Pre-paid computer monitoring hardware

US7596671B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Alexander Frank · Bellevue, US
• Jack Creasey · Redmond, US
• Nicholas Temple · Renton, US
• Thomas Phillips · Bellevue, US
• William J. Westerinen · Issaquah, US
• Zhangwei Xu · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2006
• Grant date: Sep 29, 2009
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/3576
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A computer is modified to add a memory management module between a memory controller and memory. The module may control or intercept signals between the memory controller and the memory to disable a portion or all of the computer's normal function. The memory management module may be a discrete device or may be part of the memory controller itself.