Software metering management of remote computing devices
First Claim
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1. A method for providing software metering for software within an intermittently available portable computer comprising the following steps:
- (a) establishing contact between a remote management information system and the intermittently available portable computer using a communication path;
(b) reaching an agreement between the intermittently available portable computer and the remote management information system on terms of the software metering;
(c) activating the software within the intermittently available portable computer via the communication path, including the following substep;
(c.1) specifying to the intermittently available portable computer parameters for the software metering,(d) disconnecting the communication path such that said intermittently available portable computer is no longer connected to said remote management system or to any other device external to said intermittently available portable computer;
(e) while the communication path is disconnected, using the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters as specified in substep (c.1); and
(f) while the communication path is disconnected, terminating use of the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters specified in substep (c.1).
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Abstract
Software metering is implemented within a computing system. Using a communication path, contact with the computing system is established and terms of the software metering are agreed upon. The software within the computing system is then activated via the communication path. The activation includes specification to the computing system of parameters for the software metering.
249 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for providing software metering for software within an intermittently available portable computer comprising the following steps:
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(a) establishing contact between a remote management information system and the intermittently available portable computer using a communication path; (b) reaching an agreement between the intermittently available portable computer and the remote management information system on terms of the software metering; (c) activating the software within the intermittently available portable computer via the communication path, including the following substep; (c.1) specifying to the intermittently available portable computer parameters for the software metering, (d) disconnecting the communication path such that said intermittently available portable computer is no longer connected to said remote management system or to any other device external to said intermittently available portable computer; (e) while the communication path is disconnected, using the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters as specified in substep (c.1); and (f) while the communication path is disconnected, terminating use of the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters specified in substep (c.1). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Storage media which stores programming software which, when executed, performs a method for providing software metering for applications software with the intermittently available portable computer comprising the following steps:
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(a) establishing contact between a remote management information system and the intermittently available portable computer using a communication path; (b) reaching an agreement between the intermittently available portable computer and the remote management information system on terms of the software metering; (c) activating the application software within the intermittently available portable computer via the communication path, including the following substep; (c.1) specifying to the intermittently available portable computer parameters for the software metering, (d) disconnecting the communication path such that said intermittently available portable computer is no longer connected to said remote management system or to any other device external to said intermittently available portable computer; (e) while the communication path is disconnected, using the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters as specified in substep (c.1); and (f) while the communication path is disconnected, terminating use of the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters specified in substep (c.1). - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A software metering apparatus within an intermittently available portable computer which provides for metering use of software by the intermittently available portable computer comprising:
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a communication path interface for sending and receiving communications from a remote management information system pertaining to the terms of the software metering, thereby reaching an agreement between the intermittently available portable computer and the remote management information system on terms of the software metering, and pertaining to activation of the software, the communication including parameters for software metering; and software metering means, coupled to the communication path interface, responsive to receipt of the communication through the communication path interface, for metering the software in accordance with the parameters for software metering, wherein the communication path interface is not required after the parameters for software metering are established within the intermittently available portable computer, and wherein when said communication path interface is not required, said intermittently available portable computer is no longer connected to said remote management system or to any other device external to said intermittently available portable computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Storage media which stores a program, which when implemented on an intermittently available portable computer implements a software metering apparatus which provides for metering use of software by the intermittently available portable computer, the software metering apparatus comprising:
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a communication path interface for sending and receiving communications from a remote management information system pertaining to the terms of the software metering, thereby reaching an agreement between the intermittently available portable computer and the remote management information system on terms of the software metering, and pertaining to activation of the software, the communication including parameters for software metering; and software metering means, coupled to the communication path interface, responsive to receipt of the communication through the communication path interface, for metering the software in accordance with the parameters for software metering, wherein the communication path interface is not required after the parameters for software metering are established within the intermittently available portable computer, and wherein when said communication path interface is not required, said intermittently available portable computer is no longer connected to said remote management system or to any other device external to said intermittently available portable computer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method which provides for metering use of software by an intermittently available portable computer comprising the following steps:
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(a) sending and receiving communications from a remote management information system, pertaining to the terms of the software metering, and for reaching an agreement between the intermittently available portable computer and the remote management information system pertaining to activation of the software, the communication including parameters for software metering; (b) responsive to receipt of the communication in step (a), metering the software in accordance with the parameters for software metering; (c) disconnecting the communication path such that said intermittently available portable computer is no longer connected to said remote management system or to any other device external to said intermittently available portable computer; (d) while the communication path is disconnected, using the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters as specified in step (a); and
,(e) while the communication path is disconnected, terminating use of the software within the intermittently available portable computer according to the parameters specified in step (a). - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification