Patent ID: 7698226

Claim:
An information processing apparatus with a counter function that restricts a function if a counter value reaches a limiting value, the apparatus comprising: a central processing unit; and a memory unit coupled to the central processing unit, the memory unit being configured to save the limiting value, wherein the central processing unit is configured to output the limiting value saved in the memory unit, wherein the central processing unit is configured to receive input license information including a counter start value for a new license and a new limiting value, wherein the central processing unit is configured to determine whether the input license information is valid based on the counter staff value and the limiting value saved in the memory unit, wherein the central processing unit is configured to update the limiting value saved in the memory unit to the new limiting value included in the input license information, if the central processing unit determines that the input license information is valid, wherein, if the central processing unit determines that the counter staff value included in the input license information is not larger than the limiting value saved in the memory unit, the central processing unit determines that the input license information is valid, wherein the input license information further includes identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus, wherein the central processing unit determines whether the input license information is valid using signature information that is generated by coding a hash value with a private key, and wherein the hash value is generated by applying a predetermined hash function to the identification information, the start value, and the new limiting value.