Abstract: An electronic device can be locked and secured by activating a hardware locking mechanism on the device. The locking mechanism is controlled by a locking policy that is defined and implemented from the client side. If the locking mechanism is activated, then the device operates in a limited mode of operation instead of in a normal mode of operation. The locking mechanism can be deactivated, placing the device into the normal mode of operation, when a specified condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring data presentation is measured for authenticity and accuracy using a cryptographic capability. The data may include both presentation data and metadata related to measuring and reporting results of outputting the presentation data. After measurement, the presentation data may be presented to an output device. The output device may be a display, a sound device or other computer output. Related statistics may be collected, for example, user identity, computer identity, time, duration, and interference from other sources. In the case of displayed presentation data, unblocked viewing area, and presentation data area size may also be collected. In an exemplary embodiment, the presence of a user and/or user interaction with the presentation data may be recorded and reported. The recorded data may be securely reported to a participating host or server, by a secure channel and/or by signing and/or encrypting.

Abstract: A dynamic software provisioning system allows provisioning software on a number of different computing devices based upon a desired business process. The dynamic software provisioning system allows a user to request usage of the operating system for a specific period of time, for a specific amount of usage, or in any other desired manner from an operating system provisioning service or from a third party. The provisioning service processes the request from the user or from the third party to provision the use of the operating system and in response to the request provisions use of the operating system for a specific device specified by the request. The dynamic software activation system also includes a local provisioning module located on the device using the operating system, wherein the local provisioning module activates and deactivates the operating system based on instructions received from the provisioning service.

Abstract: An electronic device can be locked and secured by activating a hardware locking mechanism on the device. The locking mechanism is controlled by a locking policy that is defined and implemented from the client side. If the locking mechanism is activated, then the device operates in a limited mode of operation instead of in a normal mode of operation. The locking mechanism can be deactivated, placing the device into the normal mode of operation, when a specified condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Techniques are described which provide an independent computation environment. The independent computation environment is contained at least in part in a set of one or more hardware components and configured to host a provisioning module that is executable to provision functionality of the computing device according to a wide variety of factors. In an implementation, when the provisioning module determines that particular functionality is referenced in an inclusion list, the computing device is permitted to access the particular functionality. When the provisioning module determines that the particular functionality is referenced in an exclusion list, the computing device is prevented from accessing the particular functionality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assuring delivery of paid advertising to a user may involve asking a question about an advertisement or requiring data about the advertisement to be entered. In one embodiment, a human presence indicator, such as stylized letters, may be displayed during or after the presentation of an advertisement to be copied by a user to indicate presence during the advertisement. When the challenge relating to ad viewing is correctly answered, a value associated with viewing the ad may be credited to a user account, either locally or at a clearinghouse or other repository.

Abstract: An application program interface (API) for sending and receiving batches of requests and responses has a batch request call for exchanging one or more request items between a provider system and a subscription system and a batch response call for exchanging corresponding responses between the provider system and the subscription system. Requests are grouped according to an extensible markup language schema and responses are grouped according to another extensible markup language schema.

Abstract: A pay-per-use or pay-as-you-go computer uses a secure memory to store individual unique program identifiers. Each unique program identifier is associated with a particular hardware or software component, or service, or the entire computer available to a user. By combining the unique program identifier with a computer hardware identifier uniquely identified transactions may be tracked for both billing and reconciliation. Certificates associated with each unique program identifier, and coupled to the hardware identifier, provide a cryptographic basis for mutual verification of messages, requests, configuration instructions, and provisioning.

Abstract: A computer participates in a system for licensing use in a metered fashion using individual licenses cryptographically linked to the computer and a particular service provider or underwriter. The computer may have a cryptographic unit, secure memory, sanction and metering functions as part of a secure execution environment for enabling metered operation and conformance to a security policy. Payment for licenses may be made through a payment system with licenses generated at a server with access to cryptographic functions for verification of requests, certificate/key pair generation, and signing licenses.

Abstract: A processing unit for use in an electronic device includes standard instruction processing and communication interfaces and also includes functional capability in addition to or in place of those found in an operating system. A secure memory within the processing unit may contain a hardware identifier, policy data, and subsystem functions such as a secure clock, policy management, and policy enforcement. Data in functions within the secure memory are not accessible from outside the processing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assuring delivery of paid advertising to a user may involve asking a question about an advertisement or requiring data about the advertisement to be entered. In one embodiment, a human presence indicator, such as stylized letters, may be displayed during or after the presentation of an advertisement to be copied by a user to indicate presence during the advertisement. When the challenge relating to ad viewing is correctly answered, a value associated with viewing the ad may be credited to a user account, either locally or at a clearinghouse or other repository.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring data presentation is measured for authenticity and accuracy using a cryptographic capability. The data may include both presentation data and metadata related to measuring and reporting results of outputting the presentation data. After measurement, the presentation data may be presented to an output device. The output device may be a display, a sound device or other computer output. Related statistics may be collected, for example, user identity, computer identity, time, duration, and interference from other sources. In the case of displayed presentation data, unblocked viewing area, and presentation data area size may also be collected. In an exemplary embodiment, the presence of a user and/or user interaction with the presentation data may be recorded and reported. The recorded data may be securely reported to a participating host or server, by a secure channel and/or by signing and/or encrypting.

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: Computer executable modules and an associated method for delivering computer resources using an advertising based model may use a local database of advertisements and locally collected user profile data for selecting targeted advertisements for delivery to a user. A user may be allowed to select what or how much user profile information to share with an advertising provider. The local database of advertisements may then be downloaded corresponding to the amount of user profile data shared. For example, when less user profile data is shared a larger database of advertisements may be downloaded. The advertising database may also be attached to a software update. Presentation of targeted ads may be verified and reported to an advertising provider allowing revenue-sharing to compensate the computer resource provider.

Abstract: A dynamic software provisioning system allows provisioning software on a number of different computing devices based upon a desired business process. The dynamic software provisioning system allows a user to request usage of the operating system for a specific period of time, for a specific amount of usage, or in any other desired manner from an operating system provisioning service or from a third party. The provisioning service processes the request from the user or from the third party to provision the use of the operating system and in response to the request provisions use of the operating system for a specific device specified by the request. The dynamic software activation system also includes a local provisioning module located on the device using the operating system, wherein the local provisioning module activates and deactivates the operating system based on instructions received from the provisioning service.

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: A system and method for monitoring a computer, particularly a pay-per-use computer, uses an isolated computing environment or supervisor. The isolated computing environment boots prior to any boot device associated with an operating system, runs concurrently with the operating system and monitors and measures the computer in operation. Once the isolated computing environment determines the computer is not in compliance with the required policies, the isolated computing environment may either impose an impediment to use such as slowing clock speed or completely disable the operating system. The user may have to return the computer to a service provider to restore it from the offending condition and reset the computer to an operational state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to distribute a network security service is disclosed. The security software may be distributed across nodes on a network and may use a separate security device that has two channels, one to review network traffic and a second to send updates to other security devices.