Patent ID: 8006287
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network apparatus, comprising: a first interface unit configured to connect the network apparatus to a network; a connecting unit configured to enable the network apparatus to be detachable from a data processing apparatus; a second interface unit configured to electrically connect the network apparatus and the data processing apparatus when the network apparatus is mounted to the data processing apparatus by the connecting unit, wherein the data processing apparatus becomes capable of sending and receiving data via the network by electrically connecting the data processing apparatus with the network apparatus through the second interface unit; an installation unit configured to install an application and store authentication information corresponding to the application in a storage unit of the network apparatus; an acquisition unit configured to acquire authentication information corresponding to an application whose activation is designated, from the storage unit of the network apparatus and from the data processing apparatus in which the network apparatus is mounted; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the application whose activation has been designated is permitted to be activated based on a comparison result of comparing the authentication information acquired from the storage unit of the network apparatus and the authentication information acquired from the data processing apparatus in which the network apparatus is mounted; and an activating unit configured to activate the designated application when the determination unit determines that the application is permitted to be activated, and to issue an error notification when the determination unit determines that the designated application is not permitted to be activated, wherein said installation unit sets in the storage unit as the authentication information a license code received via the network, and transmits the license code as the authentication information to the data processing apparatus in which the network apparatus is mounted.