Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus that allows a user of a networked device, such as a computer system or a set-top box, to have access privileges based on user identity and the network device (e.g., terminal) used to access the network is disclosed. In one embodiment, authorized users of the network have a user identity (e.g., login name and password) that identifies the user. Each authorized user of the network has a set of user privileges. The user privileges identify local resources (e.g., applications) and network resources (e.g., World Wide Web pages) that are available to the user. In one embodiment, user privileges to particular applications, whether local or remote, are determined based on whether the user is current in access fees (i.e., billing status). In one embodiment, each device connected to the network has associated with it a set of device access privileges that identify local resources and network resources that are provided by and allowed by the device. When an authorized user of the network logs in at a terminal, that user is provided with session privileges that are the intersection of the individual user privileges and the device privileges of the device on which the user is logged in.

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First Claim