Viaclix, Inc.

James R W Clymer

Lida Nobakht

A channel-based network user terminal including a set-top box, a display, and input devices. A non-volatile memory stores a semi-permanent copy of a channel table downloaded from a server via the Internet. The channel table includes a list of channel numbers, associated Internet site names, and associated Internet addresses. A volatile memory stores a temporary copy of the channel table during user sessions. The channel numbers and associated Internet site names are read from the volatile memory and displayed as a menu. A user selects an Internet site name from the menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using a numeric keypad provided on a remote control input device. The user terminal then accesses the selected Internet site by reading the Internet address associated with the entered channel number from the volatile memory, and transmitting the Internet address onto the Internet.

User terminal for channel-based internet network

A server is established for a plurality of authorized users. Each authorized user accesses the Internet through a user terminal, with support from the server. The server maintains a database identifying the authorized users. A target Internet site provides payment and a target URL to the server. In return, the server has smart cards created, each storing information identifying an authorized user and the target URL. These smart cards are sent to the corresponding authorized users. Upon insertion of a smart card, a user terminal retrieves the authorized user information and transmits this information to the server. The server compares this information with authorized user information in the server database. If a match exists, the server transmits an authorization code to the user terminal. In response, the user terminal retrieves the target URL from the smart card, and uses this URL to retrieve information from the target Internet site.

Smart card for accessing a target internet site

A channel-based network includes a system server, one or more Internet sites and one or more user terminals. The system server stores a series of computer pages and a master channel table that includes a list of channel numbers. Channel numbers and logo spaces are purchased by Internet sites wishing to be included in the network. The system server operator updates the computer pages to include logos for the Internet sites, and updates the master channel table each time a channel number is purchased. The updated web page and master channel table information is then downloaded to the user terminals of the network.

Method for establishing channel-based internet access network

A system server for a channel-based network including one or more Internet sites and one or more user terminals. The system server includes a channel table database storing a master channel table that includes a list of channel numbers, each channel number having an associated Internet address and an associated Internet site name. Each Internet site of the network is addressable by an associated Internet address stored in the master channel table. The system server includes a network database and an update manager database. The system server identifies each user terminal requesting service by comparing transmitted identification information with authorized user information stored in the network database. The system server also compares a channel table version number from the requesting user terminal with a version number stored in the update manager database that is associated with the master channel table, and notifies each requesting user terminal when updated channel table information is available. At each user terminal, a user reads the channel numbers and associated Internet site names from a menu displaying the downloaded channel table, selects an Internet site name from the displayed menu, and enters the channel number associated with the selected Internet site name using an input device that is similar to a television remote control.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

James R W Clymer