Method and apparatus for encoding and using network resource locators

Abstract

Access to data resources on data communications networks is simplified by encoding data resource specifiers into a compressed form which can be stored in a service providers telephone equipment and transmitted to a user. The service provider stores information objects (e.g., hypertext pages) on one or more host computers at a node of a computer network, and develops compressed, compact resource specifiers for the information objects. A translation of the compressed resource specifier is provided in the user's telephone/terminal device and/or the host computer for translating the compressed resource specifiers back into their uncompressed form. The service provider stores the compressed resource specifiers in his telephone equipment and transmits them to users in response to user requests, such as in DTMF format. A compatible telephone/terminal device at the user's site (e.g., a computer or smartphone) receives and stores the compressed resource specifiers. Subsequently, during a data communication session with the host computer the user can request the specified information objects by transmitting the resource specifier it received from the service provider. The host computer uses the resource specifier it receives from the user to retrieve the requested information and transmit it to the user. This technique eliminates problems associated with memorization, incorrect copying, and/or re-keying of full network resource specifiers.