Verified computing environment for personal internet communicator

• US 20070027988A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Lavin, Jeffrey, Deobald, Martyn
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/51 at application loading time, e.g. accepting, rejecting, starting or inhibiting executable software based on integrity or source reliability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A method and apparatus of the present invention provides a verified computing environment for a personal Internet communicator. In various embodiments of the invention, the functionality of software files on a personal Internet communicator can be modified based on the Pay-State of the user. Upon a request to load a particular software package, the verification module uses a verification file list containing approved software packages and also uses the pay status of the user to determine which software packages can be executed. The personal Internet communicator is operable to provide limited functionality of certain software packages based on a first pay state and to offer no functionality based on a second pay state, such as the situation where a user has discontinued the use of internet service.

Claims

1. A personal Internet communicator comprising:

a data processor operable to control the transfer of software files and data files between said personal Internet communicator and a server; and

an operating system providing a verification process comprising;

a database providing a plurality of software files for execution by said processor;

a verification file list comprising a list of authorized software files; and

a verification module operable to receive a request from an operating system loader for execution of a software file and to compare said requested software file to authorized software files on said verification file list.

2. The personal Internet communicator of claim 1, wherein said verification list is updated according to the subscription status of a user.

3. The personal Internet communicator of claim 2, wherein said subscription status of said user is updated by a pay-state module operable to receive subscription status information from an Internet service provider over a communication network.

4. The personal Internet communicator of claim 3, further comprising a pay monitor operable to control functionality of said software files on said verification list based on said subscription status.

5. The personal Internet communicator of claim 4, wherein said pay monitor uses said subscription status to provide maximum functionality for a predetermined set of said software files.

6. The personal Internet communicator of claim 4, wherein said pay monitor uses said subscription status to provide limited functionality for a predetermined set of said software files.

7. The personal Internet communicator of claim 4, wherein said pay monitor uses said subscription status to eliminate functionality of said predetermined set of said software files.

8. The personal Internet communicator of claim 4, wherein said pay monitor is operable to monitor the connection of said personal Internet communicator to said communication network.

9. The personal Internet communicator of claim 8, wherein said pay monitor is operable to generate a reduced-functionality control signal to reduce the functionality of a predetermined set of said software files after said personal Internet communicator has been disconnected from the communication network for a first predetermined time period.

10. The personal Internet communicator of claim 9, wherein said pay monitor is operable to generate a control signal to eliminate the functionality of a predetermined set of said software files after said personal Internet communicator has been disconnected from the communication network for a second predetermined time period.

11. A method of controlling execution of software files on a personal Internet communicator comprising:

using a data processor to control the transfer of software files and data files between said personal Internet communicator and a server;

using an operating system to provide a verification process comprising;

using a database to store a plurality of software files for execution by said processor;

providing a verification file list comprising a list of authorized software files; and

using a verification module to receive a request from an operations system loader for execution of a software file and to compare said requested software file to authorized software files on said verification file list.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said verification list is updated according to the subscription status of a user.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

using a pay-state module to receive subscription status information from an Internet service provider and to provide updated pay-state information to a pay monitor module.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

using said pay monitor to control functionality of said software files on said verification list based on said subscription status.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said pay monitor uses said subscription status to provide maximum functionality for a predetermined set of said software files.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said pay monitor uses said subscription status to provide limited functionality for a predetermined set of said software files.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said pay monitor uses said subscription status to eliminate functionality of said predetermined set of said software files.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said pay monitor is operable to monitor the connection of said personal Internet communicator to said communication network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said pay monitor is operable to generate a reduced-functionality control signal to reduce the functionality of a predetermined set of said software files after said personal Internet communicator has been disconnected from the communication network for a first predetermined time period.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said pay monitor is operable to generate a control signal to eliminate the functionality of a predetermined set of said software files after said personal Internet communicator has been disconnected from the communication network for a second predetermined time period.