Access of Internet use for a selected user

• US 20070061869A1
• Filed: 07/25/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covenant Eyes, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Covenant Eyes, Inc.
• Inventors: DeHaas, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US11/491,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20070061869A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• 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 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

A system for the provision of accountability for and blocking of Internet use of a selected computer user. The system includes a computer which has Internet access blocked, a remote server, and a second computer at which an Accountability Partner communicates to the remote server, such that Internet access is permitted to the person using the first computer. The Internet access activity includes access of at least one Internet protocol from the group consisting of newsgroups, file sharing programs, file transfer programs, chat rooms, peer to peer chats cell phone or PDA transmissions, http, https, and electronic mail activity.

Claims

1. A system providing accountability and blocking of Internet use of a selected user, comprising:

a remote server;

a first computer having an accountability and blocking of internet use software program installed and communicatively linked to said remote server, wherein said program is configured to continuously block all Internet access unless Internet access is permitted by the remote server; and

a second accountability partner computer communicatively linked to said remote server, wherein a set of parameters for allowing remote server to unblock access to said first computer is established.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said Internet access activity includes access selected from the group consisting of network news transfer protocols, file sharing programs, file transfer protocols, chat room access, peer to peer chats, http, https, cell phone, PDA, and electronic mail activity.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second computer notifies the remote server, by password-protected notification by non-internet electronic means such as through a website, that Internet access to the user of the first computer is permitted for a selected duration of time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second computer notifies the remote server, by password-protected notification by non-internet electronic means, that Internet access to the user of the first computer is permitted for a predetermining time interval.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said non-internet electronic means is by telephone.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring system, wherein said monitoring program is configured to monitor Internet access activity of the first computer'"'"'s user and record said Internet access activity within said remote server, and wherein said remote server includes a processing program, said processing program configured to analyze said recorded Internet access activity and generate a report of said Internet access activity, wherein said report includes a list of said recorded Internet access activity and a score assigned to each said recorded Internet access activity and is accessible by said second computer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a score is assigned as a numeric indicator of the type of activity accessed, further characterized wherein an objectionable internet activity is accessed a high numeric score and a non-objectionable internet activity may be assigned a low numeric score, based on parameters such as key words and image content.

8. The system of claim 1, further including a first database located within said remote server, and wherein said monitored Internet access activity is stored on said first database.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a toolbar on said first computer to allow message to said second computer to prompt a request.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a comment section allowing the user to type in a comment after engaging in a particular internet access activity.

11. A method for providing accountability and blocking of Internet use of a selected user, comprising the steps in FIG. 2 of:

installing a remote server,

installing a program on a first computer, wherein said program which is configured to continuously blocked all Internet access unless Internet access is permitted by the remote server,

installing a second computer, at which an Accountability Partner communicates to the remote server that Internet access is permitted, unblocking access to the person using said first computer,

installing a monitoring system, wherein said monitoring program is configured to monitor Internet access activity of the computer user and record said Internet access activity within said remote server,

accessing internet activity selected from the group consisting of http, https, network news transfer protocols, file sharing programs, file transfer protocols, chat room access, peer to peer chats, and electronic mail activity, cell phones and PDAS and;

processing a recorded Internet access activity; and

transferring said recorded Internet access activity to a second database.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said report displays said list of said recorded Internet access activity sorted chronologically.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing said report includes electronically sending said report to said third party recipient at pre-selected time intervals.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said report contains a list of recorded Internet access activity of one of said Internet protocols, and further includes a computer link to connect to a portion of said report.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein providing said report includes electronically sending said report to said third party recipient at pre-selected time intervals, comprising further, assigning a score to said Internet access activity based on predetermined scoring criteria, wherein said score is assigned as a numeric indicator of the type of activity accessed, further characterized wherein an objectionable internet activity is accessed a high numeric score and a non-objectionable internet activity may be assigned a low numeric score, based on parameters such as key words and image content.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the Accountability Partner may permit access on a regular basis, optionally, every day at the same time.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the Accountability Partner notifies the remote server, by password-protected notification such as through a website, by PDA, telephone, or by other electronic means, that Internet access to the user of the first computer is permitted.

18. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions and whose content cause a computer system to perform accountability and blocking of Internet use of a selected user, by performing the steps of:

installing a remote server,

installing a program on a first computer, wherein said program which is configured to continuously blocked all Internet access unless Internet access is permitted by the remote server,

installing a second computer, at which an Accountability Partner communicates to the remote server that Internet access is permitted, unblocking access to the person using said first computer,

installing a monitoring system, wherein said monitoring program is configured to monitor Internet access activity of the computer user and record said Internet access activity within said remote server, and

accessing internet activity selected from the group consisting of http, https, network news transfer protocols, file sharing programs;

file transfer protocols, chat room access, peer to peer chats, cell phone, PDA and electronic mail activity.