Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enabling a subscriber to a service provider to purchase goods or make donations to a third-party unaffiliated with the service provider. The system generates an electronic bill for a service provided to the user, where the electronic bill includes at least one selection for a purchase from or a donation to the third-party. The selection for purchase or donation from the user is received accompanied by an immediate or subsequent receipt of an indication of payment from the user. The payment indication includes payment for the service and the purchase or donation. The user has up until payment is actually made to revoke the purchase or donation selection. The transaction is completed by the service provider with the third-party to effectuate the purchase or donation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for use in establishing secure end-to-end communication links over a VPN gateway via a network interface unit. Illustrative embodiments include establishing and providing secure communication relationships between users (customers) and companies for e-commerce and other business purposes. Each company's data and linkage to users remaining private and secure from the other participating companies as well as from the general public over the Internet. Login by user with network interface units, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Required authentication exchanges and required encryption key exchanges facilitate the secure communications. Financial arrangements regarding the provisioning and use of network interface units are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for use in establishing secure end-to-end communication links over a VPN gateway via a network interface unit. Illustrative embodiments include establishing and providing secure communication relationships between users (customers) and companies for e-commerce and other business purposes. Each company's data and linkage to users remaining private and secure from the other participating companies as well as from the general public over the Internet. Login by user with network interface units, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Required authentication exchanges and required encryption key exchanges facilitate the secure communications. Financial arrangements regarding the provisioning and use of network interface units are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for use in establishing secure end-to-end communication links over a VPN gateway via a network interface unit. Illustrative embodiments include establishing and providing secure communication relationships between users (customers) and companies for e-commerce and other business purposes. Each company's data and linkage to users remaining private and secure from the other participating companies as well as from the general public over the Internet. Login by user with network interface units, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Required authentication exchanges and required encryption key exchanges facilitate the secure communications. Financial arrangements regarding the provisioning and use of network interface units are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephony and high-speed data access over a broadband access network, comprising a network interface unit (NIU) coupled to a backup local exchange carrier (LEC) line, the broadband access network coupled to the NIU, an intermediate point-of-presence (IPOP) coupled to the broadband access network, and at least one external access network coupled to the IPOP. The system also provides for a fail-safe mode in which the NIU supports the LEC line for lifeline services.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: Traffic over a secure link or tunnel is filtered to block packets that do not conform to specified requirements for the tunnel. In one embodiment, a private network, such as an ISP network, includes a filter for blocking packets not associated with an IPSec VPN tunnel. The ISP network and/or one or both of the tunnel endpoints can include monitoring modules for detecting the presence of packets that should have been blocked by the filter.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephony and high speed data access over a broadband access network, comprising a network interface unit (NIU) coupled to a backup local exchange carrier (LEC) line, the broadband access network coupled to the NIU, an intermediate point-of-presence (IPOP) coupled to the broadband access network, and at least one external access network coupled to the IPOP. The system also provides for a fail-safe mode in which the NIU supports the LEC line for lifeline services.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: The system of the present invention allows a customer to access a company computer system via a data network and to request contact with a customer service representative. The company computer system automatically selects a customer service center and a customer service representative in accordance with a set of selection criteria, including customer preferences. A monitor, also connected to the company computer system via the data network, may choose to accept or to change the selections made by the company computer system. Once a customer service representative has been selected, the company computer system causes a telecommunication control device to connect the customer, the selected customer service representative, and the monitor via a voice network. If a monitor is not available, the company computer system causes the telecommunication control device to connect the customer and the selected customer service representative, and then records the communication therebetween for future review by a monitor.

Abstract: A system to deliver data at very high data transmission speeds to many units in a distributed processing system simultaneously. A distributed processing system is supplied with a local area network (LAN) which is connected to each unit of the distributed processing system. Each unit is also equipped with a LAN interface card so that it may receive messages (and send messages if necessary) between itself and the system supplying the data. Speed of data delivery is increased to the speed of the LAN, which may be many times greater than is currently possible.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device contains graphic information which is viewable both by direct, visual observation of the memory and electrically, e.g., via a TV screen. The device contains a semiconductor chip having a surface and an array of electrically addressable memory cells therewithin. A photograph is made on the chip for storing graphic information projected onto the chip. The photograph comprises pixels which themselves comprise variable value circuit elements of the cells, or which are optically coupled to cell circuit elements for controlling the values thereof in correspondence with the optical characteristics of the pixels. The circuit elements determine the memory content of the cells in correspondence with the graphic information stored in the photograph.

Abstract: A catalyst for a slurry reactor Fischer-Tropsch conversion process utilizing novel catalysts comprising cobalt promoted with zirconium, molybdenum or zirconium and molybdenum and on a small diameter alumina support. The catalysts have been found to be highly selective for production of liquid hydrocarbons while minimizing production of less desirable oxygen-containing products such as alcohols. The preferred catalysts contain from about 5% to 35% cobalt and from about 0.1% to 10% zirconium or zirconium and molybdenum. The preferred process is carried out in a one or more slurry bubble column reactor stagesin series.

Abstract: A system and method which delivers data at very high data transmission speeds to many locations simultaneously. A SCANS system is supplied with a satellite uplink communication module which transmits data to an earth orbiting satellite. The satellite then retransmits the data over a wide geographical area. Each receiving location is equipped with a small satellite dish to receive data from the satellite. Advantageously, the satellite dish is connected to a work station in the switching office which then processes the received data and delivers all information in a form that is ready for use by the modules' switching office. Errors during data transmission are noted for further processing. After the data is broadcast from the beginning to the end, the SCANS system pauses for a brief interval during which time each receiving station performs error detection, error correction, and other recovery procedures on the data it just received.

Abstract: A wheel cover mounting for plastic wheel covers comprising a mounting portion positioned in axial alignment with and spaced radially inward from a facing surface portion of a vehicle wheel. A spring wire retainer ring including radially outwardly extending projections spaced circumferentially around the ring in a substantially flat plane are received through circumferentially spaced openings in the mounting portion of the wheel cover. At least one, and preferably most if not all, of the openings are defined by guide walls circumferentially spaced apart a distance greater than the circumferential width of the projections in order to reduce frictional forces between the projections and the lugs and maximize the forces retaining the wheel cover on the wheel and in a fixed position with the wheel.

Abstract: A plastic simulated wire wheel cover includes at least two molded plastic components secured together by suitable fasteners. Each component has radially extending spokes which may be molded integrally therewith. One of the spoked components includes a radially outwardly extending, annular flange around its outer periphery adapted to overlie or extend adjacent to the outer peripheral portion of a wheel rim when the cover is applied to the wheel. The wheel-engaging members for releasably mounting the cover on a wheel are mounted directly on the plastic molded component provided with the radial annular peripheral flange.

Abstract: An annular bendable sheet metal bracket which may be a decorative hub is fixed to a wheel cover outwardly from the central portion thereof. The central portion of the bracket is adapted to be locked to a fixed central portion of the wheel. When it is attempted to remove the cover from the wheel without releasing the lock, the bracket distorts while the cover remains intact.