Technologies for providing hardware subscription models using pre-boot update mechanism
US10282538B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 2014 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2149
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Technologies to enable, disable and control hardware subscription features. Computing devices communicate over a network to a subscription server to provide hardware platform information for each of the computing devices. As the subscription server receives hardware platform information, the subscription server determines the hardware features that are enabled, and further determines what hardware subscription options are available for each of the computing devices. When a hardware subscription option is selected/purchased by a computing device, subscription server provides a pre-boot update mechanism, such as a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) capsule, to act as a boot level program that enables hardware features on the computing device. Hardware subscription features are also securely protected using cryptographic engine modules.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.