US6532488B1 — Method and system for hosting applications

Claim 1

Independent Claim 138 words

A method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of application kits for a plurality of software applications and creating one or more offerings for each software application contained in an application kit; allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 138 words

A method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of application kits for a plurality of software applications and creating one or more offerings for each software application contained in an application kit; allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein application kit includes executable application files and additional application related data, and wherein the step of creating the offerings comprises creating each offering including at least some of the additional application related data in the application kit and pricing terms for hosting of the application.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of creating the offerings comprises creating each offering including identifying the server upon which the software application may be hosted.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 121 words

A method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and tracking user selections of offerings to establish software application instances.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 121 words

A method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and tracking user selections of offerings to establish software application instances.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 4 , comprising obtaining a key entitling a plurality of user instances and deducting user instances from the key based upon the tracked user instances.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 100 words

A system for hosting software applications comprising: an application warehouse database for storing a plurality of application kits each comprising executable application files for a software application; a storefront server storing a plurality of offerings of software applications stored in the warehouse database; an access system for registering first users initiating hosted software applications and second user invited to join hosted software applications; one or more hosting servers upon each of which is executed a hosted software application selected from the storefront server; an engine for coordinating the processes of registering users and assigning applications to host servers for execution.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 100 words

A system for hosting software applications comprising: an application warehouse database for storing a plurality of application kits each comprising executable application files for a software application; a storefront server storing a plurality of offerings of software applications stored in the warehouse database; an access system for registering first users initiating hosted software applications and second user invited to join hosted software applications; one or more hosting servers upon each of which is executed a hosted software application selected from the storefront server; an engine for coordinating the processes of registering users and assigning applications to host servers for execution.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the access system is operative to generate a key entitling a plurality of user instances.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 7 wherein the access system is operative to deduct user instances from the key based upon selection of hosted software applications.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the access system allows a user to specify one or more invited users.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

The system of claim 9 wherein the access system allows the user to specify whether the one or more invited users is required to pay in order to join the hosted software application.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 10 wherein the access system collects payment from the one or more invited users that are required to pay.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 36 words

The system of claim 9 wherein the access system allows the user to specify an address of the hosting server hosting the hosted software application and transmit the address to the one or more invited users.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of software offerings is based on the application kits stored in the application warehouse.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 13 wherein each application kit includes executable application files, additional application related data, and pricing terms for the software offerings.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of offerings stored on the storefront server comprises pricing terms for use.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 15 wherein the access system receives payment from the first users initiating the hosted software application in accordance with the pricing terms.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 154 words

Computer readable media storing program code, the program code operative to instruct a computer to execute a method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of application kits for a plurality of software applications and creating one or more offerings for each software application contained in an application kit; allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 154 words

Computer readable media storing program code, the program code operative to instruct a computer to execute a method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of application kits for a plurality of software applications and creating one or more offerings for each software application contained in an application kit; allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 57 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 17 , wherein application kit includes executable application files and additional application related data, and wherein the method executed by the computer comprises creating each offering including at least some of the additional application related data in the application kit and pricing terms for hosting of the application.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 34 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 18 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises creating each offering including identifying the server upon which the software application may be hosted.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 17 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises generating a key entitling a plurality of user instances.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 20 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises deducting user instances from the key based upon selection of hosted software programs.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 43 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 17 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises allowing the user to specify whether the one or more invited users is required to pay in order to join the hosted software application.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 33 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 22 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises collecting payment from the one or more invited users that are required to pay.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 46 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 22 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises allowing the user to specify an address of a hosting server hosting the hosted software application and transmitting the address to the one or more invited users.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 17 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises offering the plurality of software offerings based on the application kits stored in an application warehouse.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 39 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 25 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises offering an application kit that includes executable application files, additional application related data, and pricing terms for the software offerings.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 31 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 17 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises providing pricing terms of use for each of the plurality of offerings.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 36 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 27 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises receiving payment from the first users initiating the hosted software application in accordance with the pricing terms.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 137 words

Computer readable media storing program code, the program code operative to instruct a computer to execute a method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and tracking user selections of offerings to establish software application instances.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 137 words

Computer readable media storing program code, the program code operative to instruct a computer to execute a method for allowing users to host a software application on a server accessible to a plurality of users, the software application being simultaneously usable by a plurality of users, the method comprising: allowing a user to select an offering from a plurality of published offerings, the offerings identifying one or more software applications; establishing an instance of the software application identified in the selected offering on the server; allowing the user to specify one or more invited users; sending a message to each of the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; allowing the one or more invited users to join the software application instance; and tracking user selections of offerings to establish software application instances.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 41 words

The computer readable media storing program code of claim 29 , wherein the method executed by the computer comprises obtaining a key entitling a plurality of user instances and deducting user instances from the key based upon the tracked user instances.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-03-10	2006-09-09	2007-03-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-03-10	2010-09-09	2011-03-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-03-10	2014-09-09	2015-03-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and system for hosting applications

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