Networked computer system

Abstract

A networked computer system has a plurality of servers and a plurality of distributed clients, which may be devices or computers. Each client has a boot operating system (OS). Upon startup, the boot OS in each client automatically initiates a connection to one of the servers via the Internet. The boot OS can detect the type of medium (e.g., cable modem, DSL) to which the client is connected. The server automatically downloads a base OS and dynamically configures a suite of applications on the client without running the standard installation programs. One included application is an Internet telephony application, allowing a user to plug a standard telephone into the client appliance or computer, pick up the telephone, and automatically dial out using long distance Internet telephony. Optionally, the server may download a plurality of operating systems that are automatically initiated to run concurrently on the client. The clients use a random access memory (RAM) caching technique. A first portion of each OS or application is downloaded at startup and maintained in the client RAM, containing the files needed to launch the OS or application. If the client processes a request for an OS or application program file not in the client's RAM, the requested file is automatically downloaded from the server.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications generally, and more specifically to networked computer systems including server processors and thin clients. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0002] In recent years, acceptance of computer technology and use by both consumer and commercial customers has been greatly hindered by several factors relating to maintenance and difficulty of configuring computer software and hardware. Traditionally, both private and commercial users of computers have been plagued by maintenance and configuration problems that have required the attention of an on-site technician. For commercial users of computers and software, this tends to be a tremendous addition to the cost of doing business and clearly affects the rate at which many companies can grow and ultimately compete in industry. For consumers, the need for expert assistance in maintaining and installing software and hardware used for household computing ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In recent years, acceptance of computer technology and use by both consumer and commercial customers has been greatly hindered by several factors relating to maintenance and difficulty of configuring computer software and hardware.

Traditionally, both private and commercial users of computers have been plagued by maintenance and configuration problems that have required the attention of an on-site technician.

For commercial users of computers and software, this tends to be a tremendous addition to the cost of doing business and clearly affects the rate at which many companies can grow and ultimately compete in industry.

For consumers, the need for expert assistance in maintaining and installing software and hardware used for household computing is rather intimidating and thus inhibits the average consumer's ability to fully use currently available technologies.

The high price of PCs (personal computers) and software is also a factor in discouraging complete market penetration and subsequent use of the latest available technologies on both commercial and consumer fronts.

At the same time, software companies' inability to protect proprietary programs and affordably distribute and support their products negatively impacts their bottom line profitability, thus slowing the advance of new technologies.

Software pirating is a rampant problem worldwide, and international law has not yet given software development companies the tools they need to effectively discourage the most significant overseas offenders.

The advent of writable CD ROMs has made software copying a more threatening problem than ever before, both in the US and abroad.

While this has resulted in the ability of individuals and industry to greatly reduce their long distance phone bills, the complicated configuration issues surrounding this technology have contributed to low levels of market penetration.

In addition, many implementations are substandard and have led to customer dissatisfaction.

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