Patent ID: 7860239
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for metering usage of a software product on a data processing system, comprising: associating an installation signature with the software product, the installation signature uniquely identifying the software product on the data processing system when the software product is installed on the data processing system; associating a running signature with the software product, the running signature identifying the software product on the data processing system when the software product is running on the data processing system, the running signature of the software product being distinct from the installation signature of the software product; detecting a launch of the software product on the data processing system; providing a global catalogue, the global catalogue specifying for each software product in a group of software products a corresponding installation signature and a corresponding running signature; extracting a reduced catalogue from the global catalogue, the reduced catalogue including only a group of running signatures corresponding to the group of installed software products; accessing the reduced catalogue to identify the software product; identifying the software product using (i) the installation signature and (ii) the running signature; and using the identified installation signature and running signature to meter usage of the software product.