US6131116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for globally accessing computer services
Assignee: FB COMMERCIAL FINANCE Inc
•
Filing: 1996-12-13
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Granted: 2000-10-10
•
Expires: 2016-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A system for communicating through a computer network. The system includes a communications engine for establishing a communications link with a server, a browser, coupled to the communications engine, for receiving applet information corresponding to a service from the server, and an applet engine for using the applet information to control user interface I/O of the service. The communications engine may confirm user access privileges before establishing a communications link between the client and the server. The communications engine receives configuration data, and configures client attributes using the configuration data to provide a user-specific user interface to the client. It will be appreciated that the system may be stored on a floppy disk or hard drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark D. Riggins
- 👤 R. Stanley Bailes
- 👤 Hong O. Bui
- 👤 David I. Cowan
- 👤 Daniel I. Mendez
- 👤 Mason Ng
- 👤 Sean Michael Quinlan
- 👤 Prasad Wagle
- 👤 Christine C. Ying
- 👤 Christopher R. Zuleeg
- 👤 Joanna A. Aptekar-Strober
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/10; G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; H04L63/02; H04L63/08; H04L63/0807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method comprising: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; receiving selection of a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the selected service identifier from the server; using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path from the browser to a service corresponding to the selected service identifier; and using the Downloadable code to interface with the service.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method comprising: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; receiving selection of a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the selected service identifier from the server; using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path from the browser to a service corresponding to the selected service identifier; and using the Downloadable code to interface with the service.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a communications link between the browser and the server includes using a URL.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising opening an internet protocol connection between the client and the server.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising confirming user access privileges for communicating between the browser and the server.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving configuration data by the client; and configuring attributes of the client using the configuration data to provide a user-specific user interface to the client.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path includes accessing the service using a proxy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein using the Downloadable code to interface with the selected service includes directing user interface I/O control of the selected service to a Downloadable code on the client.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
74 words
A method comprising the steps of: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; forwarding identification information to the server; receiving configuration data corresponding to the identification information from the server; using a configuration engine and the configuration data to configure attributes of the client; initiating a communications link between the browser and a service using the configured client; and interfacing with the service using the configured client.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
74 words
A method comprising the steps of: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; forwarding identification information to the server; receiving configuration data corresponding to the identification information from the server; using a configuration engine and the configuration data to configure attributes of the client; initiating a communications link between the browser and a service using the configured client; and interfacing with the service using the configured client.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8, wherein initiating a communications link between the browser and the server includes using a URL.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising opening an internet protocol connection between the client and the server.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising confirming user access privileges for communicating between the client and the server.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a user-specific user interface to the client.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8, wherein initiating a communications link between the browser and the service includes accessing the service using a proxy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8, wherein interfacing with the service includes directing user interface I/O control of the service to a Downloadable on the client.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
A system comprising: means for initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; means for receiving selection of a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; means for receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the selected service identifier from the server; means for using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path from the browser to a service corresponding to the selected service identifier; and means for using the Downloadable code to interface with the service.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
85 words
A system comprising: means for initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; means for receiving selection of a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; means for receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the selected service identifier from the server; means for using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path from the browser to a service corresponding to the selected service identifier; and means for using the Downloadable code to interface with the service.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the means for initiating a communications link between the browser and the server includes means for using a URL.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 15, further comprising means for opening an internet protocol connection between the client and the server.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 15, further comprising means for confining user access privileges for communicating between the client and the server.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 15, further comprising means for receiving configuration data by the client; and means for configuring attributes of the client using the configuration data to provide a user-specific user interface to the client.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the means for using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path includes means for accessing the service using a proxy.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 15, wherein the means for using the Downloadable code to interface with the selected service includes means for directing user interface I/O control of the selected service to a Downloadable on the client.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
83 words
A system comprising: means for initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; means for forwarding identification information to the server; means for receiving configuration data corresponding to the identification information from the server; means for using a configuration engine and the configuration data to configure attributes of the client; means for initiating a communications link between the browser and a service using the configured client; and means for interfacing with the service using the configured client.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
83 words
A system comprising: means for initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; means for forwarding identification information to the server; means for receiving configuration data corresponding to the identification information from the server; means for using a configuration engine and the configuration data to configure attributes of the client; means for initiating a communications link between the browser and a service using the configured client; and means for interfacing with the service using the configured client.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the means for initiating a communications link between the browser and the server includes means for using a URL.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 22, further comprising means for opening an internet protocol connection between the client and the server.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 22, further comprising means for confirming user access privileges for communicating between the client and the server.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 22, further comprising means for receiving configuration data by the client; and means for configuring attributes of the client using the configuration data to provide a user-specific user interface to the client.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the means for initiating a communications link between the browser and the service includes means for accessing the service using a proxy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 22, wherein the means for using the Downloadable code to interface with the service includes means for directing user interface I/O control of the service to a Downloadable on the client.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer-readable medium for storing a program for causing a computer to perform the steps of: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; receiving selection of a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the selected service identifier from the server; using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path from the browser to a service corresponding to the selected service identifier; and using the Downloadable code to interface with the service.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
A computer-readable medium for storing a program for causing a computer to perform the steps of: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; receiving selection of a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the selected service identifier from the server; using the Downloadable code to identify and initiate a network communications path from the browser to a service corresponding to the selected service identifier; and using the Downloadable code to interface with the service.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer-readable medium for storing a program for causing a computer to perform the steps of: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; forwarding identification information to the server; receiving configuration data corresponding to the identification information from the server; using a configuration engine and the configuration data to configure attributes of the client; initiating a communications link between the browser and a service using the configured client; and interfacing with the service using the configured client.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer-readable medium for storing a program for causing a computer to perform the steps of: initiating a communications link between a browser stored on a client and a server; forwarding identification information to the server; receiving configuration data corresponding to the identification information from the server; using a configuration engine and the configuration data to configure attributes of the client; initiating a communications link between the browser and a service using the configured client; and interfacing with the service using the configured client.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
86 words
A system comprising: web data for enabling a client to select a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; a Downloadable for enabling the client to identify the network communications address of a service which corresponds to the selected service identifier and to control user interface I/O of the service; a communications engine for downloading the Downloadable across a communications link to the client; and a host engine for initiating transmission of the Downloadable to the client based on the selection of the service identifier.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
86 words
A system comprising: web data for enabling a client to select a service identifier from a set of service identifiers; a Downloadable for enabling the client to identify the network communications address of a service which corresponds to the selected service identifier and to control user interface I/O of the service; a communications engine for downloading the Downloadable across a communications link to the client; and a host engine for initiating transmission of the Downloadable to the client based on the selection of the service identifier.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 31, further comprising configuration data for configuring the client to provide the client with a consistent user interface for controlling the service.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the communications engine establishes a communications link with the client across an internet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the communications engine confirms user access privileges for receiving communications from the client.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 31, wherein the host engine provides a proxy service to direct user interface I/O control to the client.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
45 words
A method, comprising: receiving an access request from a browser stored on a remote client; receiving user-identifying information from the browser; and transmitting to the browser configuration information based on the user-identifying information for configuring attributes of the remote client to establish a user-specific interface.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
45 words
A method, comprising: receiving an access request from a browser stored on a remote client; receiving user-identifying information from the browser; and transmitting to the browser configuration information based on the user-identifying information for configuring attributes of the remote client to establish a user-specific interface.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of communicating with a service, comprising: requesting connection to a predetermined server by a browser stored on a remote client; transmitting user-identifying information to the predetermined server; receiving configuration code from the predetermined server responsive to the user-identifying information; using the configuration code to configure the remote client; requesting access to a service; receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the requested service; using the Downloadable code to establish a communications channel with the service; and using the Downloadable code and the configured remote client to communicate with the service.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of communicating with a service, comprising: requesting connection to a predetermined server by a browser stored on a remote client; transmitting user-identifying information to the predetermined server; receiving configuration code from the predetermined server responsive to the user-identifying information; using the configuration code to configure the remote client; requesting access to a service; receiving Downloadable code corresponding to the requested service; using the Downloadable code to establish a communications channel with the service; and using the Downloadable code and the configured remote client to communicate with the service.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 37, wherein using the Downloadable code to establish a communications channel includes requesting connection to the selected service by the predetermined server.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 38, wherein using the Downloadable to establish a communications channel includes using the Downloadable code to establish a communications channel with the predetermined server and using the predetermined server to establish a communications channel with the service, the predetermined server acting as proxy to the Downloadable code.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 39, wherein using the predetermined server to establish a communications channel with the service includes executing a servlet.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the Downloadable code includes the service address.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 37, wherein using the Downloadable code and the configured client to communicate with the service includes using a server interface to communicate with the server by the Downloadable code and using a service interface to communicate with the service by the predetermined server.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 37, wherein using the Downloadable code and the configured client to communicate with the service includes using a service interface to communicate directly with the service by the Downloadable code.
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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) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |