HK1003519B - System and method for automatic configuration of home network computers - Google Patents

Description

System and method for automatically composing home network computer

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the construction of home network computers, and more particularly to a system and method for automatically implementing the configuration upon power-up of a home network computer without any user intervention, the configuration process being customized to the needs of a particular home network computer user.

Background

All computers must undergo some configuration process before they can be effectively used by the end user. This configuration process consists of (but is not limited to) the following steps: loading a suitable operating system; configuring computer system parameters; setting a user system environment; loading a hardware device driver and loading software according to the end user's requirements. It is of course also desirable that the customized configuration process be tailored to each specific end user's needs. This custom configuration requirement further complicates the configuration process. The arrangement and combination of the above steps can become very complex and totally unwieldy for many computer users. Therefore, there is a particular need for a configuration process that not only customizes the configuration to the needs of a particular end user, but also reduces the complexity of the configuration process so that it can be effectively used by both expert and novice computer users. With the advent and proliferation of email and other network services, it is also desirable to configure end-user computers to connect to local service providers that provide these services, and preferably also as part of the configuration process.

The configuration methods currently used and taught by the prior art can be divided into: (a) the method comprises the following steps Sending the configuration information to a terminal user, and finishing configuration by the terminal user by reading a user manual; or (b): the preconfigured computer is shipped to the end user. As will be discussed below, both of these approaches have drawbacks and deficiencies in achieving the desired goals described above.

The most common method for computer configuration requires that the end user be given the configuration software media along with the user manual. The user manual typically contains detailed instructions that the end user must follow to complete the configuration process. A problem with this approach is that the end user must read and understand the instructions in the user manual in order to successfully complete the configuration task. In many cases, this is a rather boring and tasteless task that is disliked by the user. In addition, if the end user wishes to customize his or her own specifically desired configuration, the complexity will multiply.

Shipping a pre-configured computer to an end user also has its own drawbacks. While this approach is favored by users, computers shipped to users are commonly deployed without end-user intervention. Therefore, no matter what customization, the specific requirements of the end user cannot be met. In addition, computer vendors do not like to offer pre-configured computer systems because the following problems arise: maintaining the computer configuration software level; the configuration process needs to be repeated along with the configuration software of the new version of the frequency cloth; it is ensured that the user is given the "correct version" of the computer.

Thus, neither of the above approaches achieves the level of simplicity and customization required for the configuration process. Additionally, none of the methods discussed is capable of automatically determining local service provider information for a home network computer as part of a configuration process.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention overcomes the above-described shortcomings by providing a fully automated system and method for configuring a home network computer. The present invention enables a user to perform configuration processing very smoothly by eliminating the need for any type of user interaction during the configuration process. Thus, the configuration of the home network computer becomes completely transparent to the end user. Moreover, since the configuration system and method uses end-user information recorded by the vendor during the sale of the home network computer, the configuration can be customized to suit the specific needs of the user. The present invention also enables local service provider information to be automatically determined for the home network computer as part of the configuration process.

In summary, the present invention is a system and method for automatically configuring a home network computer. The automatic configuration can be achieved using a distribution network of home network computers (home network client computers) that serve as clients in the distribution network, automatic configuration servers and other sales servers, and using local service provider servers as needed.

At power-on, the home network client computer determines whether it can obtain the necessary configuration information needed to complete its configuration itself. This necessary information consists of local service provider information and client computer specific data. If the necessary configuration information is not available, the home network client computer sends a request to the auto-configuration server to request the necessary information. The request sent to the auto-configuration server includes client computer identification information identifying the requesting home network computer. This client computer identification information consists of a telephone number or a serial number associated only with the home network client computer or both.

Upon receiving a request from a home network client computer, the auto-configuration server determines local service provider information and client computer-specific data required by the requesting home network client computer using the client identification information. The local service provider information is determined from a directory of local service providers that is accessible by the auto-configuration server. Client computer specific data is stored in a client computer information database that is also accessible to the auto-configuration server. Client computer specific data is collected and stored by the end user along with the sale of the home network client computer, and preferably includes the serial number of the client computer, model information of the client computer, sales information identifying the end user or specifying the recipient of the home network client computer, and other end user specific configuration information such as the configuration selected by the client when the client purchases or orders a computer.

The auto-configuration server uses the client identifying information provided in the request to obtain local service provider information and client computer specific data corresponding to the particular requesting home network client computer. The local service provider information and client computer specific data are then downloaded to the requesting home network client computer.

The requesting home network client computer then configures itself using the necessary configuration information received from the auto-configuration server. And establishes a connection relationship with the local service provider.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, each of said plurality of requests providing a client computer identification: b) using the client computer identifying information in the request to determine: i) selecting local service provider information from information in a predefined directory of local service providers; ii) selecting corresponding client computer specific data from the client computer information database according to the client computer identification information; wherein at least a portion of the client computer specific data for each network client computer comprises: data selected from a data group of computer model information constituting a computer, data for identifying internal hardware or software constituting a computer, and data for identifying a designated end user or a recipient of the computer; c) instructions are provided for downloading the local service provider information and the client computer specific data into respective network client computers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of: determining whether said network client computer lacks necessary configuration information upon power-up of said network client computer, said necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data; if the network client computer is determined to lack any of the necessary configuration information, performing the steps of: connecting an automatic configuration server; sending a configuration request to the auto-configuration server, the request including client computer identification information relating to the network client computer; receiving said necessary configuration information from said auto-configuration server; said network client computer configuring itself using the received configuration information; when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using that information, a connection is automatically established with the local service provider.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auto-configuration server for configuring a network client computer, comprising: a communication interface for receiving auto-configuration requests from said network client computers, each of said requests providing user computer identification information; a data processor connected to said communication interface; the data processor is further connected to a predefined directory of local service providers and a database of client computer information; a memory coupled to the data processor storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor; the stored plurality of processes comprising: a configuration process for determining local service provider information using said client computer identifying information in each said request, said local service provider information being selected from information in a directory predefined by said local service provider, and further determining client computer specific data associated with said client computer identifying information, said client computer specific data being selected from a database of said client computer information; said configuration process further includes instructions for downloading said local service provider information and said client computer specific data onto respective network client computers; wherein at least a portion of the client computer specific data for each network client computer comprises: data selected from a data group of computer model information constituting a computer, data for identifying internal hardware or software constituting a computer, and data for identifying a designated end user or recipient of the computer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auto-configuration server for configuring a network client computer, comprising: a communication interface for receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, each of said plurality of requests providing a client computer identification; a data processor connected to the communication interface; the data processor is also connected to a database of predefined directories and client computer information of a local service provider; a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor; the plurality of stored procedures comprising: a configuration process for determining local service provider information using the user computer identification information in each request, the local service provider information being selected from information in a predefined directory of local service providers, and further determining client computer specific data corresponding to the client computer identification information selected from a database of client computer information; the configuration process further includes instructions for downloading the local service provider information and client computer-specific data to the respective network client computer; wherein said client computer identification information comprises a telephone number associated with said network client computer, wherein said telephone number comprises a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which said network client computer is located; the directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record that maps a first portion of the telephone number associated with the network client computer to the local service provider.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client configuration system for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising: a communication interface for sending a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, each of said plurality of requests providing a client computer identification information; a data processor connected to said communication interface; a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor; the plurality of stored memory processes comprising: a client configuration process for determining whether the network client computer lacks necessary configuration information when the network client computer is powered on, the necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data; if said network client computer is determined to lack any of said necessary configuration information, then said client configuration process further: sending said request to an auto-configuration server using said communication interface; receiving said necessary configuration information from said auto-configuration server; configuring the network client computer using the configuration information received from the auto-configuration server; automatically establishing a connection with the local service provider when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using the configuration information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, b) receiving caller identification information with each request, wherein each caller identification information comprises a telephone number associated with the telephone connection that is sending the request; c) using the received caller identification information to determine: i) selecting local service provider information from information in a predefined directory of local service providers; ii) corresponding client computer specific data selected from a client computer information database according to said caller identification information; wherein at least a portion of the client computer specific data for each network client computer comprises: data selected from a data group of computer model information constituting a computer, data for identifying internal hardware or software constituting a computer, and data for identifying a designated end user or a recipient of the computer; d) instructions are provided for downloading the local service provider information and the client computer-specific data to respective network client computers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, b) receiving caller identification information with each request, wherein the caller identification information comprises a telephone number associated with the telephone connection that is sending the request; c) using the received caller identification information to determine: i) selecting local service provider information from information in a predefined directory of local service providers; ii) selecting corresponding client computer specific data from a client computer information database according to said caller identification information; d) providing instructions for downloading said local service provider information and said client computer specific data to respective network client computers, wherein said caller identification information comprises: a telephone number associated with said network client computer, wherein said telephone number includes a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which said network client computer is located; the directory of local service providers comprising: for mapping said first portion of telephone numbers associated with said network client computer to a corresponding record of a local service provider.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auto-configuration server for configuring a network client computer, comprising: a communication interface for receiving the automatically configured requests from the network client computer, the communication interface also receiving caller identification information provided by a telephone company caller identification service and each request; a data processor connected to said communication interface; the data processor is further connected to a predefined directory of local service providers and a database of client computer information; a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor; the stored plurality of processes comprising: a configuration process for determining local service provider information using caller identification information associated with each request, the local service provider information being selected from information in a predefined directory of the local service provider, and further determining client computer specific data associated with the caller identification information, the client computer specific data being selected from a database of the client computer information; the configuration process also includes instructions for downloading the local service provider information and the client computer specific data onto respective network client computers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client configuration system for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising: a communication interface for sending a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer; a data processor connected to the communication interface; a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor; the plurality of stored procedures comprising: a client configuration process for determining whether said network client computer lacks necessary configuration information upon power-up of said network client computer, said necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data; wherein the client configuration process includes instructions that are executed only if the network client computer is determined to lack the any necessary configuration information; and instructions that, when executed, cause the network client computer to perform the steps of: sending an auto-configuration request to an auto-configuration server via the communication interface, the auto-configuration server receiving caller identification information and a configuration request provided by a telephone company caller identification service; receiving required configuration information from an automatic configuration server; configuring said network client computer using configuration information received from an auto-configuration server; when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using that information, a connection is automatically established with the local service provider.

Drawings

Other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a distributed computer system according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a distribution network incorporating various components of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for automatically configuring a home network client computer when the home network client computer is powered on without user intervention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows the content of client computer specific data for one single home network client computer, all such client computer specific data being stored in the client computer information database.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a distributed computer system 100 having a plurality of home network client computers 102 and at least one remotely located autoconfiguration server 104. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of home network client computers is connected to the auto-configuration server 104 via a communication network 105, such as an interconnection network or any other similar network provider. The home network client computer 102 is typically a desktop computer.

In the preferred embodiment, each home network client computer 102 includes: a communication interface 103 for communicating with an auto configuration server 104 or for interfacing with a local service provider server 106, a Central Processing Unit (CPU)108, a user interface 109, and a memory 110. The memory I/O stores an operating system 112, an interconnection network access program 114, a storage process 116 executed by the CPU108, necessary configuration information 120, and client computer identification information 126. The stored procedures 116 include at least one auto-configuration procedure client module 118, which module 118 processes auto-configuration procedures from the client side when the CPU108 executes the auto-configuration procedures.

The necessary configuration information 120 required by the home network client computer 102 to configure itself includes local service provider information 122 and client computer specific data 124. Local service provider information 122 is needed to enable the customer to connect to the local service provider, while customer computer specific data 124 contains user specific configuration information such as the customer computer serial number, customer computer model number information, sales information, and other information necessary to configure the home network customer computer 102.

The auto-configuration server 104 includes: a Central Processing Unit (CPU)140 for connecting to a communication interface 142 of the client computer 102, the sales server 107 or the local service provider server 106, a user interface 144 and a memory 146. The memory 146 stores an operating system 150, an internet access program 152, stored procedures 154 executed by the CPU140, a directory 158 of local service providers, and a database 160 containing client computer information. The storage process 154 includes: at least one auto-configuration process server module 156, which module 156 processes auto-configuration processes from the auto-configuration server side when the module 156 is executed by the CPU 140.

While the directory of the local service provider 158 is stored in the memory 146 of the auto-configuration server 104 in the preferred embodiment, the directory of the local service provider 158 may also be stored in the local service provider server 106 connected to the auto-configuration server 104. In this alternative embodiment, the auto-configuration server 104 may also query the connected local service provider server 106 to obtain a directory of local service providers 158. In another embodiment, there may be a plurality of such local service provider servers 106 networked with the auto-configuration server 104.

In the preferred embodiment, database 160 containing client computer information is stored in auto-configuration server 104, and database 160 may also be stored in sales server 107 connected to auto-configuration server 104. In this alternative embodiment, the auto-configuration server 104 may obtain the desired client computer specific data 162-1, 2, 3 by querying the sales server 107 information or by the sales server 107 sending the information to the auto-configuration server 104 at regular intervals. For example, sales server 107 may download client computer specific data into autonomic configuration server 104 at the end of each day or at regular hourly intervals.

In either embodiment, the client computer information database 160 stores information containing client computer specific data 162-1, 2, 3 for each home network client computer 102 sold to an end user. As shown in FIG. 4, client computer specific data 162 includes: a client computer serial number 404 for uniquely identifying the client computer 102, client computer model number information 410, sales information specifying the characteristics of a particular client computer recipient, and other end-user specific configuration information 414. The end-user specific configuration information 414 may include software features and service features selected by the end-user when purchasing or subscribing to the end-user computer. In both embodiments, the auto-configuration server typically uses the client computer serial number as an index key to access client computer specific data 162 in the database relating to a particular home network client computer 102. The client computer specific data 162 is typically collected and stored when the home network client computer 102 is sold/purchased/acquired/shipped. This allows customized information to be stored for each client computer buyer.

Referring to fig. 2, a typical distribution network configuration of the various components included in the present invention is shown. The network is comprised of one or more home network client computers 102-1, 2, 3, each of which is connected to an auto-configuration server 104. The home network client computers 102-1, 2, 3 connect to the auto-configuration server 104 using a communication line to request the necessary configuration information. The auto-configuration server 104 also uses the communication line to send the necessary configuration information to the requesting home network client computer 102-1, 2, 3.

The auto-configuration server 104 may also be connected to sales servers 107-1, 2 and local service provider servers 106-1, 2. The sales servers 107-1, 2 maintain a database of client computer information for each home network client computer. The database contains data specific to each client computer that is recorded when the home network client computer is sold/obtained/ordered/shipped to a buyer or end user 109-1, 2, 3. This piece of client computer information stored in the database is downloaded to the auto-configuration server periodically or upon request from the auto-configuration server. The local service provider servers 106-1, 2 contain a directory of the local service providers that the auto-configuration server can access to obtain local service provider information for a given home client network computer 102. As previously described, the client computer information database and the local service provider's directory may also be stored on the auto-configuration server.

Fig. 3 shows a flow of an auto-configuration process 300 for automatically configuring a home network client computer without user intervention. This process is initiated when the user powers on the home network client computer.

At step 302, the home network client computer executes the auto-configuration process client module 118 to determine whether the home network client computer has the necessary configuration information to successfully configure itself. As shown in fig. 1, the necessary configuration information required to successfully configure itself includes local service provider information and client computer specific data. If the home network client computer determines that it has the necessary configuration information, then a connection is established with the local service provider, as shown in step 316. If no configuration information is necessary for the home network client computer, then execution continues at step 304.

At step 304, the home network client computer opens a connection with the auto-configuration server. This link is used both to send a request to the auto-configuration server and to receive the necessary configuration information from said auto-configuration server.

At step 306, the home network client computer sends the requested configuration to the auto-configuration server using the connection established in step 304. The request sent by the home network client computer to the auto-configuration server includes a client identification information unique to the home network client computer. This client identification information consists of a telephone number or a machine serial number associated with the home network client computer or both.

In the preferred embodiment, the auto-configuration server uses the "CallerID" service provided by the telephone service company to determine the telephone number that the home network client computer is calling. And if the Caller ID service is not available, the user can request the provision of a phone number.

At step 308, the auto-configuration server receives a configuration request from the requesting home network client computer. Upon receiving this request, the auto-configuration server reads the client identifying information sent as part of the request. This client identification information uniquely identifies the requesting home network client computer.

At step 310, the auto-configuration server determines local service provider information and client computer specific data corresponding to the requesting home network client computer using the client identifying information read out at step 308.

The local service provider information is determined by consulting a directory of local service providers. In particular, the telephone number of the home network client computer includes a first portion (i.e., an area code and three data prefixes) that identifies the geographic area in which the home network client computer is located. The directory of the home service provider includes a corresponding record (entry) that maps a first portion of the phone number associated with the home network client computer to the home service provider.

If the directory of local service providers is stored on the auto-configuration server itself, the local service provider information can be determined by directly consulting the local service provider information according to the home network client computer telephone number. If the local service provider's directory is stored on a local service provider server, the auto-configuration server is enabled to access the information by establishing a connection with the local service provider server. Using this connection with the local service provider server, the auto-configuration server can directly access a directory stored on a particular local service provider server or request the local service provider server to send the necessary information to the auto-configuration server.

The auto-configuration server determines client computer specific data by accessing a database containing information for each home network client computer that has been sold. This database containing customer information may be stored on the auto-configuration server itself or on some sales server. If the database is stored on the auto-configuration server itself, the database can be accessed directly and the necessary client computer specific data corresponding to the client computer serial number can be determined. If the database is stored on the sales server, the auto-configuration server has multiple ways to access the information. One method for selling servers is to send the client computer specific data to the auto-configuration server when requested by the auto-configuration server. Another method for selling servers is to download the entire database to the auto-configuration server at periodic intervals. This method is performed at the end of each day or at set hourly intervals. Once the database information has been downloaded to the auto-configuration server, the auto-configuration server can access the information when needed. Other similar techniques may also be employed depending on their functionality.

The contents of each client computer specific data are shown in fig. 4. As described above, the client computer specific data is stored during the time that the computer is purchased/sold/acquired.

At step 312, the auto-configuration server downloads the local service provider information and client computer-specific data collected in step 310 onto the requesting home network client computer.

At step 314, the home network client computer receives the configuration information sent by the auto-configuration server. The home network client computer then configures itself using the configuration information. Upon successful configuration, the home network client computer establishes a connection with the local service provider, as shown in step 316.

In another embodiment of the invention the client identification information sent by the home network client computer comprises only the telephone number associated with the home network client computer. Since the client identification information does not include the serial number of the client computer, the auto-configuration server is not able to uniquely identify the requesting home network client computer. The result is that the auto-configuration server is unable to determine client computer specific data for the requesting home network client computer. However, as previously described, the telephone number may allow the auto-configuration server to determine local service provider information for the requesting home network client computer.

In another embodiment, the client identification information transmitted by the home network client computer includes only a serial number capable of uniquely identifying the home network client computer. In this embodiment, the telephone company "Caller ID" service is not used to determine the telephone number of the calling home network client computer. However, in this embodiment, information that allows for the geographic distribution of the home network client computers has been collected and stored in the client computer specific data at the time the client computers were sold and ordered. This geographical information is in any case needed to determine where to ship the client computer or for similar purposes. The auto-configuration server then uses the client computer serial number to access the client computer specific data and obtain the recorded geographic location of the home network client computer. The geographic location can be used to determine relevant local service provider information for the requesting home network client computer.

While the invention has been described with reference to a few specific embodiments, such description is illustrative only and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. A method of automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, each of said plurality of requests providing a client computer identification:

b) using the client computer identifying information in the request to determine:

i) selecting local servers from information in a predefined directory of local service providers

Service provider information;

ii) selecting from a database of client computer information according to said client computer identifying information

Corresponding client computer specific data; wherein each network client computer's client computer

At least a portion of the private data includes: number of computer model information constituting one computer

Data selected from the group, data for identifying internal hardware or software forming a computer

And data identifying a designated end user or recipient of the computer;

c) instructions are provided for downloading the local service provider information and the client computer specific data into respective network client computers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said client computer identification information includes a serial number uniquely associated with said network client computer, and

the database of client computer information includes data for the network client computers that are collected and stored with the network client computers obtaining or selling and/or the network client computers shipping to designated recipients, wherein the data stored for each network client computer represents a respective serial number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information identifying the designated recipients for the respective network client computers, and specific configuration information for the designated recipients, respectively.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein

The client computer identification information includes: a telephone number associated with said network client computer, wherein said telephone number includes a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which said network client computer is located;

the directory of local service providers comprising: for mapping said first portion of telephone numbers associated with said network client computer to a corresponding record of a local service provider.

4. A method for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of:

determining whether said network client computer lacks necessary configuration information upon power-up of said network client computer, said necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data;

if the network client computer is determined to lack any of the necessary configuration information, performing the steps of:

connecting an automatic configuration server;

sending a configuration request to the auto-configuration server, the request including client computer identification information relating to the network client computer;

receiving said necessary configuration information from said auto-configuration server;

said network client computer configuring itself using the received configuration information;

when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using that information, a connection is automatically established with the local service provider.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

said client computer identification information including a serial number associated only with said network client computer, and

the database of client computer information includes data for the network client computers that are collected and stored in connection with the acquisition or sale of the network client computer and/or the shipment of the network client computer to a designated transferee, wherein the data stored for each network client computer represents a respective serial number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information identifying the designated transferee of the network client computer, and specific configuration information of the designated transferee of the network client computer, respectively.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the client computer identification information includes a telephone number associated with the network client computer, wherein the telephone number includes a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which the network client computer is located:

the directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record mapping the first portion of the telephone number associated with the network client computer to a local service provider.

7. An auto-configuration server for configuring a network client computer, comprising:

a communication interface for receiving auto-configuration requests from said network client computers, each of said requests providing user computer identification information;

a data processor connected to said communication interface;

the data processor is further connected to a predefined directory of local service providers and a database of client computer information;

a memory coupled to the data processor stores a plurality of processes executed by the data processor:

the stored plurality of processes comprising: a configuration process for determining local service provider information using said client computer identifying information in each said request, said local service provider information being selected from information in a directory predefined by said local service provider, and further determining client computer specific data associated with said client computer identifying information, said client computer specific data being selected from a database of said client computer information; said configuration process further includes instructions for downloading said local service provider information and said client computer specific data onto respective network client computers;

wherein at least a portion of the client computer specific data for each network client computer comprises: data selected from a data group of computer model information constituting a computer, data for identifying internal hardware or software constituting a computer, and data for identifying a designated end user or recipient of the computer.

8. The auto-configuration server of claim 7, wherein:

said client computer identification information includes a serial number associated only with said network client computer; and

the database of client computer information includes data for the network client computers that is collected and stored with the network client computers obtaining or selling and/or shipping the network client computers to designated recipients, wherein the stored data for each respective network client computer includes a respective serial number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information for identifying the designated recipient of the network client computer, and configuration information for the designated recipient of the respective network client computer.

9. An auto-configuration server for configuring a network client computer, comprising:

a communication interface for receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, each of said plurality of requests providing a client computer identification;

a data processor connected to the communication interface;

the data processor is also connected to a database of predefined directories and client computer information of a local service provider;

a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor;

the plurality of stored procedures comprising: a configuration process for determining local service provider information using the user computer identification information in each request, the local service provider information being selected from information in a predefined directory of local service providers, and further determining client computer specific data corresponding to the client computer identification information selected from a database of client computer information; the configuration process further includes instructions for downloading the local service provider information and client computer-specific data to the respective network client computer; wherein

Said client computer identification information comprises a telephone number associated with said network client computer, wherein said telephone number comprises a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which said network client computer is located;

the directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record that maps a first portion of the telephone number associated with the network client computer to the local service provider.

10. A client configuration system for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising:

a communication interface for sending a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer, each of said plurality of requests providing a client computer identification information;

a data processor connected to said communication interface;

a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor;

the plurality of stored memory processes comprising: a client configuration process for determining whether the network client computer lacks necessary configuration information when the network client computer is powered on, the necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data;

if said network client computer is determined to lack any of said necessary configuration information, then said client configuration process further:

sending said request to an auto-configuration server using said communication interface;

receiving said necessary configuration information from said auto-configuration server;

configuring the network client computer using the configuration information received from the auto-configuration server;

automatically establishing a connection with the local service provider when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using the configuration information.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein:

said client computer identification information includes serial numbers relating only to said network client computers; and

the database of client computer information includes data for the network client computers that is collected and stored with the network client computers obtaining or selling and/or shipping the network client computers to designated recipients, wherein each network client computer individually stores data representing an individual serial number, a client computer model number or configuration, designated recipient sales information identifying the individual network client computer, and the designated recipient specific configuration information for each of the network client computers.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein:

said client computer identification information comprises a telephone number associated with said network client computer, wherein said telephone number comprises a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which said network client computer is located;

the directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record that maps a first portion of the telephone number associated with the network client computer to a local service provider.

13. A method of automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer,

b) receiving caller identification information with each request, wherein each caller identification information includes a telephone number associated with the telephone connection that is sending the request;

c) using the received caller identification information to determine:

i) selecting local servers from information in a predefined directory of local service providers

Service provider information;

ii) phases selected from a database of client computer information according to said caller identification information

Client computer specific data of interest; wherein each network client computer is specific to that client computer

At least a portion of the usage data includes: data from computer model information constituting a computer

Data selected from the group, data for identifying internal hardware or software constituting a computer to

And data identifying a designated end user or recipient of the computer;

d) instructions are provided for downloading the local service provider information and the client computer-specific data to respective network client computers.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the caller identification information is provided by a telephone company caller identification service:

the database of client computer information includes: data for said network client computers collected and stored in connection with acquisition or sale by said network client computers and/or shipment of said network client computers to designated recipients, wherein said data stored for each network client computer represents a respective corresponding telephone number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information identifying said designated recipients of said network client computers, and specific configuration information for said designated recipients, respectively.

15. A method of automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer,

b) receiving caller identification information with each request, wherein the caller identification information includes a telephone number associated with the telephone connection that is sending the request;

c) using the received caller identification information to determine:

i) selecting local servers from information in a predefined directory of local service providers

Service provider information;

ii) selecting a corresponding caller identification information from the client computer information database

Client computer specific data of (a);

d) providing instructions for downloading said local service provider information and said client computer specific data to respective network client computers, wherein

The caller identification information includes: a telephone number associated with said network client computer, wherein said telephone number includes a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which said network client computer is located;

the directory of local service providers comprising: for mapping said first portion of telephone numbers associated with said network client computer to a corresponding record of a local service provider.

16. A method for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising the steps of:

determining whether said network client computer lacks necessary configuration information upon power-up of said network client computer, said necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data;

if the network client computer is determined to lack any of the necessary configuration information, performing the steps of:

connecting an automatic configuration server;

sending a configuration request to the auto-configuration server, the auto-configuration server receiving caller identification information and the configuration request, wherein the caller identification information is provided by a telephone company caller identification service;

receiving said necessary configuration information from said auto-configuration server;

said network client computer configuring itself using the received configuration information;

when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using that information, a connection is automatically established with the local service provider.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the caller identification information provided by the telephone company caller identification service includes a telephone number, and

a database of client computer information comprising data for said network client computers collected and stored in connection with acquisition or sale of said network client computers and/or shipment of said network client computers to designated transferees, wherein said data stored for each network client computer represents a respective telephone number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information identifying said designated transferee of said network client computer and specific configuration information of said designated transferee of said network client computer, respectively.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the telephone number in the caller identification information includes a first portion for identifying a geographic area in which the network client computer is located;

the directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record mapping said first portion of said telephone number associated with said network client computer to the local service provider.

19. An auto-configuration server for configuring a network client computer, comprising:

a communication interface for receiving the automatically configured requests from the network client computer, the communication interface also receiving caller identification information provided by a telephone company caller identification service and each request;

a data processor connected to said communication interface;

the data processor is further connected to a predefined directory of local service providers and a database of client computer information;

a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor;

the stored plurality of processes comprising: a configuration process for determining local service provider information using caller identification information associated with each request, the local service provider information being selected from information in a predefined directory of the local service provider, and further determining client computer specific data associated with the caller identification information, the client computer specific data being selected from a database of the client computer information; the configuration process also includes instructions for downloading the local service provider information and the client computer specific data onto respective network client computers.

20. The auto-configuration server of claim 19, wherein:

the caller identification information includes a telephone number associated with the network client computer, and

a database of client computer information includes data for the network client computers that is collected and stored in connection with the acquisition or sale of the network client computer and/or the shipment of the network client computer to a designated transferee, wherein the data stored for each network client computer represents a respective telephone number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information identifying the designated transferee of the network client computer, and specific configuration information of the designated transferee of the network client computer, respectively.

21. The auto-configuration server of claim 19, wherein:

caller identification information includes a telephone number associated with one of said network client computers; the telephone number includes a first portion for identifying a geographic location at which the network client computer is located; and is

The directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record mapping said first portion of said telephone number associated with said network client computer to the local service provider.

22. A client configuration system for automatically configuring a network client computer, comprising:

a communication interface for sending a plurality of requests for automatic configuration from said network client computer;

a data processor connected to the communication interface;

a memory coupled to the data processor, the memory storing a plurality of processes executed by the data processor;

the plurality of stored procedures comprising: a client configuration process for determining whether said network client computer lacks necessary configuration information when said network client computer is powered on, said necessary configuration information including information relating to a local service provider and client computer specific data:

wherein the client configuration process includes instructions that are executed only if the network client computer is determined to lack the any necessary configuration information; and instructions that, when executed, cause the network client computer to perform the steps of:

sending an auto-configuration request to an auto-configuration server via the communication interface, the auto-configuration server receiving caller identification information and a configuration request provided by a telephone company caller identification service;

receiving required configuration information from an automatic configuration server;

configuring said network client computer using configuration information received from an auto-configuration server;

when the network client computer has the necessary configuration information and has been configured using that information, a connection is automatically established with the local service provider.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein:

the caller identification information includes a telephone number associated with the network client computer, and

a database of client computer information includes data for the network client computers that is collected and stored in connection with the acquisition or sale of the network client computer and/or the shipment of the network client computer to a designated transferee, wherein the data stored for each network client computer represents a respective telephone number, client computer model number or configuration, sales information identifying the designated transferee of the network client computer, and specific configuration information of the designated transferee of the network client computer, respectively.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein:

caller identification information includes a telephone number associated with one of said network client computers; the telephone number in the caller identification information includes a first portion for identifying the geographic location of the network client computer; and is

The directory of the local service provider includes a corresponding record mapping said first portion of said telephone number associated with said network client computer to the local service provider.