Abstract:
The invention is a technology that provides a computer user with a connection to a communications server when they connect their computer to an access port. The technology automatically configures the computer for communication with the server and then restores the initial computer configuration after the session. In one example of the invention, the user simply connects their laptop computer to an Ethernet port in a hotel room and powers-up the computer. The laptop computer executes a small access software application that directs the laptop computer to process a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that is broadcast over the Ethernet network by an access server. The access software application directs the computer to execute a web browser using the URL. The web browser directs the computer to retrieve and display a web page represented by the URL from a communications server. The web page contains basic service information. After the user responds to the web page, the communications server directs the communications system to provide the user with a high-speed connection to the Internet. The user can browse the World-Wide Web, access e-mail or exchange files with their corporate network over the high-speed Internet connection. The high-speed Internet connection speeds up the data transfer, conserves telephone system capacity, and avoids costly long-distance charges.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is related to the field of communications systems, and in particular, to a system for connecting a computer to a communications system. 
     1. Problem 
     There is a growing demand for systems that transparently connect a user&#39;s computer to a communications system. This demand is especially acute with regard to high-speed connections to advanced communications systems, such as the Internet. High-speed Internet connections are typically installed to the home or office. In a typical home system, an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) connection is provided to the home where it is connected to a desktop computer. In a typical corporate system, a corporate server and multiple desktop computers are connected to a Local Area As Network (LAN). The corporate server provides an intranet over the LAN to the desktop computers. The corporate server is also connected to the Internet over a high-speed connection through a firewall. The high-speed connection provides the desktop computers with high-speed Internet access through the corporate server and firewall. 
     Unfortunately, a user does not have access to the high-speed connection when they travel away from the home or office. The user typically needs to communicate while traveling using a portable laptop computer to access e-mail, Internet services, or corporate networks. The present systems that interface laptop computers with communications systems are problematic. 
     One existing solution uses a conventional telephone line to connect a portable laptop computer to an Internet service provider or to a corporate network. However, this solution is undesirable because the conventional telephone line is not a high-speed connection and data transfer is slow. The use of the telephone line for the computer reduces the capacity of the telephone system for conventional telephone traffic. In addition, the telephone connection is expensive to maintain for long-distance calls. 
     Another solution provides high-speed Internet access through kiosks located in various public places. The kiosks are equipped with their own computers that are already connected to a high-speed connection. However, the kiosk solution is undesirable because the kiosks do not allow the user to connect their own laptop computer directly to the high-speed connection, and the kiosk computer may not have the software applications that are desired by the user. In addition, the user may have personal configurations on the laptop computer that are required for a productive Internet session. For example, a web browser in the laptop computer may have personalized settings for important web sites, or an encryption program in the laptop computer may have keys that are required to exchange files with a corporate site. 
     Another solution allows users to connect their laptop computer directly to a high-speed connection. The user must re-configure the laptop computer to make the high-speed connection operational. This solution is undesirable because configuring the laptop computer to operate over a high-speed connection is a complex task beyond the skill of the typical user. Multiple operations are required before the laptop computer is properly configured to communicate over the high-speed connection. Further, the laptop computer must be re-configured to its original state when the user returns to the office for communication with the corporate network. The complex configuration and re-configuration of the laptop computer should be avoided. 
     Many communications software packages for the above-described solutions are available for laptop computers. These software packages are relatively large in order to generate screens offering numerous features. Some examples of these software packages are web browsers, configuration wizards, and modem control utilities. At present, these software packages are not designed to automatically configure communications software in the computer to connect through an access port to a server for a high-speed connection. In addition, these software packages require a relatively large amount of memory that diminishes the computer&#39;s storage capacity. A large software package can also take a long time to download if it must be retrieved from a server. 
     At present, computer users need a technology that allows them to connect their own computer through an access port to a server that typically provides a high-speed connection to an advanced communications system, such as the Internet. The technology should not require the user to perform the complex task of configuring the computer to communicate over a high-speed connection and then re-configuring the computer for the office network. The technology should also be efficient to avoid loading a large software program onto the computer. 
     2. Solution 
     The invention solves the above problems with technology that provides a computer user with a connection to a communications server when they connect their computer to an access port. The technology automatically configures the computer for communication with the server and then restores the initial computer configuration after the session. Typically, the user need only connect the computer to the access port to automatically receive a web page from the communications server offering a high speed Internet connection. 
     The invention includes an access server that broadcasts an address over a network. A computer connected to the network executes an access software application that directs the computer to process the broadcast. The access software application also directs the computer to execute a communications software application using the address from the broadcast. When executed, the communications software application directs the computer to communicate with a communications server at the address. The communications server typically offers high-speed Internet access to the user. 
     In one example of the invention, the user simply connects their laptop computer to an Ethernet port in a hotel room and powers-up the computer. The laptop computer executes a small access software application that directs the laptop computer to detect a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that is broadcast over the Ethernet network by an access server. The access software application directs the computer to execute a web browser using the URL. The web browser directs the computer to retrieve and display a web page represented by the URL from a communications server. The web page contains basic service information. After the user responds to the web page, an application server authorizes the user, and if the user is authorized, the application server directs a firewall in the communications system to provide the user with a high-speed connection to the Internet. The user can access e-mail or exchange files with their corporate network over the high-speed Internet connection. The access software application restores the initial settings to the computer after the communications session, so the user can simply plug back into their home or office network without manual re-configuration. 
     The access software application leverages the web browser in the computer to provide the display and establish Internet connections. Use of the web browser allows the access software application to remain relatively small and preserve memory and performance for other user applications on the computer. In addition, the user is not required to use conventional telephone lines with a dial-up modem connection. The high-speed Internet connection speeds up the data transfer, conserves telephone system capacity, and avoids costly long-distance charges. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a computing system. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a communications system. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an example of communications system operation. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an Internet access system. 
     FIGS. 5-6 illustrate an example of Internet access system operation. 
     FIGS. 7-8 illustrate an example of program flow for the access software application. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an Internet access system for a television set-top box. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Computing System Environment—FIG. 1 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a computing system environment  100  used in the context of the present invention. The computing system environment  100  is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the claimed invention. Neither should the computing environment  100  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary computing system environment  100 . 
     The claimed invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the claimed invention can include, but are also not limited to, a general purpose Personal Computer (PC), hand-held or lap top computers, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network computers, Personal Communication Systems (PCS), Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any one or more of the above computing systems or devices, and the like. 
     The claimed invention may also be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions that are executable on a PC. Such executable instructions include the instructions within program modules that are executed on a PC for example. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform discrete tasks or implement abstract data types. The claimed invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory devices. 
     The exemplary computing system environment  100  is a general purpose computing device such a PC  110 . Components of PC  110  include, but are not limited to, a processing unit  120 , a system memory  130 , and a system bus  121 . The system bus  121  communicatively connects the aforementioned components and numerous other cooperatively interactive components. 
     Processing unit  120  is the primary intelligence and controller for PC  110  and can be any one of many commercially available processors available in the industry. System bus  121  may be any combination of several types of bus structures including, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller bus, a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus. System bus  121 , also referred to as an expansion bus or I/O channel, can be based on any one of a variety of bus architectures including, but not limited to, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), Enhanced ISA (EISA), Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) also known as Mezzanine bus. 
     System memory  130  is a volatile memory that can include a Read Only Memory (ROM)  131  and/or a Random Access Memory (RAM)  132 . ROM  131  typically includes a Basic InpuVOutput System (BIOS)  133 . BIOS  133  is comprised of basic routines that control the transfer of data and programs between peripheral non-volatile memories that are accessible to PC  110  during start-up or boot operations. RAM  132  typically contains data and/or programs that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit  120 . Types of data and/or programs in RAM  132  can include operating system programs  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 . 
     Other components in PC  110  include numerous peripheral devices that are accessible to processing unit  120  by way of system bus  121 . The numerous peripheral devices are supported by appropriate interfaces that can include a first non-volatile memory interface  140  for non-removable non-volatile memory device support, a second non-volatile memory interface  150  for removable non-volatile memory device support, a user input interface  160  for serial device support, a network interface  170  for remote device communication device support, a video interface  190  for video input/output device support, and an output peripheral interface  195  for output device support. 
     Examples of a non-removable non-volatile memory device can include a magnetic disk device  141  or other large capacity read/write medium such as an optical disk, magnetic tape, optical tape, or solid state memory. Types of data often stored on a non-removable non-volatile memory device include persistent copies of programs and/or data being used and/or manipulated in RAM  132  such as operating system programs  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147 . 
     One example of a removable non-volatile memory device can include a magnetic floppy disk device or hard disk device  151  that accepts removable magnetic media  152 . Another example of a removable non-volatile memory device can include an optical disk device  155  that accepts removable optical media  156 . Other types of removable media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, digital video tape, Bernoulli cartridge, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. 
     User input interface  160  supports user input devices that can include, but are not limited to, a pointing device  161  commonly referred to as a mouse or touch pad, and a keyboard  162 . Other user input devices can include, but are not limited to, a microphone, joystick, game pad, neuro-stimulated sensor, and scanner, and may require other interface and bus structures such as a parallel port, game port or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) for example. 
     User input/output devices supported by video interface  190  can include a display monitor  191  or a video camera. Output peripheral interface  195  supports output devices such as printer  196  and speakers  197 . 
     Network interface  170  supports communications access to a remote computing facility such as remote computer  180  by way of LAN  171  and/or Wide Area Network (WAN)  173 , or other Intranet or Internet connection. Other remote computing facility types for remote computer  180  can include, but are not limited to, a PC, server, router, printer, network PC, a peer device, or other common network node. A remote computer  180  can typically include many or all of the components described above for PC  110 . Modulator/Demodulator (MODEM)  172  can also be used to facilitate communications to remote computer  180 . Types of programs and/or data accessible from remote memory device  181  on remote computer  180  can include, but are not limited to, remote application programs  185 . 
     System Configuration and Operation—FIGS. 2-3 
     FIG. 2 depicts a communications system  200  that is configured and operates in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate how the computing environment described for FIG. 1 can be applied in the context of FIG.  2 . The communications system  200  is comprised of a computer  210 , a server system  220 , and a network  230 . The computer  210  is comprised of an access software application  211  and a communications software application  212 . The server system  220  is comprised of an access server  221  and a communications server  222 . The network  230  is operationally coupled to the computer  210  and the server system  220 . 
     The computer  210  is typically a portable computing device, such as a laptop or hand-held computer, but the computer  210  could be any device capable of executing the software applications  211  and  212 . The software applications  211  and  212  are stored on a computer storage medium and are executed by the computer  210 . The software applications  211  and  212  are able to communicate over the network  230  when the computer  210  is appropriately connected. The access software application  211  includes interface instructions and processing instructions. The access software application  211  and the access server  221  initiate communications between the communications software application  212  and the communications server  222 . The communications software application  212  and the communications server  222  could be a conventional web browser and web server respectively. 
     FIG. 3 depicts the operation of the communications system  200 . The operation starts at step  301  with the access server  221  broadcasting an address for the communications server  222  over the network  230 . The computer  210  is connected to the network  230  and executes the access software application  211 . The access software application  211  directs the computer  210  to process the broadcast and obtain the address in step  302 . The access software application  211  also directs the computer  210  to execute the communications software application  212  using the address from the broadcast in step  303 . The communications software application directs the computer  210  to communicate with the communications server  222  at the address in step  304 . 
     Those skilled in the art are aware that software applications take many forms. In the context of the invention, the software applications  211  and  212  each represent a set of computer-executable instructions. The two software applications  211  and  212  could be integrated into a single software package where the access software application  211  represents a sub-routine or function of the communications software application  212 . 
     Internet Access System Configuration and Operation—FIGS. 4-6 
     FIG.  4 . depicts a detailed system configuration for an example of the invention, but the invention is not restricted to this particular configuration. Those skilled in the art will appreciate how the computing environment described for FIG. 1 can be applied in the context of FIG.  4 . Those skilled in the art will also appreciate how the principles illustrated in this example can be used in other versions of the invention. For example, the example illustrates Internet access, but the invention could be used to access other networks if desired. 
     On FIG. 4, a portable computer  410  is connected to an Internet access system  400 . The Internet access system  400  is connected to the Internet  440 . The portable computer  410  comprises an access software application  411 , a web browser  412 , and a LAN interface  413 . The Internet access system  400  comprises a server system  420  and a LAN  430 . The LAN  430  includes access ports  431 - 435 . The server system  420  includes an access server  421 , a web server  422 , an application server  423 , a firewall  424 , and a LAN interface  425 . The LAN interface  413  of the portable computer  410  is connected to the access port  433  of the LAN  430 . The LAN interface  425  of the server system  420  is connected to the LAN  430 . The firewall  424  is connected to the Internet  440 . 
     The portable computer  410  could be a conventional laptop computer running a conventional operating system. The LAN interface  413  could be a conventional LAN interface, such as an Ethernet card. A cable is typically used to connect the LAN interface  413  to the access port  433 . The computer  410  supports the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) that allows the dynamic assignment of an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the computer  410  when it is connected to the LAN  430 . 
     The web browser  412  is a software application that is executed by the computer  410 . The web browser uses Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to communicate over the World Wide Web (Web) portion of the Internet. The web browser  412  typically retrieves a web page from a web server using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The web page is used to display information to the user and to collect information from the user. The web page may also contain links to retrieve other web pages. Web terminology and communications are well known. 
     The access software application  411  is stored on a computer storage medium and is executed by the computer  410 . The access software application  411  interacts with the access server  421  to initiate a communications session for the web browser  412 . The access software application  411  also interacts with the access server  421  to provide messages to the user and to end the communications session. 
     A proxy address is used by computers to communicate through a proxy device, such as a server. The computer  410  typically stores a proxy address for use in an office network, but this proxy address is not useful within the internet access system  400 . The computer  410  needs to use another proxy address that is provided by the internet access system  400 , but when the user returns to the office, the computer  410  will again need to use the original proxy address. To facilitate these needs, the access software application  411  stores the original proxy address and obtains a new proxy address from the internet access system  400 . After the communications session is ended, the access software application  411  restores the original proxy address so the user is ready to communicate over their office network when they return home. In some cases, the access software application  411  stores the original static IP address from the web browser  412  and restores it when the communications session is ended. 
     The storage media for the access software application  411  can take many forms. Software can be stored on a hard disk in the computer  410 . Software can be stored on a removable disk coupled with the computer  410 . Software can be downloaded from a server into the system memory of the computer  410 . Those skilled in the art are familiar with other forms of computer storage media. 
     The access software application  411  and the web browser  412  are shown as two software applications. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the software applications  411  and  412  could be combined into one software package. The access software application  411  could be included as a feature or function of the web browser  412 . Alternatively, the access software application  411  could be included as a feature or function of the operating system. 
     The LAN  430  is a conventional high-speed network, such as an Ethernet LAN supporting TCP/IP. The access ports  431 - 435  are LAN terminals, such as Ethernet ports. There would typically be numerous additional access ports, but the number shown is restricted for clarity. The LAN  430  and LAN interfaces  413  and  425  support communications between: 1) the access server  421  and the access software application  411 , 2) the web browser  412  and the web server  422 , and 3) the web browser  412  and the firewall  424 . 
     The server system  420  could be a computer configured to run version  4 . 0  of the WINDOWS NT operating system supplied by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. The access server  421  and the application server  423  could be software applications that are stored on a computer storage medium and that are executed by server system  420 . The web server  422  and the firewall  424  could be standard components of the WINDOWS NT operating system in server system  420 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the server system  420  could be implemented in numerous different configurations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, multiple interconnected computers could be configured with server software. The invention is not restricted to a particular server system configuration. 
     The access server  421  interacts with the access software application  411  to start and stop a communications session. The access server  421  broadcasts a URL over the LAN  430  twice per second. The term “broadcast” means that any device that is connected to one of the ports  431 - 435  and running the access software application  411  could receive the broadcast. The access server uses conventional sockets technology to determine if the computer  410  has disconnected from the LAN  430 . The access server  421  instructs the application server  423  when the communications session is over. 
     The web server  422  returns a web page in response to each URL. The web pages typically include a start service page, a welcome back page, a stop service page, and miscellaneous pages. The start page prompts the user through service options and fees. For example, the start service page may collect a credit card number or obtain authorization to bill a user account. The miscellaneous pages could include messages for specific users, such as a page to authorize a charge for additional service. The miscellaneous pages could also include other information, such as restaurant menus for a hotel. 
     The application server  423  manages the service. The application server  423  interacts with the web server  422  to provide web pages to the user. The application server  423  instructs the firewall  424  to open and close ports to the Internet. The application server  423  exchanges user messages and session status with the access server  421 . 
     The web server  422  and application server  423  can work together to tailor a web page based on a specific user&#39;s IP address or MAC address. When the web browser  412  contacts the web server  422  with the user&#39;s IP or MAC address, the web server  422  provides the user&#39;s IP or MAC address to the application server  423 . The application server  423  checks the status of the IP or MAC address. If a communications session is not in progress, the application server  423  instructs the web server to return the start page to the web browser  412 . In some instances, a communications session may still be in progress. For example, the user may pay for 24 hours of use, but may shut down a session to go to sleep and then start another session in the morning. In this case, the start page is unnecessary, and the application server  423  instructs the web server to return a welcome back page with current session status and usage information to the web browser  412 . 
     The access server  421  and the application server  423  can work together to send informational messages to the user. Some examples of informational messages are messages that inform the user that a cab is available or that inform the user to authorize extension of the communications session. The application server  423  can send a message to the access server  421 , and the access server  421  can send the message to the access software application  411  for presentation to the user. Presentation may entail changing the color of the icon for the access software application  411  to indicate a new message to the user. The application server  423  can also send a message URL to the access server  421 , and the access server  421  can send the message URL to the access software application  411 . The access software application  411  then directs the computer  410  to execute the currently running web browser  412  or another instance of the web browser  412  using the message URL. The message URL identifies a web page in the web server  422  that contains the message for the user. 
     The firewall  424  is a conventional component that forms a boundary between two networks. Typically, a firewall provides Internet access to users on an internal network, but protects the internal network from unwanted intrusion from the Internet. The firewall  424  opens and closes ports for particular IP addresses based on instructions from the application server  423 . The firewall  424  is typically connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) over a high-speed connection using technologies such as Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) or Synchronous Optical Network (SONET). A typical high-speed connection would be a TDM T1 or a SONET OC-3. The firewall  424  could also provide a proxy for the user. The proxy uses a proxy address to exchange information for a user over the Internet. The proxy then uses the user&#39;s IP address to exchange the information with the user over the LAN  430 . The web browser  412  can access the proxy service in the firewall  424  by using the proxy address provided by the access server  421 . 
     It should be appreciated that a user can connect the portable computer  410  to one of the ports  431 - 435  and automatically receive a web page. If the user responds positively to the web page, the user can then use the web browser  412  to communicate over a high-speed connection to the Internet  440 . The user need not use conventional telephone lines or perform complex configuration procedures. The computer  410  is automatically re-configured to communicate over the office network when the user returns to the office. 
     FIGS. 5-6 depict exemplary operation of the system depicted on FIG.  4 . FIGS. 5-6 are viewed chronologically in the time domain from the top down and depict the sequence of messages and information that are transferred between the system elements. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from this specific operation that do not depart from the scope of the invention. The invention is not limited to the specific operation depicted on FIGS. 5-6. 
     The access server  421  broadcasts access information over the LAN  430  twice every second. The access information includes an optional encryption key, an optional proxy address, and URLs. The encryption key is used to encrypt communications to the access server  421 . The proxy address is used if the firewall  424  offers a proxy service to the Internet  440 . The URLs identify a start service web page, an optional upgrade web page, and an optional stop service web page. Any device connected to one of the access ports  431 - 435  and running an access software application  411  should receive the broadcast. 
     The access software application  411  in the portable computer  410  processes the broadcast. The access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to execute the web browser  412  using the start information. The start information includes the start URL, and the IP address and the Media Access Control (MAC) address for the computer  410  are appended to the start URL. The access software application  411  also transfers a response message to the access server  421 . The response message includes the MAC address of the computer  410  and an optional encryption key for communications with the computer  410 . The response also includes the type and version of the access software application  411  and the computer  410  operating system. If a new version of the access software application  411  is available, then the access server  421  can instruct the access software application  411  to use the upgrade URL to upgrade to the access software application  411 . 
     The web browser  412  transfers an IP message to the web server  421  using the start URL. The IP and MAC addresses for the computer  410  are appended to the URL in the message. The web server  422  processes the message and queries the application server  423  with the appended IP and MAC addresses. The application server  423  retrieves any status information for the user based on the IP and MAC addresses and returns the status information to the web server  422 . The web server  422  uses the status information to build a web page for the user. If the user is currently engaged in a session, then the web server  422  builds a welcome back web page that includes current status and usage information. If the user is not currently engaged in a session, then the web server  422  builds a start service web page that includes a service menu and fee information. The start service page is typically configured to obtain some type of payment authorization, such as a credit card number or an account number. In this example, the user receives a start service web page. 
     The user responds positively to the start service web page, and the web browser  412  transfers a start service message to the web server  422 . The web server  422  transfers a start service message for the user to the application server  423 . The user is represented by both an IP and MAC address. The application server  423  instructs the firewall  424  to open a port to the Internet  440  for the IP address. 
     At this point, the user has access to the Internet  440  over a high-speed connection, such as a LAN coupled to a SONET OC-3. The user can access web sites or set-up a tunneled connection to a corporate network. If the firewall  424  provides a proxy service, then the web browser  412  uses the proxy address provided by the access software application  411  to communicate through the firewall  424 . If desired, the web browser may be allowed to communicate directly through the firewall  424  without a proxy. 
     The Internet session continues on FIG. 6 with examples of user messaging. The application server  423  has two methods for messaging the user. In the first method, the application server  423  sends the message and MAC address for the user to the access server  421 . The access server  421  sends the message to the access software application  411  in the computer  410  as identified by the MAC address. The access software application  411  notifies the user that a message has been received from the system  400 . Notification could entail changing the color of the icon for the application  411  in the operating system task bar or the system tray. 
     In the second method, the application server  423  sends a message URL and the MAC address for the user to the access server  421 . The access server  421  sends the message URL to the access software application  411  in the computer  410  as identified by the MAC address. The access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to execute the currently running web browser  412  or another instance of the web browser  412  using the message URL. The web browser  412  transfers a message to the web server  422  with the message URL, and the web server  422  returns a web page with the message to the web browser  412 . The web browser  412  then displays the message web page to the user. This method would useful to notify the user that additional service authorization is required, or to notify the user of other real-time events, such as the arrival of a taxi for the user. 
     Typically, the user will perform an orderly shut down using the operating system or the access software application  411 . In either case, the access software application  411  sends a stop service message to the access server  421 . The access server  421  transfers a stop service message for the user to the application server  423 , and the application server  423  instructs the firewall to close the port to the Internet  440  for the user&#39;s IP address. The access software application  411  may also direct the computer  410  to execute the currently running web browser  412  or another instance of the web browser  412  using the stop service URL. The web browser  412  transfers a message to the web server  422  with the stop service URL, and the web server  422  returns a stop service web page to the web browser  412  for display to the user. The stop service web page typically thanks the user and informs the user that the session is over. 
     Access Software Application Program Flow—FIGS. 7-8 
     FIGS. 7-8 depict the program flow of the access software application  411  of FIG.  4 . Those skilled in the art will recognize variations from the specific program flow on FIGS. 7-8 that do not depart from the scope of the invention. The invention is not restricted to the particular program flow depicted on FIGS. 7-8. 
     The program flow starts when the user initiates execution of the access software application  411 . Execution could be initiated in numerous ways, such as clicking an icon, using a connection management utility, or placing a start instruction in the operating system start-up file to run the access software application  411  when the computer  410  is powered-up. In step  702 , the access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to process the broadcast from an access server on the connected network. The access software application  411  obtains the IP and MAC addresses for the computer  410  in step  704 . In step  706 , the access software application  411  replaces the original proxy address for the web browser  412  with the proxy address from the broadcast. The access software application  411  also places an instruction in the operating system start-up file to restore the original proxy address upon subsequent start-up. The instruction will restore the computer  410  to its original configuration if the computer is powered-down without running a shut down procedure. By restoring the original configuration, the access software application  411  allows the user to return to work and plug in to the corporate network without any manual re-configuration. 
     The access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to execute the web browser  412  using the start URL and the IP and MAC addresses for the computer  410  in step  708 . The access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to respond to the access server  421  in step  710 . The response includes an optional encryption key, the MAC address for the computer  410 , and the type/version of the access software application  411  and the operating system in the computer  410 . 
     In step  712  on FIG. 8, the access software application  411  awaits a message from the access server. If a message is received from the access server  421 , the access software application  411  checks for the message itself or for a message URL in step  714 . If the actual message is present, the access software application  411  directs the computer to notify the user in step  716 , such as by changing the color of an icon. If a message URL is present at step  714 , the access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to execute the currently running web browser  412  or another instance of the web browser  412  using the message URL in step  718 . 
     In step  720 , the access software application  411  awaits a stop session instruction from the user. If a stop session instruction is received, the access software application  411  restores the original proxy address to the web browser  412  and removes the restore proxy address instruction from the operating system start-up file in step  722 . In step  724 , the access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to execute the currently running web browser  412  or another instance of the web browser  412  using the stop service URL. In step  726 , the access software application  411  directs the computer  410  to send a stop service message to the access server  421 . If the computer  410  is configured with a static IP address instead of a proxy address, the access software application  411  would save and restore the static IP address in the same manner as described above for the proxy address. 
     Alternative System Configuration for a Television Set-Top Box—FIG. 9 
     Televisions are being configured to operate under the control of set-top boxes that communicate with the internet. FIG. 9 depicts an alternative system where a television set-top box  910  is connected to the Internet access system  400  of FIG.  4 . The Internet access system  400  is connected to the Internet  440 . The Internet access system  400  is configured and operates as described above. The television set-top box  910  is coupled to a television  950 . 
     The television set-top box  910  includes an access software application  911  and a web browser  912 . The access software application  911  and the web browser  912  are similar to the access software application  411  and the web browser  412  described above for FIG.  4 . The television set-top box  910  could be a conventional device configured to execute the access software application  911  and the web browser  912 . Those skilled in the art are familiar with television set-top boxes, and how such a device is configured with software. 
     The access software application  911  receives a broadcast URL and directs the set-top box  910  to launch the web browser  912  with the URL. The set-top box  910  displays the web page obtained with the URL on the television  950 . The web page prompts the user of the television  950  to start Internet service. If selected, the set-top box is connected to the Internet  440  over a high-speed connection as described above for FIG.  4 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.