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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method for monitoring the use of a licensed product at at least one
licensee's site, the method comprising the steps of:
generating datagrams at regular time intervals from at least one licensee's
site with a device using said licensed product;
including in each of said datagrams an address of said licensee on a
communications facility, said address being designated by said
communications facility without any data being provided by said licensee;
sending said datagrams including said address from said licensee's site
over said communications facility to a licensor's site at regular time
intervals while said licensed product is in use;
receiving said datagrams at said licensor's site using a license control
system;
storing in said license control system an indication of receipt of each of
said datagrams; and
counting said datagrams from each licensee, using said license control
system, as an indication of the use by the licensee of said licensed
product.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of incorporating a model number of
said licensed product in said datagrams; and
said counting step includes the step of separately counting datagrams for
each product model number for each licensee.
3. A method for controlling use of a licensed product at at least one
licensee's site, the method comprising the steps of:
generating a request datagram from at least one licensee's site with a
device using said licensed product, said request datagrams including an
address of the licensee on a communications facility;
first sending said request datagram including said address of said licensee
from said licensee's site over said communications facility to a
licensor's site while said licensed product is in use;
first receiving said request datagram at said licensor's site using a
license control system;
comparing said request datagram with rules and license data using said
license control system at said licensor's site to determine if use by said
licensee of said licensed product is authorized, said license control
system using said address in said request datagram to identify said
licensee;
second sending, via said communications facility, a reply authorizing
datagram to said address specified in said request datagram using said
license control system, if use of said licensed product is approved; and
second receiving said reply authorizing datagram at said address and
authorizing use of said licensed product for a predetermined period of
time, and denying the use of said licensed product when no reply
authorizing datagram is received.
4. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of incorporating a model number of
said licensed product in said request datagram;
said comparing step includes the step of comparing said rules and license
data for a particular model number; and
said second sending step includes the step of transmitting said reply
authorizing datagram for each product model number if use of said licensed
product is approved.
5. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of obtaining said address of said
licensee from said communications facility without any data being provided
by said licensee.
6. A method as in claim 3, further comprising the step of third sending to
said address, via said communications facility, a reply denial datagram
using said license control system if use of said licensed product is not
approved as determined in said comparing step, said first sending step
including the step of resending said request datagram including said
address if neither a reply authorizing datagram nor a reply denial
datagram is received from said licensor's site within a predetermined time
from sending said request datagram including said address.
7. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said first sending step includes the step of sending a request datagram at
regular time intervals.
8. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of providing a datagram
identification code within said request datagram;
said second sending step includes the step of inserting said datagram
identification code in said reply authorizing datagram; and
said second receiving step includes the step of rejecting said reply
authorizing datagram if said datagram identification code included in said
reply authorizing datagram does not match said datagram identification
code included in said request datagram.
9. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said comparing step includes the step of comparing said address designating
said licensee with a list of licensee addresses to determine if said
address is on said list; and
said second sending step prohibits sending said reply authorizing datagram
if said address designating said licensee is not on said list.
10. A method as in claim 9 further comprising the step of third sending a
reply denial datagram if said facility address that identifies said
licensee is not on said list.
11. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said comparing step includes the step of comparing a license expiration
date with a date at which said request datagram is received; and
said second sending step prohibits sending said reply authorizing datagram
if the license expiration date is earlier than the date at which said
request datagram is received.
12. A method as in claim 11, further comprising the step of third sending a
reply denial datagram if the license expiration date is earlier than the
date at which said datagram is received.
13. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said comparing step includes the step of checking currentness of payments
from said license; and
said second sending step prohibits sending said reply authorizing datagram
if payment is overdue.
14. A method as in claim 13, further comprising the step of third sending a
reply denial datagram if payment is overdue.
15. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of incorporating in said request
datagram data indicative of the number of processes currently using said
licensed product at said licensee's site;
said comparing step includes the step of comparing said number of processes
using said licensed product at said licensee's site to an authorized
number; and
said second sending step prohibits sending said reply authorizing datagram
if said number of processes using said licensed product exceeds said
authorized number.
16. A method as in claim 15, further comprising the step of third sending a
reply denial datagram if said number of processes using said licensed
product exceeds said authorized number.
17. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said second sending step includes the steps of sending said reply
authorizing datagram when use of said licensed product is approved and
sending a reply denial datagram when use of said licensed product is not
approved, said second receiving step denying use of said licensed product
when said reply denial datagram is received.
18. A method as in claim 17, wherein:
said receiving and denying step denies use of said licensed product when
neither a reply authorizing datagram nor a reply denial datagram is
received within a predetermined time after said request datagram is sent.
19. A method as in claim 17, further comprising the step of indicating, at
a licensee's site, a reason for denial when said reply denial datagram is
received.
20. A method as in claim 3, wherein:
said licensed product comprises an executable portion and a data portion;
and
said method further comprises a step of controlling use of said data
portion with said executable portion.
21. A method as in claim 3 further comprising a step of allowing use of
said licensed product before a reply datagram is received.
22. A system for controlling use of a licensed product comprising:
a communications facility which delivers and receives datagrams, and to
which at least one licensee having a license for operating a licensed
product from a licensor is connected, said licensed product having an
executable portion and a data portion;
monitoring means, connected to said communications facility at a site of
each licensee, for generating a request datagram including an address of
said licensee on said communications facility, for transmitting said
request datagram including said address over said communications facility
to a site of said licensor, and for receiving and processing a reply
datagram;
controlling means, connected to said communications facility at said
licensor's site, for receiving said request datagram, comparing said
request datagram with rules and license data to determine if use of said
licensed product is authorized, said controlling means using said address
included in said request datagram to identify said licensee, and sending,
via said communications facility, a reply authorizing datagram to said
address if use of said licensed product is approved; and
means for controlling use of said data portion with said executable
portion;
wherein said monitoring means includes means for denying use of said
licensed product when no reply authorizing datagram is received.
23. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said monitoring means sends request datagrams at regular time intervals
during use of said licensed product; and
said controlling means further comprises means for counting said request
datagrams received at said controlling means and means for computing an
amount to be billed to said licensee in response to said counting.
24. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said monitoring means incorporates a model number for said licensed product
in said request datagram; and
said controlling means comprises means for counting request datagrams for
each product model number for each licensee, in order to compute an amount
to be billed to each licensee.
25. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said monitoring means obtains said address of said licensee from said
communications facility without any input from said licensee.
26. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram to said address if use
of said licensed product is not approved; and
said monitoring means resends said request datagram if no reply authorizing
datagram and no reply denial datagram is received within a predetermined
period of time after said requesting datagram is sent.
27. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said monitoring means transmits request datagrams at predetermined time
intervals.
28. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said monitoring means incorporates a unique identification code in said
request datagram;
said controlling means incorporates said identification code in said reply
authorizing datagram; and
said monitoring means rejects any reply authorizing datagram which does not
include said identification code as included in said request datagram.
29. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said controlling means compares said address of said licensee with a list
of licensee addresses and does not generate a reply authorizing datagram
if said address of said licensee is not on said list.
30. A system as in claim 29, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram when said facility
address is not on said list.
31. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said controlling means compares an expiration date of a license of said
licensed product with a date at which said request datagram is received by
said controlling means, and does not generate a reply authorizing
datagram, thus denying use of said licensed product, if the license
expiration date is earlier than the date at which said request datagram is
received.
32. A system as in claim 31, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram if the license
expiration date is earlier than the date at which said request datagram is
received.
33. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said controlling means generates a reply authorizing datagram, thus denying
use of said licensed product, if a payment for the use of said licensed
product is overdue.
34. A system as in claim 33, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram if payment for the use
of said licensed product is overdue.
35. A system as in claim 32, wherein:
said monitoring means includes in said request datagram data indicative of
the number of processes, at a licensee's site, currently using said
licensed product; and
said controlling means does not generate a reply authorizing datagram, thus
denying a use of said licensed product, if more than a predetermined
number of processes using said licensed product are running at the
licensee's site.
36. A system as in claim 35, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram if more than said
predetermined number of processes using said product are running at the
licensee's site.
37. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram if use of said
licensed product is not approved.
38. A system as in claim 37, wherein:
said monitoring means denies use of said licensed product when no reply
authorizing datagram and no reply denial datagram is received within a
predetermined time from the sending of said request datagram.
39. A system as in claim 37, further comprising means for indicating, at a
licensee's site, a reason for denial when said reply denial datagram is
received.
40. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said monitoring means includes means for permitting use of said licensed
product before a reply datagram is received.
41. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said data portion controlling means is disposed within said executable
portion.
42. A system as in claim 22, wherein:
said data portion controlling means comprises a first partial controlling
means disposed within said executable portion and a second partial
controlling means disposed within said monitoring means.
43. A system for monitoring a licensed product comprising:
a communications facility which designates addresses to and from which said
communications facility delivers and receives datagrams, and to which at
least one licensee having a license for operating a licensed product from
the licensor is connected, said licensee having an address designated by
said communications facility;
monitoring means, connected to said communications facility at a site of
each licensee, for generating datagrams including said address of said
licensee, and for transmitting said datagrams including said address at
periodic intervals over said communications facility to a site of said
licensor; and
control means, connected to said communications facility at said licensor's
site, for receiving said request datagrams at regular time intervals,
storing an indication of receipt of each of said request datagrams and
counting said request datagrams from each licensee as an indication of the
use by the licensee of said licensed product.
44. A system as in claim 43, wherein:
said monitoring means obtains said address of said licensee from said
communications facility without any input from said licensee.
45. A system as in claim 43, wherein:
said monitoring means incorporates a product model number in said request
datagrams; and
said controlling means separately counts request datagrams for each product
model number for each licensee.
46. A method for notifying a licensor of the use of a licensed product at
at least one licensee's site, the method comprising the steps of:
generating datagrams at regular time intervals from at least one licensee's
site with a device using said licensed product;
including in each of said datagrams an address of said licensee on a
communications facility, said address being designated by said
communications facility without any data being provided by said licensee;
and
sending said datagrams including said address from said licensee's site
over said communications facility to a licensor's site at regular time
intervals while said licensed product is in use.
47. A method as in claim 46 wherein:
said generating step includes the step of incorporating a model number of
said licensed product in said datagrams.
48. A method for controlling use of a licensed product at at least one
licensee's site, the method comprising the steps of:
generating a request datagram from at least one licensee's site with a
device using said licensed product, said request datagrams including an
address of the licensee on a communications facility;
sending said request datagram including said address of said licensee from
said licensee's site over said communications facility to a licensor's
site while said licensed product is in use; and
receiving a reply datagram at said address and denying the use of said
licensed product when no reply datagram is received.
49. A method as in claim 48 wherein:
said generating step includes the step of incorporating a model number of
said licensed product in said datagram.
50. A method as in claim 48, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of obtaining said address of said
licensee from said communications facility without any data being provided
by said licensee.
51. A method as in claim 48, wherein:
said reply datagram is one of at least a reply authorization datagram and a
reply denial datagram; and
said sending step includes a step of resending said request datagram if
neither a reply authorizing datagram nor a reply denial datagram is
received within a predetermined time from sending said request datagram
including said address.
52. A method as in claim 48, wherein said sending step includes the step of
sending a request datagram at regular time intervals.
53. A method as in claim 48, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of providing a datagram
identification code within said request datagram; and
said receiving step includes the step of rejecting said reply datagram if
said datagram identification code included in said reply datagram does not
match said datagram identification code included in said request datagram.
54. A method as in claim 48, wherein:
said generating step includes the step of incorporating, in said request
datagram, data indicative of the number of processes currently using said
licensed product at said licensee's site.
55. A method as in claim 48, further comprising the steps of:
receiving a reply denial datagram; and
displaying, at a licensee's site, a reason for denial when said reply
denial datagram is received.
56. A method as in claim 48, wherein:
said licensed product comprises an executable portion and a data portion;
and
said method further comprises a step of controlling use of said data
portion with said executable portion.
57. A method as in claim 48 further comprising a step of allowing use of
said licensed product before a reply datagram is received.
58. A system for controlling use of a licensed product comprising:
a communications facility which delivers and receives datagrams, and to
which at least one licensee having a license for operating a licensed
product from a licensor is connected, said licensed product including an
executable portion and a data portion;
monitoring means, connected to said communications facility at a site of
each licensee, for generating a request datagram including an address of
said licensee on said communications facility, for transmitting said
request datagram including said address over said communications facility
to a site of said licensor; for receiving and processing a reply datagram;
and for denying use of said licensed product when no reply datagram is
received; and
means for controlling use of said data portion with said executable
portion.
59. A system as in claim 58, wherein:
said monitoring means sends request datagrams at regular time intervals
during use of said licensed product.
60. A system as in claim 58 wherein:
said monitoring means incorporates a model number for said licensed product
in said request datagram.
61. A system as in claim 58, wherein said monitoring means obtains said
facility address of said licensee from said communications facility
without any input from said licensee.
62. A system as in claim 58, wherein:
said monitoring means resends said request datagram if no reply authorizing
datagram and no reply denial datagram is received within a predetermined
period of time after said requesting datagram is sent.
63. A system as in claim 58, wherein said monitoring means transmits
request datagrams at predetermined time intervals.
64. A system as in claim 58, wherein:
said monitoring means incorporates a unique identification code in said
request datagram; and
said monitoring means rejects any reply authorizing datagram which does not
include the same identification code as included in said request datagram.
65. A system as in claim 58, wherein:
said monitoring means includes, in said request datagram, data indicative
of the number of processes at a licensee's site currently using said
licensed product.
66. A system as in claim 58, wherein:
said monitoring means denies use of said licensed product when no reply
authorizing datagram and no reply denial datagram is received within a
predetermined time from the sending of said request datagram.
67. A system as in claim 58, further comprising means for indicating, at a
licensee's site, a reason for denial when a reply denial datagram is
received.
68. A system as in claim 58, wherein said data portion controlling means is
disposed within said executable portion.
69. A system as in claim 58, wherein said data portion controlling means
comprises a first partial controlling means disposed within said
executable portion and a second partial controlling means disposed within
said monitoring means.
70. A system as in claim 58, wherein said monitoring means includes means
for permitting use of said licensed product before a reply datagram is
received.
71. A system for notifying a licensor of use of a licensed product
comprising:
a communications facility which designates addresses to and from which said
communications facility delivers and receives datagrams, and to which at
least one licensee having a license for operating a licensed product from
the licensor is connected, said licensee having an address designated by
said communications facility; and
monitoring means, connected to said communications facility at a site of
each licensee, for generating datagrams including said address of said
licensee, and for transmitting said datagrams including said address at
periodic intervals over said communications facility to a site of said
licensor.
72. A system as in claim 71, wherein said monitoring means obtains said
address of said licensee from said communications facility without any
input from said licensee.
73. A system as in claim 71, wherein:
said monitoring means incorporates a product model number in said request
datagrams.
74. A method for monitoring the use of a licensed product at at least one
licensee's site, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving datagrams at regular time intervals at a licensor's site using a
license control system, said licensor's site being connected to a
communications facility having at least one licensee's site connected
thereto, said datagrams being generated at regular time intervals and
including a facility address designated by the communications facility
without any data being provided by said licensee which identifies a
licensee connected to said communications facility;
storing in said license control system an indication of receipt of each of
said datagrams; and
counting said datagrams from each licensee, using said licensee control
system, as an indication of the use of said licensed product.
75. A method as in claim 74 further wherein:
said datagrams include a model number of each licensed product; and
said counting step includes the step of separately counting datagrams for
each product model number for each licensee.
76. A method for controlling use of a licensed product at at least one
licensee's site, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a request datagram at a licensor's site using a license control
system, said licensor's site being connected to a communications facility
having at least one licensee's site connected thereto, said request
datagram including an address of the licensee on the communications
facility and being sent over said communications facility to said
licensor's site while said licensed product is in use;
comparing said received request datagram with rules and license data using
said license control system at said licensor's site to determine if use by
said licensee of said licensed product is authorized, said license control
system using said address in said request datagram to identify said
licensee; and
sending, via said communications facility, a reply authorizing datagram to
said address specified in said request datagram using said license control
system if use of said licensed product is approved.
77. A method as in claim 76 wherein:
said request datagrams include a model number of said licensed product;
said comparing step includes the step of comparing said rules and license
data for a particular model number; and
said sending step includes the step of transmitting said reply authorizing
datagram for each product model number.
78. A method as in claim 76 further comprising the step of sending a reply
denial datagram if use of said licensed product is not approved as
determined in said comparing step.
79. A method as in claim 76, wherein:
said request datagrams include a datagram identification code; and
said sending step includes the step of inserting the same datagram
identification code in said reply authorizing datagram.
80. A method as in claim 76, wherein:
said comparing step includes the step of comparing said address that
identifies said licensee with a list of licensee addresses to determine if
said facility address is on said list; and
said reply authorizing datagram is not sent if said address that identifies
said licensee is not on said list.
81. A method as in claim 80 further comprising the step of sending a reply
denial datagram if said facility address that identifies said licensee is
not on said list.
82. A method as in claim 76, wherein:
said comparing step includes the step of comparing a license expiration
date with a date at which said request datagram is received; and
said sending step includes the step of prohibiting the sending of said
reply authorizing datagram if the license expiration date is earlier than
the date at which said request datagram is received.
83. A method as in claim 82, further comprising the step of sending a reply
denial datagram if the license expiration date is earlier than the date at
which said request datagram is received.
84. A method as in claim 76, wherein:
said comparing step includes the step of checking currentness of payments
from said license; and
said sending step includes the step of prohibiting the sending of said
reply authorizing datagram if payment is overdue.
85. A method as in claim 84, further comprising the step of sending a reply
denial datagram if payment is overdue.
86. A method as in claim 76, wherein:
said datagrams include data indicative of the number of processes currently
using said licensed product at said licensee's site;
said comparing step includes the step of comparing said number of processes
using said licensed product to an authorized number; and
said sending step includes the step of prohibiting the sending of said
reply authorizing datagram if said number of processes using said product
exceeds said authorized number.
87. A method as in claim 86, further comprising the step of sending a reply
denial datagram if said number of processes using said product exceeds
said authorized number.
88. A method as in claim 76, wherein said sending step includes the steps
of sending said reply authorizing datagram when use of said licensed
product is approved and sending a reply denial datagram when use of said
product is not approved.
89. A system for controlling use of a licensed product comprising:
a communications facility which delivers and receives datagrams, and to
which at least one licensee having a license for operating a licensed
product from a licensor is connected, said licensed product including an
executable portion and a data portion;
controlling means, connected to said communications facility at said
licensor's site, for receiving a request datagram, said request datagram
including an address of said licensee on said communications facility and
being transmitted with said address over said communications facility to a
site of said licensor; comparing said request datagram with rules and
license data to determine if use of said licensed product is authorized,
said controlling means using said address included in said request
datagram to identify said licensee; and sending, via said communications
facility, a reply authorizing datagram to said address if use of said
licensed product is approved; and
means for controlling use of said data portion with said executable
portion.
90. A system as in claim 89, wherein:
said request datagrams are sent at regular time intervals during use of
said licensed product; and
said controlling means comprises means for counting said request datagrams
received at said controlling means and means for computing an amount to be
billed to said licensee in response to said counting.
91. A system as in claim 89 wherein:
said request datagrams include a model number for said licensed product;
and
said controlling means comprises means for counting request datagrams for
each product model number for each licensee, in order to compute an amount
to be billed to each licensee.
92. A system as in claim 89, wherein:
said controlling means sends a reply denial datagram to said licensee's
site if use of said licensed product is not approved.
93. A system as in claim 89, wherein:
said request datagrams include a unique identification code; and
said controlling means incorporates the same request datagram
identification code in said reply authorizing datagram.
94. A system as in claim 89, wherein said controlling means compares said
address of said licensee with a list of licensee addresses and does not
generate a reply authorizing datagram if said address of said licensee is
not on said list.
95. A system as in claim 94, wherein said controlling means sends a reply
denial datagram when said address is not on said list.
96. A system as in claim 89, wherein said controlling means compares an
expiration date of a license of said licensed product with a date at which
said request datagram is received by said controlling means, and does not
generate a reply authorizing datagram, thus denying use of said licensed
product, if the license expiration date is earlier than the date at which
said request datagram is received.
97. A system as in claim 96, wherein said controlling means sends a reply
denial datagram if the license expiration date is earlier than the date at
which said request datagram is received.
98. A system as in claim 89, wherein said controlling means generates a
reply authorizing datagram, thus denying use of said product, if a payment
for the use of said licensed product is overdue.
99. A system as in claim 98, wherein said controlling means sends a reply
denial datagram if payment for the use of said licensed product is
overdue.
100. A system as in claim 89, wherein:
said request datagrams include data indicative of the number of processes,
at a licensee's site, currently using said licensed product; and
said controlling means does not generate a reply authorizing datagram, thus
denying a use of said licensed product, if more than a predetermined
number of processes using said licensed product are running at the
licensee's site.
101. A system as in claim 100, wherein said controlling means sends a reply
denial datagram if more than said predetermined number of processes using
said licensed product are running at the licensee's site.
102. A system as in claim 89, wherein said controlling means sends a reply
denial datagram if use of said licensed product is not approved.
103. A system as in claim 89, wherein said data portion controlling means
is disposed within said executable portion.
104. A system for monitoring a licensed product comprising:
a communications facility which designates addresses to and from which said
communications facility delivers and receives datagrams, and to which at
least one licensee having a license for operating a licensed product from
the licensor is connected, said licensee having an address designated by
said communications facility; and
control means, connected to said communications facility at a licensor's
site, for: receiving request datagrams, said request datagrams including
an address of said licensee on said communications facility and being
transmitted at periodic intervals over said communications facility to
said licensor's site; storing an indication of receipt of each of said
request datagrams; and counting said request datagrams from each licensee
as an indication of the use by the licensee of said licensed product.
105. A system as in claim 104, wherein:
said request datagrams include a product model number; and
said controlling means separately counts request datagrams for each product
model number for each licensee. |
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