Global network computers
First Claim
1. A system for a network of computers, comprising:
- at least two personal computers;
means for providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to be provided to said at least two personal computers within said network;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available temporarily to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when directed by a corresponding personal user, to function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
means for said at least one other of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available to function temporarily as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
means for said at least two personal computers to alternate as directed between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention generally relates to one or more computer networks having computers like personal computers or network servers with microprocessors linked by broadband transmission means and having hardware, software, firmware, and other means such that at least one parallel processing operation occurs that involve at least two computers in the network. More particularly, this invention relates to one or more large networks composed of smaller networks and large numbers of computers connected, like the Internet, wherein more than one separate parallel processing operation involving more than one different set of computers occurs simultaneously and wherein ongoing processing linkages can be established between virtually any microprocessors of separate computers connected to the network. Still more particularly, this invention relates to business arrangements enabling the shared used of network microprocessors for parallel and other processing, wherein personal computer owners provide microprocessor processing power to a network, preferably for parallel processing, in exchange for network linkage to other personal and other computers supplied by network providers, including linkage to other microprocessors for parallel or other processing; the basis of the exchange between owners and providers being whatever terms to which the parties agree, subject to governing laws, regulations, or rules, including payment from either party to the other based on periodic measurement of net use or provision of processing power.
147 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for a network of computers, comprising:
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at least two personal computers;
means for providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to be provided to said at least two personal computers within said network;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available temporarily to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when directed by a corresponding personal user, to function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
means for said at least one other of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available to function temporarily as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
means for said at least two personal computers to alternate as directed between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for a network of computers, comprising:
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at least two personal computers;
means for providing network services including browsing functions and shared computer processing including parallel processing, to be provided to said at least two personal computers within said network;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available temporarily to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
a monitor, constructed and arranged to monitor on a net basis, a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers;
means for maintaining a standard cost basis for a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers or to a personal user;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when directed by a corresponding personal user, to function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
means for said at least one other of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available to function temporarily as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
means for said at least two personal computers to alternate as directed between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation;
at least one of said computers including at least two microprocessors and having a connection with said network of computers;
a firewall for said at least two personal computers to limit access by said network to only a portion of hardware, software, firmware, and other components of said at least two personal computers, wherein;
said firewall will not permit access by said network to at least one of said microprocessors, which include means for functioning as a master microprocessor to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other microprocessor, including means for functioning as a slave microprocessor, said firewall permitting access by said network to said slave microprocessor, and each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for a network of at least two processors, comprising:
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said at least two processors;
means for providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to be provided to said at least two processors within said network;
means for at least one of said at least two processors, when idled, to be made available temporarily to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
means for at least one of said at least two processors, when directed, to function temporarily as a master processor to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two processors in said network;
means for said at least one other of said at least two processors, when idled, to be made available to function temporarily as at least one slave processor to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master processor; and
means for said at least two processors to alternate as directed between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein each of said at least one slave processor consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave processor at a lower processing level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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15. A system for a network of computers, comprising:
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at least two personal computers, wherein at least one of said at least two personal computers comprises a PC microprocessor with a slave microprocessor;
means for providing network services including browsing functions and shared computer processing including parallel processing, to be provided to said at least two personal computers within said network;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available temporarily to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
a monitor, constructed and arranged to monitor on a net basis, a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers;
means for maintaining a standard cost basis for a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers or to a personal user;
means for at least one of said at least two personal computers, when directed by a corresponding personal user, to function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
means for said at least one other of said at least two personal computers, when idled, to be made available to function temporarily as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
means for said at least two personal computers to alternate as directed between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation;
a firewall for said at least two personal computers to limit access by said network to only a portion of hardware, software, firmware, and other components of said at least two personal computers, wherein;
said firewall will not permit access by said network to at least one of said microprocessors, which include means for functioning as a master microprocessor to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other microprocessor, including means for functioning as a slave microprocessor, said firewall permitting access by said network to said slave microprocessor, and each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level.
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20. A system for a network of at least two processors, comprising:
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said at least two processors;
means for providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to be provided to said at least two processors within said network;
means for at least one of said at least two processors, when idled, to be made available temporarily to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
means for at least one of said at least two processors, when directed, to function temporarily as a master processor to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two processors in said network;
means for said at least one other of said at least two processors, when idled, to be made available to function temporarily as at least one slave processor to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master processor; and
means for said at least two processors to alternate as directed between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein at least one of said at least two processors is located within an automobile and is connected to said network.
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21. A method comprising:
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providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to at least two personal computers within a network;
making at least one of said at least two personal computers available, when idled, to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
making at least one of said at least two personal computers, when directed by a corresponding personal user, function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
making said at least one other of said at least two personal computers available, when idled, to function temporarily as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
alternating said at least two personal computers, as directed, between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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25. A method comprising:
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providing network services including browsing functions and shared computer processing including parallel processing, to at least two personal computers within a network;
making at least one of said at least two personal computers available, when idled, to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
monitoring, on a net basis, a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers;
maintaining a standard cost basis for a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers or to a personal user;
making at least one of said at least two personal computers available, when directed by a corresponding personal user, to function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
making said at least one other of said at least two personal computers available, when idled, to function as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
alternating said at least two personal computers, as directed, between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation;
limiting access by said network to only a portion of hardware, software, firmware, and other components of said at least two personal computers, wherein;
said limiting will not permit access by said network to at least one of said microprocessors, said limiting permitting access by said network to at least one other of said microprocessors, and each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level.
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29. A method comprising:
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providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to at least two processors within a network;
making at least one of said at least two processors available, when idled, to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
making at least one of said at least two processors available, when directed, to function temporarily as a master processor to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two processors in said network;
making said at least one other of said at least two processors available, when idled, to function temporarily as at least one slave processor to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master processor; and
alternating said at least two processors, as directed, between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein each of said at least one slave processor consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave processor at a lower processing level.
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35. A method comprising:
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providing network services including browsing functions and shared computer processing including parallel processing, to at least two personal computers within a network, at least one of said at least two personal computers comprising a PC microprocessor with a slave microprocessor;
making at least one of said at least two personal computers available, when idled, to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
monitoring, on a net basis, a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers;
maintaining a standard cost basis for a provision of said network services to each of said at least two personal computers or to a personal user;
making at least one of said at least two personal computers available, when directed by a corresponding personal user, to function temporarily as a master personal computer to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two personal computers in said network;
making said at least one other of said at least two personal computers available, when idled, to function temporarily as at least one slave personal computer to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master personal computer; and
alternating said at least two personal computers, as directed, between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation;
limiting access to said at least two personal computers by said network to only a portion of hardware, software, firmware, and other components of said at least two personal computers, wherein;
said limiting will not permit access by said network to at least one of said microprocessors, said limiting permitting access by said network to said slave microprocessor, and each of said at least one slave personal computer consolidates or passes through results sent from another slave personal computer at a lower processing level.
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40. A method comprising:
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providing network services and shared computer processing, including parallel processing, to at least two processors within a network;
making at least one of said at least two processors available, when idled, to provide said shared computer processing to said network;
making at least one of said at least two processors available, when directed, to function temporarily as a master processor to initiate and control execution of a computer processing operation shared with at least one other of said at least two processors in said network;
making said at least one other of said at least two processors available, when idled, to function temporarily as at least one slave processor to participate in an execution of a shared computer processing operation controlled by said master processor; and
alternating said at least two processors, as directed, between functioning as a master and functioning as a slave in said shared computer processing operation, wherein at least one of said at least two processors is located within an automobile and is connected to said network.
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Specification