Split personal computer system

• US 7,016,943 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Automated Business Companies
• Original Assignee: Automated Business Companies
• Inventors: Freeny, Charles C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar, Saleh
• Application Number:
  US10/253,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20030078988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/202, 709/212, 709/216, 709/219, 709/217, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104

Abstract

A personal computer system split into a local portion and a remote portion. In one embodiment the remote portion of the split personal computer system is located in a remote location and normally maintained by a network service provider and has personal computer application programs stored thereon that are controlled by the individuals local portion. The remote portion provides one or more personal computer application programs as a service that can be selected by the individual and stores the individuals data after running the personal computer application program selected by the individual. Both the selected program and the individuals data can be accessed upon providing a valid password by the individual. The remote portion has a controller that can collect fees for the application program services provided each individual.

Claims

1. A method for providing a service for connecting a local computer unit to a remote computer unit to permit the local computer unit to operate the remote computer unit, the remote computer unit comprising a personal computer, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a remote system controller on an internet such that the remote system controller is remote from the local computer unit and the remote computer unit;

receiving, by the remote system controller, a valid logon command; and

interfacing, through the remote system controller, the local computer unit with the remote computer unit to permit the local computer unit to operate the remote computer unit wherein an input unit of the local computer unit functions as an input unit of the remote computer unit and a display device of the local computer unit displays output signals from the remote computer unit; and

generating a bill for the service.

2. A method for providing a service for connecting a local computer unit to a remote computer unit to permit the local computer unit to operate the remote computer unit, the remote computer unit comprising a personal computer, the method comprising the steps of:

operating a network control computer that is remote from the local computer unit and the remote computer unit to connect the remote computer unit to the local computer unit permitting the local computer unit to operate the remote computer unit upon receipt of a valid logon command identifying the remote computer unit; and

generating a bill for the service.