Method and system for delivering application packages based on user demands

Abstract

A method and a system are provided for delivering on-demand software packages. In one aspect, the method may include subscribing services of a service provider operating a server, the server including an operating system and several application packages installed therein, initiating a client terminal by performing a network booting process using the operating system installed in the server, and executing in the client terminal a subscribed application package installed in the server using resources of the operating system resident in the client terminal. The method may further include charging the user a fee according to the application packages and the operating system subscribed by the user.

1 . A method, comprising:
 subscribing services of a service provider operating a server, the server including an operating system and a plurality of application packages installed therein;   initiating a client terminal by performing a network booting process using the operating system installed in the server; and   executing in the client terminal a subscribed application package installed in the server using resources of the operating system resident in the client terminal.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the services comprise licenses to use the operating system and the application packages installed in the server. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the services comprise rights to use a storage unit of the server for storing user data in the storage unit. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising saving, into the storage unit, a data file generated from executing the subscribed application package. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising retrieving, from the storage unit, a data file previously generated in the executed subscribed application package. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the services comprise output services. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising outputting the data file through an output unit of the server. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising backing up the storage unit by storing the user data into a recording medium. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network booting process comprises:
 associating the client terminal with a communication network via an access point to communicate with the server of the service provider; and   initiating the client terminal using the operating system installed in the server, the operating system being subscribed by a user of the client terminal.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the access point comprises a wireless access point. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the communication network comprises a wireless communication network or an intranet. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing to the client terminal a list of application packages installed in the server, the list including application packages subscribed by a user; and   selecting from the list an application package to be executed on the client terminal.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising updating the list of application packages by subscribing an additional application package or by unsubscribing a currently subscribed application package. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising charging the user a fee according to the list of application packages the user subscribed and according to the operating system the user subscribed. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein charging the user comprises periodically billing the user. 
   
   
       16 . A method, comprising:
 initiating a client terminal using an operating system installed in a server, the client terminal accessing the server through a communication network via an access point;   providing to the client terminal a list of subscribed application packages, the subscribed application packages being installed in the server;   selecting an application package from the list;   executing the selected application package on the client terminal using resources of the operating system resident in the client terminal; and   charging the user of the client terminal a fee by the service provider according to the list of application packages the user subscribed.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising updating the list of application packages by subscribing an additional application package or by unsubscribing a currently subscribed application package. 
   
   
       18 . A system, comprising:
 means for initiating a client terminal using an operating system installed in a server, the client terminal accessing the server through a communication network via an access point;   means for providing to the client terminal a list of subscribed application packages, the subscribed application packages being installed in the server;   means for selecting an application package from the list;   means for executing the selected application package on the client terminal using resources of the operating system resident in the client terminal; and   means for charging the user of the client terminal a fee by the service provider according to the list of application packages the user subscribed.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising means for updating the list of application packages by subscribing an additional application package or by unsubscribing a currently subscribed application package.