Systems and methods for limiting web site access

• US 20060031503A1
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Lanny
• Granted Patent: US 8,504,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• 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: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols

Abstract

Methods relate to providing limited temporary access to a web site to visitors who desire to experience all the features provided by this site before becoming a member. The temporary access privileges may be limited by duration, which is counted from the initial access request, or by number of accesses. At the end of the temporary access period, the visitor may be given additional access privileges before being permanently denied access. The user may be identified either by the IP address assigned to the user device or by the user'"'"'s e-mail address.

Claims

1. A control system for providing visitors temporary access through the Internet to a controlled access web site, said control system comprising:

an access control mechanism for providing temporary access information based on visitor information;

a database having a plurality of entries, each entry is an access record assigned to one visitor which contains the temporary access information; and

a server control engine for receiving temporary access requests from the visitors for analyzing the temporary access information stored in the database, and for granting temporary access permissions if the visitors have not exceeded at least one of a time limit and an access limit;

the server control engine offering the visitor registered status if the visitor has exceeded at least one of the time limit and the access limit.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the time limit is at least one of a fixed time limit set to expire at a predetermined time and a cumulative amount of time that the visitor may access information.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the cumulative amount of time that the visitor may access information is measured in minutes.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access record further comprises a time stamp indicating when a visitor has accessed the web site.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access limit is represented as at least one of a number of accesses to the web site, a number of clicks at the web site and a size of files downloaded from the web site.

6. A computer readable medium for storing software for controlling accesses to a controlled access site, the software for use in performing a method comprising:

receiving a request from a visitor to access the site;

identifying the visitor;

creating an access record for the visitor which identifies the visitor and an amount the visitor has accessed the site;

checking the amount stored in the access record to determine if the visitor has exceeded at least one of a time limit and an access limit;

granting access to the visitor if the amount stored in access record does not exceed the preset limit; and

offering the visitor registered status if the visitor has exceeded at least one of the time limit and the access limit.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the time limit is at least one of a fixed time limit set to expire at a predetermined time and a cumulative amount of time that the visitor may access information.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the cumulative amount of time that the visitor may access information is measured in minutes.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the access record further comprises a time stamp indicating when a visitor has accessed the web site.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the access limit is represented as at least one of a number of accesses to the web site, a number of clicks at the web site and a size of files downloaded from the web site.

11. A method for providing temporary access to a web site, said method comprising:

receiving a request from a visitor seeking access to the web site;

identifying the visitor;

creating an access record for the visitor reflecting an amount the visitor has accessed the web site;

setting an access allowance limit for the visitor;

checking the amount stored in the access record against the access allowance limit; and

permitting access to the web site until the amount in the access record equals the access allowance limit receiving a request from a visitor to access the site;

identifying the visitor;

creating an access record for the visitor which identifies the visitor and an amount the visitor has accessed the site;

checking the amount stored in the access record to determine if the visitor has exceeded at least one of a time limit and an access limit;

granting access to the visitor if the amount stored in access record does not exceed the preset limit; and

offering the visitor registered status if the visitor has exceeded at least one of the time limit and the access limit.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the time limit is at least one of a fixed time limit set to expire at a predetermined time and a cumulative amount of time that the visitor may access information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cumulative amount of time that the visitor may access information is measured in minutes.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the access record further comprises a time stamp indicating when a visitor has accessed the web site.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the access limit is represented as at least one of a number of accesses to the web site, a number of clicks at the web site and a size of files downloaded from the web site.