SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTING OCCASIONAL INTERNET USERS TO A LOCAL INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER

Abstract: A system for providing a connection to a local internet service provider from a user computer, especially useful for occasional internet users, is disclosed. The system comprises: (a) computer readable media having specialized dialer software and at least one profile configured by an internet service provider containing parameters for use by said specialized dialer software; (b) at least one user computer capable of running said specialized dialer software, and; (c) a local internet service provider having server software for configuring said at least one profile of said computer readable media before distribution of said media to a user. A method for connecting to a local internet service provider from a user computer is also described.

Description: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONNECTING OCCASIONAL INTERNET USERS TO A LOCAL INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system and method for automatically connecting occasional internet users to a local internet service provider. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for connecting to a local internet service provider from a user computer that is especially useful for users who are away from their regular internet access site or for the occasional internet surfer who does not desire to maintain a regular contract with a local internet service provider. The system and method of the present invention is also useful for allowing a "members only" website to provide access for users who are not subscribing members of said "members only" website. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electronic communication networks such as the internet are widely known and accessed. It is known to provide communication to such electronic communication networks by various means. One common means is via an Internet service provider ("ISP"), or an on-line service provider ("OSP"), which provide access to the internet for individual users. Typically, an individual user registers for a particular local service provider and once the user calls in to their ISP or OSP, an indirect connection to the internet via the ISP or OSP is achieved. A user can send and receive messages over the internet, including any form of communication via a communication network such as a URL request, HTML transfers, JAVA code, email messages, FTP transfers, voice, music, etc. One drawback to the aforementioned system is that when users travel out of the region of their local service provider, it is either not possible or it is very complicated to connect to a local service provider in the area that they are in order to gain internet access. In some locations, there exist communication stations having computers that allow individuals internet access for a fee. However, such communication stations do not meet the needs of most travelers, since they are located in public places and do not allow individuals to access the internet from their own personal computer or in the convenience of their own private location. Arrangements that allow travelers to connect to a local service provider from their own personal computer tend to require much computer expertise to implement and maintain. Moreover, said arrangements tend to be costly and the set up of the connection can be time consuming and invariably frustrating. Furthermore, users must subscribe in advance for IP Roaming service in order to gain internet access when abroad. It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method for connecting to a local internet service provider that is especially useful for users traveling outside the region of their regular internet service provider. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for connecting to a local internet service provider that is especially useful for "homebound" users who access the internet on an occasional basis. It is moreover an object of the present invention to provide a system for connecting to a local internet service provider that does not require "installation" on a user computer. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a system for connecting to a local internet service provider that requires little or no computer expertise to implement. It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a system for connecting to a local internet service provider that is inexpensive. These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the drawings that follow. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for automatically connecting to a local internet service provider from a user computer, especially useful for occasional internet users, comprising; (a) computer readable media having specialized dialer software and at least one profile configured by an internet service provider containing parameters for use by said specialized dialer software; (b) at least one user computer capable of running the dialer software, and; (c) a local internet service provider having server software for configuring said at least one profile of said computer readable media before distribution of said media to a user. It is appreciated that in the context of the present invention "occasional" is meant to include users who access the internet on an infrequent basis, users who do not wish to maintain a regular contract with an internet service provider, and/or users who are away from their regular internet access site (for example, foreign travelers). It is furthermore appreciated that the dialer software is "specialized" in that it is designed to automatically connect a user to an internet service provider using the profile without requiring setting of dialing parameters by the user, and that it is capable of working with multiple profiles. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the computer readable media is a diskette. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer readable media is a CD. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the server software comprises a Wizard. The Wizard control is preferably provided to internet service providers by the manufacturer of the computer readable media of the present invention along with the computer readable media. Each internet service provider uses the Wizard to configure the profile of each computer readable media according to specific parameters. Thereafter, the internet service provider preferably distributes the computer readable media (for free or for a charge, depending on the particular configuring of the media by the internet service provider) to individual users. Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the dialer software is operative for using more than one of said at least one profiles. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the profile is encrypted. It is appreciated that encryption prevents abuse of the system of the present invention, in particular on the part of the internet service provider. Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is pre-paid for by a user. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is sold to a third party company and thereafter distributed to users. Preferably, the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is usable for a predetermined total amount of time. Alternatively, the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is usable for a predetermined period of time. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is post-paid for by a user. There is also provided in the present invention a method for connecting to a local internet service provider from a user computer, comprising; (a) providing computer readable media having specialized dialer software and at least one profile configured by an internet service provider containing parameters for use by said specialized dialer software; (b) inserting said computer readable media into a user computer and activating the dialer software of said computer readable media; (c) checking for a modem and for dial-up networking capability; (d) creating a dial-up connection according to the parameters of one of said at least one profile provided on the computer readable media; (e) checking for a telephone line and dial tone; (f) connecting to a local internet service provider; (g) authorizing the connection to said local internet service provider. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises the step of opening an internet browser to a predetermined website (specified in the parameters if the smartconnector.dat profile). Preferably said predetermined website is the site of the internet service provider from which the media was received. Alternatively, said predetermined website may be that of a third party company that contracts with the internet service provider such that their portal site is opened automatically. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises the step of specifying a modem. Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises the step of specifying a dialing prefix/suffix. Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises the step of specifying said at least one profile. It is appreciated that the system of the present invention is especially useful for users who are in an area outside of the service area of their regular internet service provider, for example, travelers in foreign countries. Using the system of the present invention, said users may achieve Internet access from the comfort and/or convenience of their own hotel room, and from their own personal computer. It is also appreciated, however, that the system provides a user-friendly and inexpensive solution for "homebound" (non-travelling) users who only desire to access the internet on an occasional basis, but do not wish to obtain a regular contract from a regular internet service provider because of the cost or for any other reason. It is furthermore appreciated that the system of the present invention allows an internet service provider to provide service for (and to generate extra revenue from) occasional users who do not have a regular contract with said internet service provider. It is moreover appreciated that the system of the present invention may be employed by a user without requiring any conventional "installation" or set-up. No computer expertise or dialing set up is necessary to implement the system of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for connecting to a local internet service provider, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is appreciated that the detailed description provided is intended to illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention, as set out in the claims. In accordance with the present invention, a system is provided for automatically connecting to a local internet service provider from a user computer that is especially useful for occasional internet users. In this description, "local internet service provider" will be understood to include any Internet service provider ("ISP"), on-line service provider ("OSP") or other computer server that may be accessed by dial-up access for providing a connection to the Internet, on-line services, dial up computer services, wide area networks, e-mail systems, and so on. "Local" will be understood as any city, state, country, area code region, or other region from which a particular service provider may be accessed. "User computer" will be understood to include any user communication equipment such as any type of personal computer or portable computer such as a laptop or notebook. It is appreciated that the system of the present invention is especially useful for users traveling with portable or mobile communication equipment. In addition, the user computer may effectively employ the present invention when utilizing a variety of operating systems such as the "Windows 95", "Windows 98", "Windows 2000", or "Windows NT" operating system. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, internet service providers are provided with computer readable media (preferably, diskette or CD) comprising a specialized dialer engine capable of automatically establishing a connection to a network server without requiring installation or set-up on the part of the user (said dialer engine will hereinafter be referred to as "SmartConnector"). Internet service providers are also provided with a Wizard that enables straight-forward configuring of a smartconnector.dat profile on the computer readable media according to the desired connection parameters of the particular internet service provider. Once configured (using the Wizard), the computer readable media is distributed (either for a cost, or free of charge) to users for providing connection to the particular internet service provider from which the media was received. The SmartConnector of each computer readable media is specially adapted for reading different smartconnector.dat profiles and for using different dial-up parameters. It is appreciated that this enables the same SmartConnector to be used in every computer readable media of the present invention, regardless of the internet service provider that configured the smartconnector.dat profile. In one preferred embodiment, in which users receive the computer readable media at no cost, the smartconnector.dat profile preferably includes a "premium" line phone number (for example, a "900" number in the United States) that allows the user, according to any appropriate billing means known in the art, to connect to a local internet service provider for a desired amount of time and to be billed (for example, through a credit card or directly through the telephone line) accordingly. The user may use the computer readable media to connect to the local internet service provider from which the media was distributed as few or as many times as he or she wishes, and will pay a cost only for the time of connection for each connection. It is appreciated that in this preferred embodiment the same computer readable media, for example, a single diskette received from a local internet service provider, may be copied and/or shared with other users, since each user pays according to their specific usage time. It is appreciated that the SmartConnector engine and smartconnector.dat profile may also be implemented as part of a "members only" website. In this preferred embodiment, internet users who do not wish to provide their personal information and credit card number in order to gain access to a "members only" site (and related sites) can go to the "entrance" webpage of said "members only" site and (by clicking on an appropriate option,) reconnect to the internet using the SmartConnector and profile of the present invention. Preferably, users are reconnected through a "premium" line telephone number (preferably owned by the "members only" site) such that the user pays the "members only" site for the amount time spent in said "members only" site but without necessitating submitting of personal information and credit card number. In another preferred embodiment, in which users receive the computer readable media from a local internet service provider (or a distributor for said provider) for a cost, the smartconnector.dat profile preferably includes a "toll-free" line phone number (for example, an "800" number in the United States) or a "regular" local telephone number that allows a user to connect to said local internet service provider preferably for a predetermined number of total hours or for a predetermined period of time (meaning that the computer readable media will "expire" after a certain date and further connection to the service provider using said media will not be possible). In this preferred embodiment, the smartconnector.dat profile preferably further includes a login and password. Preferably, the smartconnector.dat profile is wholly or partially encrypted to protect against unauthorized access and/or usage. The computer readable media and server software (Wizard) of the present invention are preferably manufactured and issued to local internet service providers by a manufacturer. Local internet service providers distribute (for a cost or free of charge) the media to any number of users. The manufacturer provides the internet service providers with the number of computer readable media desired and with the Wizard for enabling setting of the parameters of the profile (smartconnector.dat) of each computer readable medium according to the particular internet service provider. The parameters may include a telephone number, a login, a password, and other parameters that may be needed for a network connection. It is appreciated that since the profile is encrypted, internet service providers are prevented from unauthorized altering or reconfiguring said profile. Once configured, internet service providers distribute computer readable media to users who can connect to the respective local internet server from which the media was received by using the dialer software (SmartConnector) on the media (said dialer software uses the parameters configured by the internet service provider in order to connect to the respective server). Internet service providers may also sell the computer readable media of the present invention to a third party company who distributes (preferably free of charge) the computer readable media to users (tourists, for example) for providing connection to the internet service provider (in the aforementioned manner). In this preferred embodiment, upon connection to the internet server, the user's browser is automatically opened to the website of the third party company from which the media was received. Referring to Fig. 1, and to a method for connecting to a local internet service provider using the system herein described, a user first inserts the computer readable media received from a local internet service provider into a user computer (step 1). If the computer readable media is a diskette, then the user opens the SmartConnector dialer engine of the diskette (step 2). If the computer readable media is a CD, the SmartConnector opens automatically. The SmartConnector then checks for a modem and for dial-up networking capability (step 3). In preferred embodiments in which there is more than one profile, the user is preferably given an option to select which profile to use. If the user computer has more than one modem, the user is given the option of choosing the modem (step 4). Furthermore, the user is given the option to add a dialing prefix/suffix (needed for example for dial-up from a hotel or office having an internal switchboard requiring a dialing prefix/suffix) (step 4). The SmartConnector then sets up a connection using the parameters of the smartconnector.dat profile (step 5), as configured by the local internet service provider, and also the specific modem and/or profile and/or prefix/suffix selected by the user, if any. Next, the SmartConnector checks for an available telephone line and for a dial tone (step 6). If present, the SmartConnector dials the internet service provider (step 7) and transmits login information (for authentication of the identity of the computer readable media) (step 8). If the login is successfully completed, the SmartConnector checks for a browser on the user computer. If present, the browser is opened to a predetermined web site (step 9). It is appreciated that said predetermined website may be the homepage/portal of the internet service provider from which the media was provided. Alternatively, said predetermined website may be that of a third party company that contracts with the internet service provider such that their web site is opened automatically upon connection to the server (as described above). It is appreciated that in either of the aforementioned preferred embodiments, the "default" homepage/portal defined on the user's browser is not changed. It is appreciated that during any step, the aforementioned method may be terminated or delayed if any problem arises (for example, improper connection to telephone line or improper dialing parameter) or if the user desires to stop the connection. It is appreciated that in such a case, the SmartConnector will display an appropriate message and/or option to the user.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A system for providing a connection to a local internet service provider from a user computer, especially useful for occasional internet users, comprising; (a) computer readable media having specialized dialer software and at least one profile configured by an internet service provider containing parameters for use by said specialized dialer software; (b) at least one user computer capable of running said specialized dialer software, and; (c) a local internet service provider having server software for configuring said at least one profile of said computer readable media before distribution of said media to a user. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the computer readable media is a diskette. 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the computer readable media is a CD. 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the server software comprises a Wizard. 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the specialized dialer software is operative for using more than one of said at least one profiles. 6. A system according to claims 1, wherein the profile is encrypted. 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is pre-paid for by a user. 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is sold to a third party company and thereafter distributed to users. 9. A system according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is usable for a predetermined total amount of time. 10. A system according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is usable for a predetermined period of time. 11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the profile is configured such that the computer readable media is post-paid for by a user. 12. A method for connecting to a local internet service provider from a user computer, comprising; (a) providing computer readable media having specialized dialer software and at least one profile configured by an internet service provider containing parameters for use by said specialized dialer software; (b) inserting said computer readable media into a user computer and activating the dialer software of said computer readable media; (c) checking for a modem and for dial-up networking capability; (d) creating a dial-up connection according to the parameters of one of said at least one profile provided on the computer readable media; (e) checking for the presence of an available- telephone line and dial tone; (f) connecting to a local internet service provider; (g) authorizing the connection to said local internet service provider. 13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of opening an internet browser to a predetermined website. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined website is the website of internet service provider from which the computer readable media was received. 15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined website is the website of a company that contracts with the internet service provider from which the computer readable media was received. 16. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of specifying a modem. 17. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of specifying a dialing prefix/suffix. 18. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of specifying said at least one profile.

Inventors: RON JOSEPH, RON, JOSEPH
Applicants: RON JOSEPH, RON, JOSEPH
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: H04L12, H04L29