Business method for pay-as-you-go computer and dynamic differential pricing

Abstract

A system for supplying computers with little or no upfront payment has a service provider, a computer, and an optional funding account. The computer is adapted to render itself substantially useless unless provisioned by the service provider. The service provider has a capability to collect funds from the user and to provide the data necessary for continued operation of the computer. Cryptographic means may be employed to generate and receive the data necessary for continued operation of the computer. The computer's self-imposed sanctions may include slowed operation, reduced graphics capability, limited communication, and limited access to peripherals.

1 . A method for supplying a computer comprising: 
 providing a computer, the computer comprising a resource;    providing at least one usage plan;    providing data for provisioning a value balance in the computer;    providing a usage metric corresponding to use of the resource, allowing the resource to consume the value balance according to the usage plan.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage plan comprises actual use of the resource.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the usage plan comprises unlimited use of the resource for a period of calendar time.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer further comprises a trusted computing base.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a payment for use of the computer, wherein the receiving the payment for use of the computer occurs prior to providing data for provisioning the usage metric.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a payment for use of the computer, wherein the receiving the payment for use of the computer occurs after providing data for provisioning the usage metric.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising validating the data to be authentic.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing data for provisioning the usage metric comprises one of providing a digitally signed data packet, providing a pre-paid token, and providing a digitally signed alpha-numeric sequence.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the usage plan further comprises selecting the usage plan from a plurality of usage plans.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the usage plan further comprises downloading the usage plan from a host computer.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consuming the usage metric further comprises consuming the usage metric at a variable rate according to a usage pattern specified in the usage plan.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resource is one of a storage devices  406   408 , input/output devices  410   412 , communications  414 , application programs or application data stored in memory  404 , or media content  
   
   
       13 . A method of enabling use of a computer, the computer comprising a resource, a metering module, and a communications capability for receiving a provisioning packet, the method comprising: 
 receiving a request to provide the provisioning packet;    confirming a payment capability;    preparing the provisioning packet; and    sending the provisioning packet to the computer.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the confirming a payment capability further comprises confirming the payment capability at a funding account.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the confirming a payment capability further comprises confirming the payment capability by authenticating a code.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 collecting a payment from one of a funding account and a clearinghouse.    
   
   
       17 . A computer configured for pay-per-use operation comprising: 
 a resource supporting a function of the computer;    a metering module coupled to the resource, the metering module for monitoring the use of the resource; and    a circuit, coupled to the metering module and the resource, wherein the circuit limits an operation of the computer responsive to the metering module.    
   
   
       18 . The computer of  claim 17 , further comprising a provisioning circuit for accepting a provisioning message for resetting the metering module.  
   
   
       19 . The computer of  claim 18 , wherein the provisioning message comprises a digitally signed message.  
   
   
       20 . The computer of  claim 17 , wherein the metering module compares a current value against a limit.  
   
   
       21 . The computer of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a secure memory; and    a usage plan stored in the secure memory wherein the metering module triggers the circuit corresponding to a meter value and the usage plan.    
   
   
       22 . The computer of  claim 21 , wherein the secure memory stores a plurality of usage plans.  
   
   
       23 . The computer of  claim 21 , wherein a rate of change of the meter value varies with a usage level.  
   
   
       24 . The computer of  claim 23 , wherein the usage level corresponds to one of a usage frequency and a usage duration.  
   
   
       25 . The computer of  claim 17 , wherein the resource comprises one of a memory, a communication device, a computational component, and a display component.  
   
   
       26 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising: 
 recording use of a first resource;    comparing the use of the first resource against a first limit; and    limiting a function of a second resource when the use of the first resource reaches the first limit.    
   
   
       27 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 26 , having further computer-executable instructions wherein the first resource is the same as the second resource.  
   
   
       28 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 26 , having further computer-executable instructions for comparing the use of the first resource against a second limit.  
   
   
       29 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 26 , having further computer-executable instructions for sending a message when the use of the first resource reaches the second limit.  
   
   
       30 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 26 , having further computer-executable instructions for receiving a signal, the signal resetting a usage value of the first resource.  
   
   
       31 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 26 , having further computer-executable instructions for recording the use of the first resource at a rate set by a usage plan.