Systems and methods for limiting web site access

• US 6,968,385 B1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Lanny
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Marc
• Assistant Examiner(s): MESFIN, YEMANE
• Application Number:
  US09/873,712
• Time in Patent Office: 1,632 Days
• Field of Search: 709/225, 709/227, 709/229, 709/202, 709/204, 709/217, 709/219, 709/203, 713200-202
• US Class Current: 709/229
• 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 obtaining visitor information and determining if a visitor is a registered user or a temporary user, said access control mechanism providing full access to the registered user and providing temporary access information based on visitor information for a temporary user;

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 an access limit;

wherein the access control mechanism determines if the visitor is a previously registered temporary user, if the visitor is a previously registered temporary user the access control mechanism determining if the previously registered temporary user has exceeded an access limit,

if the previously registered temporary user has exceeded access limits, the access control mechanism denying access;

if the previously registered temporary user has not exceeded access limits, the access control mechanism increasing access limits for the visitor.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access control mechanism further comprises a password generator for generating passwords for the visitors and an e-mail server for sending the passwords to the visitors via e-mail.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access record further comprises a time stamp.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access record further comprises an e-mail address for identifying the visitor.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access record further comprises a number of requests.

6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access record further comprises a number of accesses.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein the server control engine is for:

reading the number of accesses and

checking the number of accesses against the access limit.

8. The access control system of claim 5, wherein the server control engine is:

for reading the number of requests and

for checking the number of requests against the access limit.

9. The control system of claim 1, wherein the access record further comprises a user identification code.

10. The control system of claim 1 wherein the access control mechanism comprises a timer facility for measuring an amount of a visitor'"'"'s temporary access.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the server control engine associates a new timer for each new visitor.

12. 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;

if the visitor is a registered user providing full access to the site;

if the visitor is a temporary user;

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 against a preset access limit; and

granting access to the visitor if the amount stored in access record does not exceed the preset access limit if the visitor is a previously registered temporary user;

the access control mechanism determining if the previously registered temporary user has exceeded an access limit,

if the previously registered temporary user has exceeded access limits, the access control mechanism denying access;

if the previously registered temporary user has not exceeded access limits, the access control mechanism increasing access limits for the visitor.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

obtaining the visitor'"'"'s e-mail address;

generating a password; and

sending the password to the visitor'"'"'s e-mail address.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:

assigning a timer to the visitor; and

incrementing the access number upon expiration of the timer.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprising:

assigning a user identification code to the visitor; and

creating a data entry for the visitor.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises creating a request counter.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises incrementing the request counter for each request received.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises creating a time stamp for the visitor.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises checking the time stamp against the current time.

20. 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;

if the visitor is a registered user providing full access to the site;

if the visitor is a temporary user;

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;

if the visitor is a previously registered temporary user, the access control mechanism determining if the previously registered temporary user has exceeded an access limit,

if the previously registered temporary user has exceeded access limits, the access control mechanism denying access;

if the previously registered temporary user has not exceeded access limits, the access control mechanism increasing access limits for the visitor.

21. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein identifying the visitor further comprises:

obtaining an Internet Protocol address from the visitor; and

generating an access code for the visitor.

22. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein creating the access record further comprises setting a request counter.

23. The method for providing temporary access of claim 22 wherein creating the access record further comprises incrementing the request counter for each request from the visitor.

24. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein creating the access record further comprises setting a number of accesses.

25. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein the access record has an access counter and the method further comprises incrementing the access counter for each login from the visitor.

26. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein creating the access record further comprises setting a time stamp.

27. The method for providing temporary access of claim 26 wherein checking the access record further comprises checking the current time against the time stamp each time the visitor accesses the controlled access site.

28. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein identifying the visitor further comprising obtaining an e-mail address from the visitor.

29. The method for providing temporary access of claim 28 further comprises sending an access code to visitor via the e-mail address.

30. The method for providing temporary access of claim 20, wherein creating the access record further comprises depositing a cookie with visitor information into a visitor'"'"'s device.

31. The method for providing temporary access of claim 30, wherein checking the access record further comprises:

obtaining the cookie from the visitor'"'"'s device; and

checking the visitor'"'"'s information against the access allowance limit of the visitor.

32. The method for providing temporary access of claim 31, wherein the user information on the cookie comprises:

a visitor identification code;

the access code for the visitor;

the access allowance limit for the visitor; and

the amount the visitor has accessed the site.