Abstract: A method operates an electrical control device on the basis of license information, which is stored in a removable storage medium. The method includes the following steps, which are carried out by the control device: reading out a removable storage medium identification of the removable storage medium, reading a license file, which is stored in the removable storage medium, extracting a license file identification from the read license file, comparing the license file identification with the removable storage medium identification, and when the license file identification matches the removable storage medium identification, extracting license information from the license file and operating the control device in accordance with the license information and storing the license file identification and the license information in the control device.

Abstract: An automation system includes function-providing components which offer functions, function-using components which access the functions, and at least one intermediary component. The function-providing components are configured to register with the intermediary component. The function-using components are configured to register with the intermediary component. When the function-using components require access to a specific function, they request from the at least one intermediary component a function-providing component that offers the specific function, wherein, if such a function-providing component is registered with the at least one intermediary component, the at least one intermediary component enables access to the specific function for the function-using component.

Abstract: A method operates an electrical control device on the basis of license information, which is stored in a removable storage medium. The method includes the following steps, which are carried out by the control device: reading out a removable storage medium identification of the removable storage medium, reading a license file, which is stored in the removable storage medium, extracting a license file identification from the read license file, comparing the license file identification with the removable storage medium identification, and when the license file identification matches the removable storage medium identification, extracting license information from the license file and operating the control device in accordance with the license information and storing the license file identification and the license information in the control device.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a system having a plurality of components which interact with one another. The method stores information relating to the interaction of a respective component with the other components in a respective component.