Method and system for logging into and providing access to a computer system via a communication network

• US 20040158743A1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alphawolf Consulting Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alphawolf Consulting Incorporated
• Inventors: Ham, Mason L, Maxwell, Scott, Bhatnager, Ajay
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0815 providing single-sign-on or federations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

A method and system for logging into and providing access to multiple computer systems via the Internet or other communications network using a single authenticating process (e.g. username and password).

Claims

1. A method of permissioning at least one user to access via a network at least one of a plurality of computer systems by the use of an access control system, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a user request directed to a selected one of the plurality of computer systems, the user request including a session identifier;

b) processing the received request as to whether the one user is authenticated or not to access information held by the selected one computer system;

c) if the one user is not authenticated as determined in step b), transmitting a message from the one computer system via the network to the user requesting the user to communicate with the access control system and to provide its authentication information to obtain authentication;

d) receiving a communication via the network from the user at the access control system, the communication bearing the user'"'"'s session identifier;

e) processing the received user communication to determine whether the access control system had previously received the transmitted user'"'"'s authentication information;

f) if the access control system had previously received the authentication information as determined in step e), the access control system provides and transmits an authentication message via the network to the user to be redirected to the one computer system; and

g) the one computer system receiving and processing the authentication message to permit the user access to information held by the one computer system.