Kokoro Imamura

US Patent:

20020091839, Jul 11, 2002

Filed:

Jul 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/908393

Inventors:

Kokoro Imamura - La Jolla CA, US
Srikant Char - Poway CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709/228000

Abstract:

A live switch application executes between the user (e.g., the client device and its applications) and the POP or host server. The live switch application serves to maintain the connection between the POP or host server and interacts with the POP or host server during an authenticating process to authenticate the user. By providing an efficient and effective process to reduce the number of steps (and therefore the time) needed to login to a server, the present invention enables use of a common device or Internet appliance by many users. This provides the ability of many users of a common terminal to access the Internet without unduly inconveniencing the users by a shared terminal.

US Patent:

20020091774, Jul 11, 2002

Filed:

Jul 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/909151

Inventors:

Kokoro Imamura - La Jolla CA, US
Srikant Char - Poway CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16
G09G005/00

US Classification:

709/206000, 709/203000, 345/750000

Abstract:

An Internet access device employs a method for managing electronic mail messages for multiple users of the device. When one user retrieves his or her messages over a distributed computer network, such as the Internet, the device also retrieves status information regarding the remaining users' unread email messages. This enables the device to inform the other users as to their unread email. A computer-readable storage medium for storing data for access by a computer program being executed on a user interface device includes at least two data structures. A first data structure stored on the medium provides for retrieving electronic mail messages addressed to one of the users. A second data structure stored on said medium provides for retrieving status information regarding any unread electronic mail messages addressed to any remaining users. A system containing a user interface for recipients of electronic mail messages includes a processing unit, system memory, an I/O device, a system bus and an email program module. The system bus couples together the processing unit, system memory, and input/output device. The electronic mail program module is stored in the system memory and is operative to retrieve over a distributed computer network electronic mail messages addressed one of the users, as well as to retrieve status information regarding any unread electronic mail messages addressed to any other users.

US Patent:

20020091803, Jul 11, 2002

Filed:

Jul 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/908234

Inventors:

Kokoro Imamura - La Jolla CA, US
Srikant Char - Poway CA, US

International Classification:

G06F015/177

US Classification:

709/220000, 709/228000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus enables accessing of the Internet by multiple users of a common device. Each user's cached information is uploaded to a predetermined server as part of a log-off process. Each user's cached information is also downloaded from the predetermined server as part of a log-on process. A processor in the common device executes a multi-user management process manages the users' cached information. The multi-user management process stores the user's cached information in local memory upon downloading it from the predetermined server, thereby enabling a browser application to function as if customized by each user. The browser application retrieves the cached information stored in local memory and updates the cached information during its logon session with a particular user, thereby ensuring the cached information remains up to date.