Regional network licensing system

Abstract

A regional network licensing system is disclosed. The system may include regional license servers in communication with computers running a protected client software application. The computers include client licensing modules associated with the client software application. Regional license servers include an agent component for updating the client licensing modules with license information received from a central license server. The client application associated with the client licensing module is operated in accordance with the licensing information.

1 . A regional network licensing system comprising: 
 a central licenser server;    a plurality of regional license servers in communication with the central licensing server, each of the regional license servers including an agent component in communication over an IP-compliant network with a plurality of client licensing modules associated with a client software application;    said central license server being configured to direct license information to the agent component of a selected regional license server;    said selected regional license server being configured to update the plurality of client licensing modules with the license information; and    wherein said client application associated with said client licensing module is operated in accordance with said licensing information.    
   
   
       2 . The regional network system of  claim 1 , wherein said central license server and said plurality of regional license servers are in communication through an IP-compliant network.  
   
   
       3 . The regional network system of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of client licensing modules send license inquiry information to said agent component in said regional license server.  
   
   
       4 . The regional network system of  claim 3 , wherein said agent component of said regional license server uses the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       5 . The regional network system of  claim 4 , wherein said regional license server further comprises an audit tool for monitoring use of said client software applications.  
   
   
       6 . A regional network licensing system comprising: 
 a central licenser server;    a plurality of regional license servers in communication with the central licensing server, each of the regional license servers including agent component means in communication over an IP-compliant network with a plurality of client licensing module means associated with a client software application;    said central license server being configured to direct license information to the agent component means of a selected regional license server;    said selected regional license server including means for updating the plurality of client licensing module means with the license information; and    wherein said client licensing module means includes means for operated said client application in accordance with said licensing information.    
   
   
       7 . The regional network system of  claim 6 , wherein said central license server and said plurality of regional license servers are in communication through an IP-compliant network.  
   
   
       8 . The regional network system of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of client licensing module means further comprises means for sending license inquiry information to said agent component means in said regional license server.  
   
   
       9 . The regional network system of  claim 8 , wherein said agent component of said regional license server further comprises means for utilizing the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       10 . The regional network system of  claim 9 , wherein said regional license server further comprises audit tool means for monitoring use of said client software applications.  
   
   
       11 . A regional network licensing system comprising: 
 a plurality of regional license servers including an agent component in communication over an IP-compliant network with a plurality of client licensing modules associated with a client software application;    said selected regional license server including an agent component for updating the plurality of client licensing modules with license information received from a central license server; and    wherein said client application associated with said client licensing module is operated in accordance with said licensing information.    
   
   
       12 . The regional network system of  claim 11 , wherein said central license server and said plurality of regional license servers are in communication through an IP-compliant network.  
   
   
       13 . The regional network system of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of client licensing modules send license inquiry information to said agent component in said regional license server.  
   
   
       14 . The regional network system of  claim 13 , wherein said agent component of said regional license server uses the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       15 . The regional network system of  claim 14 , wherein said regional license server further comprises an audit tool for monitoring use of said client software applications.