Patent ID: 9703934
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: G06F,G06Q,H04L

Claim:
1. A method comprising: sending a message to a licensing server, the message including authentication credentials, the authentication credentials being sent on behalf of an instance of an application, the sending being performed prior to performing processing using the application, and the sending being performed by a computing device; and receiving an authorization, the authorization indicating that the application is licensed according to a first software license that allows use of the application based on a licensed usage amount, the first software license allowing the application to perform processing when a total usage amount of the application complies with the licensed usage amount, the authorization being received prior to the application performing the processing, and the receiving being performed by the computing device; establishing a heartbeat when the application is performing the processing, the heartbeat being sent to the licensing server and indicating a use of the application, the establishing the heartbeat being performed by the computing device; performing the processing by the application if the total usage amount of the application, determined based on the heartbeat, complies with the licensed usage amount, the performing the processing being performed by the computing device; receiving an instruction from the licensing server that automatically causes the computing device to terminate the processing if the total usage amount of the application, determined based on the heartbeat, does not comply with the licensed usage amount of the application, the receiving the instruction being performed by the computing device; and terminating the processing based on the instruction, the terminating being performed by the computing device.