Patent ID: 6944667

Claim:
An internet access terminal, comprising a system accessing the internet, the system containing: a) an access device, and b) computer apparatus at the device and including a user data input mechanism, and data display means, c) a user stored information card reader at the device, and said computer apparatus including circuit means operatively connected to the card reader to be responsive to reading of user card data to enable user access to the internet via said computer apparatus at the access device, d) said access device having an associated housing, e) said circuit means providing a means responsive to reading of the card for determining if that card identifies a current account customer user, whereby i) if the card does identify a current account customer user, the user is instructed via the display means to enter his password via the data input mechanism to enable subsequent performance of user requested operations associated with use of the internet, ii) and if the card does not identify a current account user, the user is instructed via the display means to confirm via the data input mechanism that a new account is to be established, and to enter new account information via the data input mechanism for storage by server means, and the user is then enabled to perform user requested operations, via the data input mechanism, and associated with the internet, f) said means responsive to reading of the card comprising software having the following: i) first means accessed by a customer, ii) second means responsive to output of the first means to read information stored at the card, iii) third means responsive to output of the second means to determine if the customer is a current customer, iv) fourth means responsive to determined current customer output of the third means to enter a customer password, v) fifth means responsive to output of the fourth means to verify the password, vi) sixth means responsive to output of the fifth means to request user configuration from a server, vii) seventh means responsive to output of the sixth means to perform a user requested operation, viii) eighth means responsive to output of the seventh means to determine if said operation is billable, ix) ninth means responsive to output of the eighth means to inform the server via the sixth means of any extra service charges, x) tenth means responsive to output of the eighth means to determine that the user seeks to log off, xi) eleventh means responsive to output of the tenth means to inform the server of total on-line time, xii) and twelfth means responsive to output of the eleventh means to perform electronic billing.