Checking a license for the usage of at least one performance property in an internet-of-things (IoT) device

An arrangement for checking a license for using at least one performance feature in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device on the basis of a license identifier, comprising:

• a license issuing unit which is configured
• to stipulate at least one license condition for using a performance feature of the IoT device by at least one attribute contained in the license identifier,
• to transmit the license identifier to the IoT device,
• wherein the IoT device is configured
• to store the license identifier,
• to check the license conditions by
• a) generating pseudo-access assigned to the performance feature of the IoT device by a pseudo-holder unit formed on the IoT device, wherein the pseudo-holder unit combines Verifiable Credentials (VC) roles of verifier and holder and internally carries out pseudo-access for enabling performance feature, and
• b) checking an authorization for the pseudo-access by checking the attributes of the license identifier by a verification unit formed on the IoT device, and
• to activate the at least one performance feature if the pseudo-access is confirmed as permitted by a positive checking result for the license identifier,
• wherein the performance feature includes at least one of:
• a support for at least one protocol, a higher or lower sampling rate, and an accuracy of sensor data, and
• wherein the license identifier, the pseudo-holder unit, and the verification unit are configured on the basis of a specification for VC of a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and the license identifier is based on a structure of the VC, the verification unit corresponds to a modified verifier and the pseudo-holder unit corresponds to modified holder which is formed as a local unit on the IoT device and provides the verification unit with the license identifier, and
• wherein the pseudo-access is generated and checked when starting the IoT device or when starting the performance feature on the IoT device, and/or the pseudo-access is repeatedly generated and checked during operation wherein the pseudo-access operations are repeated during ongoing operation, and a performance feature is activated or enabled at a later time depending on a result or is deactivated or blocked in an event of a negative result during operation.

A computer system for checking a license for using at least one performance feature in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device on the basis of a license identifier, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
• stipulating at least one license condition for using the performance feature of the IoT device by at least one attribute contained in the license identifier,
• transmitting and storing the license identifier on the IoT device,
• checking the license conditions by
• a) generating pseudo-access assigned to the performance feature of the IoT device by a pseudo-holder unit formed on the IoT device, wherein the pseudo-holder unit combines Verifiable Credentials (VC) roles of verifier and holder and internally carries out pseudo-access for enabling performance feature, and
• b) checking an authorization for the pseudo-access by checking the attributes of the license identifier by a verification unit formed on the IoT device, and
• activating the at least one performance feature if the pseudo-access is confirmed as permitted by a positive checking result for the license identifier,
• wherein the performance feature includes at least one of:
• a support for at least one protocol, a higher or lower sampling rate, and an accuracy of sensor data,
• wherein the license identifier, the pseudo-holder unit and the verification unit are configured on the basis of a specification for VC (VC) of a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), and the license identifier is based on a structure of the VC (VC), the verification unit corresponds to a modified verifier and the pseudo-holder unit corresponds to a modified holder which is configured as a local unit on the IoT device and provides the verification unit with the license identifier, and
• wherein the pseudo-access is generated and checked when starting the IoT device or when starting the performance feature on the IoT device, and/or the pseudo-access is repeatedly generated and checked during operation wherein the pseudo-access operations are repeated during ongoing operation, and a performance feature is activated or enabled at a later time depending on a result or is deactivated or blocked in an event of a negative result during operation.