Systems and methods to provide and bill for internet access

• US 20090013076A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Iconn Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Iconn Systems LLC
• Inventors: Phillips, Michael, Hendricks, Colin
• Application Number:
  US12/170,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20090013076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/60 Business processes related to postal services shipping G06Q10/083; franking apparatus G07B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00

Abstract

Systems for regulating Internet access at libraries are provided herein. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first computer having a user interface in communication with a network and a library card database, wherein the first computer is configured to compare library card information stored in the library card database. This system further comprises a second computer having a second interface in communication with the network and a transaction database, wherein the second computer is configured to compare user information stored in the transaction database. Also provided are methods for using the same.

Claims

1. ) A system for regulating Internet usage at a library comprising:

a first computer having a user interface in communication with a network and a library card database, the first computer configured to compare library card information stored in the library card database; and

a second computer having a second interface in communication with the network and a transaction database, the second computer configured to compare user information stored in the transaction database.

2. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the library card information comprises the validity of a library card and outstanding library fines.

3. ) The system of claim 1, wherein the user information comprises temporal user usage information.

4. ) A method for regulating Internet usage at a library comprising:

using a first computer having an interface in communication with a network and a transaction database to access a second computer having a user interface in communication with the network and a library card database;

using the first computer to compare user information stored in the transaction database;

using the second computer to compare library card information stored in the library card database; and

granting the user Internet access via the second computer if user information stored in the transaction database and the library card information stored in the library card database are verified.

5. ) The method of claim 4, wherein the library card information comprises the validity of a library card and outstanding library fines.

6. ) The method of claim 4, wherein the user information comprises temporal user usage information.

7. ) The method of claim 4, wherein the user is denied Internet access via the second computer if either the information stored in the transaction database or the library card information stored in the library card database is not verified.