Method and system including a central computer that assigns tasks to idle workstations using availability schedules and computational capabilities

Abstract

A method and system for assigning tasks to peer-to-peer computers connected via a wide area network. The system includes a central computer and one or more remote computers. The central computer and the remote computers operate in one of a pluralility of relationships, including a subscriber relationship and a contractor relationship. In the subscriber relationship, the central computer determines whether a remote computer still subscribes to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and bills the remote computer accordingly. In the contractor relationship, the central computer polls each remote computer to inquire about the available times when the remote computer is idle and the computational capabilities of the remote computer. The central computer then executes an assignment or scheduling program to assign tasks to idle remote computers for processing. After the idle remote computers finish processing the assigned tasks, the central computer credits a payment to the remote computer. In one embodiment, the remote computer disconnects from the network while processing the assigned task and periodically reconnects to transmit status reports to the central computer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.