Software Usage Controlled by CPU Utilization

摘要

A data processing apparatus has a data processor manager that checks and updates the credit account that is associated with the usage of a software application at the apparatus. The processor manager determines whether or not to proceed with execution of the software application dependent on the number of processor cycles left in the credit account. If the number of processor cycles in the account falls below a predetermined threshold, the software application is barred from being executed further. The user then can replenish the account by means of purchasing or otherwise obtaining further credits in terms of processor cycles for spending on the future execution of the software application. In this manner, a scenario is implemented for a business model based on prepaid software wherein the user pays exactly for the actual usage in terms of processor cycles.