Managing content resources

Abstract

Content resources are managed. A request is received from a user for access to a source of content resources. It is determined that the user is authorized for access to the source. A portal Web page is generated based on a set of content element data applicable to the subscriber. The portal Web page is returned to the user. A system for use in managing content resources has a switch for receiving requests from Web browsers, a content resource management engine in communication with the switch, and a billing system in communication with the content resource management engine.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A system for use in managing content resources, comprising
 a switch for selectively processing resource requests;   a content resource management engine in communication with the switch; and   a billing system in communication with the content resource management engine.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a content resource access control system in communication with the content resource management engine. 
     
     
         15 . A method for use in managing content resources, comprising:
 receiving a request from a user for access to an instance of content resources on a network;   determining that the user belongs to a user category;   determining that the instance of content resources belongs to a category of content resources on the network;   determining a contact access rule that applies to the user category and to the category of content resources; and   applying the rule to the request.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the content access rule belongs to a hierarchically organized group of content access rules that apply to the category of content resources. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the content access rule belongs to a hierarchically organized group of content access rules that apply to the user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the content access rule is related to other content access rules in a hierarchically organized directory structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the content access rule is related to other content access rules in a relational database structure. 
     
     
         20 . A method for use in controlling access to content resources, comprising:
 receiving a first request for user access information, the first request originating at a first network switch;   receiving a second request for user access information, the second request originating at a second network switch; and   deriving responses to the requests from a serving entity that includes content access rules categorized by user characteristic.   
     
     
         21 . A method for use in controlling access to content resources, comprising:
 based on a selection made at a portal Web page, receiving a service request for access to a source of content resources;   based on the service request and content access rules for a user, configuring a switch to allow access to the source, the switch previously preventing access to the source.   
     
     
         22 . A method for use in controlling access to content resources, comprising: by a switch, preventing access to a source of content resources unless a service request for access to the source is made based on a selection made at a portal Web page, the switch and the portal Web page being in communication with a content access control mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . A method for use in controlling access to content resources, comprising:
 receiving a request from a user for access to a source of content resources;   based on profile information for the user, selecting advertising content;   processing content access rules to generate a portal Web page that includes the advertising content and that is configured for access to the source of content resources.   
     
     
         24 . A method for use in controlling access to content resources, comprising:
 receiving an HTTP formatted request from a user for access to a server having a source of content resources;   determining that the request is insufficiently authorized for access to the source;   by a switch in accordance with HITP, redirecting the request to another server to cause a response including a login prompt to be returned to the user.   
     
     
         25 . A method for use in controlling access to content resources, comprising:
 based on content access rules for a user, determining that the user is authorized for access to a source of content resources;   processing the content access rules together with general content to generate a portal Web page;   processing the content access rules to configure a switch to permit the user's access to the source; and   causing a change to the content access rules for the user to be applied to the portal Web page and to the switch.