Patent ID: 6920500
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: G06F,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A system for providing access to a computer network, the system comprising: a first computer operatively coupled to the computer network; a second computer operatively coupled to the computer network; a mouse pad coupled to the first computer and having a plurality of buttons; an electronics housing, coupled to the mouse pad, the electronics housing having a smart card interface for receiving a smart card that includes a user identification code; wherein the first computer is constructed and arranged to authenticate the user based on the smart card user identification code and respond to activation by the authenticated user of one of the plurality of buttons by signaling the second computer over the computer network; and wherein the second computer is constructed and arranged to respond to the signal by the first computer by redirecting the first computer to a third computer to establish a network connection between the first computer and the third computer over the computer network.