License management system and method with multiple license servers
US7035918B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L67/1001
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for managing licenses for protected software on a communication network is disclosed. The system comprises at least one client computer and a pool of license servers coupled to the communication network. The client computers request authorizations to use the protected software. The pool of license servers are programmed for managing a distribution of allocations to use the protected software. Within the pool of license servers is a current leader server programmed for managing the distribution of allocations for the license servers in the pool, and at least one follower server programmed for managing the distribution of allocations for that particular follower server. Each license server stores a status of the allocations for that particular license server, and each follower server communicates the status of the allocations for that particular follower server to the current leader server. Each follower server is capable of becoming a new leader server if the current leader server can no longer manage the distribution of allocations for the license servers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.