16. Thereafter, the output unit 56 transmits a signal indicating cancellation of the license to the client device 10 via the communication unit 50. When the license is free, the management unit 60 grants a license to the client apparatus 10 that has newly accepted the grant request as described above. Since the subsequent processing is as described above, description thereof is omitted here.

  The operation of the license management system 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a determination timing instruction procedure by the server device 14. In the management unit 60, if the number of unassigned licenses is equal to or less than the predetermined value (Y in S10), the output unit 56 outputs a license necessity determination request (S12). The predetermined value corresponds to “0” described above. On the other hand, in the management unit 60, if the number of unassigned licenses is not less than the predetermined value (N in S10), step 12 is skipped.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a license management procedure performed by the client apparatus 10. If a license necessity determination request is received from the information received by the reception unit 26 (Y in S20), the determination unit 32 derives a score value (S22). If the score value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y in S24), the determination unit 32 determines that the license is unnecessary (S26). The return part 28 returns the license (S28). On the other hand, if the score value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (N in S24), the determination unit 32 determines that a license is required (S30). If the license necessity determination request has not arrived (N in S20), steps 22 to 30 are omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily transfer a license from a client that does not use the license to a new client that wants to use the license. In addition, since the necessity / unnecessity of the license is determined by each client device, the system configuration can be simplified. In addition, since the score value is calculated for determining whether the license is necessary or not, the determination process can be simplified even when a plurality of items are combined. In addition, since the coefficient is used when calculating the score value, the weight according to the item can be considered. In addition, it is possible to improve a situation in which the license is wasted due to a device that does not use the license so much or a failure of the device. Further, since the license is not consumed unnecessarily, the license can be used efficiently. In addition, because items related to hardware abnormal values and failure prediction are used, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the number of usable licenses cannot be restored because the license is still damaged and the license cannot be canceled. . In addition, a finite software license can be efficiently operated and used. In addition, since the determination is performed at the timing when the number of free licenses decreases, an increase in the processing amount can be suppressed.

(Example 2)
Next, Example 2 will be described. As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses. In the first embodiment, it is determined whether a license is required based on the score value calculated in each client device. Also in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not a license is required in each client device, and if a license is unnecessary, it is returned. Note that the client device according to the second embodiment does not calculate a score value, and determines whether a license is necessary based on the actual value for each of a plurality of items (determination items). Since the license management system 100, the client device 10, and the server device 14 according to the second embodiment are of the same type as those in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the differences will be mainly described here.

  The determination unit 32 compares the actual value with the threshold value for each of the plurality of items. The determination unit 32 determines whether a license is necessary or not based on a plurality of comparison results. Each of the plurality of items is held as a table as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a data structure of a table held in the determination unit 32 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the table shows cancellation conditions corresponding to each item. If the actual value of the item satisfies the revocation condition, the determination unit 32 indicates that a license for the client device 10 is not required. It should be noted that “A”, “B”,... Indicated in the cancellation condition correspond to the above-described threshold values. The items shown in FIG. 7 are merely examples, and other items may be used, or only some of the items shown in FIG. 7 may be used.

  Of the multiple items, the ratio of the total software startup time to the period after license authentication, the ratio of the total number of software startups to the period after license authentication, and the period after license authentication The ratio of the total software operation time to the OS, and the software startup time relative to the OS startup time are classified into the usage frequency of the application software. For example, the threshold “A” with respect to the ratio of the total activation time of software to the period after license authentication is defined as “0.1%”.

  In addition, among the multiple items, the total number of bad sectors of the HDD, the number of increase in the predetermined period, the rate of increase in the predetermined period, power supply voltage drop, heat generation, abnormal values of CPU, motherboard, memory, graphic card, lightning forecast, It is classified as an abnormal value in the client device 10. For example, the threshold value “E1” for the total number of bad sectors in the HDD is defined as “50”. Furthermore, another item is monitoring of the OS support period, and the OS type and the support period of the manufacturer are measured. For example, the threshold value “G” for this is defined such that the support end date of the OS has passed or is 10 days until the end date.

  Another item is the years of use (elapsed years) of the client device 10. For example, the client device 10 stores manufacturing date information inside each, and the determination unit 32 calculates the elapsed years. Alternatively, the external asset management DB is accessed, information such as the date of manufacture and the date of introduction is acquired using the asset number, MAC address, etc. as a key, and the determination unit 32 calculates the number of years of use. For example, the threshold value “H” for this is defined as “10 years”. Another item is the scheduled purchase time of PCs of the same user, the same group, and the same organization. For example, when the user / group / organization accessing the external budget management DB and the same user / group / organization as the user / group / organization that uses the client apparatus 10 is recording a budget for newly purchasing the client apparatus 10 (year / month / day) ) To get. For example, the threshold value “I” for this is defined as “1 day”. Returning to FIG.

  The determination unit 32 determines that the license is unnecessary when the actual value for any of the plurality of items satisfies the cancellation condition illustrated in FIG. Note that the determination unit 32 determines that a license is not required when the actual value for one item satisfies the cancellation condition, but when the actual value for a predetermined number of items or more satisfies the cancellation condition. Also good. Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the client device 10 according to the second embodiment of the invention. If the ratio of the total activation time is equal to or less than A (Y in S40), the determination unit 32 determines that it is unnecessary (S46). If the ratio of the total activation times is not A or less (N in S40) and the ratio of the total activation times is B or less (Y in S42), the determination unit 32 determines that it is unnecessary (S46). If the ratio of the total number of activations is not B or less (N in S42) and the ratio of the total operation time is C or less (Y in S44), the determination unit 32 determines that it is unnecessary (S46). If the total operation time ratio is not less than C (N in S44), the process is terminated. The return part 28 returns the license (S48).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another license management procedure performed by the client apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. If the number of defective sectors in the HDD is equal to or greater than E1 (Y in S60), the determination unit 32 determines that the HDD is unnecessary (S66). If the number of defective sectors in the HDD is not E1 or more (N in S60) and the voltage drop of the power supply is F1 or more (Y in S62), the determination unit 32 determines that it is unnecessary (S66). If the voltage drop of the power source is not F1 or more (N in S62) and there is an abnormal value (Y in S64), the determining unit 32 determines that it is unnecessary (S66). If there is no abnormal value (N in S64), the process is terminated. The return part 28 returns the license (S68).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another license management procedure performed by the client apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. If the OS support period is within G (Y in S80), the determination unit 32 determines that the OS is unnecessary (S82). If the OS support period is not within G (N in S80), the process is terminated. The return part 28 returns the license (S84).

  According to the present embodiment, the necessity / unnecessity of the license is determined by comparing the actual value and the threshold value for each of the plurality of items, so that the determination can be performed strictly. In addition, since the determination is performed strictly, the determination accuracy can be improved.

(Example 3)
Next, Example 3 will be described. The third embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses as before. In the first embodiment, it is determined whether a license is required based on the score value calculated in each client device. In the third embodiment, the server device determines whether a license is necessary based on the score value of the client device. Since the license management system 100 according to the third embodiment is of the same type as that shown in FIG. 1, here, the difference will be mainly described.

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the client device 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The client device 10 includes a communication unit 20, a request unit 22, an acquisition unit 24, a reception unit 26, an execution unit 30, a storage unit 34, a processing unit 40, and a report unit 42.

  When the processing unit 40 receives an instruction from the receiving unit 26, the processing unit 40 derives a score value from the actual value for each of the plurality of items. Since the score value may be derived in the same manner as the determination unit 32 in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. The processing unit 40 outputs the score value to the reporting unit 42. Upon receiving the score value from the processing unit 40, the reporting unit 42 transmits the score value to the server device 14 via the communication unit 20. After the report unit 42 transmits the score value, when the reception unit 26 receives a signal from the server device 14 indicating that the license has been canceled, the execution unit 30 via the processing unit 40 The license stored in the storage unit 34 is canceled.

  FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the server device 14 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The server device 14 includes a communication unit 50, an acquisition unit 52, a grant unit 54, an output unit 56, a reception unit 58, a management unit 60, a determination unit 70, and a cancellation unit 72.

  After transmitting the information from the output unit 56, the reception unit 58 receives a signal including a score value from the client device 10 via the communication unit 50. The accepting unit 58 outputs the score value included in the received signal to the determining unit 70. The determination unit 70 receives a score value from the reception unit 58. Similar to the determination unit 32 in the first embodiment, the determination unit 70 compares the score value S with a threshold value, and when the score value S is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the client device to which the license is granted by the grant unit 54 10, it is determined that no license is required. On the other hand, the determination unit 70 determines that a license is required when the score value S is not greater than or equal to the threshold value. The determination unit 70 outputs the determination result to the cancellation unit 72.

  When the determination unit 70 determines that the license is unnecessary, the cancellation unit 72 cancels the license and reflects the canceled result in the database 16. Thereafter, the output unit 56 transmits a signal indicating cancellation of the license to the client device 10 via the communication unit 50.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a reporting procedure by the client device 10. When a license necessity determination request arrives based on the information received by the reception unit 26 (Y in S100), the processing unit 40 derives a score value (S102). The reporting unit 42 reports the score value (S104). On the other hand, if the license necessity determination request has not arrived (N in S100), steps 102 to 104 are omitted.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the server device 14. If the accepting unit 58 does not accept the score value (N in S110), it waits. If the accepting unit 58 receives the score value (Y in S110) and the score value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y in S112), the determining unit 70 determines that the license is unnecessary (S114). The cancel unit 72 cancels the license (S116). On the other hand, if the score value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (N in S112), the determination unit 70 determines that a license is required (S118).

  According to the present embodiment, since the server apparatus determines whether the license is necessary or not, license management in the server apparatus can be facilitated. Moreover, since the score value is only transmitted from the client device to the server device, an increase in the amount of data to be transmitted can be suppressed.

Example 4
Next, Example 4 will be described. The fourth embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses as before. In the third embodiment, the client device calculates a score value, and the server device determines whether a license is necessary based on the score value. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the server device calculates a score value and determines whether a license is necessary based on the score value. Since the license management system 100, the client device 10, and the server device 14 according to the fourth embodiment are of the same type as those in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, only differences will be described here.

  The processing unit 40 in FIG. 11 collects performance values for each of a plurality of items. The collection of the actual value is the same as that of the processing unit 40 in the third embodiment. The processing unit 40 outputs a plurality of performance values to the reporting unit 42. When receiving a plurality of performance values from the processing unit 40, the reporting unit 42 transmits the plurality of performance values to the server device 14 via the communication unit 20. After the reporting unit 42 transmits a plurality of actual values, when the receiving unit 26 receives the signal from the server device 14 and indicating that the license is canceled, the processing unit 40 The execution unit 30 cancels the license stored in the storage unit 34.

  After receiving the information from the output unit 56, the reception unit 58 in FIG. 12 receives a signal including a plurality of actual values from the client device 10 via the communication unit 50. The accepting unit 58 outputs a plurality of performance values included in the received signal to the determining unit 70. The determination unit 70 receives a plurality of performance values from the reception unit 58. Similar to the determination unit 32 in the first embodiment, the determination unit 70 derives a score value S from a plurality of performance values, and compares the score value S with a threshold value. When the score value S is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 70 determines that no license is required for the client device 10 to which the license is given by the grant unit 54. On the other hand, the determination unit 70 determines that a license is required when the score value S is not greater than or equal to the threshold value. The determination unit 70 outputs the determination result to the cancellation unit 72.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a reporting procedure by the client device 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. If a license necessity determination request arrives based on the information received by the reception unit 26 (Y in S130), the processing unit 40 collects actual values for each of the plurality of items (S132). The reporting unit 42 reports the actual value (S134). On the other hand, if the license necessity determination request has not arrived (N in S130), steps 132 to 134 are omitted.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the server apparatus 14 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. If the reception unit 58 does not accept the actual value (N in S150), the process waits. When the reception unit 58 receives the result value (Y in S150), a score value is derived (S152). If the score value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Y in S154), the determination unit 70 determines that a license is not required (S156). The cancel unit 72 cancels the license (S158). On the other hand, if the score value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (N in S154), the determination unit 70 determines that a license is required (S160).

  According to the present embodiment, since the server device derives the score value, the processing amount in the client device can be reduced.

(Example 5)
Next, Example 5 will be described. The fifth embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses as before. In the third and fourth embodiments, the server device determines whether a license is necessary for each client device based on the score value. The server device according to the fifth embodiment selects a client device that does not require a license by relatively comparing score values for each of a plurality of client devices. Since the license management system 100, the client device 10, and the server device 14 according to the fifth embodiment are the same types as those in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, only differences will be described here.

  The determination unit 70 in FIG. 12 receives a score value for each of the plurality of client devices 10 from the reception unit 58. The score value corresponding to each client device 10 may be calculated by the client device 10 or may be calculated by the server device 14. The determination unit 70 stores score values for each of the plurality of client devices 10 in a table. FIG. 17 shows the data structure of the score value held in the determination unit 70 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the determination unit 70 holds (stores) the client device name (client identification information) and the score value of each client device 10 in association with each other. Returning to FIG. The determination unit 70 selects at least one client device 10 that does not require a license by comparing the score values across the plurality of client devices 10. For example, the determination unit 70 identifies the client devices 10 in descending order of the score values by the number of client devices 10 to which a new license is to be granted, and determines that the license granted to the identified client device 10 is unnecessary.

  Note that the determination unit 70 may sort the score values of the client devices 10 in descending order, and display a list of candidates for the client devices 10 that should have their licenses canceled on the display device or the management terminal. The display device or the management terminal is connected to the server device 14 (not shown). For example, when two new licenses are requested, a list of client devices 10 to which licenses have already been granted is displayed. For the top two client devices 10 having the highest scores, the other client devices 10 and Different indications are made. The different display means that the font is enlarged, the display color is changed, or a specific icon is displayed. As a result, the administrator of the server device 14 can easily identify the client device 10 that has little influence even if the license is deleted, so that efficient license management can be performed. In the list display, a GUI component (button or the like) for deleting a license may be displayed for each client. Note that the score value may be calculated in the determination unit 70 as in the fourth embodiment.

  The determination unit 70 outputs the determination result to the cancellation unit 72. When the determination unit 70 determines that the license is unnecessary, the cancellation unit 72 cancels the license and reflects the canceled result in the database 16. Thereafter, the output unit 56 transmits a signal indicating cancellation of the license to the client device 10 via the communication unit 50.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the server device 14 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. The receiving unit 58 acquires a plurality of score values (S180). The determination unit 70 compares a plurality of score values (S182). The determination unit 70 selects the client device 10 (S184). The determination unit 70 determines that the license of the selected client device 10 is unnecessary (S186). The cancel unit 72 cancels the license (S188).

  According to the present embodiment, since the score values in each of the plurality of client devices are relatively compared, it is possible to reliably select a necessary and sufficient number of client devices that do not require a license as the entire system. Further, since a relative comparison is performed, it is possible to eliminate the need for setting a threshold value. Further, since setting of the threshold value is not necessary, variation in determination accuracy due to the threshold value can be avoided.

(Example 6)
Next, Example 6 will be described. The sixth embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses as before. In the second embodiment, each client device determines whether it is necessary to maintain (maintain) a license by comparing the actual value with a threshold value. In the sixth embodiment, the client device compares the actual value and the threshold value, and transmits the comparison result to the server device. Then, based on the received comparison result, the server device determines whether or not to continue granting the license to the client. Since the license management system 100, the client device 10, and the server device 14 according to the sixth embodiment are the same type as those in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, only the differences will be described here.

  When the processing unit 40 in FIG. 11 receives an instruction from the receiving unit 26, the processing unit 40 acquires the actual value for each of the plurality of items. The processing unit 40 compares the actual value with the threshold value for each of the plurality of items (determination items). Since the acquisition and comparison of the actual value may be derived in the same manner as the determination unit 32 in the second embodiment, the description is omitted here. The processing unit 40 outputs the comparison result to the reporting unit 42. For example, binary information indicating whether the result value x of a certain determination item is greater than or equal to the threshold value θ or less than the threshold value θ can be used as the comparison result. Upon receiving the comparison result from the processing unit 40, the reporting unit 42 transmits the comparison result to the server device 14 via the communication unit 20. After the report unit 42 transmits the comparison result, when the receiving unit 26 receives the signal from the server device 14 and indicating that the license has been canceled, the execution unit 30 cancels the license stored in the storage unit 34.

  After receiving the information from the output unit 56, the reception unit 58 in FIG. 12 receives a signal including a plurality of comparison results from the client device 10 via the communication unit 50. The accepting unit 58 outputs a plurality of comparison results included in the received signal to the determining unit 70. The determination unit 70 receives a plurality of comparison results from the reception unit 58. Similar to the determination unit 32 in the second embodiment, the determination unit 70 determines whether a license is necessary or not based on each of a plurality of comparison results. The determination unit 70 outputs the determination result to the cancellation unit 72.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a reporting procedure by the client apparatus 10 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. When a license necessity determination request arrives based on the information received by the reception unit 26 (Y in S200), the processing unit 40 compares the actual value for each of the plurality of items with a threshold value (S202). The reporting unit 42 reports the comparison result (S204). On the other hand, if a license necessity determination request has not arrived (N in S200), steps 202 to 204 are omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the server apparatus 14 according to the sixth embodiment of the invention. If the reception unit 58 does not accept the comparison result (N in S220), the process waits. When the reception unit 58 receives the comparison result (Y in S220) and the comparison result satisfies the cancellation condition (Y in S222), the determination unit 70 determines that the license is unnecessary (S224). The cancel unit 72 cancels the license (S226). On the other hand, if the cancellation condition is not satisfied (N in S222), the determination unit 70 determines that a license is required (S228). For example, when a comparison result indicating that the actual value x of a certain judgment item is equal to or greater than the threshold value θ is received, there is a cancellation condition such as “revoke the license when the actual value x is equal to or greater than the threshold value θ”. However, if the cancellation condition is “cancel license when actual value x is less than threshold value θ”, the license is not cancelled. Further, when there are a plurality of determination items, the license may be canceled only when the cancellation condition is satisfied with respect to a predetermined number or more of determination items. In addition, for each of the plurality of determination items, the client device 10 transmits not the comparison result but information indicating whether or not the cancellation condition is satisfied, and the server device 14 uses them to cancel the license. You may determine comprehensively. Further, regarding the comparison result or the cancellation condition, multi-value information instead of binary may be transmitted from the client device 10 to the server device 14. For example, regarding a cancellation condition for a certain judgment item, even if a numerical value of “0-3” having the meaning of “0 = not applicable at all, 1 = applicable to some extent, 2 = appropriately applicable, 3 = completely applicable”, etc. is transmitted. Good.

  According to the present embodiment, since the server apparatus determines whether the license is necessary or not, license management in the server apparatus can be facilitated. Further, since the comparison result is only transmitted from the client device to the server device, an increase in the amount of data to be transmitted can be suppressed.

(Example 7)
Next, Example 7 will be described. The seventh embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses as before. In the sixth embodiment, the client device compares the actual value with the threshold value, and the server device determines whether or not a license is necessary based on the comparison result. On the other hand, in the seventh embodiment, the server device compares the actual value and the threshold value, and determines whether a license is necessary based on the comparison result. Since the license management system 100, the client device 10, and the server device 14 according to the seventh embodiment are the same types as those in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, only differences will be described here.

  The processing unit 40 in FIG. 11 collects performance values for each of a plurality of items. The collection of the actual value is the same as that of the processing unit 40 in the third embodiment. The processing unit 40 outputs a plurality of performance values to the reporting unit 42. When receiving a plurality of performance values from the processing unit 40, the reporting unit 42 transmits the plurality of performance values to the server device 14 via the communication unit 20. After the reporting unit 42 transmits a plurality of actual values, when the receiving unit 26 receives the signal from the server device 14 and indicating that the license is canceled, the processing unit 40 The execution unit 30 cancels the license stored in the storage unit 34.

  After receiving the information from the output unit 56, the reception unit 58 in FIG. 12 receives a signal including a plurality of actual values from the client device 10 via the communication unit 50. The accepting unit 58 outputs a plurality of performance values included in the received signal to the determining unit 70. The determination unit 70 receives a plurality of performance values from the reception unit 58. Similar to the determination unit 32 in the second embodiment, the determination unit 70 compares the actual value of the client device 10 with a threshold value for each of a plurality of items. The determination unit 70 determines whether a license is necessary or not based on each of a plurality of comparison results. The determination unit 70 outputs the determination result to the cancellation unit 72.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the server apparatus 14 according to the seventh embodiment of the invention. If the reception unit 58 does not accept the comparison result (N in S240), the process waits. When the reception unit 58 receives the comparison result (Y in S240), the determination unit 70 compares the actual value with the threshold value (S242). If the cancellation condition is satisfied (Y in S244), the determination unit 70 determines that the license is unnecessary (S246). The cancel unit 72 cancels the license (S248). On the other hand, if the cancellation condition is not satisfied (N in S244), the determination unit 70 determines that a license is necessary (S250). When there are a plurality of determination items, the license may be canceled only when the cancellation condition is satisfied with respect to a predetermined number of determination items.

  According to the present embodiment, since the server device derives a comparison between the actual value and the threshold value, the processing amount in the client device can be reduced.

(Example 8)
Next, Example 8 will be described. The eighth embodiment relates to a license management system that manages licenses as before. In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the server device determines whether a license is necessary for each client device based on the comparison result. The server device according to the eighth embodiment selects a client device that does not require a license by relatively comparing the comparison results for each of the plurality of client devices. Since the license management system 100, the client device 10, and the server device 14 according to the eighth embodiment are of the same type as those in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, only differences will be described here.

  The determination unit 70 in FIG. 12 receives a plurality of comparison results for each of the plurality of client devices 10 from the reception unit 58. The determination unit 70 selects at least one client device 10 that does not require a license by comparing the comparison result between the actual value and the threshold value of the client device 10 for each of the plurality of items over the plurality of client devices 10. . For example, the client devices 10 are identified by the number of license items that need to be revoked in the descending order of the number of determination items that satisfy the revocation condition, and it is determined that the license assigned to the identified client device 10 is unnecessary. As in the seventh embodiment, the determination unit 70 may derive the comparison result. The determination unit 70 outputs the determination result to the cancellation unit 72. When the determination unit 70 determines that the license is unnecessary, the cancellation unit 72 cancels the license and reflects the canceled result in the database 16. Thereafter, the output unit 56 transmits a signal indicating cancellation of the license to the client device 10 via the communication unit 50.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a license management procedure performed by the server device 14 according to the eighth embodiment of the invention. The accepting unit 58 acquires a comparison result for each of the plurality of client devices 10 (S260). The determination unit 70 compares the comparison results for each of the plurality of client devices 10 (S262). The determination unit 70 selects the client device 10 (S264). The determination unit 70 determines that the license of the selected client device 10 is unnecessary (S266). The cancel unit 72 cancels the license (S268). Note that the client device 10 may transmit to the server device 14 information regarding whether or not the cancellation condition is satisfied instead of the comparison result. Alternatively, the actual value itself may be transmitted instead of the comparison result. Further, regarding the comparison result or the cancellation condition, multi-value information instead of binary may be transmitted from the client device 10 to the server device 14. For example, regarding a cancellation condition for a certain judgment item, even if a numerical value of “0-3” having the meaning of “0 = not applicable at all, 1 = applicable to some extent, 2 = appropriately applicable, 3 = completely applicable”, etc. is transmitted. Good. Then, the client devices 10 may be specified by the number of licenses that need to be revoked in descending order of the total value of the numerical values.

  According to the present embodiment, since the comparison results in each of the plurality of client devices are relatively compared, it is possible to reliably select a necessary and sufficient number of client devices that do not require a license as the entire system.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the first to eighth embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of items for determining whether or not a license is necessary include application usage frequency, abnormal values in the client device 10, and operating system support of the client device 10. Three items of period are included. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is not necessary that all three items are included, and at least one item may be included. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of configuration can be improved.

  In Embodiments 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 of this embodiment, a threshold value in the determination unit 32 or the determination unit 70 is set in advance. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the client device 10 may include an input unit, and the input unit may input a threshold value from the user. The threshold value input to the input unit is set in the determination unit 32 or transmitted to the server device 14 and set in the determination unit 70. The threshold corresponds to, for example, prediction of the usage frequency of future application software. According to this modification, the degree of freedom of configuration can be improved.

  10 client devices, 12 networks, 14 server devices, 16 databases, 20 communication units, 22 request units, 24 acquisition units, 26 reception units, 28 return units, 30 execution units, 32 determination units, 34 storage units, 40 processing units, 50 communication units, 52 acquisition units, 54 grant units, 56 output units, 58 reception units, 60 management units, 70 determination units, 72 cancellation units, 100 license management systems.

Claims (24)

An acquisition unit for acquiring a license for executing the application from the server device;
An execution unit for executing an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit;
A determination unit that determines whether a license is required to be retained or not;
When the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary, a return unit for returning the license to the server device,
The determination unit compares a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or compares an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. , Execute the judgment based on the comparison result ,
At least one of an application usage frequency, an abnormal value in the client device, and an operating system support period of the client device is used as the one or more determination items . An acquisition unit for acquiring a license for executing the application from the server device;
An execution unit for executing an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit;
A determination unit that determines whether a license is required to be retained or not;
When the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary, a return part for returning the license to the server device ;
A reception unit that receives information on timing of determination processing in the determination unit from the server device ;
The determination unit compares a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or compares an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. , Execute the judgment based on the comparison result ,
The timing of the determination process accepted by the accepting unit is determined according to the number of unassigned licenses in the server device. An acquisition unit for acquiring a license for executing the application from the server device;
An execution unit for executing an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit;
A determination unit that determines whether a license is required to be retained or not;
When the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary, a return unit for returning the license to the server device,
The determination unit inputs an actual value for each of one or a plurality of determination items into a rule having nonlinear input / output characteristics, derives a score value that is an output thereof, and executes determination based on the derived score A client device. An acquisition unit for acquiring a license for executing the application from the server device;
An execution unit for executing an application based on the license acquired by the acquisition unit;
A determination unit that determines whether a license is required to be retained or not;
When the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary, a return unit for returning the license to the server device,
The determination unit performs a comparison between the actual value and the threshold value for each of the one or more determined items, execute the determination based on the comparison result,
At least one of a usage period of a client device and a time when a user of the client device or an organization related to the user purchases a new client device is used as the one or more determination items . A grant unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted in the grant unit;
A cancellation unit for canceling the license when the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary;
The determination unit compares the score value derived from the actual value of the client device with respect to each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or compares the score values corresponding to each of the plurality of client devices. And execute the judgment based on the comparison result ,
The server apparatus characterized by using at least one of an application usage frequency in the client apparatus, an abnormal value in the client apparatus, and an operating system support period of the client apparatus as the one or more determination items . A grant unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted in the grant unit;
A cancellation unit for canceling the license when the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary;
The determination unit performs determination based on a comparison result between the actual value of the client device and the threshold value for each of one or more determination items ,
The server apparatus characterized by using at least one of an application usage frequency in the client apparatus, an abnormal value in the client apparatus, and an operating system support period of the client apparatus as the one or more determination items . A grant unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted in the grant unit;
A cancellation unit for canceling the license when the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary;
The determination unit derives a score value from a performance value of the client device for each of one or a plurality of determination items for a plurality of client devices, and can determine a client device having a relatively large score value. A server device that creates data for display . A grant unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted in the grant unit;
A cancellation unit for canceling the license when the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary;
The determination unit derives a score value from a performance value of the client device for each of a plurality of determination items for a plurality of client devices, selects the plurality of client devices in descending order of the score value, and selects the selected client device It is determined that the license holding is unnecessary . A grant unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted in the grant unit;
A cancellation unit for canceling the license when the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary;
The determination unit uses the determination result whether the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items satisfies a predetermined condition, and determines the necessity of holding a license according to the number of determination items that satisfy the predetermined condition server apparatus characterized by. A grant unit that grants a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted in the grant unit;
A cancellation unit for canceling the license when the determination unit determines that the holding of the license is unnecessary;
The determination unit selects a predetermined number of client devices in descending order of the number of determination items satisfying the predetermined condition, using a determination result of whether or not the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items satisfies a predetermined condition. And determining that the license retention of the selected client device is unnecessary . A license management method executed by a computer,
Obtaining a license for executing the application from the server device;
Running the application based on the acquired license;
Determining whether a license is required or not, and
If the license retention is determined to be unnecessary, and a step of giving up the license to the server apparatus,
The step of determining includes comparing a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or comparing an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. Execute comparison, execute determination based on the comparison result ,
A license management method comprising: using at least one of an application usage frequency, an abnormal value in a client device, and a support period of an operating system of a client device as the one or more determination items . A license management method executed by a computer,
Obtaining a license for executing the application from the server device;
Running the application based on the acquired license;
Determining whether a license is required or not, and
If it is determined that holding the license is unnecessary, returning the license to the server device ;
Receiving from the server device information related to the timing of the determination process in the determining step,
The step of determining includes comparing a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or comparing an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. Execute comparison, execute determination based on the comparison result ,
The timing of the determination process accepted in the accepting step is determined according to the number of unassigned licenses in the server device . A license management method executed by a computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If the license retention is determined to be unnecessary, and a step of canceling the license,
The determining step includes comparing a score value derived from the actual value of the client device with respect to each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or comparing the score values corresponding to each of the plurality of client devices. And execute the judgment based on the comparison result ,
As the one or more determination items, at least one of an application usage frequency on the client device, an abnormal value on the client device, and a support period of the operating system of the client device is used. . A license management method executed by a computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If the license retention is determined to be unnecessary, and a step of canceling the license,
The determination step performs determination based on a comparison result between the actual value of the client device and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items ,
As the one or more determination items, at least one of an application usage frequency on the client device, an abnormal value on the client device, and a support period of the operating system of the client device is used. . On the computer,
Obtaining a license for executing the application from the server device;
Running the application based on the acquired license;
Determining whether a license is required or not, and
If it is determined that holding the license is unnecessary, returning the license to the server device ;
And execute
The step of determining includes comparing a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or comparing an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. Execute comparison, execute determination based on the comparison result ,
A program characterized in that at least one of an application use frequency, an abnormal value in a client device, and a support period of an operating system of the client device is used as the one or more determination items . On the computer,
Obtaining a license for executing the application from the server device;
Running the application based on the acquired license;
Determining whether a license is required or not, and
If it is determined that holding the license is unnecessary, returning the license to the server device ;
An accepting step of receiving information on the timing of the determination process in the determining step from the server device;
And execute
The step of determining includes comparing a score value derived from an actual value for each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or comparing an actual value and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items. Execute comparison, execute determination based on the comparison result ,
The timing determination processing received in the reception step, the program characterized in that it is determined according to the number of licenses of unassigned in the server device. On the computer,
Obtaining a license for executing the application from the server device;
Running the application based on the acquired license;
Determining whether a license is required or not, and
If it is determined that holding the license is unnecessary, returning the license to the server device;
And execute
The determining step inputs the actual value for each of one or a plurality of determination items into a rule having nonlinear input / output characteristics, derives a score value as an output thereof, and executes determination based on the derived score The program characterized by doing. On the computer,
Obtaining a license for executing the application from the server device;
Running the application based on the acquired license;
Determining whether a license is required or not, and
If it is determined that holding the license is unnecessary, returning the license to the server device;
And execute
Wherein determining performs a comparison between the actual value and the threshold value for each of the one or more determined items, execute the determination based on the comparison result,
The program characterized in that at least one of a usage period of a client device and a time when a user of the client device or an organization related to the user purchases a new client device is used as the one or more determination items. On the computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If it is determined that holding a license is not required, revoking the license;
And execute
The determining step includes comparing a score value derived from the actual value of the client device with respect to each of one or more determination items and a threshold value , or comparing the score values corresponding to each of the plurality of client devices. And execute the judgment based on the comparison result ,
A program characterized by using at least one of an application usage frequency on a client device, an abnormal value on the client device, and an operating system support period of the client device as the one or more determination items . On the computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If it is determined that holding a license is not required, revoking the license;
And execute
The determination step performs determination based on a comparison result between the actual value of the client device and a threshold value for each of one or more determination items ,
A program characterized by using at least one of an application usage frequency on a client device, an abnormal value on the client device, and an operating system support period of the client device as the one or more determination items . On the computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If it is determined that holding a license is not required, revoking the license;
And execute
In the determination step, for a plurality of client devices, a score value is derived from the actual value of the client device for each of one or a plurality of determination items, so that a client device having a relatively large score value can be determined. A program characterized by creating data to be displayed on the screen. On the computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If it is determined that holding a license is not required, revoking the license;
And execute
In the determining step, for a plurality of client devices, a score value is derived from the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items, and the selected client device is selected in descending order of the score value. A program characterized in that it is determined that it is not necessary to hold a license for a device. On the computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If it is determined that holding a license is not required, revoking the license;
And execute
The determining step uses a determination result as to whether or not the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items satisfies a predetermined condition, and determines the necessity of holding a license according to the number of determination items that satisfy the predetermined condition. A program characterized by judging. On the computer,
Granting a license for the client device to execute the application to the client device;
Determining whether or not the license is required for the client device to which the license is granted; and
If it is determined that holding a license is not required, revoking the license;
And execute
The determining step uses a determination result of whether or not the actual value of the client device for each of the plurality of determination items satisfies a predetermined condition, and determines a predetermined number of client devices in descending order of the number of determination items that satisfy the predetermined condition. A program for selecting and determining that the license holding of the selected client device is unnecessary.

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