SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING COMMUNICATION TRAFFIC
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring and/or controlling communication traffic between a user computer and the Internet, the system comprising:
- an Internet Appliance having opt-in and opt-out capabilities, such thatwhen an opt-in capability is selected, the Internet Appliance is configured to;
receive one or more unique identifiers for a user computer,receive information regarding an address assigned to the user computer by a computer that assigns the address in response to a request containing the unique identifier(s), andcorrelate the unique identifier(s) and the assigned address; and
when an opt-out capability is selected, the Internet Appliance is configured to;
permit communication traffic between the user computer and the Internet to flow without providing any communication services; and
a processor that controls communication traffic between the user computer and the Internet based at least in part on the correlated information when the opt-in capability is selected, but not when the opt-out capability is selected,wherein the Internet Appliance, the processor, or both comprise hardware.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Communication traffic monitoring and controlling systems and methods are disclosed that allow for controlling communication traffic over the Internet based on the identity of particular users using potentially volatile information, such as a dynamically assigned IP Addresses. The system and method allow a controller to personalize services for users without the need for the user to supply personal information, such as name, address, and the like, and without the need to have computer programs or code installed on the user'"'"'s computer. Methods of doing business with a computer are provided based on the systems and methods of communication traffic monitoring and controlling.
56 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and/or controlling communication traffic between a user computer and the Internet, the system comprising:
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an Internet Appliance having opt-in and opt-out capabilities, such that when an opt-in capability is selected, the Internet Appliance is configured to; receive one or more unique identifiers for a user computer, receive information regarding an address assigned to the user computer by a computer that assigns the address in response to a request containing the unique identifier(s), and correlate the unique identifier(s) and the assigned address; and when an opt-out capability is selected, the Internet Appliance is configured to; permit communication traffic between the user computer and the Internet to flow without providing any communication services; and a processor that controls communication traffic between the user computer and the Internet based at least in part on the correlated information when the opt-in capability is selected, but not when the opt-out capability is selected, wherein the Internet Appliance, the processor, or both comprise hardware. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring and/or controlling communication traffic between a user computer and the Internet, the method comprising:
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providing the user the option of having communications analyzed and communication services provided, wherein if the user chooses to have communications analyzed and communication services provided, receiving one or more unique identifiers for a user computer; receiving information regarding an address assigned to the user computer by a computer that assigns the address in response to a request containing the unique identifier(s); correlating the unique identifier(s) and the assigned address; and wherein if the user chooses not to have communication services provided, allowing communications to flow between the user and the Internet without providing such services; and controlling communication traffic between the user computer and the Internet based at least in part on the correlated information when the user chooses to have communications analyzed, but not when the user chooses not to have communications analyzed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification