Patent ID: 7636780

Claim:
A personal Internet communicator comprising: a processor operable to control the transfer of software files and data files between said personal Internet communicator and a server; a pay monitor operable to control functionality of said software files on a verification list based on subscription status; and an operating system providing a verification process comprising: a database providing a plurality of software files for execution by said processor; a verification file list comprising a list of authorized software files; and a verification module operable to receive a request from an operating system loader for execution of a software file and to compare said requested software file to said authorized software files on said verification file list; wherein: said verification file list is updated according to the subscription status of a user, said subscription status comprises information related to said user's subscription to an Internet service provider, said subscription status of said user is updated by a pay-state module operable to receive subscription status information from an Internet service provider over a communication network, said pay monitor is operable to monitor the connection of said personal Internet communicator to said communication network; and said pay monitor is operable to generate a reduced-functionality control signal to reduce the functionality of a predetermined set of said software files after said personal Internet communicator has been disconnected from the communication network for a first predetermined time period.