Computing device limiting mechanism
First Claim
1. In a computing device, a method comprising:
- establishing a policy defining payment requirements for pay-per-use operation of the computing device;
collecting policy data related to the policy;
detecting that the policy data indicates the computing device is not compliant with policy defining payment requirements;
rebooting the computing device into a limited mode of operation supporting only networking, keyboard/mouse, display and, a provisioning packet download application;
connecting to a provisioning datacenter;
downloading a provisioning packet from the provisioning datacenter, the provisioning packet representing payment related to pay-per-use operation for re-enabling normal operation of the computing device; and
restricting the computing device to remain in the limited mode of operation until the computing device is compliant with the policy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described is a technology by which a computing device is booted into a normal mode of operation or a limited mode of operation, depending on whether the computing device was operating correctly (e.g., with respect to policy) prior to a reboot. The reboot may be forced. Examples of incorrect state include an overdue payment on a leased computer, or improper execution of certain important software. A metering mechanism evaluates the state of the computing device, and when an incorrect state is detected, configures the computing device for operation in the limited mode, by setting the computing device to boot via one boot path (e.g., a limited-mode BIOS) instead of another boot path (e.g., a normal-mode BIOS). A BIOS selector switches to the limited BIOS on the next reboot, wherein the computing device is restricted to the limited mode of operation (regardless of subsequent reboots) until the correct state is restored.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a computing device, a method comprising:
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establishing a policy defining payment requirements for pay-per-use operation of the computing device; collecting policy data related to the policy; detecting that the policy data indicates the computing device is not compliant with policy defining payment requirements; rebooting the computing device into a limited mode of operation supporting only networking, keyboard/mouse, display and, a provisioning packet download application; connecting to a provisioning datacenter; downloading a provisioning packet from the provisioning datacenter, the provisioning packet representing payment related to pay-per-use operation for re-enabling normal operation of the computing device; and restricting the computing device to remain in the limited mode of operation until the computing device is compliant with the policy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a computing device, a system comprising:
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a metering mechanism that observes a state of the computing device after booting with a normal-function BIOS and operation of a full-function operating system with respect to compliance with subscription terms for pay-per-use operation of the computing device, wherein the metering mechanism saves state data about operating mode through a reboot of the computing device; a secure storage for storing a limited operating mode BIOS that, when active, limits operation of the computing device to an update-only mode of operation bypassing use of the normal-function BIOS; and a selector coupled to the metering mechanism to operate the computing device using the normal-function BIOS when the metering mechanism indicates the computing device was operating in a normal operation mode prior to reboot, or to operate the computing device using the limited operating mode BIOS when the metering mechanism indicates that the computing device was operating in a limited operating mode prior to reboot. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification