Abstract: A “cookie” is a set of information, such as user information and preferences, used by web sites to customize information for a user. A number of web sites register with a “cookie server” and provide the server with information regarding what data fields are expected in cookies submitted from clients to the web site. When a client subsequently browses to that web site, the client first checks with the cookie server for any expected cookies. The cookie server uses the cookie requirement information for that web site, along with user specific information, to generate one or more cookies. The cookie server then transmits the one or more cookies to the client. The client then transmits the one or more cookies to the web site so that the web site may provide a customized web page.

Abstract: A server uses cookie requirement information obtained from a web site, along with user specific information, to generate one or more cookies that are stored at the server and that can be used to generate customized web documents from the web site. The cookie server provides the cookies to the client which transmits the cookies to the web site to obtain the customized web document, which is customized according to the user information. The server also updates the stored cookies collectively, in response to receiving updated user information, such that the one or more web sites that are customized with the cookies are to be customized according to the updated user information.

Abstract: A “cookie” is a set of information, such as user information and preferences, used by web sites to customize information for a user. A number of web sites register with a “cookie server” and provide the server with information regarding what data fields are expected in cookies submitted from clients to the web site. When a client subsequently browses to that web site, the client first checks with the cookie server for any expected cookies. The cookie server uses the cookie requirement information for that web site, along with user specific information, to generate one or more cookies. The cookie server then transmits the one or more cookies to the client. The client then transmits the one or more cookies to the web site so that the web site may provide a customized web page.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus that allow cable customers who wish to add a cable modem (or other device) to a local network to choose both the cable modem through which they access the Internet and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that will provide them that access. A system of hardware connects the local network to the Internet. This hardware includes cable-modem infrastructure that denies Internet access to devices on the local network that are not registered with an authorized ISP. The hardware also facilitates the registration process, allowing devices new to the local network to establish Internet-access agreements with ISPs, and thereby gain access to the Internet.