Methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to restricted-access databases

• US 20030088567A1
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Gonzales, Michael Rosenfelt
• Original Assignee: Mark Gonzales, Michael Rosenfelt
• Inventors: Rosenfelt, Michael, Gonzales, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/322,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20030088567A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

Methods for of providing computer systems bundled with access to restricted-access databases. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier that allows access to a restricted-access database via a computer communication network; and providing the computer system to a user. The user is not required to pay use fees, or seek out a suitable information supplier, thereby improving user satisfaction and productivity. In an alternate embodiment, a method includes providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access database. In another embodiment, a method includes generating the restricted-access database. Alternately, the generating of the restricted-access database may include storing educational information on a storage device, or transmitting an approximately real-time audio-visual signal. In another embodiment, a method includes updating the restricted-access database. In yet another embodiment, a method includes receiving an access identifier signal via the communication network, and comparing the access identifier signal with the authorized access identifier. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving a selection signal from the user indicative of a desired information, and transmitting the desired information to the user. In a further embodiment, a method includes obtaining access rights to a restricted-access database from an educational information supplier; and providing a computer system with an access identifier that allows a user to access the restricted-access database via a communication network.

Claims

1. A method of providing a computer user with access to a restricted-access database, comprising:

providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier that allows access to the restricted-access database via a communication network; and

providing the computer system to a user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access database via the communication network.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the restricted-access database from an educational information supplier.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the restricted-access database.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein generating the restricted-access database comprises storing educational information on a storage device.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein generating the restricted-access database comprises transmitting an approximately real-time audio-visual signal.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the restricted-access database.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an access identifier signal via the communication network, and comparing the access identifier signal with the authorized access identifier.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a selection signal from the user indicative of a desired information, and transmitting the desired information to the user.

10. A method of providing access to educational data in a restricted-access educational information database, comprising:

providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier;

providing rights to access a restricted-access database of educational information accessible via a communication network using the authorized access identifier;

receiving an identifier input signal via the communication network;

comparing the identifier input signal with the authorized access identifier;

allowing access to the restricted-access educational information database when the identifier input signal matches the authorized access identifier;

receiving a selection signal indicating a desired educational data; and

transmitting the desired educational data via the communication network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access educational information database via the communication network.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising obtaining the restricted-access educational information database from an educational information supplier.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating the restricted-access educational information database.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising updating the restricted-access educational information database.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the educational information in the restricted-access database is limited to information about the computer system.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the educational information in the restricted-access database is limited to information about a particular supplier'"'"'s product.

17. A method of providing a computer user with access to a restricted-access database, comprising:

obtaining access rights to the restricted-access database from an information supplier; and

providing the computer system with an access identifier that allows the user to access the restricted-access database via a communication network.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising informing the information supplier of the authorized access identifier.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing a consideration to the information supplier for the access rights.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access database.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising supplementing the restricted-access database.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein supplementing the restricted-access database comprises transmitting an approximately real-time audio-visual signal.