Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Nicholas Temple

Alexander Frank

Zhangwei Xu

William Jefferson Westerinen

Kurt Jenkins

Thomas G Phillips

Curt Andrew Steeb

David Michael Lane

Martin D Hall

Jack Creasey

Rajagopal Venkatachalam

James Duffus

Shon Schmidt

Isaac P Ahdout

Thomas Patrick Lennon

Thomas C Phillips

A system and method for monitoring a computer, particularly a pay-per-use computer, uses an isolated computing environment or supervisor. The isolated computing environment boots prior to any boot device associated with an operating system, runs concurrently with the operating system and monitors and measures the computer in operation. Once the isolated computing environment determines the computer is not in compliance with the required policies, the isolated computing environment may either impose an impediment to use such as slowing clock speed or completely disable the operating system. The user may have to return the computer to a service provider to restore it from the offending condition and reset the computer to an operational state.

Special PC mode entered upon detection of undesired state

A method having a socket for coupling signals between an electrical component and a circuit board or equivalent has a mechanism that, when activated, attaches the electrical component to the socket so that it is not possible to remove the electrical component without damaging it. The mechanism may include a clamshell lid with a one-time locking mechanism, a pin contact mechanism that, after initial locking, will detach the pins of the electrical component if further disturbed, or a moat around the base of the electrical component for disposing an epoxy fastener. The moat may include a heating element to cure the epoxy or other glue. The socket may include an electrical component that allows detection of tampering with the socket.

Method and apparatus for enhanced packaging for PC security

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.

Pre-paid computer monitoring hardware

Growing community of inventors

Renton, WA, United States of America

Nicholas Temple