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.

Abstract: A computer is configured for pay-per-use or prepaid operation using internally stored value that may be directed to various aspects of the computer's operation, for example, printing or use of a particular application program. The value used may be logged and that information may be transferred to a host where individual service providers may be compensated for purchases made on the computer according to usage. The user may be presented with payment options such as single use or subscription for a given local purchase decision. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic segmentation module with an open architecture that automatically generates a contour of a target bone based on a digital image. In one embodiment, the digital image can include an extremity, such as a hand with three digits and a calibration wedge. The automatic segmentation module receives the digital image as an input, and automatically segments the target bone by utilizing an object-oriented approach. This approach extracts intermediate target objects and uses these intermediate target objects to refine or limit the search space in order to extract the final target object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring bone density in a body part. The method and apparatus receive and process a digital image that includes at least one digit, a calibration wedge, and a target bone to compute the density of the target bone. Based on the digital image, a contour for the digit and the target bone are automatically extracted and displayed for the user. A user is then provided an opportunity to input information via an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The contour of the target bone is then automatically re-computed based on the user input. Then, the bone mineral density of the target bone is computed based on the re-computed contour of the target bone.