Networked computer system

Abstract

A networked computer system has a plurality of servers and a plurality of distributed clients, which may be devices or computers. Each client has a boot operating system (OS). Upon startup, the boot OS in each client automatically initiates a connection to one of the servers via the Internet. The boot OS can detect the type of medium (e.g., cable modem, DSL) to which the client is connected. The server automatically downloads a base OS and dynamically configures a suite of applications on the client without running the standard installation programs. One included application is an Internet telephony application, allowing a user to plug a standard telephone into the client appliance or computer, pick up the telephone, and automatically dial out using long distance Internet telephony. Optionally, the server may download a plurality of operating systems that are automatically initiated to run concurrently on the client. The clients use a random access memory (RAM) caching technique. A first portion of each OS or application is downloaded at startup and maintained in the client RAM, containing the files needed to launch the OS or application. If the client processes a request for an OS or application program file not in the client's RAM, the requested file is automatically downloaded from the server.

1 . A method for operating a computer system including a server and at least one client, 
 (a) transmitting at least a first portion of a base operating system from the server to the client after startup of the client, the first portion of the base operating system capable of being launched in the client;    (b) automatically tracking a first length of time during which the client runs the base operating system; and    (c) automatically debiting a first account record in the server by a first amount based on the first length of time, the first account record being associated with an owner of the client.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) automatically crediting a second account record by a second amount based on the first length of time, the second account record being associated with a licensor of the base operating system.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of: 
 (e) generating a report identifying total use of the base operating system by the at least one client over a period of time.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the computer system includes a plurality of clients, and step (e) includes identifying, in the report, total use of the base operating system by all of the plurality of clients over the period of time.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of 
 (f) periodically initiating a payment to the licensor based on the total use of the base operating system.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein steps (e) and (f) are performed electronically.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (1) downloading at least a first portion of an application program from the server to the client, the application program capable of being launched in the client from the base operating system;    (2) tracking a second length of time during which the client runs the application program; and    (3) automatically crediting a first application account record associated with an owner of the client by a second amount based on the second length of time.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising automatically crediting a second application account record by a third amount based on the second length of time, the second account record being associated with a licensor of the base operating system.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the system has a plurality of clients, the method further comprising the steps of: 
 (4) generating a report identifying total use of the application program by all of the plurality of clients over a period of time;    (5) periodically, electronically initiating payment to the licensor based on the total use of the application program.    
   
   
       10 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) transmitting executable computer program code and data from the server to the client, the computer program code capable of performing calculations using the data in the client on behalf of a third party;    (b) receiving data from the client representing results of the calculations performed on behalf of the third party;    (c) automatically crediting a second account record in the server by a second amount based on an amount of calculations performed, the second account record being associated with an owner of the client.    
   
   
       11 . The method for operating a computer system including a server and at least one client, comprising the steps of 
 (a) transmitting executable computer program code and data from the server to the client, the computer program code capable of performing calculations using the data in the client on behalf of a third party;    (b) receiving data from the client representing results of the calculations performed on behalf of the third party; and    (c) automatically crediting an account record in the server by an amount based on an amount of calculations performed by the client on behalf of the third party, the account record being associated with an owner of the client.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of automatically debiting a second account record in response to receipt of the data representing results, the second account record being associated with the third party.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of applying the amount credited as an offset against money owed to an owner of the server.