Enabling an enhanced function of an electronic device
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- (a) supplying an electronic device to a user, the electronic device as supplied being capable of performing a base function, the electronic device comprising specialized hardware that allows the electronic device to perform an enhanced function, wherein the electronic device can be controlled such that the electronic device can perform the enhanced function, wherein the electronic device as supplied is controlled so that the electronic device cannot perform the enhanced function; and
(b) after the electronic device is supplied to the user, and only if an agreement is reached to receive additional compensation from the user, then enabling the electronic device to perform the enhanced function.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device (for example, a NIC card) can perform a base function (for example, “dumb” NIC functionality) and also has specialized hardware for performing an enhanced function (for example, TCP offload functionality). Initially, the electronic device is capable of performing the base function but the enhanced function is disabled. The electronic device is priced to be price competitive with other devices that perform the base function but not the enhanced function. By this pricing, large numbers of the electronic devices are disseminated into the marketplace. Once an electronic device has been disseminated and supplied to a user, the user can make an additional payment to have the enhanced function enabled. In one embodiment, a user who pays for the enhanced functionality accesses a web-based license manager and receives a license key. The license key is usable to write a capabilities code into the electronic device that enables the enhanced function.
130 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method, comprising:
-
(a) supplying an electronic device to a user, the electronic device as supplied being capable of performing a base function, the electronic device comprising specialized hardware that allows the electronic device to perform an enhanced function, wherein the electronic device can be controlled such that the electronic device can perform the enhanced function, wherein the electronic device as supplied is controlled so that the electronic device cannot perform the enhanced function; and (b) after the electronic device is supplied to the user, and only if an agreement is reached to receive additional compensation from the user, then enabling the electronic device to perform the enhanced function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A network interface device, comprising:
-
a port through which the network interface device receives a TCP/IP packet; TCP offload circuitry; and a memory storing a capabilities code, wherein if the capabilities code has a first value then the TCP offload circuitry performs TCP protocol processing on the TCP/IP packet such that a host processor coupled to the network interface device does substantially no TCP protocol processing on the TCP/IP packet, and wherein if the capabilities code has a second value then the network interface device passes the TCP/IP packet to the host processor such that the host processor does substantial TCP protocol processing on the TCP/IP packet. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification