US5862220A — Method and apparatus for using network address in…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 123 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for accessing a first server over a secure data communication line to obtain a client encryption key; a second instruction for accessing a second server over an unsecure data communication line to establish a connection with said second server; a third instruction for encrypting information sent to said second erver over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said first server; and a fourth instruction for decrypting information received from said second server over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said first server.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 123 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for accessing a first server over a secure data communication line to obtain a client encryption key; a second instruction for accessing a second server over an unsecure data communication line to establish a connection with said second server; a third instruction for encrypting information sent to said second erver over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said first server; and a fourth instruction for decrypting information received from said second server over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said first server.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 124 words

A first server having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor said instructions comprising: a first instruction for receiving a request from a client over an unsecure data communication line to establish a connection with said client; a second instruction for accessing a second server over a secure data communication line to obtain a client encryption key corresponding to said client; a third instruction for decrypting information received from said client over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said second server; and a fourth instruction for encrypting information sent to said client over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said second server.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 124 words

A first server having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor said instructions comprising: a first instruction for receiving a request from a client over an unsecure data communication line to establish a connection with said client; a second instruction for accessing a second server over a secure data communication line to obtain a client encryption key corresponding to said client; a third instruction for decrypting information received from said client over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said second server; and a fourth instruction for encrypting information sent to said client over said connection using said client encryption key obtained from said second server.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 76 words

The first server as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of: obtaining a first client network address from said client; accessing said second server over a secure data communication line to obtain a second client network address corresponding to said client; authenticating said client based on said first client network address and said second client network address.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 53 words

The first server as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of: obtaining a client network address corresponding to said client; and obtaining a geographical locality of said client based on said client network address.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The first server as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of: determining if said client has ISDN service available based on said geographical locality of said client.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 47 words

The first server as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of: determining if said client has cable modem service available based on said geographical locality of said client.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

The first server as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the step of: periodically re-obtaining said client network address.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 45 words

The first server as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the step of: re-obtaining said client network address, if suspicious activity being performed by said client is detected.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 60 words

The first server as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the step of: receiving a client network address entered by a client user; comparing said user-entered client network address with said client network address obtained in said obtaining a client network address step.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 72 words

A server having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for receiving a request from a client over a secure data communication line to obtain a client network address; a second instruction for obtaining said client network address; a third instruction for sending said client network address to said client.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 72 words

A server having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for receiving a request from a client over a secure data communication line to obtain a client network address; a second instruction for obtaining said client network address; a third instruction for sending said client network address to said client.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

The server as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sequences of instructions for said obtaining step further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of activating an automatic number identification function.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 46 words

The server as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of: generating a client encryption key for said client; and storing said client encryption key in said server.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 40 words

The server as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sequences of instructions further includes instructions which when executed by said processor cause said processor to perform the steps of: determining a client geographical locality based on said client network address.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 88 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for connecting to an unsecure server over an unsecure data communication line to perform unsecure portions of a data transaction; a second instruction for disconnecting from said unsecure server; and a third instruction for connecting to a secure server over a secure data communication line to perform secure portions of said data transaction.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 88 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for connecting to an unsecure server over an unsecure data communication line to perform unsecure portions of a data transaction; a second instruction for disconnecting from said unsecure server; and a third instruction for connecting to a secure server over a secure data communication line to perform secure portions of said data transaction.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 90 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for connecting to a server over a data communication line to request matching with another matched remote opponent for playing a real-time networked game; a second instruction for disconnecting from said server; and a third instruction for connecting to said matched remote opponent over a real-time data communication line to play said real-time networked game.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 90 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for connecting to a server over a data communication line to request matching with another matched remote opponent for playing a real-time networked game; a second instruction for disconnecting from said server; and a third instruction for connecting to said matched remote opponent over a real-time data communication line to play said real-time networked game.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 102 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for receiving a request for service from a client over a data communication line; a second instruction for obtaining a client network address corresponding to said client; a third instruction for obtaining said client's geographical locality based on said client's network address; and a fourth instruction for generating a response to said client request for service, said response being tailored to said geographical locality of said client.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 102 words

A client network interface device having a processor and a memory coupled to said processor, the memory having stored therein sequences of instructions to be executed by said processor, said instructions comprising: a first instruction for receiving a request for service from a client over a data communication line; a second instruction for obtaining a client network address corresponding to said client; a third instruction for obtaining said client's geographical locality based on said client's network address; and a fourth instruction for generating a response to said client request for service, said response being tailored to said geographical locality of said client.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein said client network address and said geographical locality of said client is obtained from said client.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein said client network address and said geographical locality of said client is obtained from said client.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 25 words

The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein said client network address and said geographical locality of said client is obtained from a private server.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

The server as claimed in claim 16 wherein said client network address and said geographical locality of said client is sent to a different server.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 115 words

A method for establishing secure communications over a network between a client network interface device and a network server comprising the steps of: obtaining, by said client network interface device an encryption key and network address for said client network interface device from a private server over a first secure communication connection; transmitting said network address from said client network interface device to said network server; obtaining, by said network server said encryption key from said private server using said network address to identify said client network interface device over a second secure communication connection; and establishing a third secure communication connection between said network interface device and said network server using said encryption key.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 115 words

A method for establishing secure communications over a network between a client network interface device and a network server comprising the steps of: obtaining, by said client network interface device an encryption key and network address for said client network interface device from a private server over a first secure communication connection; transmitting said network address from said client network interface device to said network server; obtaining, by said network server said encryption key from said private server using said network address to identify said client network interface device over a second secure communication connection; and establishing a third secure communication connection between said network interface device and said network server using said encryption key.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein a client box identifier is used in addition to said network address for identification of said client network interface device.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first secure communication connection is a standard telephone connection.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second secure communication connection is a standard telephone connection.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first secure communication connection is an ISDN network connection.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second secure communication connection is an ISDN network connection.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said first secure communication connection is a cable network connection.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said second secure communication connection is a cable network connection.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said network address is a telephone number from which said client network interface device calls said private server.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 29 wherein said network address is determined by said private server using an automatic number identification function.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method for establishing secure communication over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said private server periodically generates a new encryption key.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 21 wherein said private server determines said client network interface device's geographical locality.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method for establishing secure communication over a network as claimed in claim 32 wherein said geographical locality is determined by said client network interface device's network address.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 32 wherein said geographical locality is determined by said client network interface device's client box identifier.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 32 wherein said geographical locality of said client network interface device is used by said network server to provide geographical location-specific information to said client network interface device.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method for establishing secure communications over a network as claimed in claim 32 wherein said geographical locality of said client network interface device is used by said network server to optimize communications with said client network interface device by choosing an optimal information stream delivery system based on said geographical locality.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 168 words

In a network system including a client network interface device, a network server, and a private server, a computer program product for establishing secure communications over said network between said client network interface device and said network server, said computer program product comprising: a computer-readable medium for carrying computer-executable instructions, wherein said computer instructions comprise: code means at said client network interface device for obtaining an encryption key and network address for said client network interface device from said private server over a first secure communication connection; code means at said client network interface device for initiating transmission of said network address from said client network interface device to said network server; code means at said network server for obtaining said encryption key from said private server using said network address to identify said client network interface device over a second secure communication connection; and code means for establishing a third secure communication connection between said client network interface device and said network server using said encryption key.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 168 words

In a network system including a client network interface device, a network server, and a private server, a computer program product for establishing secure communications over said network between said client network interface device and said network server, said computer program product comprising: a computer-readable medium for carrying computer-executable instructions, wherein said computer instructions comprise: code means at said client network interface device for obtaining an encryption key and network address for said client network interface device from said private server over a first secure communication connection; code means at said client network interface device for initiating transmission of said network address from said client network interface device to said network server; code means at said network server for obtaining said encryption key from said private server using said network address to identify said client network interface device over a second secure communication connection; and code means for establishing a third secure communication connection between said client network interface device and said network server using said encryption key.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 45 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said code means at said code means at said network server for obtaining said encryption key uses a client box identifier in addition to said network address for identification of said client network interface device.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 20 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said first secure communication connection is a standard telephone connection.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 20 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said second secure communication connection is a standard telephone connection.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 20 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said first secure communication connection is an ISDN network connection.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 20 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said second secure communication connection is an ISDN network connection.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 20 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said first secure communication connection is a cable network connection.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said second secure communication connection is a cable network connection.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 28 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said network address is a telephone number from which said client network interface device calls said private server.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 25 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 45 wherein said network address is determined by said private server using an automatic number identification function.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 19 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said private server periodically generates a new encryption key.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 21 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 37 wherein said private server determines said client network interface device's geographical locality.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 23 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 48 wherein said geographical locality is determined by said client network interface device's network address.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 24 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 48 wherein said geographical locality is determined by said client network interface device's client box identifier.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 36 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 48 wherein said geographical locality of said client network interface device is used by said network server to provide geographical location-specific information to said client network interface device.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 47 words

The computer program product as claimed in claim 48 wherein said geographical locality of said client network interface device is used by said network server to optimize communications with said client network interface device by choosing an optimal information stream delivery system based on said geographical locality.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-01-18	2002-07-20	2003-01-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-01-18	2006-07-20	2007-01-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-01-18	2010-07-20	2011-01-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for using network address information to improve the performance of network transactions

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