Network licensing system for portable computers

Abstract

A network licensing system for portable computers is disclosed for monitoring use of software application. A client module is provided that is associated with the client software application. A licensing module is provided that is associated with the client module. The licensing module monitors the use of the client software application when the portable computer is not in network communication, and refreshes licensing information with a network server when the portable computer is able to establish communications with the network server over an IP-compliant network.

1 . A network licensing system for portable computers comprising: 
 a portable computer having a client software application operable thereon;    a client module associated with the client software application;    a licensing module operatively disposed on the portable computer and associated with the client module;    the licensing module being configured to monitor the use of said client software application on said portable computer when said portable computer is not in network communication, and refresh licensing information with a network server when the portable computer is able to establish communications with the network server over an IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       2 . The network licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the licensing module comprises an agent component that can receive and respond to license validity inquiries generated by said client module associated with said client software application.  
   
   
       3 . The network licensing system of  claim 2 , wherein said licensing module further comprises a cache for storing audits of said client application.  
   
   
       4 . The network licensing system of  claim 3 , wherein the network server refreshes license information based upon audit information retrieved from said cache of said licensing module.  
   
   
       5 . The network licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the user is prompted to re-connect to a network if the portable computer is not connected to a network for a pre-determined length of time.  
   
   
       6 . A network licensing system for portable computers comprising: 
 a portable computer having a client software application operable thereon;    client module means associated with the client software application;    licensing module means operatively disposed on the portable computer and associated with the client module means;    the licensing module means including means for monitoring the use of said client software application on said portable computer when said portable computer is not in network communication; and    the licensing module means further including means for refreshing licensing information with a network server when the portable computer is able to establish communications with the network server over an IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       7 . The network licensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the licensing module means further comprises an agent component means for receiving and responding to license validity inquiries generated by said client module means.  
   
   
       8 . The network licensing system of  claim 7 , wherein said licensing module means further comprises a cache means for storing audits of said client application.  
   
   
       9 . The network licensing system of  claim 8 , wherein the network server refreshes license information based upon audit information retrieved from said cache means of said licensing module means.  
   
   
       10 . The network licensing system of  claim 6 , further comprising means for prompting a user to re-connect to a network if the portable computer is not connected to a network for a pre-determined length of time.  
   
   
       11 . A network licensing system for portable computers comprising: 
 a portable computer having a client software application operable thereon;    a client module associated with the client software application;    a licensing module associated with the client module;    the licensing module being configured to monitor the use of said client software application on said portable computer when said portable computer is not in network communication, and refresh licensing information with a network server when the portable computer is able to establish communications with the network server over an IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       12 . The network licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the licensing module comprises an agent component that can receive and respond to license validity inquiries generated by said client module associated with said client software application.  
   
   
       13 . The network licensing system of  claim 12 , wherein said licensing module further comprises a cache for storing audits of said client application.  
   
   
       14 . The network licensing system of  claim 13 , wherein the network server refreshes license information based upon audit information retrieved from said cache of said licensing module.  
   
   
       15 . The network licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein the user is prompted to re-connect to a network if the portable computer is not connected to a network for a pre-determined length of time.