DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
LICENSE CONTROL SYSTEM, LICENSE CONTROL METHOD,
LICENSE APPLICATION DEVICE, AND NON-TRANSITORY
5 COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM WHEREUPON PROGRAM IS
STORED
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a license control system, a
10 license control method, a license application device, and a non-transitory
computer-readable medium whereupon program is stored.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, a wireless device having a wireless
15 function has various functions. When such wireless device is sold, a
sales method in which the wireless device with limited functions is sold
and after it is sold, a purchaser makes another contract in order to make the
function of the wireless device available is widely used. Specifically, in
the wireless device, each function can be set to be available or unavailable
20 according to information on a license key. It is assumed that information
on the license key in an initial state is set so as to make a predetermined
function to be unavailable. When the purchaser makes a license
agreement, the information on the license key is rewritten according to the
license agreement. As a result, the corresponding function of the
25 wireless device is made to be available.
[0003] It is requested to make each function of the wireless
device to be available or unavailable a1 the time of addition, relocation, or
the like of the wireless device in a certain system. When such request is
made, in a general license management system, a license management
3
device overwrites the information on the license key of the wireless device
by using a default key that is unique to each wireless device. By this
process, the restriction on each function of the wireless device is released
and the state of each function can be returned to an original state (a state of
5 default). After this process, by upgrading the license key, each function
of the wireless device is set to be available or unavailable.
[0004] Further, in Patent Literature 1, there is disclosed a system
in which the license of electronic data is stored offline and while ensuring
security of the license, the license is transmitted so as to be conveniently
10 used by the user.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0005] PTL 1 : Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
15 2008-271564
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006] When addition or relocation of the wireless device is
20 carried out, the wireless device may be placed in an environment in which
the wireless device cannot be connected to any other device via the
network. In the above-mentioned license management system, a problem
in which when the wireless device and the license management device are
not connected to the network, the license key cannot be adapted occurs.
25 [0007] 'The present invention is made in view of the
above-mentioned problem. A main object of the present invention is to
providc a license control system in which even whe11 the wireless device
and the license management device are not connected to the network, each
function of the wireless device can be set to be available or unavailable, a
4
license control method, a license application device, and a non-transitory
computer-readable medium whereupon program is stored.
Solution to Problem
5 [0008] One aspect of a license control system of the present
invention includes a license management device, a license application
device, and a key generation device, wherein
the license management device transmits a license key generation
request for generation of a license key for a wireless device to the key
10 generation device via a network and transmits the license key for the
wireless device that is received from the key generation device to the
license application device,
the key generation device generates the license key for the wireless
device in response to the license key generation request and transinits it to
15 the license management device, and
the license application device is connected offline to the wireless
device and applies the received license key to the wireless device.
[0009] One aspect of a license control application device of the
present invention includes
2 0 key acquisition means which transmit a license gcneration request
related to a wireless device to a license management device via a network
and receive a license key generated in response to the request,
key storage means which store the license key acquired by the key
acquisition means in relation to identification information of the wireless
25 device, and
key application means which apply the liceilse key read from the
key storage means based on the identification information of the wireless
device to the wireless device in a state in which the key application means
are coi~i~ecteodff line to the wireless device.
5
[0010] One aspect of a license control method according to the
present invention is a license control method in a license control system
including a license management device, a license application device, and a
key generation device wherein
5 the license management device transmits a license key generation
request for generation of a license key for a wireless device to the key
generation device and transmits the license key for the wireless device that
is received from the key generation device to the license application
device,
10 the key generation device generates the license key for the wireless
device in response to the license key generation request and transmits i t to
the license management device, and
the license application device is connected offline to the wireless
device and applies the received license key to the wireless device.
15 [0011] One aspect of a non-transitory computer-readable medium
whereupon program is stored according to the present invention is a
non-transitory computer-readable mediuim whereupon program is stored
which causes a computer to carry out processes of:
transinitting a license generation request related to a wireless
20 device to a license management device via a network and receiving a
license key generated in response to the request, and
applying the license key to the wireless device in a state of being
connected offline to the wireless device.
2 5 Advantageous Effects of lnvention
LOO121 The present invention can provide a license control system,
a license control inetl~od,a license application device, and a non-transitory
computer-readable medium whereupon prograill is stored, in which even
when a wireless device and a license management device are not connected
6
to a network, a license can be applied to the wireless device.
Brief Description of Drawings
[00 131
5 [FIG. IA] FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration of
a license control system according to an exemplary embodiment 1.
[FIG. 1 B] FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing a configuration of
a license control system according to an exemplary embodiment 1.
[FIG. 21 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
10 wireless device 400 according to an exemplary embodiment 1.
[FIG. 31 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
license application device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment 1.
[FIG. 41 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
license management device 200 according to an exemplary embodiment 1.
15 [FIG. 5 1 FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a table managed
by an upper limit number storage unit 204 according to an exemplary
embodiment 1.
[FIG. 61 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
key generation device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment 1.
2 0 [FIG. 7A] FIG. 7A is a sequence diagram showing a license
control procedure in a license control system according to an exemplary
embodiment 1.
[FIG. 7R] FIG. 7B is a sequence diagram showing a license
control procedure in a license control system according to an exemplary
25 embodiment 1 .
[FIG. 81 FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a rough configuration
of a license control system according to a11 exemplary embodiment 1.
Description of E l ~ ~ b o d i m e ~ l l s
7
[OO 141
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be
described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 (FIG. 1A and FIG.
1B) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a license control system
5 accordiilg to this exemplary embodiment. The license control system
includes a license application device 100, a license management device
200, a key generation device 300, and a wireless device 400.
[0015] Further, the license application device 100, the license
management device 200, and the wireless device 400 are held and managed
10 by a purchaser of the wireless device 400. On the other hand, the key
generation device 300 i s held and managed by a seller (or a manufacturer)
of the wireless device 400.
[0016] When a license key (a default key and an upgrade key) for
the wireless device 400 i s required, the license application device 100 is
15 connected to the license management device 200 via a network. Further,
when adapting the license key acquired from the license Inaiiagelnent
device 200 to the wireless device 400, the license application device 100 is
connected offline to the wireless device 400. Namely, a user (preferably,
an adlninistrator of the system) brings the license application device 100 to
20 a physical location at which the wireless device 400 exists and connects it
to the wireless device 400 in offline. Because the license adaptation
device 100 has to be portable, its preferred example is, a laptop PC, a
tablet PC, or the like. Further, it is only necessary that the wireless
device 400 can be connected offline to the license application device 100
25 (both devices can be connected to each other without using the network)
and the connection method is not limited in particular.
100171 FIG. 1A is a figure showing a configuration in which the
license application device 100 and the license management device 200 are
col~nccted to the network. For example, both terlninals are connected to
8
each other via a WAN (Wide Area Network). FIG. 1B is a figure showing
a configuration in which the license application device 100 i s connected
offline to the wireless device 400. As mentioned above, the license
application device 100 applies the license key acquired from the license
5 management device 200 to the wireless device 400.
[OO 181
The configuration of each device will be described in detail below.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of the
10 wireless device 400. The wireless device 400 includes a device
information notification unit 401, a key information readout unit 402, a
wireless communication unit 403, a key information storage unit 404, and a
key reception unit 405.
[0019] In the wireless device 400, each function of the wireless
15 device 400 is set to be available or unavailable according to information on
the license key which specifies the operation. The predetermined
function of the wireless device 400 in an initial state is set to be
unavailable according to the information on the default key. After that,
when the information on the default key is rewritten by using the upgrade
20 key, each function that is set to be unavailable can be set to be available.
The license key is encrypted by using identification information unique to
each wireless device 400. Therefore, the license key used for one device
cannot be used for the other devices.
[0020] The key inforlnation storage unit 404 stores information
25 on the license key for the wireless coinmunication unit 403. Further, the
information on the license key stored by the key information storage unit
404 is encrypted by using an encryption key unique to each wireless device
400.
[0021] The key reception unit 405 receives the default key from
9
the license application device 100. The key reception unit 405 overwrites
the information on the license key stored by the key information storage
unit 404 by using the received default key. Further, the key reception
unit 405 receives the upgrade key that is a difference from the default key
5 from a license key application device 100 and overwrites the information
on the license key stored by the key information storage unit 404 by using
the received upgrade key.
[0022] The key information readout unit 402 decrypts the
information on the license key stored by the key information storage unit
10 404 by using the encryption key unique to the wireless device 400 and
reads out information about function restriction (information indicating
whether the function is available or unavailable) that is shown by the
information on the license key.
[0023] The information on the license key that is read out by the
15 key information readout unit 402 is inputted to the wireless co~nmunication
unit 403. According to this input, the wireless communication unit 403
sets each function to be available or unavailable and carries out a
communication process related to each function that is set to be available.
[0024] The information on the license key read out by the key
20 information readout unit 402 is inputted to the device information
notification unit 401. According to this input, the device information
notification unit 401 notifies the license application device 100 of device
illformation (information of a license status (available or unavailable) of
each function and the identification information of the wireless device
25 400) including information of the function set to be available in the
wireless device 400.
LO0251
Next, the configuration of the liccnse application device 100 will be
10
described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a rough configuration of
the license application device 100 according to this exemplary embodiment.
The license application device 100 includes a key application unit 101, a
key storage unit 102, a completion notification unit 103, a key acquisition
5 unit 104, a device information acquisition unit 105, and a device
information storage unit 106.
[0026] The key acquisition unit 104 transmits a request for
acquiring the default key and the upgrade key for the wireless device 400
to the license management device 200 and receives the default key and the
10 upgrade key transmitted from the license management device 200 in
response to the request. The request transmitted to the license
management device 200 includes the identification information of the
wireless device 400. Further, the default key and the upgrade key
received by the key acquisition unit 104 are associated with the
15 identification information of the wireless device 400 to which the default
key and the upgrade key are applied.
[0027] The key storage unit 102 stores the license key (the
default key and the upgrade key) acquired by the key acquisitioll unit 104
in relation to the identification information of the wireless device 400.
20 [0028] The key application unit 101 acquires the idelltification
information of the wireless device 400 and acquires the default key or the
upgrade key from the key storage unit 102 based on the identification
information. The kcy application unit 101 applies the acquired default
key or upgrade key to the wireless device 400 that is an application target.
25 100291 When the application of the license key is completed or
canceled, the completion notification unit 103 transmits the informati011 on
the license key whose application is cornpletcd 01. canceled to the license
management device 200. Further, the completion notification unit 103
deletes the license key (the default key and the upgrade key) for the
11
wireless device 400 that is the application target from the key storage unit
102 after transmitting the information.
[0030] The device information acquisition unit 105 requests the
identification information unique to the wireless device 400 and the
5 information on the license key applied at present to the wireless device 400.
Further, the device information acquisition unit 105 receives the
identification information of the wireless device 400 and the information
on the license key transmitted in response to the request.
[003 11 The device information storage unit 106 stores the
10 information on the license key received by the device information
acquisition unit 105 in relation to the identification information of the
wireless device 400. Namely, the device information storage unit 106
stores the information on the license key applied to each wireless device
400 in the system.
15
LO0321
Next, the configuration of the liccnsc management device 200 will
bc described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a rough configuration of
the license management device 200 according to this exen~plary
20 embodiment. The license management device 200 includes a key
transmission unit 201, a WAN communication unit 202, a key request
reception unit 203, an upper limit number storage unit 204, and a
completion notification acquisition unit 205.
[0033] The WAN communication unit 202 transmits a request for
25 generating the default key and the upgrade key for the wireless device 400
in relation to the idei~tification information of thc wireless device 400 to
the key generation device 300 connected via the WAN (Wide Area
Network). Further, the WAN corn~l?unicationu nit 202 receives the
default key and the upgrade key for the wireless device 400 together with
12
the identification information of the wireless device 400 from the key
generation device 300.
[0034] The key transmission unit 201 transmits the default key
and an upgrade key that are received by the WAN communication unit 202
5 to the license application device 100 as the information on the license key.
[0035] The upper limit number storage unit 204 manages the
allowable number of licenses of each function in the whole system. An
example of the configuration of the upper limit number storage unit 204
will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The upper limit number
10 storage unit 204 manages each function of the wireless device 400 and the
number of licenses of each function that can be given in the whole system.
For example, from FIG. 5, it is shown that a function of "XPIC (cross
polarization interference canceller)" can be applied to the remaining three
wireless devices 400. The value (refer to FIG. 5) shown in a table held
15 by the upper limit i~umbers torage unit 204 is updated by the completion
notification unit 205 after the application of the license key is completed.
[0036] 'The key request reception unit 203 receives a request for
issuing tlic liccnsc key that is transmitted from the license applicatioil
device 100. This issuance request includes the identification information
20 of the wireless device 400. 'I'he key request reception unit 203 acquires
the number (assignable upper limit number) of licenses that can be given to
each function from the upper limit number storage unit 204. In a case in
which if the liceilse is issued in responsc to the issuance request, the total
number of issued licenscs exceeds the assignable upper limit number, the
25 key request reception unit 203 discontillues transmission of (does not
transmit) the key generation request to the key generation unit 300 via the
WAN comnl~~nicatiounn it 202. Namely, in this case, the key request
reception unit 203 does not issue the license. Alternatively, the key
request reception unit 203 carries out control so that the lice~lsci s
13
prevented from being issued to the function to which the license cannot be
assigned.
[0037] The completion notification unit 205 receives a
completion notification from the license application device 100 and
5 updates the content stored in the upper limit number storage unit 204 based
on the received completion notification.
[0038]
Next, the configuration of the key generation device 300 will be
10 described. The key generation device 300 includes a WAN
communication unit 301, a default key generation unit 302, an upgrade key
generation unit 303, and a wireless device information storage unit 304.
[0039] The wireless device information storage unit 304 stores
the identification information of each wireless device 400 included in the
15 license control system in relation to the encryption key unique to each
wireless device 400. It is assumed that the encryption key for each
wireless device 400 is set to the wireless device information storage unit
304 before the system i s operated.
[0040] The default key generation unit 302 acquires the
20 encryption key from the wireless device information storage unit 304 by
using the identification information of the wireless device 400 that is
received by the WAN communication unit 301. The default key
generatioil unit 302 generates the default key unique to each wireless
device 400 by encrypting the existing license key with the encryption key.
25 [0041] The upgrade key generation unit 303 generates the
upgrade key unique to the wireless device 400 based on the identification
information of the wireless device 400 included in the upgrade key
genesation request received by the WAN conlmunication unit 301 and
information of the function that is an upgrade tasgct. The upgrade key
14
generation unit 303 encrypts the upgrade key with the encryption key.
[0042] The WAN communication unit 301 transmits the default
key generated by the default key generation unit 302 to the license
management device 200 via the WAN. Further, the WAN communication
5 unit 301 receives the upgrade key generation request received from the
license management device 200. The WAN communicatiotl unit 301
transmits the upgrade key generated in response to the upgrade key
generation request to the license management device 200.
10 LO0431
Operation of each device at the time of changing the license key for
the wireless device 400 will be explained below with reference to a
sequence diagram. When the license key for the wireless device 400 is
changed, the license key is removed and a new license key is applied (the
15 default key and the license key are applied).
[0044] The license key can bc applied by carrying out the
following processes: ( 1 ) a process in which device inforination including
the information 011 the license key and an identification number unique to
the device is read out from the wireless device 400 and an allowable upper
20 limit number table in the license key management device 200 is updated
based on the device information and (2) a process in which the default key
is applied to the wireless device 400.
LO0451 FIG. 7A is a sequence diagram showing a proccdure of
generating and transmitting the default key carried out by the key
25 generation device 300, the license manageinent device 200, and the license
application device 100. Further, FIG. 7B is a sequence diagram showing
a procedure of applying the default key for the wireless device 400 by the
license application device 100.
LO0461 The user (the purchaser) requests the license application
15
device 100 to remove the license key for the wireless device 400 (S1 in
FIG. 7B). The device information notification unit 401 acquires
information on the license key from the key information readout unit 402
and transmits the device information (a license status of each function and
5 the identification information of the wireless device 400) to the license
application device 100 (S2 in FIG. 7B). The device information
acquisition unit 105 acquires the device information of the wireless device
400 from the wireless device 400 (S3 in FIG. 7B). The device
information acquisition unit 105 stores the acquired license status of each
10 function in relation to the acquired identification information of the
wireless device 400 in the device information storage unit 106 (S4 in FIG.
7B). The processes S1 to S4 in FIG. 7B are realized by transmitting and
receiving the information between the license application device 100 and
the wireless device 400 that are connected offline (for example, a state in
15 which both the devices are connected to each other by a physical cable).
By this process, the license status of the wireless device 400 before the
default key is applied is inputted to the device information storage unit
106.
[0047] Next, the user (the purchaser) co~lnectst he license
20 application device 100 to the license management device 200. The user
requests the license application device 100 to generate the default key for
the wireless device 400 (S5 in FIG. 7A). This request includes the
identification information of the wireless device 400 to which the default
key is applied.
25 [0048] 'The license application device 100 transfers the received
request to the license management device 200 (S6 in FIG. 7A). The key
request reception unit 203 receives the request and acquires the assignable
upper limit number of each function in the upper limit number storage unit
204. Here, when the assignable upper limit llunlber of the function
16
planned to be assigned is zero, the key request reception unit 203 notifies
the license application device 100 of information indicating that the
default key cannot be generated and ends the process. When enough
number of function would be assignable to reach to the limit number of the
5 function, the WAN communication unit 202 in the license management
device 300 transmits a default key generation request to the key generation
device 300 after receiving the default key generation request (S7 in FIG.
7A). The default key generation request includes the identification
information of the wireless device 400.
10 [0049] The WAN communication unit 301 in the key generation
device 300 receives the default key generation request transmitted from the
license management device 200 (S8 in FIG. 7A). The default key
generation unit 302 acquires the encryption key from the wireless device
information storage unit 304 by using the identification information of the
15 wireless device 400 included in the default key generation request as a
retrieval key. The default key generation unit 302 ge~leratest he default
key (S9 in FIG. 7A).
[0050] The default key generation unit 302 encrypts the
generated default key by using the acquired encryption key. The WAN
20 communication unit 301 trailsmits the encrypted default key to the license
management device 200 (SlO in FIG. 7A). At this time, the WAN
communication unit 301 trallsmits the encrypted default key in relation to
the identification information of the wireless device 400 to the license
management device 200.
25 [0051] The WAN communicatio~u~ni t 202 in the license
management device 200 receives the default key transmitted from the key
generation device 300 (S1 1 in FIG. 7A). The WAN communication unit
202 transmits the received default key to the license application device 100
(S12 in FIG. 7A).
17
[0052] Tlle key acquisition unit 104 in the license application
device 100 receives the transmitted default key. The key acquisition unit
104 stores the acquired default key in relation to the identification number
of the wireless device 400 in the key storage unit 102 (S 13 in FIG. 7A).
5 [0053] Next, the user (the purchaser) connects the license
application device 100 to the wireless device 400 and carries out a process
for applying the default key. First, the key application unit 101 receives
the identification information of the wireless device 400. The key
application unit 101 extracts the default key associated with the
10 identification information from the key storage unit 102. The key
application unit 101 transmits the extracted default key to the wireless
device 400 to which the default key is applied (S14 in FIG. 7B).
[0054] The key reception unit 405 in the wireless device 400
receives the default key. The key reception unit 405 stores the received
15 default key in the key infornlation storage unit 404. By this process, the
application of the default key ends (S15 in FIG. 7H). The wireless device
400 notifies the license application device 100 after the default key is
applied (S16 in FIG. 7B). 'The license application device 100 receives the
notification indicating that the appiication is completed (S 17 in FIG. 7B).
2 0 [0055] Next, the user connects the license application device 100
to the license managenlent device 200 and requests transmission of the
completion notification indicating that removal of the license key is
completed. l'hc license application device 100 receives the completion
notification. The colnpletioll notification unit 103 acquires the device
25 information fro111 the device information storage unit 104 based on the
identification information included in the request (S18 in FIG. 7A). This
device infornlation is stored by the process mentioned above (S4 in FIG.
7B) and indicates a license allocatioll status (a setting status (available or
unavailable) of each function) of the wireless device 400 before the default
18
key is applied. The completion notification unit 103 transmits the
completion notification including the acquired device information to the
license management device 200 (S19 in FIG. 7A). The completion
notification includes the device information and the identification
5 information of the wireless device 400.
[0056] The license management device 200 receives the device
informatiol~ (S20 in FIG. 7A). The completion notification acquisition
unit 205 notifies the upper limit number storage unit 204 of a changed
value of an allowable upper limit number in the table (refer to FIG. 5) of
10 the upper limit number storage unit 204 based on the difference between
the device information included in the completion notification and the
default key issued to the wireless device 400. The upper limit number
storage unit 204 changes the allowable upper limit number of each function
based on the changed value (S21 in FIG. 7A).
15 COO571 By the above mentioned processes, the default key is
applied to the wireless device 400. A procedure for applying the upgrade
key is approxirnately the same as the procedure shown in FIG. 7A and FIG.
7B. Therefore, the detailed description will be omitted. However,
when the upgrade key is applied, the user needs to explicitly notify the
20 license application device 100 of a name of the function to be set to be
available.
[0058] Next, the advantageous effect of the license control
system according to this exernplary embodiment will be described. In the
license control system according to this exemplary embodiment, the
25 license management device 200 which manages the license is configured as
a separate device from the license application device 100 which applies the
license to the wireless device 400. The license application device 100
applies the liceilse to a line device 400 connected using a local connection
(conl~ection without using the network) and acquires the license key fro111
19
the license management device 200 connected via the WAN. As a result,
even when the wireless device 400 exists in an environment in which the
wireless device 400 cannot be connected to the network, the license key
can be applied to the wireless device 400.
5 [0059] After the license application device 100 applies the
license key to the wireless device 400, the license application device 100
deletes the license key. Accordingly, the license application device 100
holds the license key for each wireless device 400 only when it is required.
Therefore, the security can be improved.
10 [0060] The license management device 200 manages the
assignable upper limit number (refer to FIG. 5 ) that is the maximum
number of licenses capable of being given to each function of the wireless
device 400 in the system and controls the license allocation according to
this assignable upper limit number. As a result, a state in which the
15 number of licenses given in the whole system exceeds the assignable upper
liinit nuinber call be avoided. Further, because the license management
device 200 updates the assignable upper limit number for each license
allocation, the license allocation can be correctly managed in the system.
[0061] The key generation device 300 encrypts the generated
20 liccilse key by using the identification information that is informatioil
unique to the wireless device 400. Therefore, each license key can be
applied to only the corresponding wireless device 400.
[0062] While the invention made by the inventor has been
particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary
25 embodiments thereof, the invention is not limited to these embodiments.
It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
[0063] For example, a function w11icl1 can be set to be available
2 0
or unavailable by using the license key described above does not need to be
a function related to wireless communication and arbitrary software or the
like may be set to be available or unavailable by the license key.
[0064] A process carried out by each processing unit of the
5 license application device 100 may be realized as a program which
operates in an arbitrary computer. The program is stored by using
various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and can be
supplied to the computer. The non-transitory computer readable medium
includes various types of tangible storage media. A magnetic recording
10 medium (for example, a flexible disc, a magnetic tape, or a hard-disk
drive), a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, a magnetic
optical disc), a CD-ROM (Read-Only Memory), a CD-R, a CD-RIW, or a
semiconductor memory (for example, a mask ROM, a PROM
(Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a flash ROM, or a
15 RAM (random access memory)) is exemplified as the non-transitory
computer-readable medium. Further, the program may be supplied to the
computer by using various types of transitory computer-readable media.
An electric signal, an optical signal, or an clectromagnetic wave is
exemplified as the transitory computer-readable medium. The transitory
20 computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a
wired cominunication path such as an electrical wire, an optical fiber, or
the like or a wireless colnmunication path.
100651 I,astly, concerning an outline of the license control system
will be described again with reference to FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, a solid arrow
25 line indicates data transmission and reception via the network and a dotted
arrow line indicates data transmission and reception with offline
connection.
[0066] The license inanagement device 200 trans~llitst he license
key generation request for generation of the license key for the wireless
2 1
device 400 to the key generation device 300 via the network. The key
generation device 300 generates the license key for the wireless device 400
in response to the license key generation request and transmits it to the
license management device 300. The license management device 300
5 transmits the license key for the wireless device 400 that is received from
the key generation device 300 to the license application device 100. The
license application device 100 i s connected offline to the wireless device
400 and applies the received license key to the wireless device 400.
[0067] Thus, the license application device 100 can apply the
10 license key to the wireless device 400 in the offline state. Therefore,
even when the wireless device 400 i s not connected to the network, the
license management can be carried out.
[0068] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese patent application No. 201 2-2042 13, filed on
15 September 18, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
Reference signs List
[0069]
100 license application device
101 key application unit
102 key storage unit
103 completion notification unit
104 key acquisition unit
105 device information acquisitio~: unit
106 device information storage unit
200 license management device
20 1 key transl~lission unit
202 WAN comlnunicatioll unit
22
key request reception unit
upper limit number storage unit
completion notification acquisition unit
key generation device
WAN communication unit
default key generation unit
upgrade key generation unit
wireless device information storage unit
wireless device
device information notification unit
key information readout unit
wireless communication unit
key information storage unit
key reception unit

WE CLAIM:
[Claim. 1] A license control system including a license
management device, a license application device, and a key generation
device wherein
5 the license management device transmits a license key generation
request for generation of a license key for a wireless device to the key
generation device via a network and transmits the license key for the
wireless device that is received from the key generation device to the
license application device,
10 the key generation device generates the license key for the wireless
device in response to the license key generation request and transmits it to
the license management device, and
the license application device is connected offline to the wireless
device and applies the received license key to the wireless device.
15 [Claim. 2] The license control system described in claim 1
characterized in that after the license application device applies the license
key to the wireless device, the license application device deletes the
applied license key from a storage unit thereof.
[Claim. 3] The liccnse control system described in claim 1 or
20 claim 2 characterized in that the license management device manages an
assignable upper limit number that is the number of licenses that can be
assigned to each function of the wireless device in the system and does not
transmit the license key generation request to the key generation device
when it is determined, by referring to the assig~lableu pper limit number,
25 that the license cai~notb e assigned.
[Claim. 4] The license control system described in any one of
claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the key generation device generates the
license key encrypted by using identification informatioi~o f the wireless
device.
24
[Claim. 5] The license control system described in claim 3
characterized in that the license management device updates the assignable
upper limit number for each application of the license key to the wireless
device.
5 [Claim. 6] The license control system described in any one of
claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the license key is a default key which
indicates an initial state or an upgrade key which indicates a change from
the initial state.
[Claim. 7] A license application device including
10 key acquisition means which transmit a license generation request
for generation of a license for a wireless device to a license management
device via a network and receive a license key generated in response to the
request,
key storage means which store the license key acquired by the key
15 acquisition means in relation to identification information of the wireless
device, and
key application means which apply the license key read from the
key storage means based on the identification information of the wireless
device to the wireless device in a state in which the key application means
20 are connected offline to the wireless device.
[Claim. 8] The license application device described in claim 7
characterized in that the key application means delete the corresponding
licensc key from the key storage means after the key application means
apply the license key to the wireless device.
25 [Claim. 9] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a
program which causes a computer to carry out a process of:
transmitting a license generation request for generation of a license
for a wireless device to a license management device via a ~~etworaln