1. A method for licensing at least one hardware resource for use by a customer computer, the at least one hardware resource provided by an application service provider (ASP) distinct from the customer computer, the method comprising:
providing licensed units to a customer;
assigning a predetermined number of ASP assigned hardware units to the at least one hardware resource; and
determining whether the customer can utilize the at least one hardware resource based on the licensed units provided to the customer and the ASP assigned hardware units for the assigned to the at least one hardware resource.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning the predetermined number of ASP assigned hardware units further comprises:
assigning ASP assigned hardware units to each of a plurality of hardware resources.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein assigning ASP assigned hardware units to each of the plurality of hardware resources further includes:
assigning different numbers of assigned ASP hardware units to each of at least two distinct hardware resources.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one ASP resource includes a plurality of independently operable processors for simultaneously executing digital content.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one hardware resource is at least one of a processor, data storage component, redundant component, alternative communication path component and a bandwidth component.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning ASP assigned hardware units to the at least one hardware resource further comprises:
varying the number of ASP assigned hardware units assigned to the at least one hardware resource based on at least one of the time of day of use, the day of the week of use, and immediate use of the at least one hardware resource.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the CCN and the ASP provide independently selectable digital content, the method further comprising:
assigning a predetermined number of ASP assigned digital content units to each independently selectable digital content when digital content is run by the application service provider.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
determining whether a requested digital content is to be executed on the at least one hardware resource based on the licensed units provided to the customer and the ASP assigned digital content units for the selected digital content to be executed on the ASP resource.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing licensed units, further comprises:
providing a combined group of licensed units to the customer, the combined group having units useable for both execution of digital content and utilization of ASP hardware resources.
10. The licensing method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing licensed units, further comprises:
providing a first group of units and a second group of units distinct from the first group, the first group having units useable specifically for execution of digital content and the second group having units specifically for utilization of ASP hardware resources.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one hardware resource includes a plurality of hardware resources, the method further comprising:
receiving a request from the customer to utilize at least one of the plurality of hardware resources.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the request to utilize includes at least one of a request to execute selected digital content, a request to store digital content, a request to load digital content, a request to copy digital content, and a request to transfer digital content.
13. For use in a customer computer network (CON) having at least one node capable of executing digital content on at least one of the CCN and an application service provider (ASP), the ASP providing at least one hardware resource, a licensing method comprising:
providing licensed units to a customer;
assigning a predetermined number of ASP assigned hardware units to the at least one hardware resource;
charging a number of checked out units to the CCN based on ASP hardware resources currently being utilized by the customer;
receiving a request to utilize a hardware resource provided by the ASP;
determining a number of available units equal to the difference between the total licensed units to the customer and the total checked out units charged to the CCN; and
determining whether the requested hardware resource is to be utilized based on the difference between the available units on the customer computer network requesting the hardware resource and ASP assigned hardware units of the requested hardware resource.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein assigning the predetermined number of ASP assigned hardware units further comprises:
assigning ASP assigned hardware units to each of a plurality of hardware resources; and
assigning different numbers of assigned ASP hardware units to each of at least two distinct hardware resources.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one ASP resource includes a plurality of independently operable processors for simultaneously executing digital content.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one hardware resource is at least one of a processor, data storage component, redundant component, alternative communication path component and a bandwidth component.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the processor is one of a supercomputer, a central processing unit and a plurality of independently operable central processing units
18. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the CCN and the ASP provide independently selectable digital content, the method further comprising:
assigning a predetermined number of ASP assigned digital content units to each independently selectable digital content when digital content is run by the application service provider.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
determining whether a requested digital content is to be executed on the at least one hardware resource based on the licensed units provided to the customer and the ASP assigned digital content units for the selected digital content to be executed on the ASP resource.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one hardware resource includes a plurality of hardware resources, the method further comprising:
receiving a request from the customer to utilize at least one of the plurality of hardware resources.
21. The method of claim 10, wherein the request to utilize includes at least one of a request to execute selected digital content, a request to store digital content, a request to load digital content, a request to copy digital content, and a request to transfer digital content.
22. For use in a customer computer network having at least one node capable of executing digital content on at least one of the customer computer network (CCN) and an application service provider (ASP) providing at least one hardware resource, a licensing method comprising:
providing licensed units to a customer;
providing independently selectable digital content;
assigning a predetermined number of ASP assigned hardware units to the at least one hardware resource;
charging a number of checked out units to the CCN at least based on ASP hardware resources currently being utilized to run digital content on the ASP;
receiving a request to utilize a hardware resource provided by the ASP to execute a selected digital content;
determining a number of available units equal to the difference between the total licensed units to the customer and the total checked out units charged to the CCN; and
determining whether the requested hardware resource is to be utilized or denied utilization based on the difference between the available units on the customer computer network requesting the hardware resource and the ASP assigned hardware units of the requested hardware resource.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A synchronous semiconductor memory device comprising:
a data output circuit adapted to generate data output up and down signals and to perform a data output operation synchronously to an external clock in response to the data output up and down signals; and
an on-die termination (ODT) circuit adapted to generate ODT up and down signals for performing an ODT operation synchronously to said external clock in response to the ODT up and down signals.
2. The device as claimed in 1, wherein the data output circuit comprises:
a data output multiplexer adapted to multiplexing read data applied from at least one memory cell using at least one clock signal, to generate the data output up and down signals; and
an output driver adapted to perform the data output operation synchronized to the external clock, the output driver comprising,
a pull-up driver, and
a pull-down driver,
wherein the output driver controls an on operation and an off operation of the pull-up driver and the pull-down driver in response to a state of the data output up and down signals.
3. The device as claimed in 1, wherein the ODT circuit comprises an ODT synchronous buffer adapted to receive an ODT command applied in response to a buffered clock signal generated by buffering the external clock, and outputting a synchronous ODT command in response to a first clock signal delay-locked to the external clock.
4. The device as claimed in 3, wherein the ODT circuit further comprises:
an ODT gate adapted to pass through and latch the synchronous ODT command in response to the first clock signal and a second clock signal that has a fixed phase difference with respect to the first clock signal, to generate the ODT up and down signals.
5. The device as claimed in 3, further comprising a delay-locked loop adapted to generate the first clock signal delay-locked to the external clock.
6. The device as claimed in 3, wherein the phase difference between the first and second clock signals is based on a half cycle of the external clock.
7. The device as claimed in 3, wherein the ODT synchronous buffer comprises:
a delay adapted to delay the ODT command for a fixed time;
a first flip-flop adapted to latch an output of the delay in response to the buffered clock signal; and
a second flip-flop adapted to latch an output of the first flip-flop in response to the first clock signal, to generate the synchronous ODT command.
8. The device as claimed in 1, wherein the ODT circuit comprises an ODT driver adapted to perform an ODT driving operation synchronized to the external clock, by controlling an ON operation and an OFF operation of a pull-up resistance and a pull-down resistance in response to a state of the ODT up and down signals.
9. The device as claimed in 8, wherein the ODT driver comprises:
an output pad; and
a plurality of unit drivers, wherein each of said unit drivers comprises,
a pull-up resistance having a first end directly connected to a common node,
a pull-down resistance having a first end directly connected to the common node,
a pull-up transistor having a drain connected to a second end of the pull-up resistance, a source connected to a power voltage, and a gate adapted to respond to the ODT up signal, and
a pull-down transistor having a drain connected to second end of the pull-down resistance, a source connected to a ground voltage, and a gate adapted to respond to the ODT down signal,
wherein the common node of each of the unit drivers is connected to the output pad.
10. The device as claimed in 9, wherein the plurality of unit drivers comprises:
at least two pull-up resistances with different values; and
at least two pull-down resistances with different values.
11. The device as claimed in 1, wherein the ODT circuit comprises an ODT controller adapted to output an up enable signal and a down enable signal in response to an external or internal control signal.
12. The device as claimed in 11, wherein said ODT controller includes at least one fuse for generating an internal control signal.
13. The device as claimed in 11, wherein when said ODT controller outputs the up and down enable signals in response to an external control signal, a mode register set code is externally received.