Metered Personal Computer Lifecycle
First Claim
1. A method of managing lifecycle states of a metered-use electronic device having a security module adapted to enforce a metered-use state of operation and having operating states to accommodate manufacture, test, operation, and end-of-life, the method comprising:
- setting the security module to a non-metered state at initial manufacture;
setting the security module to an active state after completion of manufacturing and before delivery to an end-user; and
setting the security module to a non-enforcement state responsive to a signal to disable metering.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A metered-use computer is operable in a number of states or modes to accommodate manufacture, test, operation and end-of-life. During manufacturing, a security module may be set to a non-metered mode, where no measurements are taken. At the end of the manufacturing process, the security module may be set to an active mode where metering and measurement of the computer are enforced. When terms of a purchase contract or other user agreement are satisfied, the computer may be set to a non-enforcement state where all metering and metering-related security are disabled. A one-time reset of the active mode is supported to allow end-of-line quality assurance testing.
85 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing lifecycle states of a metered-use electronic device having a security module adapted to enforce a metered-use state of operation and having operating states to accommodate manufacture, test, operation, and end-of-life, the method comprising:
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setting the security module to a non-metered state at initial manufacture; setting the security module to an active state after completion of manufacturing and before delivery to an end-user; and setting the security module to a non-enforcement state responsive to a signal to disable metering. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16)
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6. The method of claim 45 wherein setting the security module to the non-enforcement state comprises permanently disabling metering and any metering-related security enforcement.
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13. A security module for use in a metered-use electronic device comprising:
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a communication port for at least receiving communication from a controller; a processor coupled to the communication port; and a memory coupled to the processor storing operating states and executable code implementing a state machine, the operating states comprising; a non-metered state for use during manufacturing; an active state used to enforce metered operation; and a non-enforcement state for use when metering and security enforcement are permanently disabled.
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17. A method of operating an electronic device configured for metered operation, the electronic device comprising a security module for enforcing operating states, the method comprising:
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operating in a non-metered state during an initial manufacturing phase; operating in an active state following the initial manufacturing phase; and operating in a non-enforcement state after receipt of a message to permanently cease metering and security enforcement. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification