Client connects to an internet access provider using algorithm downloaded from a central server based upon client's desired criteria after disconnected from the server
First Claim
1. In a system comprising a central access server having information identifying a plurality of internet access providers and a client system capable of utilizing one of the plurality of internet access providers to connect to the internet, a method of selecting an internet access provider, comprising the steps of:
- connecting the client system to the central access server;
obtaining, by the central access server, client information relating to the client system;
selecting, by the central access server, a subset of the plurality of internet access providers based on the client information and transferring information identifying said subset of the plurality of internet access providers to the client system;
transferring, by the central access server, an internet access provider selection algorithm to the client system for use by the client system when connecting to the internet;
disconnecting the client system from the central access server;
executing, by the client system, said internet access provider selection algorithm to select an internet access provider from among said subset of internet access providers identified by the central access server; and
using, by the client system, the selected internet access provider to connect to the internet.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A database central routing device is provided for routing access requests for internet access among a variety of on-line service providers. The device generally includes a central server having a list of algorithms pertaining to access phone numbers of internet access providers to be chosen from. The central routing device further includes an automatic phone number identifier to identify incoming calls in order to identify the user as a customer. An algorithm generator is also included in order to download algorithms pertaining to particular phone numbers in order to give the user access to a variety of internet access providers. The central routing device allows the user to select from a number of internet access providers depending on the availability of the providers. Factors such as time of day, consistent peak and off peak hours of any particular provider, the time of access, the type of user such as consumer or business user, and other factors in order to make efficient use of a variety of internet access providers.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a system comprising a central access server having information identifying a plurality of internet access providers and a client system capable of utilizing one of the plurality of internet access providers to connect to the internet, a method of selecting an internet access provider, comprising the steps of:
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connecting the client system to the central access server; obtaining, by the central access server, client information relating to the client system; selecting, by the central access server, a subset of the plurality of internet access providers based on the client information and transferring information identifying said subset of the plurality of internet access providers to the client system; transferring, by the central access server, an internet access provider selection algorithm to the client system for use by the client system when connecting to the internet; disconnecting the client system from the central access server; executing, by the client system, said internet access provider selection algorithm to select an internet access provider from among said subset of internet access providers identified by the central access server; and using, by the client system, the selected internet access provider to connect to the internet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a central access server having information identifying a plurality of internet access providers, a method for identifying to a client system a subset of said plurality of internet access providers and transmitting an internet access provider selection algorithm to said client system, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, from said client system, client information relating to said client system; comparing said client information with said information identifying said plurality of internet access providers so as to select a subset of said plurality of internet access providers according to desired criteria; transferring data identifying said subset of said plurality of internet access providers to said client system; and providing an internet access provider selection algorithm and transferring said algorithm to said client system, wherein said internet access provider selection algorithm provides instructions to said client system for selecting an internet access provider from among said subset of said plurality of internet access providers, so that thereafter said client system is disconnected from the said central access server and, by executing said selection algorithm, is able to select an internet access provider which can then be used to connect the client system to the internet. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a client system capable of connecting to the internet, a method for selecting an internet access provider comprising the steps of:
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establishing communication with a central access server; transmitting, to said central access, server client information relating to said client system; receiving, from said central access server, information identifying one or more internet access providers; receiving, from said central access server, an internet access provider selection algorithm; discontinuing said communication with said central access server; executing said internet access provider selection algorithm, whereby an internet access provider is selected from among said one or more internet access providers; and connecting to the internet using said selected internet access provider. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. In a client system capable of connecting to the internet, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:
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establishing communication with a central access server; transmitting, to said central access server, client information relating to said client system; receiving, from said central access server, an internet access provider selection algorithm; disconnecting from said central access server and executing said internet access provider selection algorithm, whereby an internet access provider is selected from among said one or more internet access providers; and after said communication with said central access server is discontinued, connecting to the internet using said selected internet access provider. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a central access server connected to a client system and having information identifying a plurality of internet access providers, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:
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receiving, from said client system, client information relating to said client system; comparing said client information with said information identifying said plurality of internet access providers so as to select a subset of said plurality of internet access providers according to desired criteria; transferring data identifying said subset of said plurality of internet access providers to said client system; and providing an internet access provider selection algorithm and transferring said algorithm to said client system, wherein said internet access provider selection algorithm provides instructions to said client system for selecting an internet access provider from among said subset of said plurality of internet access providers, so that thereafter said client system is disconnected from the said central access server and, by executing said selection algorithm, is able to select an internet access provider which can then be used to connect the client system to the internet. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. In a system comprising a central access server having information identifying a plurality of internet access providers and a client system capable of utilizing one of the plurality of internet access providers to connect to the internet, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:
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connecting the client system to the central access server; obtaining, by the central access server, client information relating to the client system; selecting, by the central access server, a subset of the plurality of internet access providers based on the client information and transferring information identifying said subset of the plurality of internet access providers to the client system; transferring, by the central access server, an internet access provider selection algorithm to the client system for use by the client system when connecting to the internet; disconnecting the client system from the central access server; executing, by the client system, said internet access provider selection algorithm to select an internet access provider from among said subset of internet access providers identified by the central access server; and using, by the client system, the selected internet access provider to connect to the internet. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification