Maintaining and managing metering data for a subsidized computer
US7359807B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/0014
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for saving, retrieving, and adjusting metering data uses information about the period between saves of the metering data to non-volatile memory and other information, for example, a number of recovery events experienced by the computer. The retrieved metering data may be adjusted according to the number of recovery events so that more frequent power interruptions cause metering data adjustments to favor a service provider. The time between data saves may be altered to increase the difficulty of timing attacks. Information about the time between saves, or the period of the save cycle, may also be stored with the metering data for use in the metering data restoration process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.