| 摘要 |
<p>A method and system for providing an end-user with Internet access and allocating a cost associated with that access among the end-user and Internet sites (18) accessed by the end-user. A supervisory program module (58), such as a 'JAVA' applet, resides on an originating station (24), such as a personal computer, operated by the end-user. The supervisory program module (58) may be activated by transmitting the supervisory program module to the originating station (24) from an Internet point of presence (22) operated by a local access provider. Alternatively, a trigger may be transmitted from the point of presence (22) to the originating station (24) to activate a supervisory program module (58) already residing on the originating station (24). The supervisory program module (58) monitors the duration of connections with specific Internet sites, and transmits messages to the point of presence (22) indicating the duration of these connections. The local access provider uses the information received in these messages to allocate a cost associated with the access, such as the cost associated with using a telephone network (30), among the end-user and Internet sites accessed by the end-user. Unique keys and time stamps are used as security measures. Unique keys are random identification numbers or codes generated by the point of presence (22). Time stamps are clock readings generated by the originating station, the point of presence, or other network components, are used as security measures.</p> |
