Patent US2482414A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6128601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Active client to communications network connection apparatus and method
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-02
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Granted: 2000-10-03
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Expires: 2018-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for remotely connecting client computers to a communication network such as the Internet by way of a server system handling a plurality of client computers and having the capability of dynamically providing network connections to the client computers, separately billing usage time and tracking usage and preferably updating access software on the client computers. A hot access port is provided for client system access in which a welcome signal is pushed from the server system to the access port. After a connection is made between the client system and the access port, the client system receives the welcome signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Van Horne
- 👤 Keith Olson
- 👤 Kevin Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/66; G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/06; H04L69/00; H04L69/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; conducting a handshake sequence in the server system if the determining step determines that the confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; and if the determining step determines that a confirmation signal has not been received, repeating the sending and determining steps.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; conducting a handshake sequence in the server system if the determining step determines that the confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; and if the determining step determines that a confirmation signal has not been received, repeating the sending and determining steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set out in claim 1 wherein the sending step further comprises sending a welcome signal to each of the access ports that are not already connected to a client system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set out in claim 1 wherein the repeating step comprises waiting for a predetermined time period before repeating the sending and determining steps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as set out in claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether a confirmation signal has been received comprises determining whether the server system has received a request for an IP address.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set out in claim 4 wherein the step of conducting a handshake sequence includes sending an IP address to the client system via the first one of the access ports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set out in claim 1 wherein the step of repeating the sending and determining steps includes waiting for a predetermined period of time before repeating the sending step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as set out in claim 1 wherein the step of conducting a handshake sequence includes: providing a set of billing options, the billing options including at least one technique for making a monetary payment; specifying a billing preferences and transmitting the billing preference to the server system from the client system; and transmitting a billing approve/reject signal from the server system to the client system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set out in claim 1 further comprising conducting two-way communications between the electronic communications network and the client system via the server system following the handshake sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set out in claim 1 further comprising the step of continuing to send a welcome signal from the server to the first one of the access ports after the conducting a handshake sequence step begins.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: starting client software in the client system for communicating with the server system; determining in the client software whether a welcome signal has been received; conducting a handshake sequence in the client system if the determining step determines that the welcome signal has been received; and if the determining step determines that the welcome signal has not been received, repeating the determining step until the welcome signal is received.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: starting client software in the client system for communicating with the server system; determining in the client software whether a welcome signal has been received; conducting a handshake sequence in the client system if the determining step determines that the welcome signal has been received; and if the determining step determines that the welcome signal has not been received, repeating the determining step until the welcome signal is received.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising connecting a cable from the user system to a first one of the access ports, establishing an electronic connection between the user system and the access port capable of carrying signals between the user system and the server system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising sending a welcome signal from the server system to the first one of the access ports.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set out in claim 10 wherein the handshake sequence includes sending a connection confirmation to the server after output to the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set out in claim 13 wherein the connection confirmation sent to the server includes sending a request to the server.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising sending a connection confirmation output to the user.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set out in claim 14 wherein the connection confirmation is a visual signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising the step of running the client software in background after the starting step, and until the determining step determines that the welcome signal is received.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising the steps of: running the client software in background after the starting step; running an electronic communication network communications program after the determining step determines that the welcome signal is received.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set out in claim 10 wherein the repeating step comprises waiting for a predetermined time period before repeating the determining step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as set out in claim 10 wherein the step of conducting a handshake sequence includes: providing a set of billing options, the billing options including at least one technique for making a monetary payment; specifying a billing preferences and transmitting the billing preference to the server system from the client system; and transmitting a billing approve/reject signal from the server system to the client system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising conducting two-way communications between the electronic communications network and the client system via the server system following the handshake sequence.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set out in claim 10 further comprising the step of continuing to send a welcome signal from the server to the first one of the access ports after the conducting a handshake sequence step begins.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; determining in the client system whether a welcome signal has been received; sending a connection confirmation signal from the client system to the server system; conducting a handshake sequence in the server system and the client system; if the determining in the server software step determines that a confirmation signal has not been received, repeating the sending a welcome signal and determining in the server steps; and if the determining in the client system step determines that the welcome signal has not been received, repeating the determining in the client system step steps until the welcome signal is received.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; determining in the client system whether a welcome signal has been received; sending a connection confirmation signal from the client system to the server system; conducting a handshake sequence in the server system and the client system; if the determining in the server software step determines that a confirmation signal has not been received, repeating the sending a welcome signal and determining in the server steps; and if the determining in the client system step determines that the welcome signal has not been received, repeating the determining in the client system step steps until the welcome signal is received.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as set out in claim 21 wherein the step of conducting a handshake sequence includes: providing a set of billing options, the billing options including at least one technique for making a monetary payment; specifying a billing preferences and transmitting the billing preference to the server system from the client system; and transmitting a billing approve/reject signal from the server system to the client system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set out in claim 23 further comprising conducting two-way communications between the electronic communications network and the client system via the server system following the handshake sequence.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system including a Central Processor Unit (CPU), volatile working memory associated with the CPU, a communications interface and the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, the method comprising: sending a welcome signal from the server to an access port; connecting the client system to the access port; receiving the welcome signal in the client system; and establishing a communications session between the client system and the electronic communications network.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system including a Central Processor Unit (CPU), volatile working memory associated with the CPU, a communications interface and the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, the method comprising: sending a welcome signal from the server to an access port; connecting the client system to the access port; receiving the welcome signal in the client system; and establishing a communications session between the client system and the electronic communications network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
166 words
A communications system providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: means for sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; means for determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; means for conducting a handshake sequence in the server system if the means for determining reports that the confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; and means for reactivating the means for sending and means for determining if the means for determining ascertains that a confirmation signal has not been received.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
166 words
A communications system providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the client system running client software for managing the communications between the client system and the electronic communications network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: means for sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; means for determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; means for conducting a handshake sequence in the server system if the means for determining reports that the confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; and means for reactivating the means for sending and means for determining if the means for determining ascertains that a confirmation signal has not been received.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A communications system as set out in claim 27 wherein the determining means includes means for determining whether the server system has received a request for an IP address.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
119 words
A communication system providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: means for starting client software in the client system for communicating with the server system; means for determining whether a welcome signal has been received; means conducting a handshake sequence in the client system if the means for determining reports that the welcome signal has been received; and means for reactivating the determining means if the determining means reports that the welcome signal has not been received.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
119 words
A communication system providing communication among a client system, server system and an electronic communication network, the server system running server software for managing communications between a plurality of client systems and the electronic communications network, and the server system in electronic communication with a plurality of access ports, the method comprising: means for starting client software in the client system for communicating with the server system; means for determining whether a welcome signal has been received; means conducting a handshake sequence in the client system if the means for determining reports that the welcome signal has been received; and means for reactivating the determining means if the determining means reports that the welcome signal has not been received.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
A communications system as set out in claim 28 wherein the means for determining includes means for conducting a handshake sequence includes means for sending a request for an IP address from the client system to the server system via the access port.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
137 words
A data storage medium including machine readable code thereon for use in a server computer system having means for reading code from the storage medium, the server system being adapted for communication with at least one client system, the storage medium comprising: means for sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; means for determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; means for conducting a handshake sequence in the server system if the means for determining reports that the confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; and means for reactivating the means for sending and means for determining if the means for determining ascertains that a confirmation signal has not been received.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
137 words
A data storage medium including machine readable code thereon for use in a server computer system having means for reading code from the storage medium, the server system being adapted for communication with at least one client system, the storage medium comprising: means for sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; means for determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; means for conducting a handshake sequence in the server system if the means for determining reports that the confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; and means for reactivating the means for sending and means for determining if the means for determining ascertains that a confirmation signal has not been received.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
100 words
A data storage medium including machine readable code thereon for use in a client computer system having a communications interface and means for reading code from the storage medium, the storage medium comprising: means for starting client software in the client system for communicating with the server system; means for determining whether a welcome signal has been received; means conducting a handshake sequence in the client system if the means for determining reports that the welcome signal has been received; and means for reactivating the determining means if the determining means reports that the welcome signal has not been received.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
100 words
A data storage medium including machine readable code thereon for use in a client computer system having a communications interface and means for reading code from the storage medium, the storage medium comprising: means for starting client software in the client system for communicating with the server system; means for determining whether a welcome signal has been received; means conducting a handshake sequence in the client system if the means for determining reports that the welcome signal has been received; and means for reactivating the determining means if the determining means reports that the welcome signal has not been received.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for providing communication over an electronic communications network comprising: server software; a server system having a processor unit and running said server software controlling the operations of the server system; at least one client system including a central processor unit (CPU), and a communications interface; a plurality of access ports linked for electronic communication with the server system, wherein each of the access ports also is configured to be linked for electronic communication with at least one client system; wherein the server software includes: means for sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; means for determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; repeating means for activating the means for sending to send a welcome signal to said first one of the access ports until said confirmation signal has been received.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for providing communication over an electronic communications network comprising: server software; a server system having a processor unit and running said server software controlling the operations of the server system; at least one client system including a central processor unit (CPU), and a communications interface; a plurality of access ports linked for electronic communication with the server system, wherein each of the access ports also is configured to be linked for electronic communication with at least one client system; wherein the server software includes: means for sending a welcome signal from the server to a first one of the access ports; means for determining in the server whether a confirmation signal has been received in the first one of the access ports; repeating means for activating the means for sending to send a welcome signal to said first one of the access ports until said confirmation signal has been received.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hot access port providing access to an electronic communications system via a server upon connection with a client system.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hot access port providing access to an electronic communications system via a server upon connection with a client system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A hot access port as set forth in claim 34 comprising; a receiver linkage for receiving signals from a client system; and an active welcome signal emitter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
A hot access port as set forth in claim 34 comprising: means for receiving a welcome signal from a server system; means for establishing a communications link with a client system; and means for transmitting the welcome signal to the client system when the communications ling is established.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of providing access to an electronic communications system via a server system upon connection with a client system via a hot access port comprising: providing an active welcome signal to the hot access port; linking a client system to the hot access port, automatically providing the welcome signal to the client system.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of providing access to an electronic communications system via a server system upon connection with a client system via a hot access port comprising: providing an active welcome signal to the hot access port; linking a client system to the hot access port, automatically providing the welcome signal to the client system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 37 wherein the step of providing an active welcome signal includes repetitively sending a welcome signal from the server system to the hot access port.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as set forth in claim 38 further comprising: discontinuing providing the welcome signal from the server system after linking to the client system and after the client system sends a confirmation signal confirming that it has received the welcome signal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as set forth in claim 37 wherein: the step of providing an active welcome signal includes periodically sending a welcome signal from a server system to the hot access port; and receiving the welcome signal in a client system after the linking a client system step.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein: the linking step comprises attaching a cable from the client system to the hot access port.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as set forth in claim 37 further comprising: running client software on the client system before the linking step; receiving the welcome signal in the client system after the linking step; and sending an indicator signal from the client system to the server system indicating that the welcome signal was received.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |