System and method for accessing the internet on a per-time-unit basis
A system and method for accessing the internet on a per-time basis, through an Internet service provider (ISP), includes an access station. Application software is provided to an electronic terminal, from which Internet access may be attempted. Upon initiation of the application, the access station is dialed, and a number of processing steps serve as a precondition to permitting the electronic terminal to access the Internet through the Internet service provider. In particular, upon an initial attempt to access the Internet, the access station sets up an account in which the telephone number from which access is attempted is utilized for subsequent billing purposes. The access station further determines whether the telephone number from which access is desired is within an acceptable network, is associated with an undesirable credit risk, and is a valid telephone number. In the event the electronic terminal passes these validation procedures, the access station transmits account information to the electronic terminal and directly to the Internet service provider. Additionally, the access station transmits an ISP identifier (such as a modem telephone number) whereupon the electronic terminal initiates a communications link with the Internet service provider.
1. A system for accessing an electronic network via a service provider, said system comprising:
an electronic terminal having an associated identifier;
an access station which establishes an account and transmits connection information back to said electronic terminal, wherein the account is established based upon an investigation of a local exchange carrier database;
a first communication link to link said electronic terminal and said access station wherein said identifier associated with said electronic terminal is transmitted to said access station; and
a second communications link between said electronic terminal and said service provider, said second communications link initiated between said electronic terminal and said service provider based upon said connection information,
wherein said service provider monitors a time of said second communications link and transmits data indicative of said time to said access station.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1 , where in said access station associates said time with said account for billing purposes.
3. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said identifier of said electronic terminal is a telephone number.
4. The system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said electronic terminal is portable, and when said electronic terminal is used at a remote location from a home port associated with said telephone number, said access station requires entry of additional information.
5. The system as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said additional information corresponds to said account.
6. The system as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said additional information is indicative of dialing instructions at said remote location.
7. The system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein a monetary amount corresponding to said time of said second link is charged to said telephone number.
8. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said access station associates a task with said identifier of said electronic terminal, wherein a password is transmitted to said electronic terminal via said first communications link and to said electronic network service provider via a third communications link.
9. A system for accessing an electronic network via an electronic network service provider, said system comprising:
an electronic terminal having an associated identifier and configured to access said electronic network;
an access station, configured to link with said electronic terminal, to store data indicative of said identifier, and to provide said electronic terminal with information associated with said electronic network service provider for use by said electronic terminal in linking with said electronic network service provider responsive to an investigation of a local exchange carrier database,
wherein, once a link between said electronic terminal and said electronic network service provider is established, said electronic network service provider monitors a number of time units associated with said established link and transmits data indicative of said time units to said access station for use in billing matters.
10. The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said identifier associated with said electronic terminal is a telephone number associated with a subscriber.
11. The system as set forth in claim 9 , wherein said identifier is an electronic address associated with a subscriber.
12. A method of accessing the Internet with an electronic terminal and via an Internet service provider (ISP), said electronic terminal having an associated identifier, said method comprising:
initially linking said electronic terminal with an access station via a first communications link;
establishing an account at said access station corresponding to said electronic terminal responsive to an investigation of a local exchange carrier database;
transmitting from said access station to said electronic terminal ISP connection information pertaining to said ISP;
using said connection information to link said electronic terminal with said ISP via a second communications link;
monitoring time units associated with said second communications link at the ISP;
multiplying said time units by a monetary rate to thereby obtain billing data; and
associating said billing data with said established account for billing purposes.
13. The method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein establishing said account further comprises:
determining an identifier associated with said electronic terminal; and
using said identifier to establish a billing identifier.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13 , wherein establishing an account further comprises:
establishing a password for said account.
15. The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising:
transmitting said billing identifier, said password, and an identifier associated with said ISP to said electronic terminal as part of said connection information.
16. The method as set forth in claim 15 , further comprising:
additionally transmitting said billing identifier and said password to said Internet service provider via a third communications link.
17. The method as set forth in claim 16 , when said electronic terminal links with said Internet service provider via said second communications link, the method including transmitting said billing identifier and said password from said electronic terminal to said Internet service provider and comparing said billing identifier and said password transmitted via said second link with said billing identifier and password transmitted via said third link for log on purposes at said ISP.
18. A method of accessing the Internet with an electronic terminal and via an Internet service provider, said electronic terminal having an associated identifier, said method comprising:
initially linking said electronic terminal with an access station via a first communications link;
establishing an account at said access station corresponding to said electronic terminal responsive to an investigation of a local exchange carrier database;
transmitting from said access station to said electronic terminal ISP connection information pertaining to said ISP;
using said connection information to link said electronic terminal with said Internet service provider via a second communications link; and
associating billing data with said established account at said ISP for billing purposes.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said identifier is a telephone number.