Abstract: In the event of an unintentional interruption, a token issued by a host system to a client system is used to reestablish communications without disrupting applications on the client system. If the host system provided an Internet Protocol address to the client system to be used during the interrupted communications session, the host system reserves the communications address during an interruption in communications for a period sufficient to permit reestablishment of communications using the reserved address.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for advertising on a content-screened web page. The method includes receiving an impression request for a URL for which an advertising impression is desired; screening HTML content of a web page identified by the URL; generating a rating for the URL based on the HTML content of the web page; assigning the rating to the impression request; and serving an advertising impression on the web page based on the rating.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a personal residence, generally includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home gateway device also may include a PPPoE access concentrator and an L2TP access concentrator. The client devices communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.

Abstract: Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a personal residence, generally includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home gateway device also includes a network address translation module. The client devices are typically connected to the home gateway device through a network and the client devices communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: Regulating a user of a computer-based service includes receiving input about a first user from at least one other user of the computer-based service, determining a degree to which the at least one other user can influence a parameter associated with the first user, and modifying the first user's parameter based on the received input and the determined degree of influence. The first user's parameter, for example, can relate to the first user's ability to use the computer-based service.

Abstract: Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a personal residence, generally includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home gateway device also may include a PPPoE access concentrator and an L2TP access concentrator. The client devices communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.

Abstract: Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a personal residence, generally includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home gateway device also includes a network address translation module. The client devices are typically connected to the home gateway device through a network and the client devices communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.