Methods and apparatus for processing network data transmissions

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for providing access to a network via a first one of a plurality of network access nodes in the network. The network access nodes each have a network address associated therewith which is unique on the network, the first network access node having a first network address associated therewith. The first network address is associated with a first computer while the first computer is connected to the first network access node thereby providing access to the network. Transmissions associated with the first computer are monitored to determine address information. The transmissions are then processed in response to the address information.

1 . A method for providing access to a network via a first one of a plurality of network access nodes in the network, the network access nodes each having a network address associated therewith which is unique on the network, the first network access node having a first network address associated therewith, the method comprising: 
 associating the first network address with a first computer while the first computer is connected to the first network access node thereby providing access to the network;    monitoring transmissions associated with the first computer to determine address information; and    processing the transmissions in response to the address information.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first computer has an internal IP address and associating the first network address with the first computer comprises translating the internal IP address of the first computer to the first network address.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first computer does not have an internal IP address and associating the first network address with the first computer comprises assigning the first network address to the first computer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the network comprises a local area network and the associating is done by a headend associated with the local area network.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the network comprises a wide area network and the associating is done by a remote server which controls the wide area network.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the associating is done by the first network access node.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein portions of the network comprise a single pair of conductors, the method further comprising transmitting half duplex data and standard telephone signals substantially simultaneously over the single pair of conductors.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein transmitting the half duplex data comprises transmitting the half duplex data at a first frequency which is significantly higher than a second frequency at which the standard telephone signals are transmitted.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein monitoring and processing the transmissions is done by the first network access node.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein monitoring the transmissions comprises parsing an HTML string associated with the transmissions.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein monitoring the transmissions comprises monitoring network layer information associated with the transmissions.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein monitoring the transmissions comprises monitoring any of a plurality of network communication protocol layers associated with the transmissions.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein processing the transmissions comprises associating an affiliate tag with the transmissions where the transmissions correspond to an affiliate.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein associating the affiliate tag comprises appending the affiliate tag to an HTML string associated with the transmissions.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein processing the transmissions comprises generating content for presentation on the first computer.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the transmissions relate to a first entity, the content also relating to the first entity.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the transmissions relate to a first entity, the content relating to a second entity in competition with the first entity.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising presenting the content on the first computer in a pop-up window.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising presenting the content on the first computer in a frame around at least one HTML page corresponding to the transmissions.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein processing the transmissions comprises redirecting the transmissions to a server to be processed.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein processing the transmissions comprises framing HTML pages to be presented on the first computer.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein processing the transmission comprises generating a pop-up window to be presented with HTML pages on the first computer.