JP2001092550A - Network, terminal equipment for network, license management server, license management method, and recording medium recording program for executing the license management method by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a network from being used by an illegal copy or the like while keeping convenience and to improve its availability. SOLUTION: The maximum number of reference software usable for network terminal units 116a to 116n, 117a to 117n is initialized in a server 103, and the number of remaining licenses usable of the reference software furthermore at present is stored in servers 103 to 106 in common. When any one of the terminal units 116a to 116n, 117a to 117n is started to be driven, the number of remaining licenses of the server corresponding to the terminal unit starting its operation is reduced and the number of remaining licenses is transmitted to the other servers, so that the numbers of remaining licenses stored in respective servers 103 to 106 are equally reduced and the number of licenses can be managed by the whole network.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network having a server and a plurality of network terminals for remotely operating application software stored in the server, a network terminal used for the network, and the network. A license management server that is used for managing a license of basic software used for the network terminal device, a license management method for the basic software used for the network terminal device, and a license for the basic software used for the network terminal device The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute a management method is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a dumb terminal device, a WBT (Wind
ows Based Terminal), a plurality of network terminals such as NC (Network Computer) and a server are connected to a network, and by operating the network terminal, application software stored in the server is remotely controlled; As a result, a network system in which various processes of application software such as a word processor and a database are performed on the server side is used. No application software is stored in the network terminal device, and an OS (Operat) for the network terminal device is not stored.
Basic software required for operating the application software of the server by connecting the server to the server via a network, such as software for display and display software, is downloaded from the server and stored in the terminal device for the network. It is configured to be stored in the device and executed.

For example, a network terminal device is called WBT.
When used as Windows, the operating system Windows
(Registered trademark) CE and a remote desktop protocol (RDP; Remoto D, a network protocol)
After downloading software for the esktop protocol as a set of basic software from the terminal server, it is executed to operate the terminal device, and thereafter, the application software of the terminal server is remotely operated by the terminal device. Next, when the network terminal device is used as an X terminal, instead of the basic software, the operating system Li
After newly downloading a nux kernel and an X Window for display as a set of basic software from a Unix (registered trademark) server, the new software is executed to operate the terminal device, and the application software of the Unix server is transferred to the terminal device. To operate remotely. Therefore, these terminals do not require a hard disk or a central processing unit (CPU) capable of high-speed processing, so that not only can the network be configured at a low cost, but also the application software is updated by the application software stored in the server. You only need to update
System management is simplified. Therefore, in a network system using these terminal devices, a so-called TC
O (Total Cost of Ownership) can be reduced.

[0004]

In the conventional network system, if the basic software is downloaded from the server to the network terminal device, the application software of the server can be freely transmitted to the remote terminal regardless of the number of network terminal devices. Since the basic software can be used by the operation, the basic software can be used at the same time in excess of the simultaneous use number (the number of licenses) of the basic software determined in advance by a contract etc. by illegally copying the basic software. There was a problem that could be. As a solution to this problem, a unique identification code is assigned to each network terminal device,
A method is conceivable in which the identification code of the network terminal device that is permitted to use the application software is registered in the management server in advance, and only the registered network terminal device can use the application software of the server. As a result, unregistered network terminal devices cannot use the application software, so that unauthorized use can be strictly managed. However, when simply permitting the use of the application software only to the network computer for which the identification code is registered,
Since it is necessary to register all the network computers, there is a problem that the system lacks flexibility and the convenience is deteriorated.

In a network system in which a plurality of sub-networks are connected like a large-scale network system, when the number of licenses is managed for each sub-network, one sub-network is assigned to the sub-network. When the network terminals for the total number of licenses are operated and used, while the network terminals of other sub-networks are hardly used, the network terminals are used for the entire network. Despite the license that can be used, the other network terminal device connected to the one sub-network cannot be used, and there is a problem that the efficiency of the entire network is low. Further, when there is only one management server, if the power supply of the management server is in an off state or a failure occurs, there is a possibility that the network terminal device cannot be used, and the convenience is deteriorated. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent use by unauthorized copying and the like while maintaining convenience, and to improve use efficiency.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a storage means for storing basic software, a start notification means for giving a start notification for requesting use permission, and an end notice upon completion of use. A plurality of network terminals having an end notifying unit, operating by the basic software stored in the storage unit, and receiving a use permission, enabling remote control of application software provided in a network-connected server unit. An apparatus, a license number storage unit for storing a remaining license number corresponding to a number that can further use the basic software, and the start notification and the end notification received from the network terminal device and stored in the license number storage unit. The number of remaining licenses is changed to the new number of remaining licenses, and other license management services are changed. Changing means for receiving a new remaining license number from the server means and changing the remaining license number stored in the license number storage means to the remaining license number; receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, If the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is such that the basic software can be further used, the use of the network terminal device is permitted. A network, comprising: a first license management server and a second license management server connected to the network terminal by a network. Is provided.

[0008] Here, the network terminal device comprises:
When the application software is used, the start notification unit may transmit the start notification. The network terminal device may be configured to transmit the start notification by the start notification unit when using basic software. Also,
The permitting means may be configured to transmit the basic software when the basic software for which use permission has been requested does not exist in the network terminal device that has received the start notification. The first license management server means includes:
The license number setting means for setting the initial license number in its own license number storage means may be provided. The second license management server means obtains the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means of the first license management server means when the power is turned on, and stores the license number storage means of its own. And an initial value setting means for storing the initial value. When the power of the first license management server is turned off with the power on, the second license management server is turned off at the time of the most recent power off stored in its own license number storage. The license number may be used to permit or prohibit use of the network terminal device. Further, the first license management server means and the second license management server means are provided in a first sub-network, and the plurality of second license management server means are provided in a second sub-network. You may comprise.

Further, according to the present invention, a start notification is transmitted to a server connected to a network and stored with basic software, and the use permission is received from the server, whereby the application stored in the server connected to the network is transmitted. In a network terminal device that enables software to be used by remote control, a start notification unit that performs a start notification for requesting use permission is provided, and when the basic software is used, the start notification unit transmits the start notification. A featured network terminal device is provided. Here, the network terminal device has a storage unit for storing a plurality of basic software, selects the basic software to be used, transmits the start notification by the start notification unit, and stores the basic software. The basic software may be started after the basic software is received and stored in the storage means when the use of the basic software is permitted by the server means. Further, the application software provided in the server means and corresponding to its own basic software may be configured to be remotely operable upon receiving the use permission.

Further, according to the present invention, the license number storage means for storing the number of remaining licenses corresponding to the number in which the basic software can be further used, the license number storage means receiving a start notification and an end notification from a network terminal device, The number of remaining licenses stored in the storage unit is changed to a new number of remaining licenses, and the number of remaining licenses is received from another license management server, and the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit is changed to the remaining number of licenses. Changing means for changing the number of licenses, and receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, and when the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is such that the basic software can be further used, the network Number of terminals that can be used and basic software can be further used License management server; and a permission means for performing disabling of the network terminal device is provided in the absence.

Further, according to the present invention, the network terminal device side notifies the server means connected to the network of a start notification for requesting the use permission, and receiving the use permission, thereby enabling the network connection. Remote control of the application software provided in the server means provided, and performing a step of notifying the end of the use with the end of use. In response to the start notification and the end notification from the terminal device, the remaining license number stored in the license number storage unit is changed to a new remaining license number, and the new remaining license number is received from another license management server. The number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage Changing to the number of licenses, and receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, and when the number of remaining licenses stored in the number of licenses storage means is a number that allows further use of the basic software, Performing the use of the terminal device and prohibiting the use of the network terminal device if the number of the basic software is not further permitted. A license management method is provided.

According to the present invention, the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is changed to a new number of remaining licenses in response to the start notification and the end notification from the network terminal device, and other license management is performed. Receiving a new remaining number of licenses from the network server and changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means to the number of remaining licenses; receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, If the number of remaining licenses stored in the number storage means is a number that allows further use of the basic software, the use of the network terminal device is permitted. Prohibiting use of a terminal device. License management method of the basic software used to clock terminal device is provided. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute a license management method for basic software used in the network terminal device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, a network, a network terminal device, a license management server, a license management method for basic software used in a network terminal device, and a network terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute a license management method for basic software used in the device will be described. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG.
1 is a system configuration diagram according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of a network in which a plurality of sub-networks using Ethernet (registered trademark) are connected by a router.

In FIG. 1, a LAN (Local Area Network) 1 as a first sub-network and a LAN 2 as a second sub-network are connected via a router 115. The transmission unit 101 of the LAN 1 includes an operation unit 107 including a keyboard, a recording medium 111 including a hard disk, and a CRT.
A license management master server (LMS) 103 as first license management server means having a display unit (not shown) constituted by a (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like.
An operation unit 108 including a keyboard, a recording medium 112 including a hard disk, and a CR.
License management slave server (LMS) 1 as second license management server means having a display unit (not shown) constituted by T (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like
04 is connected. In addition, the server 103 is Termi
nal server, and server 104 is Unix
Also functions as a server.

The recording media 111 of the servers 103 and 104,
Each of the servers 112 and 104 has its own OS.
In addition to (Operating System), basic software for the network terminal devices 116a to 116n corresponding to the OS and application software of a type corresponding to the basic software are stored. Here, the basic software is software that is downloaded and used in network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n, which will be described later.
(Operating System), display software, etc., connected to the servers 103 and 104 via the transmission line 101,
It means the minimum software required to remotely control various application software stored in the servers 103 and 104. The basic software includes the memory capacity of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and the network terminal devices 116a to 116n.
In consideration of the convenience in using the software, it is possible to appropriately select such as adding other software. Also,
The basic software is stored in each of the servers 103 and 104 in a state of being reversibly compressed by a reversible compression method (for example, GZIP).

The present invention relates to a network terminal device 116.
When using the basic software, a to 116n and 117a to 117n can use only the basic software within the maximum number (initial license number) that can be used simultaneously and predetermined for each type of the basic software.
Terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117 for each network
The license management is performed by restricting the use of a to 117n. When performing license management, network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 1 that use the basic software exceeding the initial license number are used.
17n may be substantially prohibited, but the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to 117n may be used.
Is used for finally using the application software, so that the application software may be finally disabled in some way. In the first embodiment, the basic software is operable, but the use of the application software itself is prohibited, thereby substantially prohibiting the use of the basic software exceeding the initial number of licenses. Thus, the license management of the basic software is performed.

Although details will be described later, each of the servers 103, 10
4, the application software stored in the servers 103 to 106 is transmitted to the network terminal devices 116a to 116
116n, 117a to 117n, a license number storage means (not shown) such as a non-volatile memory for storing the number of licenses that can be remotely controlled at the same time, and a network terminal device within a range of the number of licenses. When the start notification is received from the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, the permission means for permitting the use of the application software by the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and the start notification from the network terminal devices 116a to 116n exceeding the number of licenses are transmitted. Provision is made for prohibiting the use of the application software by the network terminal devices 116a to 116n when received, thereby managing whether or not the use of the same type of basic software is within the initial license number. I have.

A plurality of network terminal devices 116a to 116n are connected to the transmission line 101. Each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n has the same hardware configuration as described later. These network terminal devices 116a to 116n include:
Although application software such as word processor software, database software or business software is not stored, a plurality of types of the basic software are configured to be stored, and the stored basic software can be selected and operated. Have been.

On the other hand, the transmission line 102 of the LAN 2
An operation unit 109 constituted by a keyboard or the like, a recording medium 113 constituted by a hard disk or the like, and a CR
A license management slave server (LMS) 105 as a second license management server having a display unit (not shown) configured with a T or the like, an operation unit 110 configured with a keyboard or the like, a hard disk, and the like. A slave server (LMS) 106 for license management as second license management server means having a display unit (not shown) constituted by a recording medium 114 and a CRT or the like is connected. Recording medium 11
3 and 114 include the Os of the servers 105 and 106 respectively.
In addition to S (Operating System), basic software for the network terminal devices 117a to 117n corresponding to the OS and application software of a type corresponding to the basic software are stored. The server 105 functions as a Unix server and the server 1
06 also functions as a Terminal server. The basic software for the network terminal devices 117a to 117n stored in the recording media 113 and 114 of each of the servers 105 and 106 uses a reversible compression method (for example, GZIP) as in the case of the servers 103 and 104. It is stored in a reversibly compressed state.

Each of the servers 105 and 106 also transmits the application software stored in the servers 103 to 106 to the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 1
A license number storage means (not shown) such as a non-volatile memory for storing the number of licenses that can be remotely operated at the same time out of 17a to 117n, and the network terminal devices 117a to 11n within the range of the number of licenses.
7n, a permission unit for permitting the use of the application software by the network terminal devices 117a to 117n, and a network terminal device 117a to 117n exceeding the number of licenses.
And prohibiting means for prohibiting the use of the application software by the network terminal devices 117a to 117n when the start notification is received from the network terminal device 117a to 117n. In addition, a plurality of network terminal devices 117a to 117n are connected to the transmission line 102. Each of the network terminal devices 117a to 117n has the same hardware configuration as the network terminal devices 116a to 116n. In addition, each network terminal device 117
a to 117n do not store application software such as word processor software, database software, or business software, but are configured to store a plurality of types of the basic software. The transmission line 101 of LAN1 and the transmission line 102 of LAN2 are connected via a router 115.

FIG. 2 shows a network terminal device 116a.
It is a detailed block diagram of each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to 117n, and 117a to 117n.
Since 17a to 117n have the same hardware configuration, the network terminal device 116a is representatively shown. The network terminal device 116a is a central processing unit (CP) that constitutes the LAN board 201, execution means, and the like.
U) 202, DRAM (Dynamic Ra
ndom Access Memory) 203, a non-volatile memory (for example, a flash memory) 204 constituting a storage unit, and an operation unit 205 constituted by a keyboard and a mouse, constituting an execution unit, a default designation unit or a selection display unit, and functioning as an operation unit. And a display unit 206 as a display unit constituted by a CRT or the like, and is connected to the transmission line 101 by a LAN board 201.

The network terminal devices 116a-1116
16n, 117a to 117n themselves do not perform the processing of the application software, and the network terminal devices 116a to 116n
3 and 104 to operate application software, and the network terminal devices 117a to 117b.
Since 117n is for running application software on the server 105, 106 side, the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to 117n are used.
Does not have a hard disk to store application software.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map of the flash memory 204. The flash memory 204 has a storage area in which the loader 301 and the file table 302 are stored, and a storage area in which a plurality of basic software for the network terminal device 116a is stored.

The loader 301 has a function of constituting an execution means for executing the basic software, a function of checking the file table 302 in the flash memory 204, a name of the basic software described in the file table 302, and the like. , A function to select a startup file, a function to individually delete basic software stored in the flash memory 204, a function as a decompression means for decompressing the basic software stored in the flash memory 204 and storing the same in the DRAM 203. ,
A function as a data registering means for registering data representing the latest basic software in the file table 302 when the power is turned off, and a default designating means for designating default basic software and registering data representing the basic software in the file table 302 205, software for formatting the flash memory 204, and the like.
02 is realized.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which five types of basic software are stored in a storage area in which the basic software is stored. As the five types of terminal device basic software, WBT basic software 303, X terminal In this example, basic software 304 for Linux terminal, basic software 305 for Linux terminal, basic software 306 for IBM 3270 terminal, and basic software 307 for Java terminal are stored. Basic software for WBT 303
Is composed of Windows CE and RDP software, and the X terminal basic software 304 is Linux
Kernel and X Window software, and the Linux terminal basic software 305
Is the NF for connecting to the Linux kernel and server
The basic software 306 for the 3270 terminal, which is a dumb terminal, is configured by Windows CE and display software for the 3270. The basic software 307 for the Java terminal is a kernel, a virtual machine (V
M) Consists of software and applets.

An SNA server or Wi-Fi is connected to LAN1 and LAN2.
By connecting the Windows NT server, application software stored in these servers can be remotely controlled using the terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n.
Each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 1
It is not always necessary to store all of the five types of basic software as shown in FIG. 3 in all of the devices 17a to 117n, and it is possible to use them according to the types of servers connected to the LAN1 and LAN2 and the system configuration. It is sufficient to appropriately select basic software having a certain type and store one or more types.

Each terminal device 116a-11 for network
6n, 117a to 117n, the operating units 107 to 110 of the servers 103 to 106 are operated, and the download means (not shown) in each server is used to download the basic software.
Terminal device 116a for the network provided in
To 116n, 117a to 117n, and the network terminal devices 116a to 116n,
17a to 117n in a compressed state, and transmitted. At this time, the basic software is
From 3 to 106 are transmitted by multicast.
The basic software stored in the recording media 111 and 112 of the servers 103 and 104 is the network terminal device 11.
6a-116n while the server 10
The basic software stored in the recording media 113 and 114 of the network terminals 5 and 106 are the network terminal devices 117 a to 117.
7n.

As a method of downloading, the network terminal devices 116a to 116 to be downloaded are used.
n, 117a to 117n (Media Access Control)
ol) An address is designated by each of the servers 103 to 106, and the designated network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 1
17a to 117n may be downloaded only. In addition, all types of basic software are collected and stored in a server such as a host computer,
By operating the server, the terminal devices 116a to 116a-11
6n and 117a to 117n may be designated by the MAC address and downloaded. Further, each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to
By making a download request to the servers 103 to 106 having the basic software to be downloaded from the 117n side, various changes can be made, such as downloading necessary basic software.

The basic software downloaded to the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n as described above is compressed and stored in each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 11n.
7n of the flash memory 204. The name, the start address and the size of the basic software stored in the flash memory 204 are stored in the flash memory 20.
4 is described in the file table 302. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen of the display unit 206, and is a diagram of a screen displaying a list of basic software stored in the flash memory 204. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when the program of the loader 301 is processed by the CPU 202, and shows a flow in the case where the program functions as an execution unit for executing the stored basic software.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to 117
The operation when n selects and executes one of a plurality of stored basic software will be described using the network terminal device 116a as an example. As shown in FIG. 3, five types of basic software 303 to 30 are stored in the flash memory 204 in the network terminal device 116a.
7 is stored in a compressed state. First, when the power of the network terminal device 116a is turned on, the loader 3 stored in the flash memory 204 is turned on.
01 is read and executed by the CPU 202.

As shown in FIG. 5, the file table 30
2 (step S501), if it is determined whether the basic software has not been used and the default basic software has not been designated, that is, if it is determined that the basic software is to be activated for the first time (step S502). , Basic software 3 stored in flash memory 204
The mode shifts to a selection display mode in which a display is made so that the basic software to be executed can be selected from 03 to 307 (step 507). In the selection display mode, as shown in FIG.
The names of the basic software 303 to 307 stored in the flash memory 204 are all displayed on the display unit 206.
However, the symbol “*” in FIG. 4 is a symbol indicating the default basic software, and the symbol “*” is not displayed because the default basic software has not yet been set.

In this state, when one of the basic software is selected by operating the operation unit 205 (step S508), the processing of the selected basic software is performed (step S509). That is, the basic software 303 stored in the flash memory 204
307 are decompressed and stored in the DRAM 203, and the CPU 202
The basic software stored in 03 is executed. As a result, a start notification is transmitted by broadcast via the transmission line 101 (step S510), and a request for permission to use the application software is made to the server (the server 103 or the server 104) corresponding to the executed basic software. LAN1 and LAN2 are connected by a router 115, and the start notification is LA
It is not transmitted to N2 but transmitted only within LAN1. Here, step S510 constitutes start notification means.

On the other hand, in step 502, when it is not the case where the basic software is downloaded to the network terminal device 116a and started up for the first time, it is determined whether or not the operation unit 205 has been operated within a predetermined time since the power-on. (Step S503). If it is determined that the operation unit 205 has been operated within the predetermined time, the mode shifts to the selection display mode (step 507), and the display shown in FIG. Thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S508 and S509), and a start notification is transmitted by broadcasting (step S51).
0).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the operation unit 205 has not been operated within a predetermined time since the power was turned on, the file table 302 is referred to to determine whether the default basic software has been designated. Is determined (step S504). If the default basic software is not specified, the basic software 303 to
307, the basic software used immediately before the power is turned off is selected and processed, that is, the basic software used most recently is selected and executed (step S506), and a start notification is broadcast. Perform (step 510). If it is determined in step S504 that a default is set in any of the basic software 303 to 307, the default basic software is processed and executed (step S505), and a start notification is transmitted by broadcast (step S5).
10).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the basic software 30 for WBT.
3 is designated by default (the symbol “*” indicating the default is displayed at a position corresponding to the WBT basic software 303), so that the WBT basic software 303 is decompressed and stored in the DRAM 203. It is executed and a start notification is sent. As will be described later, the network terminal device 106a can remotely control the application software stored in the server 103 when receiving the use permission from at least one of the server 103 and the server 104. On the other hand, when the use is prohibited, the application software stored on the server 103 cannot be remotely operated. Note that the network terminal device 116a transmits an end notification from an end notification unit (not shown) in accordance with the end of use of the application software on the server 103 or 104 side.

The above operation is performed by the network terminal device 116.
Although a has been described, the network terminal devices 116b to 116n and 117a to 117n perform the same operation. However, the network terminal devices 116a to
116n downloads and operates the basic software stored in the servers 103 and 104,
3 and 104, the application software stored in the network terminal device 117a to
117n downloads and operates the basic software stored in the servers 105 and 106, and operates the server 10.
5 and 106 in that the application software stored in them is remotely controlled. The network terminal devices 117a to 117n are connected to the servers 105, 10
6 in that it receives use permission and use prohibition. On the other hand, the servers 103 to 106 perform license management, and perform the following processing in order to prohibit the use of application software for the network terminal devices 106a to 106n and 107a to 107n that have been illegally copied. . The network terminal device 116a operates as a WBT terminal device as described above, and transmits a start notification by broadcast.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server 103, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the servers 104 to 106. In FIG. 6, the server 103 first operates the operation unit 107 in advance so that the network terminal 1
The maximum number (initial license number) that can be used simultaneously among the 16a to 116n and 117a to 117n is input for each type of basic software, and the initial license number is stored in the license number storage means (not shown) of the server 103. (Step S601). For example, if the initial number of licenses for the basic software for the WBT terminal is 10, a total of 10 of the network including LAN1 and LAN2 among the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n connected to LAN1 and LAN2. Are allowed to be used as WBT terminals. Similarly, Lin
If the initial license number for the basic software for the ux terminal is 5, the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a connected to the LAN1 and LAN2
To 117n, a total of five network terminal devices as a whole network are permitted to be used as Linux terminal devices. Here, the operation unit 107 and step S601 constitute a license number setting unit.

In this state, the server 103 determines whether a start notification has been received from the network terminal devices 116a to 116n (step S602). At this time, the network terminal device 116a operates as a WBT terminal device and transmits a start notification by broadcast. Therefore, when the server 103 receives the start notification and permits the use of the network terminal device 116a, Network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to operate simultaneously as a WBT terminal device as a whole.
It is determined whether the total number of 117n is within the initial license number (step S603). That is, the number of remaining licenses indicating the number of times the basic software can be further used is
It is determined whether or not the number of use of the basic software can be further permitted, specifically, whether or not one or more remaining licenses exist.

As described above, when it is determined that the total number of the basic software simultaneously used by the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n is within the initial license number, the network terminal device 116a Is permitted to use the application software (step S604), and the value of the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit is set to 1
The new remaining number of licenses counted down by only is stored in the license storage unit (step S60).
5). Here, steps S603 and S604
Constitutes permission means.

Next, the new remaining number of licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is stored in the other servers 104 to 104.
6 is notified (step S606). Each server 103,
Between the server 104 and the servers 105 and 106, the router 11
Since signals can be transmitted and received through the server 10, the server 10
The notification of No. 3 is transmitted to all of the servers 104 to 106. The notified new remaining license number is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 104 to 106. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a notification of the new license number has been received from the other servers 104 to 106 (step S607).

On the other hand, in the network terminal device 116a, if the use is permitted in step S604, the application software provided in the server can be executed by remote control. As a result, in FIG. 1, the terminal device 116a functioning as a WBT terminal device
LAN to server 103 functioning as
The icon of the application software such as the word processor software, the database software, or the business software provided on the recording medium 111 of the server 103 is displayed on the display unit 206 of the terminal device 116a. By making a selection, a desired application program can be executed by remote control. The actual processing of the application software is performed by the server 10.
In the terminal device 116a, an input operation such as character input is performed by the operation unit 205, and an input screen or the like is displayed by the display unit 206, as if the application software is executed on the network terminal device 116a. An operation can be performed as if it were processing.

When the created document or the like is to be stored, it is stored in the hard disk 111 of the server 103 by operating the operation unit 205 of the terminal device 116a, and the power of the terminal device 116a is turned off after the processing is completed. Completes a series of operations. At the time of termination, the basic software used immediately before turning off the power, that is, data representing the latest basic software is stored in the CPU.
It is stored in the file table 302 under the control of 202. In addition, the network terminal device 116a notifies the server 103 of the end by using the end notifying unit when the use ends. The server 103 determines whether the end notification has been received (step S60 in FIG. 6).
9). In this case, since the server 103 has received the end notification, the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is counted up by 1 (step S610), and the network terminal device 116a capable of permitting operation is provided. To 116n and 117a to 117n, that is, the number of usable basic software is increased by one.

Next, the new remaining license number stored in the license number storage means is stored in the other servers 104 to 104.
6 (step S606), and the process moves to step S607. The notified number of remaining licenses is:
It is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 104 to 106. In step S607, another server 10
It is determined whether a notification of the number of new licenses has been received from 4 to 106. If a notification of the number of new licenses has been received, the number of licenses is stored in its own license number storage means. (Step S601) If the notification of the number of new remaining licenses has not been received, the process returns to step S602. Here, steps S605, S
Steps 610, S607, and S601 constitute changing means.

On the other hand, in step S603, when the start notification is received from the network terminal device 116a,
If the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is not the number that allows further use of the basic software, specifically, if the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is zero, that is, At present, the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117
If it is determined that the number of licenses that can further grant the use permission of the basic software to a to 117n does not remain, the use of the application software by the network terminal device 116a is prohibited (step S608). Then, the process proceeds to step S607.
Here, step S603 and step S608 constitute prohibition means. As a result, it is possible to restrict the use of the network terminal device that has illegally copied and restrict the simultaneous use of the basic software exceeding the initial number of licenses, and appropriate license management is performed.

Steps S603, S604, S60
8: when the number of basic software of the same type to be used at the same time is within the number of initial licenses, the use of the remote operation of the application software is permitted to the network terminal device which has made the use request, and the number of initial licenses is reduced. In the case where the number exceeds the threshold value, a permission unit is configured to prohibit the use of the remote operation of the application software for the network system that has made the use request.

The servers 104 to 106 execute step S60.
In step 6, the new license number transmitted from the server 103 is received, and the license number stored in its own license number storage unit is replaced with the new license number and stored. As a result, the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means of each of the servers 103 to 106 is always equal. Thereafter, by repeating the above-mentioned processing, it is possible to manage unauthorized copying while maintaining the convenience, and since the number of licenses is managed in the entire network including LAN1 and LAN2, the use efficiency of the network is improved.

Next, referring to FIG.
6 will be described. The servers 104 to 106
S, although the types of the basic software and the application software stored in each of the recording media 112 to 114 are different, the operations related to license management are the same, so the operation will be described using the server 105 as an example. It is assumed that the network terminal device 117a has started operating as a Linux terminal device. First, the server 105 determines whether or not the power of the server 103 is on when the power is on (step S700). Whether or not the power of the server 103 is on can be determined by, for example, whether or not a specific signal is returned from the server 103. Step S700 constitutes a power supply state determination unit. In step S700, the server 1
03 is determined to be off, the previous server 10
When the power of No. 5 is turned off (the most recent power off), the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means (not shown) provided inside the server 105 is used (step S70).
1). On the other hand, in step S700, the server 103
If it is determined that the power of the server 1 is on, the server 1
The number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit 03 is acquired and stored in its own license number storage unit (step S702). Step S702 constitutes initial value setting means.

At this time, since the other servers 104 and 106 perform the same operation, when the power of the server 103 is on, the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means of each of the servers 103 to 106 is stored. Are the same and any of the network terminal devices 116a to 116
n, 117a to 117n are not operating in the initial state, the number of remaining licenses stored in each of the servers 103 to 106 is the initial license number. If the power of the server 103 is not turned on in step S701, the number of licenses cannot be acquired from the server 103.
As the number of licenses stored in the license number storage unit 106, the number of remaining licenses stored when the power of each of the servers 104 to 106 is turned off is used.
Therefore, when the server 103 is not operating,
Although the number of licenses used in each of the servers 104 to 106 is temporarily different, each network terminal device 116
a to 116n and 117a to 117n can receive permission to use the application software. Thereafter, when the power of the server 103 is turned on, the server 10
In step 3, the usage status of the basic software is checked.
From server 104-106
Is transmitted to and stored in the license number storage means of each of the servers 104 to 106,
The number of licenses stored in 106 can be unified to an accurate value equal to the number of licenses of server 103.

Next, the server 105 determines whether or not start notifications have been received from the network terminal devices 117a to 117n (step S703). At this time, the network terminal device 117a operates as a Linux terminal device, and transmits a start notification by broadcast. At this time, LAN1 and LAN2 are connected by the router 115, and the start notification is transmitted only within LAN2 without being transmitted to LAN1. The server 105 receives this, and when the use is permitted to the network terminal device 117a, L is simultaneously performed in the entire network.
It is determined whether or not the total number of network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n operating as the inux terminal device is within the initial license number (step S704). Specifically, it is determined whether the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is one or more, that is, the current network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 11
It is determined whether the number of licenses that can further grant the use permission of the basic software to 7a to 117n remains.

As described above, the network terminal devices 116a to 116a-1 simultaneously using the basic software are used.
If it is determined that the total number of 16n, 117a to 117n is within the initial license number, the use of application software is permitted to the network terminal device 117a (step S705), and the license is stored in the license number storage means. The value of the number of remaining licenses
The new remaining number of licenses counted down by only is stored in the license number storage means (step S70).
6). Here, step S704 and step S705
Constitutes permission means. Next, the new license number stored in the license number storage means is stored in another server 1.
03, 104, and 106 (step S70).
7). The notified new number of licenses is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 103, 104, and 106.

Thereafter, the other servers 103, 104, 10
It is determined whether or not a notification of the new license number has been received from No. 6 (step S708). On the other hand, in the network terminal device 117a, when the use is permitted in step S704, the application software provided in the server 105 can be executed by remote control. Thereby, in FIG. 1, Linux
The terminal device 117a functioning as a terminal device is connected to the server 105 functioning as a Unix server via a transmission line 102 via a LAN, and the recording medium 1 of the server 105
Application software such as word processor software, database software, or business software provided in the computer 13 can be executed by remote control.

Hereinafter, similarly to the description of the network terminal 116a, the network terminal 1
Whether the application software is executed by the network terminal device 117a while the application software is executed by the server 105 by performing input operations such as character input by the operation unit 205 of the operation unit 17a and display by the display unit 206. The following operations can be performed. The created documents and the like are stored in the server 1.
The series of operations is completed by turning off the power of the terminal device 117a after the processing is stored in the recording medium 113 on the 05 side. Network terminal device 117a
Upon termination, the basic software used immediately before turning off the power, that is, data representing the latest basic software is stored in the file table 302 under the control of the CPU 202. Further, the network terminal device 117a notifies the server 105 of the termination by the termination notifying unit (not shown) in accordance with the termination of the use of the application software.

The server 105 determines whether or not the end notification has been received (step S710 in FIG. 7). In this case, since the server 105 has received the end notification, the server 105 stores the new remaining license count obtained by counting up the remaining license count stored in its own license count storage module by one in the license count storage module (step S1). S71
1), network terminal device 11 capable of permitting operation
6a to 116n and 117a to 117n are increased by one. Next, the new remaining number of licenses stored in the license number storage unit is stored in another server 103, 10.
4 and 106 (step S707) and step S707.
The process moves to 707. The notified number of remaining licenses is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 103, 104, and 106. In step S708, it is determined whether a notification of a new remaining license number has been received from the other servers 103, 104, and 106. If a notification of a new remaining license number has been received,
This number of remaining licenses is stored in the number-of-licenses storage means (step S702). If a new notification of the number of remaining licenses has not been received, the process returns to step S703.

On the other hand, in step S704, when the start notification is received from the network terminal device 117a, if the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is zero, that is, the current network terminal device 116a If it is determined that there are no remaining licenses that can further grant the use permission of the basic software to the network terminals 117a to 117n and 117a to 117n, the use of the application software is prohibited to the network terminal device 117a ( Step S70
9), proceed to step S708. Here, steps S704 and S709 constitute prohibition means. As a result, it is possible to restrict the use of the network terminal device that has been illegally copied, and to restrict the use of the basic software exceeding the initial number of licenses, so that appropriate license management is performed. Steps S704, S705,
In step S709, if the number of basic software of the same type to be used simultaneously is within the initial license number, the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 11
A permission means for permitting use of remote control of application software to 7a to 117n and prohibiting use of remote control of application software to a network system which has requested use when the number of licenses exceeds the initial number of licenses. are doing.

Each of the servers 103, 104, and 106 receives the new remaining license number transmitted from the server 105 in step S707, and sets the remaining license number in its own license number storage means to the new remaining license number. Replaced and stored (Step 601 in FIG. 6,
Step S702 in FIG. 7). Thereby, each server 10
The number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means 3 to 106 is always equal. Step S706, S
Steps 711, S708, and S702 constitute changing means. Thereafter, by repeating the above processing, it becomes possible to manage unauthorized copying while maintaining convenience,
Since the number of licenses is managed in the entire network including the LAN 1 and the LAN 2, the use efficiency of the network is improved. When the servers 104 and 106 operate, the processing shown in FIG. 7 is performed in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is not necessary to previously register the identification codes of the available network terminal devices in the server. And the use of the basic software beyond the number of licenses at the time of the contract can be prevented. In addition, since the number of licenses is managed in the entire network, the usage efficiency of the entire network is improved. Further, since the number of licenses is managed by using a plurality of servers, the terminal device 116 can be used even when a specific server is powered off or breaks down.
a to 116n and 117a to 117n can be used, and convenience is improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the basic software is operable, but the use of the application software itself is prohibited so that the license management of the basic software is performed. In the second embodiment, the license is managed. The license of the basic software is managed by restricting the use of the basic software itself within the initial license number. Book second
In the embodiment, the hardware system configuration is the same as that of FIG.
a to 116n and 117a to 117n have the same configuration as those shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, but differ in the functions of the terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to 117n and the servers 103 to 106 in license management. That is, the terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n perform the processing in FIG. 8, the server 103 performs the processing in FIG. 9, and the servers 104 to 106 perform the processing in FIG. In addition, the terminal device 116a-116n, 117a-117n is configured to perform processing corresponding to the case where the basic software is not stored or the case where the stored basic software version is old.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 to 10. In addition, each terminal device 1
Since the processing operations of 16a to 116n and 117a to 117n are the same, the terminal device 116a will be described as an example. The description will be made first on the assumption that the power of the server 103 is on. In FIG. 8, the terminal device 116a
When the power of the loader 30 is turned on, the CPU 202
1 (Steps S801 to S80)
9). That is, the terminal device 116a turns on its power,
Server 103 and server 10 by broadcast
4, the recording media 111 of the servers 103 and 104,
A list file, which is a list of basic software stored in the storage 112, is requested (step S801). The list file contains a list of all basic software that can be used in the entire network, and the same list file is stored in each of the servers 103 to 106.

When the server 103 is powered on, the list file is transmitted preferentially from the server 103. Therefore, the terminal device 116a receives the list file from the server 103 (step S802), and
A list of all basic software is displayed (step S803). Incidentally, as a method of setting the priority of transmitting the list file, for example, the time from receiving the request for the list file to transmitting the list file is,
The higher the priority, the shorter the server may be set. At this time, each of the terminal devices 116a to 116n, 1
17a to 117n, after transmitting the request for the list file,
Only the list file received earlier should be processed. When the operating unit 205 selects the basic software to be used (step S804), a start notification for requesting permission to use the selected basic software is transmitted by broadcast (step S80).
5). Here, step S805 forms a start notification unit.

When the selected basic software is not stored in the terminal device 116a, or when the terminal device 116a
When the version of the basic software stored in the software is older, the server 103 transmits the entire basic software or only the updated part of the basic software in a compressed state. When the compressed basic software is received from the server 103 (step S806), the entire basic software is stored in the flash memory 204 or an old version of the basic software stored in the flash memory 204 is updated. Then, the program is decompressed and stored in the DRAM 203 (step S807), and the basic software is started by the CPU 202 (step S809). As a result, the terminal device 116a is connected to the server 103, and icons of a plurality of application software corresponding to the basic software and executable on the server 103 are displayed on the display unit 206 (step S810). Thus, by operating the operation unit 205, desired application software can be used by remote control (step S811).

The actual processing of the application software is executed by the server 103. In the terminal device 116a, an input operation such as character input is performed by the operation unit 205, and an input screen or the like is displayed by the display unit 206. An operation can be performed as if the application software is executed and processed by the network terminal device 116a. After the processing of the application software is completed, the termination processing of the basic software is performed (step S812).
Transmits an end notification to the server 103 (step S813), the power is turned off, and a series of processing ends. Here, step S813 forms an end notification unit.

On the other hand, when a use permission notification is received from the server 103 instead of receiving the basic software (the latest version of the selected basic software is
16a) (step S80).
8) The basic software stored in the terminal device 116a is started (step S809), and the same processing is performed thereafter (steps S810 to S813). Further, in step S802, when the use-disapproval notice indicating that the selected basic software is unusable (the basic software for the initial license number is already used) is received from the server 103 (step S814),
The fact that the software is unusable is displayed on the display unit 206 (step S815), and use of the basic software is prohibited.

Next, the processing of the server 103 will be described. 9, by operating the operation unit 107 on the server 103 side, the maximum number of basic software of the same type (initial license number) that can be simultaneously used by the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n on the LAN1 and LAN2. ) Is input for each type of basic software, and the initial license number is stored in the license number storage means (not shown) of the server 103 (step S).
901). Here, the operation unit 107 and step S901 constitute a license number setting unit. In this state, when a request for a basic software list file is received from the network terminal device 116a (step S90).
2), the server 103 transmits the list file to the requesting network terminal device 116a before the server 104 (step S903). Here, steps S902 and S903 constitute a list file transmission unit. Next, upon receiving from the terminal device 116a a start notification indicating that any one of the basic software described in the list file is to be used (step S904), the basic software corresponding to the start notification is further processed at this time. It is determined whether the number of licenses that can be used (the number of remaining licenses) exists (step S905). Specifically, whether the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is 1 or more, that is, each of the terminal devices 116b to 116n and 117a to 11
In addition to the basic software used in 7n,
Even when the use permission is further given to the terminal device 116a, it is determined whether or not the number is within the initial license number.

As described above, when it is determined that the number of remaining licenses is one or more, it is determined whether or not the latest version of the basic software is stored in the network terminal device 116a (step S906). When the basic software itself is not stored in the network terminal device 116a, the basic software is transmitted in a compressed state. When an old version of the basic software is stored, only the updated part is compressed. (Step S907). If the latest version of the basic software is stored in the network terminal device 116a, a use permission notification is transmitted (step S912). Here, step S90
5, S906, S907, and S912 constitute permission means.

Next, the server 103 stores the new remaining number of licenses obtained by counting down the value of the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means by 1 as the number of remaining licenses of the basic software in the license storage means. It is stored (step S908). Next, the new number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit is notified to the other servers 104 to 106 (step S909). Each server 103, 104 and server 10
Since signals can be transmitted and received between routers 5 and 106 via the router 115, the notification of the server 103 is transmitted to all of the servers 104 to 106. The notified number of remaining licenses is transmitted to other servers 104 to 106.
Is stored in the license number storage means. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a notification of the number of new remaining licenses has been received from the other servers 104 to 106 (step S91).
0).

On the other hand, the network terminal device 116a stores and activates the basic software transmitted in step S907 as described above, or responds to the use permission notification transmitted in step S912 in response to the use permission notification transmitted in step S912. Starts the basic software already stored in. Thereby, the application software provided in the server 103 and corresponding to the basic software can be executed by remote control.
The network terminal device 116a notifies the server 103 of the end when the use of the basic software ends (step S813 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving the end notification from the terminal device 116a (step S913), the server 103 counts up the remaining license number stored in the license number storage unit by one (step S914), and Increase the number of software by one.

Next, the new remaining license number stored in the license number storage means is stored in the other servers 104 to 104.
No. 6 (step S909), and the process moves to step S910. The notified number of remaining licenses is:
It is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 104 to 106. In step S910, another server 10
It is determined whether or not a notification of the number of licenses has been received from 4 to 106. If a notification of the number of licenses has been received, the number of licenses is stored in its own license number storage means (step S901). If the license number notification has not been received, the process returns to step S902. Here, steps S908, S910, S914, S901
Constitutes changing means.

On the other hand, when the start notification is received from the network terminal device 116a in step S904, if the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is zero, that is, the use of the requested basic software If it is determined that the basic software cannot be used (step S905), a use-disapproval notice indicating that the basic software is not usable is transmitted to the network terminal device 116a (step S911), and step S910 is performed.
Move to Here, steps S905 and S911 constitute prohibition means. This makes it possible to appropriately manage the number of licenses of the basic software. Steps S905, S906, S907, S911, S9
12, when the number of simultaneously running basic software is within the initial license number, the use of the basic software is permitted to the network terminal device which has made a use request, and when the number of basic software exceeds the initial license number, This constitutes a permission means for prohibiting the use of the basic software.

The servers 104 to 106 execute step S90.
In step 9, the number of new licenses transmitted from the server 103 is received, and the number of remaining licenses in the own license number storage unit is replaced with the new number of remaining licenses and stored. Thereby, each server 103-1
The number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means 06 is always equal. Thereafter, by repeating the above-described processing, the number of licenses of the basic software can be managed while maintaining the convenience, and the license is managed over the entire network including LAN1 and LAN2.
Network utilization efficiency is improved.

Next, referring to FIG.
Operation 06 will be described. Although the servers 104 to 106 are different from each other in the type of their own OS and the application software corresponding to the OS, the operations related to the basic software and license management stored in the recording media 112 to 114 are the same. The operation will be described, and the server 103 will be described as being in a power-off state. First, the server 105 determines whether or not the power of the server 103 is on when the power is on (step S100). Whether the power of the server 103 is on or not is determined by, for example, the server 103
Can be determined based on whether or not a specific signal is returned from. Step S100 constitutes a power supply state determination unit. If it is determined in step S100 that the power of the server 103 is turned off, the license is stored in the license number storage means (not shown) provided inside the server 105 when the power of the server 105 was turned off last time (the most recent power off). The number of remaining licenses for each piece of basic software is used (step S101).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S100 that the power of the server 103 is on, the number of initial licenses and the number of remaining licenses for each basic software stored in the license number storage means of the server 103 are acquired. Then, it is stored in its own license number storage means (step S102). Step S102 constitutes initial value setting means. At this time, the other servers 104, 1
06 performs the same operation, and when the server 103 is powered on, the initial license number and the remaining license number for each basic software stored in the license number storage means of each of the servers 103 to 106 are the same. Become
Any of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n,
In the initial state in which neither 117a to 117n is operating, the number of remaining licenses for each basic software stored in each of the servers 103 to 106 matches the initial number of licenses.

As described above, if the power of the server 103 is not turned on in step S101, the number of basic licenses and the number of remaining licenses cannot be obtained from the server 103.
As the remaining license number stored in the license number storage means 04 to 106, the remaining license number stored when the power of each of the servers 104 to 106 was turned off last time is used. Therefore, in the state where the server 103 is not operating, although the number of licenses used in each of the servers 104 to 106 may be different, each of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n
You can use the basic software. afterwards,
When the power of the server 103 is turned on, the server 103 checks the usage status of the basic software, and transmits the accurate number of basic licenses and the number of remaining licenses from the server 103 to the servers 104 to 106, so that each server 103
~ 106 licenses can be matched to equal exact values.

In this state, when the server 105 receives a request for a list file of the basic software by broadcast from the network terminal device 117a (step S103), the server 105 gives priority to the server 106 and requests the list file. Network terminal device 1
17a (step S104). Next, when a start notification to start using the selected basic software is received from the terminal device 117a (step S10).
5) It is determined whether or not there is a license number (remaining license number) at which the basic software corresponding to the start notification can be further used at this time (step S106).
Specifically, it is determined whether the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is 1 or more,
a, the terminal devices 116a to 116a-1
It is determined whether the total number of the basic software used in 16n, 117a to 117n is within the initial license number.

As described above, when it is determined that the number of remaining licenses is one or more, it is determined whether the latest version of the basic software is stored in the network terminal device 117a (step S107). When the basic software itself is not stored in the network terminal device 117a, the basic software is transmitted in a compressed state. When an old version of the basic software is stored, only the updated part is compressed. (Step S108). If the latest version of the basic software is stored in the network terminal device 117a, a use permission notification is transmitted (step S113). Here, step S10
6, S107, S108, and S113 constitute a permission unit. Next, the server 105 stores in the license storage unit the new remaining license number obtained by counting down the value of the remaining license number stored in the license number storage unit by 1 as the remaining license number of the basic software ( Step S109).

Next, the new remaining number of licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is stored in another server 103, 10.
4, 106 are notified (step S110). Since signals can be transmitted and received between the servers 103 and 104 and the servers 105 and 106 via the router 115, the notification of the server 105 is transmitted to the servers 103, 104,
6 are sent to all. The notified number of remaining licenses is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 103, 104, and 106. Then, the other server 10
It is determined whether or not a notification of the number of new remaining licenses has been received from Nos. 4 to 106 (step S111). On the other hand, in the network terminal device 117a, as described above, the basic software transmitted in step S108 is stored and activated, or in step S113.
Terminal device 1 in response to the use permission notification transmitted in
The basic software already stored in 17a is started. Thus, application software provided in the server 105 and corresponding to the basic software can be executed by remote control. The network terminal device 117a sends an end notification to the server 105 when the use of the basic software ends (step S813 in FIG. 8).

When the server 105 receives the end notification from the terminal device 117a (step S114), the server 105 counts the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means by one.
The number is incremented by one (step S115), and the number of the basic software that can be used at this time is increased by one. Next, the new number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is stored in another server 103, 104,
106 is notified (step S110), and step S11 is performed.
Move to 1. The notified number of remaining licenses is stored in the license number storage means of the other servers 103, 104, and 106. With this, each server 103-
The number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means 106 is always equal. In step S111,
It is determined whether or not a notification of the number of remaining licenses has been received from the other servers 103, 104, and 106. If a notification of the number of remaining licenses has been received, the number of remaining licenses is stored in its own license number storage means. (Step S102), and if the notification of the number of remaining licenses has not been received, the process returns to step S103. Here, steps S109, S111, S115, and S102 constitute a changing unit.

On the other hand, if the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is zero when the start notification is received from the network terminal device 116a in step S105, ie, the use of the requested basic software is stopped. If it is determined that the permission cannot be granted (step S
106), for the network terminal device 117a,
An unusable notification indicating that the basic software is unusable is transmitted (step S112), and the process proceeds to step S111. Here, steps S106 and S112 constitute prohibition means.

Steps S106, S107, S10
8. In steps S112 and S113, when the number of basic software that operates simultaneously is within the initial license number, the use of the basic software is permitted to the network terminal device that has made a use request, and the number exceeds the initial license number. In this case, a permission means for prohibiting use of the basic software is configured. Thereafter, by repeating the above-described processing, the license number of the basic software can be managed while maintaining the convenience, and the license management is performed on the entire network including the LAN1 and the LAN2, so that the use efficiency of the network is improved.

As described above, in the network according to the embodiment of the present invention, in particular, the storage means (DRAM 203 and flash memory 204) for storing the basic software and the start notification for requesting the use permission are provided. Start notifying means (steps S510 and S805) and end notifying means for notifying the end of use (step S8)
13), which are operated by the basic software stored in the storage means, and which are permitted to use, and the application software provided in the server means 103 to 106 connected to the network can be remotely operated. Network terminal devices 116a to 116
n, 117a to 117n, license number storage means for storing the number of remaining licenses corresponding to the number of usable basic software, and network terminal device 116a
Receiving the start notification and the end notification from the license management unit, the license management unit changes the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit to a new number of remaining licenses, and obtains a new remaining license number from another license management server unit. Changing means for receiving the number of licenses and changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storing means to the number of remaining licenses (steps S605, S610, S60)
7, S601, S706, S711, S708, S70
2, S908, S910, S914, S901, S10
9, S111, S115, and S102) and the start notification from the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n, and the remaining license number stored in the license number storage means can further permit use of the basic software. Permitting means for permitting use of the network terminal device when the number is too large and prohibiting use of the network terminal device when the number of basic software is not further usable (steps S603, S604, S6)
08, S704, S705, S709, S905, S9
06, S907, S911, S912, S106, S1
07, S108, S112, S113), and the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to 1
The first license management server means 103 and the second license management server means 104 to 106 are connected to the network 17n.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the simultaneous use of more basic software than the number of licenses by illegally copying the basic software. At this time, since license management is performed over the entire network, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the entire network, and since there are a plurality of license management servers 103 to 106, the main management server 1
03 is turned off or fails, the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 1
17n can be used, and convenience is improved.

Further, network terminal apparatuses 116a to 116n and 117a to 117 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
n transmits a start notification to the server units 103 to 106 which are connected to the network and stores the basic software, and receives a use permission from the server units 103 to 106.
A network terminal device 116 that enables the application software stored in the remote controller 106 to be used by remote control
a to 116n and 117a to 117n are provided with start notifying means (step S805) for notifying start to request use permission.
The start notification unit transmits the start notification. Therefore, it is possible to provide a network terminal device suitable for a network for realizing effective license management and high convenience.

Further, the license management servers 103 to 106 according to the embodiment of the present invention particularly include a license number storage means for storing the number of remaining licenses corresponding to the number in which the basic software can be further used, and a network terminal device. In response to start and end notifications from 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n, the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit is changed to a new remaining number of licenses, and a new remaining number of licenses is received from another license management server. (Steps S605, S610, and S6) for changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means to the number of remaining licenses.
07, S601, S706, S711, S708, S7
02, S908, S910, S914, S901, S1
09, S111, S115, S102), and receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, and if the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is such that the basic software can be further used, the network Means for permitting the use of the network terminal device and prohibiting the use of the network terminal device when the number of the basic software is not permitted (step S6).
03, S604, S608, S704, S705, S7
09, S905, S906, S907, S911, S9
12, S106, S107, S108, S112, S1
13). Therefore,
A server suitable for a network for realizing effective license management and high convenience can be provided.

The license management method for the basic software according to the embodiment of the present invention is particularly applicable to the network-connected server means 103 to 106 on the network terminal devices 116 a to 116 n and 117 a to 117 n.
(Steps S510 and S805) for giving a start notification for requesting use permission, and by receiving the use permission, remote control of application software provided in server means 103 to 106 connected to the network is possible. (Step S813 and the like) for notifying the end of use with the end of use, and executing the network terminal devices 116a to 116n,
On the side of the server means 103 to 106 connected to the network 117a to 117n, the network terminal device 116 is connected.
a to 116n and 117a to 117n, the number of remaining licenses stored in the number of licenses storage means is changed to a new number of remaining licenses in response to the start notification and the end notification, and the number of remaining licenses is changed from another license management server. And changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means to the number of remaining licenses (steps S605, S610, S607, S607).
601, S706, S711, S708, S702, S
908, S910, S914, S901, S109, S
111, S115, and S102), and receiving the start notification from the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n, the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit is the number of licenses that can further use the basic software. In the case of (1), the step of permitting use of the network terminal device and prohibiting use of the network terminal device when the number of basic software is not permitted (steps S603, S604, S60)
8, S704, S705, S709, S905, S90
6, S907, S911, S912, S106, S10
7, S108, S112, and S113).

In the basic software license management method according to the embodiment of the present invention, particularly, start and end notifications are received from network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n and stored in the license number storage means. The number of remaining licenses is changed to the new number of remaining licenses, and the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage unit is changed to the number of remaining licenses after receiving the new number of remaining licenses from another license management server. (Steps S605 and S61)
0, S607, S601, S706, S711, S70
8, S702, S908, S910, S914, S90
1, S109, S111, S115, S102) and network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 117a to
When the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage unit is equal to the number that allows further use of the basic software, the use of the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n is permitted. And if the number of basic software is not permitted to be further used, the network terminal device 116
a to 116n and 117a to 117n (steps S603, S604, S608, S7)
04, S705, S709, S905, S906, S9
07, S911, S912, S106, S107, S1
08, S112, S113).

Therefore, according to the license management method, it is possible to effectively prevent simultaneous use of a number of basic software exceeding the number of licenses,
It is possible to provide a license management method that is excellent in network use efficiency and convenience. 5 to 1
0 is a program for causing a computer to execute the license management method shown in FIG.
It can be used by recording on various recording media such as Read Only Memory.

In the above embodiments, when the power of the server 103 is turned off, each of the servers 104 to 106
Manages licenses using the latest number of remaining licenses at the time of off, but stores the initial number of licenses and the number of remaining licenses in each of the servers 103 to 106 so that when the server 103 is powered off, License management may be performed using the initial number of licenses when the power is turned off. Although the setting of the initial license number is performed by the server 103, the other servers 103 to 106
However, the configuration may be such that it can be performed. That is, the setting of the initial license number may be performed at least by the server 103. Further, as the basic software stored in each of the servers 103 to 106, only the software corresponding to its own OS may be stored, or all types of basic software may be stored.

In each of the above embodiments, two servers are provided in each subnet. However, other servers provided with application software and basic software are appropriately connected to the network according to the system configuration. It is also possible to use it. Also, permission to use the application software and the basic software is granted to the network terminal devices 116a to 116n, 11
7a to 117n, but the server 1
03 to 106, thereby enabling the network terminal devices 116a to 116n and 117a to 117n to use the application software of the servers 103 to 106.

[0088]

According to the present invention, unauthorized copying can be managed while maintaining convenience, and the number of licenses can be managed in the entire network even in a network having a plurality of sub-networks. , Network utilization efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network terminal device used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map of a non-volatile memory of the network terminal device used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display of a network terminal device used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a network terminal device used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a server used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a server used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a network terminal device used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a server used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a server used in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 102: transmission line 103: server as first license management server unit 104-106: server as second license management server unit 107-110, 205: operation unit 111- 114 ... recording medium 115 ... router 116a-116n, 117a-117n ... network terminal 201 ... LAN board 202 ... CPU 203 ... DRAM 204 constituting storage means ... Flash memory constituting storage means 206 ··· display unit

Claims (15)

[Claims] A storage unit for storing basic software; a start notification unit for issuing a start notification for requesting use permission; and an end notification unit for issuing an end notification when use is completed. A plurality of network terminal devices which are operated by the basic software stored in the means, and which are permitted to use, and which can remotely control application software provided in the network-connected server means, and further use the basic software. Number of licenses storage means for storing the number of remaining licenses corresponding to the number of licenses, and the number of remaining licenses stored in the number of licenses storage means upon receiving the start notification and the end notification from the network terminal device is converted to a new remaining number of licenses. Change it,
Changing means for receiving a new remaining license number from another license management server means and changing the remaining license number stored in the license number storage means to the remaining license number; and transmitting the start notification from the network terminal device. When the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means is equal to the number that can further use the basic software, the use of the network terminal device is permitted and the number of the basic software is not further usable. Permission means for prohibiting use of the network terminal device, a first license management server means connected to the network terminal device via a network, and a second license management server device.
And a license management server means. 2. The network according to claim 1, wherein the network terminal device transmits the start notification by the start notification unit when using the application software. 3. The network according to claim 1, wherein the network terminal device transmits the start notification by the start notification unit when using basic software. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permitting unit transmits the basic software if the basic software for which use permission has been requested does not exist in the network terminal device that has received the start notification. Network. 5. The license management server according to claim 1, wherein said first license management server comprises license number setting means for setting said initial license number in said license number storage means. A network according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. The second license management server means obtains the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means of the first license management server means when the power is turned on, and obtains the license of its own. 6. The network according to claim 1, further comprising: an initial value setting unit that stores the number in a number storage unit. 7. When the power of the first license management server is turned off with the power-on of the second license management server, the second license management server means stores the latest license number stored in its own license number storage means. 7. The network according to claim 6, wherein use of the network terminal device is permitted or prohibited using the number of licenses when the power is turned off. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first license management server means and said second license management server means are provided in a first subnetwork, and a plurality of said second license management server means are provided in a second subnetwork. The network according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the network is configured. 9. An application software stored in a server connected to a network is remotely operated by transmitting a start notification to a server connected to a network and storing basic software and receiving a use permission from the server. A network terminal device, comprising: a start notification unit for performing a start notification for requesting use permission, wherein the start notification unit transmits the start notification when using basic software. apparatus. 10. The network terminal device has storage means for storing a plurality of basic software, selects basic software to be used, transmits the start notification by the start notifying means, and stores the basic software. 10. The network terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the basic software is started after the basic software is received and stored in the storage means when the use of the basic software is permitted by the provided server means. 11. The network terminal device according to claim 9, wherein application software corresponding to its own basic software can be remotely operated upon receipt of the use permission. 12. A license number storage means for storing the number of remaining licenses corresponding to the number in which the basic software can be further used, and a start notification and an end notification received from a network terminal device, and stored in the license number storage means. Changing the number of remaining licenses to the new number of remaining licenses, and changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage unit to the number of remaining licenses after receiving the new number of remaining licenses from another license management server Means, receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, and granting permission to use the network terminal device when the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is a number that allows further use of basic software. When the number of basic software is not permitted, A license management server comprising: a permission unit for prohibiting use of the work terminal device. 13. A step of providing a start notification for requesting use permission to a server means connected to the network on the side of the network terminal device, and receiving the use permission to prepare for the server means connected to the network. Remote control of the application software that has been performed, and performing an end notification along with the end of use. Executing the start notification from the network terminal device on the server means side connected to the network terminal device via the network. Receiving the end notification and changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means to the new number of remaining licenses, and receiving the new number of remaining licenses from another license management server and storing the same in the number-of-licenses storage means Number of remaining licenses converted to the number of remaining licenses Receiving the start notification from the network terminal device, and using the network terminal device when the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is a number that allows further use of basic software. Performing a permission and prohibiting the use of the network terminal device when the number of the basic software is not further permitted to be used, the license management method of the basic software used for the network terminal device. 14. Upon receiving a start notification and an end notification from a network terminal device, the number of remaining licenses stored in the license number storage means is changed to a new remaining number of licenses, and a new remaining number of licenses is received from another license management server. Receiving the number of licenses and changing the number of remaining licenses stored in the number-of-licenses storage means to the number of remaining licenses; receiving the start notification from the network terminal device and storing the number of licenses in the number-of-licenses storage means If the number of remaining licenses is such that the basic software can be further used, the use of the network terminal device is permitted. If the number of remaining licenses is not the number that can further use the basic software, the use of the network terminal device is prohibited. Performing the method for a network terminal device. How to manage the license of the basic software. 15. A recording medium for recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method for managing licenses of basic software used in a network terminal device according to claim 13 or 14.