Retro-fitted network licensing system

Abstract

A retro-fitted network licensing system is disclosed for monitoring the use of pre-existing software applications. A client licensing module is provided that is associated with each of the pre-existing client software applications to be monitored. A licensing module is provided that is in network communication with the client licensing modules. The licensing modules monitor the use the pre-existing client software applications and send a report to a license server over a public IP-compliant network.

1 . A retro-fitted network licensing system comprising: 
 at least one machine having one or more pre-existing client software applications thereon;    a client licensing module associated with each of the one or more pre-existing client software applications;    at least one file server including a licensing module, the licensing module being in network communication with said client licensing module;    a license server in network communication with said at least one file server over a public IP-compliant network; and    the licensing module of said at least one file server configured to monitor the use of said one or more pre-existing client software applications on said plurality of desktop machines and send a report to said license server over the public IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       2 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein said client licensing module sends license inquiry information to said licensing module in said at least one file server.  
   
   
       3 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 2 , wherein said licensing module of said at least one file servers uses the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       4 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pre-existing software applications are from a single provider.  
   
   
       5 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pre-existing software applications are from more than one provider.  
   
   
       6 . A retro-fitted network licensing system comprising: 
 at least one machine having one or more pre-existing client software applications thereon;    a client licensing module associated with each of the one or more pre-existing client software applications;    a license server in network communication with said client licensing module over a public IP-compliant network; and    the licensing module of said at least one file server configured to monitor the use of said one or more pre-existing client software applications on said plurality of desktop machines and send a report to said license server over the public IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       7 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 6 , wherein said client licensing module sends license inquiry information to said licensing server.  
   
   
       8 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 7 , wherein said licensing server uses the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       9 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 6 , wherein said one or more pre-existing software applications are from a single provider.  
   
   
       10 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 6 , wherein said one or more pre-existing software applications are from more than one provider.  
   
   
       11 . A retro-fitted network licensing system comprising: 
 at least one machine having one or more pre-existing client software applications thereon;    client licensing module means associated with each of the one or more pre-existing client software applications;    at least one file server including licensing module means in network communication with said client licensing module;    license server means in network communication with said at least one file server over a public IP-compliant network; and    the licensing module means of said at least one file server including means for monitoring the use of said one or more pre-existing client software applications on said plurality of desktop machines and send a report to said license server means over the public IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       12 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein said client licensing module means further includes means for sending license inquiry information to said licensing module means in said at least one file server.  
   
   
       13 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 12 , wherein said licensing module means further includes means for utilizing the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       14 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more pre-existing software applications are from a single provider.  
   
   
       15 . The retro-fitted licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more pre-existing software applications are from more than one provider.