Micro-localized internet service center

Abstract

An Internet access system to be used by organizations such as hotels and the like uses local service centers adapted by first modems to in-house telephone wiring at separate premises maintained by the sponsoring organization. The modem connecting the local service center to the in-house telephone wiring is assigned a specific extension number on the in-house telephone system. The service center connects calls at the first modem to a converter that is adapted to provide Internet access through a line interface unit (LIU) to the calls answered at the first modem. A user configures a dial-up profile on his/her computer, usually a portable computer, with the extension number of the first modem, and uses this profile when resident at the hotel or other sponsoring premise. The user then is connected to the Internet at a local connection without having to have the dial-up profile and possibly script files to gain access otherwise.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An Internet-access service center comprising: 
 a first modem adapted to establish a link with a computer;    a converter within the service center connected to the first modem and coupled to a database; and    a line interface unit (LIU) connected to the converter and coupled to an outside telephone line;    wherein the converter is adapted to accept a call at the first modem, and to provide Internet access to the connection at the first modem through the second modem.    
     
     
         2 . The service center of  claim 1  further comprising multiple first modems adapted to answer one or more extension numbers on an internal telephone system.  
     
     
         3 . The service center of  claim 1  wherein the converter uses one or more script files in providing Internet access to the connection at the first modem.  
     
     
         4 . The service center of  claim 1  wherein the converter is further adapted to monitor and record customer transactions.  
     
     
         5 . An Internet-access system, comprising: 
 two or more service centers each coupled to an in-house telephone system at separate locations;    wherein each service center comprises a first modem adapted to establish a link with a computer, a converter within the service center connected to the first modem and coupled to a database; and a line interface unit (LIU) connected to the converter and coupled to an outside telephone line; and wherein the converter is adapted to accept a call at the first modem, and to provide Internet access to the connection at the first modem through the LIU.    
     
     
         6 . The Internet access system of  claim 5  further comprising multiple first modems adapted to answer one or more extension numbers on an internal telephone system.  
     
     
         7 . The Internet access system of  claim 5  wherein the converter uses one or more script files in providing Internet access to the connection at the first modem.  
     
     
         8 . The Internet access system of  claim 5  wherein the converter is further adapted to monitor and record customer transactions.  
     
     
         9 . A method for providing Internet access to a computer connected to an in-house telephone system, comprising steps of: 
 (a) connecting a service center by a first modem to the in-house telephone system, the modem assigned an extension number on the in-house telephone system;    (b) connecting the computer through the first modem to a converter coupled to the first modem; and    (c) dialing up a local Internet Service Provider by the converter via a line interface unit (LIU) to an outside line, thereby connecting the computer to the Internet.