Topic: Metered Pay-As-You-Go Computing Experience - Patented.

[Nemesis]

Link to full patent

United States Patent Application     20080319910
Kind Code    A1
Duffus; James S. ;   et al.    December 25, 2008

Metered Pay-As-You-Go Computing Experience

Abstract

A computer with scalable performance level components and selectable software and service options has a user interface that allows individual performance levels to be selected. The scalable performance level components may include a processor, memory, graphics controller, etc. Software and services may include word processing, email, browsing, database access, etc. To support a pay-per-use business model, each selectable item may have a cost associated with it, allowing a user to pay for the services actually selected and that presumably correspond to the task or tasks being performed. An administrator may use a similar user interface to set performance levels for each computer in a network, allowing performance and cost to be set according to a user's requirements.

[0067]A catalog 428 may be a listing of the settings available to a user for performance selections, including pricing associated with each setting. For example, a bundle may be presented to the user that includes selections for "Office," "Gaming," and "Browsing." The Office bundle may include word processing and spreadsheet applications, medium graphics performance and two of three processor cores. The Gaming bundle may include no productivity applications but may include 3D graphics support and 3 of 3 processor cores. The Browsing bundle may include no productivity applications, medium graphics performance and high speed network interface.

[0068]Charging for the various bundles may be by bundle and by duration. For example, the Office bundle may be $1.00 per hour, the Gaming bundle may be $1.25 per hour and the Browsing bundle may be $0.80 per hour. The usage charges may be abstracted to "units/hour" to make currency conversions simpler. Alternatively, a bundle may incur a one-time charge that is operable until changed or for a fixed usage period. Other pricing techniques are apparent.

[0069]The catalog 428 may be stored as hypertext markup language (HTML) or in extensible markup language (XML) so that catalog data may be directly displayed to a user using a simple browser interface.

[toasty0]

Does this mean its been awarded?

[Nemesis]

As I understand it the U.S. patent office does not publicize applications until they are granted so that should mean it has been awarded.

[Vipre]

There's also this right below. I read that as the patent application was filed on that date last year and granted Christmas this year.

Assignee Name and Adress: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Redmond
WA

 
Serial No.:  766613
Series Code:  11 
Filed:  June 21, 2007

[toasty0]

Yeah, I read those dates too, but not knowing the patent process all that well I am not sure that the second date could not be a "start of public comment" period or some such similar device.

[Vipre]

Yeah, I read those dates too, but not knowing the patent process all that well I am not sure that the second date could not be a "start of public comment" period or some such similar device.

Good point. The answer turns out to perhaps be on the homepage. Two boxes listed "Issued Patents" and "Patent Applications", guess which this patent is listed under.  (Hint: It doesn't include the word "issued") 

Looks like the Christmas date is possibly just a date of public application announcement. The issued patents database is lagged back to the 23rd though, so if it is the issue date we'll have to wait and see if it's moved over.

[GE-Raven]

Sounds like a brilliant idea.  I mean honestly millions of American's Lease cars so as to avoid the burden of ownership of a tool that only decreases in value.  End result By paying a set fee they get the benefit of more of a vehicle than they would buy, always under warranty, and reliability.  Sounds to me like a perfect model in the business world where IT support eats huge amounts of budget.  So if the model is "for X dollars a week/month/year you get a guaranteed working platform that does all you want and nothing you don't" then I can see a whole lot of interest in the business/education community.  Especially if that price is lower than what they are spending currently.

GE-Raven

[Vipre]

So long as your cost isn't rediculously excessive over the current model. How often do you replace a PC, 3-5 years? If the pay as you go cost exceeds too far beyond what it would cost to just buy and maintain a traditional system outright in that same period it isn't really worth it.