JP2005208805A - License management server, recording medium, license management method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a license management system capable of drastically reducing cost related to license management of a customer, and reducing license management cost in a software company. <P>SOLUTION: This center server (license management server) 120 installs license target software to a PC terminal 111 with an identification ID attached to the license target software. The center server 120 registers the installation at the PC terminal 111 and inventory information of the PC terminal 111 into a license management database 160 together with the identification ID. When starting the license target software in the PC terminal 111, the center server 120 authenticates the identification ID, imparts use permission of the software, and registers the impartment of the use permission into the license management database 160. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a license management server, a recording medium, a license management method, and a program that can effectively manage licenses for commercially available software and the like.

  In many cases, commercial PC (personal computer) software such as word processor software and CAD software is licensed for installation on one client PC per license. At present, many PC software companies provide a volume discount license contract menu for corporations to discount according to the quantity purchased.

  In these license agreements, instead of providing software installation media (master CD) to contracted corporations (businesses, organizations, government offices, etc.), license management that makes the purchase quantity and usage quantity match is obligated to the introductory corporation. If an audit is requested, it cannot be refused.

  License contract corporations usually lend and install master CDs to internal users who wish to use the software, but these CDs have a mechanism (ID key, etc.) that limits the license quantity. The operation of license management is left to the contracted corporation that has been introduced.

  However, the standard software installed on all PCs only needs to know the number of PCs, but the software to be installed arbitrarily needs to know the installation department and quantity, and record it. Such license management In many cases, the management ledger is manually created and maintained, but it is difficult for a large corporation to maintain the management ledger manually.

  For this reason, it is indispensable to use an expensive PC management tool with an inventory function to grasp the software installed on each client PC, resulting in the burden of license management costs on contracted corporations. . In addition, software companies also have to perform regular audits to prevent illegal copying, resulting in a large amount of expenses.

  An invention related to such a license management system is disclosed as a prior art. An object of the present invention is to easily and reliably perform management including installation of software assets, to enable effective use of software assets, and to prevent unauthorized use of software. The license management database stores software administrator information, software management location information, software installation status information, electronic shelf information, etc., and the file distribution server stores the software from the CD-ROM or the like. Supply to the electronic shelf corresponding to the terminal. The electronic shelf processing unit distributes and manages software using the electronic shelf. And the electronic shelves that can be referred to are limited to only a series of electronic shelves to which the user belongs, and illegal use outside the license such as duplicate use of licenses in use by the license management database and the inventory database. Software distribution license management is performed so as not to be performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in the above invention, a series of electronic shelves to which the user belongs is provided for license management, and installation information on individual PC terminals and usage information on individual PC terminals are directly monitored. In addition, there are aspects in which fine license management corresponding to individual PC terminals cannot be performed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-40098

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to greatly reduce the cost related to the license management of the customer (contract corporation side), and at the same time, the software company can use the license by illegal copying. It is an object of the present invention to provide a license management server, a recording medium, a license management method, and a program that can reduce costs related to management.

The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and the license management server of the present invention holds the software to be licensed and installs the licensed software on a plurality of PC terminals connected by communication lines. A license management server that performs license management of the license target software installed in the PC terminal, accepts an installation application from the PC terminal to install the license target software, issues an identification ID, and An installation processing means for transmitting the software and the identification ID to the PC terminal, and upon activation of the license target software in the PC terminal, accepting a use permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal, Authenticate, Software usage determination means for transmitting a license for use, license management information registration means for registering information on the installation status of the license target software on the PC terminal, and information on the usage status of the license target software on the PC terminal, and the license License management information output means for outputting the license management information registered in the management database and transmitting the license management information to the server of the software company that provided the license target software.
With such a configuration, the license management server installs the license target software on the PC terminal with the identification ID. When the license target software is activated on the PC terminal, the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal is authenticated and permission to use the software is given. Also, the installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal and the usage status information of the license target software on the PC terminal are registered in the license management database together with the identification ID and the inventory information of the PC terminal. Also, the license management information registered in the license management database is output and transmitted to the server of the software company.
As a result, the license management software installed on the PC terminal by the license management server can be automatically managed, and the costs related to license management can be greatly reduced. At the same time, software companies can reduce the costs associated with license management through illegal copying.

In the license management server of the present invention, the software usage determining means is identified as means for identifying version information of license target software installed on the PC terminal and that license target software that is not the latest version is installed. In this case, the information processing apparatus further includes means for causing the PC terminal to install the latest version of the license target software.
With such a configuration, the license management server identifies the version information of the license target software installed on the PC terminal when the license is given to the PC terminal, and the old version is installed. Let's install the latest version.
As a result, the license target software installed in the PC terminal can be maintained at the latest version.

The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium on which a license target software and a license management program for the license target software are recorded, and is installed in a license management server that performs license management of the license target software. In the recording medium to be used, the license management program receives a license management database generation function program for executing processing for generating a database for license management and an installation application for license target software from a PC terminal, and identifies An installation processing function program for executing processing for issuing an ID and transmitting the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal, and when starting the license target software on the PC terminal, A software use determination function program for receiving a permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the server, authenticating the PC terminal, and transmitting a use permission, installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal, and the PC terminal License management software registration function program that executes processing to register license usage information in the license management database, and the software company that provided the license management software that outputs the license management information registered in the license management database And a license management information output function program for executing processing to be transmitted to the server.
With such a configuration, the license management program of the license target software is recorded on a recording medium (such as a CD) together with the license target software (application program), and the license management program is executed by the license management server. Then, the license management server is caused to generate a license management database for license management. In addition, the function to install the license target software with the identification ID on the PC terminal is added, and when the license target software is activated on the PC terminal, the function of authenticating the identification ID and giving permission to use the software is added. To do. In addition, a function for registering the license management software installation information on the PC terminal and the usage information of the license target software on the PC terminal in the license management database is added to the license management server. Furthermore, a function for outputting the license management information registered in the license management database and transmitting it to the server of the software company that provided the license target software is added.
As a result, the license management server can automatically perform license management by using a license management program provided by a software company, and can greatly reduce the costs associated with license management. At the same time, software companies can reduce the costs associated with license management through illegal copying.

Also, the license management method of the present invention holds software to be licensed, installs the software to be licensed on a plurality of PC terminals connected by a communication line, and manages licenses of the software to be licensed installed on the terminals. A license management method in a license management server that accepts an installation application from a PC terminal to install license target software, issues an identification ID, and transmits the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal Software for receiving the use permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal, authenticating the PC terminal, and transmitting the use permission when the license processing software is activated on the PC terminal. Registered in the license management database, the license management information registration procedure for registering the usage determination procedure, the installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal, and the usage status information of the license target software on the PC terminal in the license management database. And a license management information output procedure for outputting the license management information to the server of the software company that provided the licensed software.
In such a procedure, the license management server installs the license target software on the PC terminal with the identification ID. When the license target software is activated on the PC terminal, the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal is authenticated and permission to use the software is given. Also, the installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal and the usage status information of the license target software on the PC terminal are registered in the license management database together with the identification ID and the inventory information of the PC terminal. Also, the license management information registered in the license management database is output and transmitted to the server of the software company.
As a result, the license management software installed on the PC terminal by the license management server can be automatically managed, and the costs related to license management can be greatly reduced. At the same time, software companies can reduce the costs associated with license management through illegal copying.

  The computer program of the present invention holds software to be licensed, causes the licensed software to be installed on a plurality of PC terminals connected via a communication line, and manages licenses of the licensed software installed on the terminals. An installation processing procedure for accepting an installation application from a PC terminal to install license target software to a computer in the license management server to perform, issuing an identification ID, and transmitting the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal When the license target software is activated on the PC terminal, a software usage determination is received that accepts the use permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal, authenticates the PC terminal, and transmits the use permission. The license management information registration procedure for registering the order, the license target software installation information on the PC terminal, and the license target software use status information on the PC terminal in the license management database, and the license management registered in the license management database This is a program for executing a license management information output procedure for outputting information and transmitting it to the server of the software company that provided the licensed software.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the license management system of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, commercially available PC software (for example, an application program such as “three-dimensional CAD software”) manufactured by a software company 200 is sold to a company A 100 as a customer (contract corporation), and one license is obtained. Installation on one client PC (PC terminal 111) is permitted. The company A 100 and the software company 200 have a volume discount license agreement for discounting according to the quantity to be purchased.

  Under such a license agreement, the software company 200 supplies a master CD 300 in which license target software (hereinafter also referred to as “license target software”) to be license managed is recorded to the company A 100 (step S100). S101).

  Upon receiving the master CD, Company A 100 installs the “license target software” recorded on the master CD 300 in the center server (license management server) 120 (step S102).

  The master CD 300 records a license management program (see FIG. 2) attached to “licensed software” to be sold, and the center server 120 activates the license management program. Manage licenses of installed “licensed software”. When the license management program is started, a license management database (license management DB) 160 and a license management ledger 161 are automatically generated.

  Further, after the installation of the “license target software” on the center server 120 is completed, information on “license purchase” is notified from the center server 120 to the software company 200 (step S103). Information is recorded in a sales management database (sales management DB) 210.

After the “license target software” is installed in the center server 120, the license management is performed as follows.
First, a use application for “licensed software” is made to the center server 120 from the PC terminal 111 of the user department 110 of the company A 100 (step S104). When the center server 120 receives the use application from the PC terminal 111, the center server 120 notifies the location (folder, etc.) where the “license target software” is recorded (step S105).

  The PC terminal 111 installs “license target software” from the center server 120 (step S106). At the time of this installation, an identification ID (identification code) for identifying the user's PC terminal 111 is also notified at the same time. When the license target software is installed on the PC terminal 111, the inventory information is notified to the center server 120 (step S107). The center server 120 registers the installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal 111 in the license management ledger 161 of the license management DB 160 together with the identification ID and inventory information.

  With the above procedure, the installation of the license target software on the PC terminal 111 is completed. Thereafter, when the license target software is activated in the PC terminal 111, a “use permission request” for the license target software is transmitted from the PC terminal 111 to the center server 120 (step S108).

  Upon receiving the “use permission request” from the PC terminal 111, the center server 120 authenticates the identification ID of the PC terminal 111 and transmits “use permission” (step S109). The PC terminal 111 uses the license target software after receiving “use permission” from the center server 120. The “use permission request” and “use permission” information from the PC terminal 111 is recorded in the license management ledger 161 in the license management DB 160.

  Further, the center server 120 outputs the license management information recorded in the license management ledger 161 in the license management DB 160 periodically or when necessary (step S110) and notifies the software company 200 by E-mail or the like (step S111). ).

  Based on the information recorded in the “license management ledger” received from the center server 120, the software company 200 compares the information on the “license purchase quantity” recorded in the sales management DB 210 with the used quantity, and manages the license. An audit is performed (step S112).

  In this way, it is possible to greatly reduce the cost related to license management of the company A 100 that is the customer (contract corporation side), and greatly contribute to customer service. At the same time, the software company 200 can reduce costs related to license management by illegal copying.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example in the center server 120, and shows a portion directly related to the present invention.

  The master CD installation unit 121 in the center server 120 is a processing unit for installing the master CD 300 provided from the software company 200 in the server. In addition to the application program to be licensed, the master CD 300 records a license management program for managing the licensed software. By installing this license management program on the center server 120, installation in the center server is performed. Functions of a processing unit 122, a software usage determination unit 123, a license management information registration unit 124, and a license management information output unit 125 are generated and added.

  In the installation processing unit 122, the license application receiving unit 122a receives an application for using the license target software from the user's PC terminal 111, and the identification ID issuing unit 122b issues an identification ID to the user's PC terminal 111 that uses the software. To do. The software distribution unit 122c distributes the license target software to the PC terminal 111 together with the identification ID.

  In addition, the software use determination unit 123 accepts the “use permission request” from the user's PC terminal 111 by the use permission request receiving unit 123a, authenticates the identification ID transmitted from the user's PC terminal 111, and uses it. The permission transmitter 123 b transmits “use permission” information to the PC terminal 111. The user's PC terminal 111 uses the license target software after receiving the “use permission” information.

  In addition, the license management information registration unit 124 generates a license management database 160 and a license management ledger 161 in the center server 120. In addition, when installing the license target software on the PC terminal 111, inventory information (domain name, PC name, department name, etc.) of the installed PC terminal 111 is collected and recorded in the license management ledger 161 together with the identification ID. Also, information on the usage status of the license target software on the PC terminal 111 of the license target software is recorded in the license management ledger 161.

  The license management information output unit 125 outputs the information recorded in the license management ledger 161 in the license management database 160 to a spreadsheet software or the like, and automatically creates the generated report through the communication network 10 such as the Internet. To the server 201.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of processing in the center server, and shows the operation of the center server described above in a sequence diagram.

  First, the center server 120 installs a master CD provided by a software company (step S201). By installing the master CD, the license target software is recorded in the database (step S202), and the license management program recorded in the master CD is started to generate the license management database and the license management ledger (step S203). . In addition, each processing function necessary for license management is generated, and the license management can be performed.

  After the license management function in the center server 120 is activated, a “use permission application” for the license target software is transmitted from the user's PC terminal 111 to the center server 120 (step S204). When the center server 120 receives the “use permission application” from the PC terminal 111 (step S205), the center server 120 transmits information on the folder in which the license target software is stored to the PC terminal 111 (step S206).

  When the PC terminal 111 receives information on the folder in which the license target software is stored from the center server 120 (step S207), it transmits an “installation request” for the license target software to the center server 120 (step S208).

  Upon receiving the “installation request” from the PC terminal 111 (step S209), the center server 120 issues an identification ID (step S210), and distributes the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal 111 (step S211).

  The PC terminal 111 installs the license target software received from the center server 120 (step S212), and transmits inventory information regarding the PC terminal 111 to the center server 120 (step S213).

  The center server 120 receives inventory information from the PC terminal 111 (step S214) and registers it in the license management ledger (step S215).

With the above procedure, the license target software is installed in the PC terminal 111, and the license target software can be used by the PC terminal 111.
When the license target software is activated on the PC terminal 111 (step S216), a “use permission request” is transmitted from the PC terminal 111 to the center server 120 (step S217), and the center server 120 receives a “use permission request” from the PC terminal 111. Is received (step S218), the identification ID transmitted together with the “use permission” is authenticated (step S219), and “use permission” is transmitted to the PC terminal 111 (step S220).

  The PC terminal 111 receives “use permission” from the center server 120 (step S221), and uses the license target software (step S222).

  Further, the center server 120 registers in the license management ledger that “use permission” has been given to the PC terminal 111 (step S223). The information registered in the license management ledger is output periodically or as necessary (step S224) and transmitted to the server 201 of the software company (step S225).

  The server 201 of the software company receives the license management ledger information transmitted from the center server 120 (step S226), and performs a license management audit based on the information of the license management ledger (step S227).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of data recorded on the master CD, and shows an example of data recorded on the master CD 300 provided to the company A 100 that has signed a license agreement from the software company 200. Is.

  The master CD 300 records a license management program 330 attached to the license target software (application program) 320 purchased by the company A 100 from the software company 200. The license management program 330 includes the following function programs.

  The license management DB generation function program 331 is a program that executes processing for generating the license management DB 160 and the license management ledger 161 in the center server 120.

  The installation processing function program 332 receives an application for use of the license target software from the user's PC terminal 111, issues an identification ID for identifying the user's PC terminal 111 using the software, and also displays the license target software together with the identification ID. It is a program that executes processing for distribution.

  The software use determination function program 333 authenticates the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal 111 when the software is started in the PC terminal 111, and executes processing for permitting the use of the software if it matches the ID number issued at the time of installation. It is a program to do.

  The license management ledger registration function program 334 collects inventory information (domain name, PC name, department name, etc.) of the installed PC terminal 111 and executes processing for recording it in the license management DB 160 when installing the license target software. It is a program.

  The license management ledger output function program 335 is a process for outputting the information of the license management ledger 161 in the license management DB 160 to a spreadsheet software or the like, and a process for automatically transmitting the created report to the server 201 of the software company via the Internet or the like. It is a program that executes If company A (contracted corporation side) has a personnel information database, it is possible to easily cope with an organizational change by linking with the license management DB 160.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the license management ledger. Data registered in the license management ledger includes registration data identification ID, terminal identification information, license target software installation date, previous use date, and usage. The version information of the licensed software that has been installed and the licensed software installed are recorded.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the center server, and shows a portion directly related to the present invention. In the center server 120 shown in FIG. 6, 131 is a communication interface for communication connection with the software company server 201 via the communication network 10, and 132 is a LAN interface for communication connection between the LAN (local area network) and the center server 120. Reference numeral 133 denotes a control unit that performs overall control of the entire server, 140 denotes a processing program unit, 150 denotes a database that stores application programs and the like, and 160 denotes a license management DB that stores a license management ledger and the like.

  The processing program unit 140 includes the following processing units. The processing unit program unit 140 is a processing unit generated by executing a license management program (see FIG. 4) attached to the master CD.

  The license management DB generation processing unit 141 is a processing unit for creating the license management database 160 and the license management ledger 161 in the center server 120.

  The installation processing unit 142 is a processing unit for receiving a license target software application from the PC terminal 111 through the in-house network, issuing an electronic identification ID, and distributing the license target software to the user's PC terminal 111.

  The software usage determination processing unit 143, when starting the license target software in the PC terminal 111, causes the center server 120 to transmit “use permission” and the identification ID number, and identifies the identification ID number transmitted from the PC terminal 111, If it matches the ID number issued at the time of installation, it is a processing unit for transmitting “use permission” of the software.

  The license management information registration processing unit 144 collects inventory information (domain name, PC name, department name, etc.) of the installed PC when the license target software is installed, and registers it in the license management ledger 161 together with the identification ID of the PC terminal. Is a processing unit. In addition, information on the usage status of the license target software on the PC terminal 111 is also recorded in the license management ledger 161.

  The license management information output processing unit 145 performs processing for outputting the information recorded in the license management ledger 161 in the license management database 160 to a spreadsheet software and the like, and automatically creates the created report in the communication network 10 such as the Internet. And a processing unit for transmitting to the server 201 of the software company.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the license management system is not limited to the illustrated example described above, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the present invention, the license management server can automatically manage the licensed software installed on the PC terminal, greatly reducing the cost related to the license management for the customer, and at the same time for the license management in the software company. Since the related cost can be reduced, the present invention can be applied to a license management server, a recording medium, a license management method, a program, and the like that perform license management of license target software.

The figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the license management system of this invention. The figure which shows the function structural example of a center server. The figure which shows the flow of a process in a center server. The figure which shows the structural example of the data recorded on master CD. The figure which shows the example of a license management database. The figure which shows the structural example of a center server.

Explanation of symbols

10 communication network, 100 company A (contract corporation), 110 user department 111 PC terminal, 120 center server (license management server)
121 Master CD installation unit 122 Installation processing unit 122a License application reception unit 122b ID issuance unit 122c Software distribution unit 123 Software usage determination unit 123a Use permission request reception unit 123b Use permission transmission unit 124 License management information registration unit 125 License management information output unit 160 License management DB, 161 License management ledger 200 Software company, 201 Software company server 300 Master CD, 320 License target software 330 License management program 331 License management DB generation function program 332 Installation processing function program 333 Use of software Judgment function program 334 License management information registration function program 335 License management information Output function program

Claims (5)

A license management server that holds software to be licensed, installs the license target software on a plurality of PC terminals connected via a communication line, and performs license management of the license target software installed on the PC terminal,
Installation processing means for receiving an installation application from a PC terminal to install the license target software, issuing an identification ID, and transmitting the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal;
A software usage determination unit that accepts a use permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal when the license target software is activated in the PC terminal, authenticates the PC terminal, and transmits the use permission;
License management information registration means for registering information on the installation of the license target software on the PC terminal and information on the usage status of the license target software on the PC terminal in the license management database;
A license management server comprising: license management information output means for outputting the license management information registered in the license management database and transmitting the license management information to a server of a software company that provided the license target software. Means for identifying version information of the license target software installed in the PC terminal in the software use determining means;
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for causing the PC terminal to install the latest version of the licensed software when it is identified that the licensed software that is not the latest version is installed. The license management server described. A recording medium in which a license target software and a license management program for the license target software are recorded, the recording medium being installed and used in a license management server that performs license management of the license target software,
The license management program includes:
A license management database generation function program for executing processing for generating a database for license management;
An installation processing function program that receives a license application installation application from a PC terminal, issues an identification ID, and executes a process of transmitting the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal;
A software use determination function program that executes a process of accepting a permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal, authenticating the PC terminal, and transmitting a use permission when starting the license target software in the PC terminal;
A license management information registration function program for executing processing for registering license information installation information on the PC terminal and information on the usage status of the license target software on the PC terminal in the license management database;
A recording medium on which is recorded a license management information output function program for executing processing of outputting license management information registered in a license management database and transmitting the license management information to a server of a software company that provided the licensed software. A license management method in a license management server that holds license target software, installs the license target software in a plurality of PC terminals connected via a communication line, and manages licenses of the license target software installed in the terminal There,
An installation processing procedure for accepting an installation application from a PC terminal to install the license target software, issuing an identification ID, and transmitting the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal;
A software usage determination procedure for accepting a use permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal when the license target software is activated in the PC terminal, authenticating the PC terminal, and transmitting the use permission;
A license management information registration procedure for registering in the license management database the installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal and the usage status information of the license target software on the PC terminal;
A license management method comprising: outputting license management information registered in the license management database, and transmitting the license management information to a server of a software company that provided the licensed software. Holding the software to be licensed, installing the licensed software on a plurality of PC terminals connected by a communication line, and managing the licensed software installed on the terminal in a computer in the license management server,
An installation processing procedure for accepting an installation application from a PC terminal to install the license target software, issuing an identification ID, and transmitting the license target software and the identification ID to the PC terminal;
A software usage determination procedure for accepting a use permission request including the identification ID transmitted from the PC terminal when the license target software is activated in the PC terminal, authenticating the PC terminal, and transmitting the use permission;
A license management information registration procedure for registering in the license management database the installation information of the license target software on the PC terminal and the usage status information of the license target software on the PC terminal;
A program for outputting the license management information registered in the license management database and executing a license management information output procedure for sending the license management information to a server of a software company that provided the licensed software.

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