Selecting communication link between client and server

Claim 2

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via any one of a plurality of communication links, a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising steps for: identifying a first communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system; identifying a first cost and a first data transfer rate associated with use of the first communication link; identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system; identifying a second cost and a second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link; determining whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, preferring the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, preferring the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and communicating with the server system via the preferred communication link.

Claim 3

A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a telephone connection.

Claim 4

A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

Claim 5

A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first communication link comprises an telephone connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

Claim 6

A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein: the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection; and the step for identifying the first cost comprises a step for determining the time of day, the first cost being a function of the time of day.

Claim 7

A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising steps for: waiting a period of time, during which the first cost changes; identifying the changed first cost after the period of time; based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, preferring another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and communicating with the server system via the preferred another communication link.

Claim 8

A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising steps for: determining that the preferred communication link is idle; preserving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and at least temporarily, terminating communication over the preferred communication link with the server system.

Claim 9

A method as defined in claim 7 , further comprising steps for: determining that communication with the server system should be reestablished; and resuming communication with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring further input from the user.

Claim 10

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein multiple communication links are available to be selected for communicating between a client system and a server system, a computer program product for implementing a method of selecting a communication link comprising: a computer-readable medium carrying executable instructions for implementing the method at the client system; and wherein said method comprises machine-executable instructions that perform steps for: identifying a first communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system; identifying a first cost and a first data transfer rate associated with use of the first communication link; identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system; identifying a second cost and second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link; determining whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; and if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, preferring the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, preferring the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system.

Claim 11

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein multiple communication links are available to be selected for communicating between a client system and a server system, a computer program product for implementing a method of selecting a communication link comprising: a computer-readable medium carrying executable instructions for implementing the method at the client system; and wherein said method comprises machine-executable instructions that perform steps for: identifying a first communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system; identifying a first cost and a first data transfer rate associated with use of the first communication link; identifying a second communication link available to the client system for communicating with the server system; identifying a second cost and second data transfer rate associated with use of the second communication link; determining whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; and if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, preferring the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, preferring the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system.

Claim 12

A computer program product as defined in claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises a step for communicating with the server system via the preferred communication link.

Claim 13

A computer program product as defined in claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises a step for determining the time of day, at least one of the first cost and the second cost changing with the time of day.

Claim 14

A computer program product as defined in claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises steps for: waiting a period of time, during which the first cost changes; identifying the changed first cost after the period of time; based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, preferring another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and communicating with the server system via the preferred another communication link.

Claim 15

A computer program product as defined in claim 9 , the method further comprising steps for: determining that the preferred communication link is idle; preserving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and at least temporarily, terminating communication over the preferred communication link with the server system.

Claim 16

A computer program product as recited in claim 13 , the method further comprising steps for: determining that communication with the server system should be reestablished; and resuming communication with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring further input from the user.

Claim 17

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via one or more of a plurality of communication links, a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising acts of: associating first information, including a first cost for use and a first data transfer rate, with a first communication link that is available to the client system; associating second information, including a second cost for use and a second data transfer rate, with a second communication link that is available to the client system; examining the information associated with each communication link to determine whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, selecting the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, selecting the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and receiving data from the server system via the selected communication link.

Claim 18

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via one or more of a plurality of communication links, a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising acts of: associating first information, including a first cost for use and a first data transfer rate, with a first communication link that is available to the client system; associating second information, including a second cost for use and a second data transfer rate, with a second communication link that is available to the client system; examining the information associated with each communication link to determine whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, selecting the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, selecting the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and receiving data from the server system via the selected communication link.

Claim 19

A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a telephone connection.

Claim 20

A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

Claim 21

A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first communication link comprises an telephone connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

Claim 22

A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection, and wherein the first cost for use of the first communication link is a function of the time of day, the method further comprising an act of keeping track of the time of day.

Claim 23

A method as defined in claim 15 , wherein the first cost changes during a period of time, the method further comprising acts of: based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, selecting another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and receiving data from the server system via the selected another communication link.

Claim 24

A method as defined in claim 15 , further comprising acts of: receiving either no input or no input requiring access to the network for at least a predetermined period of time; saving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and disconnecting the preferred communication link from the server system.

Claim 25

A method as defined in claim 21 , further comprising acts of: receiving input which may include input that requires access to the network; and reconnecting with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring further input from the user.

Claim 26

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via one or more of a plurality of communication links, a computer program product for implementing a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising: a computer-readable medium carrying executable instructions for implementing the method at the client system; and wherein said method comprises machine-executable instructions that perform acts of: associating first information, including a first cost for use and a first data transfer rate, with a first communication link that is available to the client system; associating second information, including a second cost for use and a second data transfer rate, with a second communication link that is available to the client system; examining the information associated with each communication link to determine whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, selecting the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, selecting the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and receiving data from the server system via the selected communication link.

Claim 27

In a computer network including a plurality of servers logically connected to one another and to a plurality of client systems, wherein at least some of the client systems are comprised of a conventional television monitor and an electronic unit for interacting with the computer network, and wherein a client system can communicate with a server system via one or more of a plurality of communication links, a computer program product for implementing a method of selecting a communication link for communicating with the server system, comprising: a computer-readable medium carrying executable instructions for implementing the method at the client system; and wherein said method comprises machine-executable instructions that perform acts of: associating first information, including a first cost for use and a first data transfer rate, with a first communication link that is available to the client system; associating second information, including a second cost for use and a second data transfer rate, with a second communication link that is available to the client system; examining the information associated with each communication link to determine whether a prime usage time period applies to either of the first or second communication links; if a prime usage time period applies and a communication request is not within the prime usage time period, or if no prime usage time period applies, selecting the more expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system if the more expensive communication link has a higher data transfer rate than the less expensive communication link, and otherwise, selecting the less expensive of the first and second communication links for transmitting data between the client system and the server system; and receiving data from the server system via the selected communication link.

Claim 28

A computer program product as defined in claim 23 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a telephone connection.

Claim 29

A computer program product as defined in claim 23 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

Claim 30

A computer program product as defined in claim 23 , wherein the first communication link comprises an telephone connection and the second communication link comprises a cable television connection.

Claim 31

A computer program product as defined in claim 23 , wherein the first communication link comprises an ISDN connection, and wherein the first cost for use of the first communication link is a function of the time of day, the method further comprising an act of keeping track of the time of day.

Claim 32

A computer program product as defined in claim 23 , wherein the first cost changes during a period of time, the method further comprising acts of: based at least in part on a comparison of the changed first cost to the second cost, selecting another communication link from among the first communication link and the second communication link for transmitting data between the server system and the client system; and receiving data from the server system via the selected another communication link.

Claim 33

A computer program product as defined in claim 23 , the method further comprising acts of: receiving either no input or no input requiring access to the network for at least a predetermined period of time; saving a most recent communication status for the preferred communication link; and disconnecting the preferred communication link from the server system.

Claim 34

A computer program product as recited in claim 29 , the method further comprising acts of: receiving input which may include input that requires access to the network; and reconnecting with the server system, based on the most recent communication status and without requiring funrther input from the user.