Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for providing discounted access to a computer network. The present invention takes advantage of the unique position of a service provider between a business on a computer network and an end user. The service provider compiles informative profiles of its end users in a customer database. Limited access to this customer database is then used to attract businesses. The business provides information about the end users it is interested to the service provider. The true identities of the service provider's end users is kept private from the business. The business prepares an advertisement which the service provider will send to its end users. The service provider then makes the end users aware of the business via an e-mail with short text describing that offer and a hypertext link. As a service, the service provider will only provide the true identity and information of an end user to a business when authorized.

Abstract: A code parser decodes coded compressed image information into an intermediate code. A code expander operating asynchronously relative to the code parser decompresses the compressed image information in accordance with such decoded information. A window register in the code parser has a length at least as long as the longest code in the intermediate code. When the intermediate code indicates a pattern in one line in a raster scan of an image corresponding to a pattern in an immediately preceding line, the window register and associated circuitry scan the one line and provide for the decompression in such line in accordance with the decompression at the corresponding positions in the preceding line. Such associated circuitry may include two memories, one for even scan lines and the other for odd scan lines. Alternate ones of the memories are activated for information comparison between adjacent lines during alternate line scans.