Commercial network licensing system

Abstract

A commercial network licensing system is disclosed for monitoring use of software on computers. A client licensing module is provided that is associated with a client software application to be monitored. A file server that is in network communication with computers running the client application includes a licensing module that is in network communication with the client licensing modules on the computers. The licensing module monitors the use of the client software applications and sends a report to a license server over a public IP-compliant network.

1 . A commercial network licensing system comprising: 
 a plurality of machines in network communication through a private network, each of the plurality of machines including a client licensing module associated with a client software application disposed therein;    at least one file server including a licensing module, the licensing module being in network communication with said client licensing modules of said plurality of desktop machines;    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 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 commercial 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 commercial 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 commercial licensing system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one file server further comprises an audit tool for monitoring use of software on said plurality of machines.  
   
   
       5 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 4 , wherein said client licensing modules of said plurality of machines comprises floating licenses, and the audit tool is configured to gather information regarding the maximum number of uses of a software application.  
   
   
       6 . A commercial network licensing system comprising: 
 a plurality of machines in network communication through a private network, each of the plurality of desktop machines including client licensing module means associated with a client software application disposed therein;    at least one file server including licensing module means in network communication with said client licensing modules of said plurality of desktop machines;    a license server in network communication with said at least one file server over a public IP-compliant network; and    the licensing module means further comprising means for monitoring the use of said 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 commercial licensing system of  claim 6 , wherein said client licensing module means further comprises means for sending license inquiry information to said licensing module means in said at least one file server.  
   
   
       8 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 7 , wherein said licensing module means of said at least one file servers further comprises means for utilizing the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       9 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one file server further comprises audit tool means for monitoring use of software on said plurality of machines.  
   
   
       10 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 9 , wherein said client licensing modules of said plurality of machines comprises floating licenses, and the audit tool means further comprises means for gathering information regarding the maximum number of uses of a software application.  
   
   
       11 . A commercial network licensing system comprising: 
 at least one machine including a client licensing module associated with a client software application disposed therein;    at least one file server including a licensing module, the licensing module being in network communication with said client licensing modules of said at least one machine;    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 client software applications on said plurality of desktop machines and send a report to said license server over the public IP-compliant network.    
   
   
       12 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein said client licensing module sends license inquiry information to said licensing module in said at least one file server.  
   
   
       13 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 12 , wherein said licensing module of said at least one file servers uses the license inquiry information to prepare a billing statement.  
   
   
       14 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one file server further comprises an audit tool for monitoring use of software on said at least one machine.  
   
   
       15 . The commercial licensing system of  claim 14 , wherein said client licensing module of said plurality at least one machine comprises a floating license, and the audit tool is configured to gather information regarding the maximum number of uses of a software application.