Application specific connection module

• US 20060023738A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Japan Communications Inc.
• Original Assignee: Japan Communications Inc.
• Inventors: Sanda, Frank Seiji
• Application Number:
  US11/170,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20060023738A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/463
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6227 where protection concerns the structure of data, e.g. records, types, queries
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/60 Digital content management, e.g. content distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5009 Determining service level performance parameters or violations of service level contracts, e.g. violations of agreed response time or mean time between failures [MTBF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5016 based on statistics of service availability, e.g. in percentage or over a given time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5067 Customer-centric QoS measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/509 wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/045 for graphical visualisation of monitoring data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/11 Identifying congestion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/22 Traffic shaping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/24 Traffic characterised by specific attributes, e.g. priority or QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0263 Rule management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 : using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 : for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 : by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/145 : the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/162 : at the data link layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 : at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 : specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 : Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/30 : Profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/61 : taking into account QoS or priority requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 : involving a third party or a trusted authority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3273 : for mutual authentication network architectures or network communication protocols for achieving mutual authentication in a packet data network H04L63/0869
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 : using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an application-driven connection module that maintains network connectivity to at least one application server and enables only intended applications to operate between the client and the server.

Claims

1. A connection module for use with a client device, the connection module comprising:

an amount of network connectivity;

a transport service module for enabling network connectivity to at least one server through one of a plurality of connection types; and

an access module that enables at least one application offered by the at least one server;

wherein the network connectivity is limited to access related to the at least one application.

2. The connection module of claim 1, wherein the at least one application is a single application.

3. The connection module of claim 1, further comprising at least one transceiver.

4. The connection module of claim 1, wherein the connection module does not include a transceiver.

5. The connection module of claim 1, wherein the network connectivity is pre-paid airtime.

6. The connection module of claim 5, wherein the price of the prepaid airtime is based on requirements of the at least one application.

7. The connection module of claim 1, wherein the access module further provides security for the provision of the at least one application.

8. The connection module of claim 7, wherein the access module provides security using a firewall.

9. The connection module of claim 7, wherein the access module provides security using port controls.

10. The connection module of claim 7, wherein the access module provides security using a VPN.

11. The connection module of claim 1, wherein the access module only enables network connectivity when a secured environment is confirmed.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one application is a single application.

21. The system of claim 11, wherein the access module optimizes performance of the application.

12. A system comprising a client device and at least one server wherein the client device is connected to a connection module comprising:

an amount of network connectivity;

a transport service module for enabling network connectivity to the at least one server through one of a plurality of connection types; and

an access module that enables at least one application offered by the at least one server,

wherein the network connectivity is limited to access related to the at least one application.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one server is part of a corporate network and the client device is located outside of the corporate network.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the client device is virtually connected to a corporate network containing the at least one server.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein

the at least one application relates to a first entity;

and

the at least one server is physically hosted by a second entity.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first entity and second entity are connected by a dedicated line.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one server reside at a data center.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the data center is operated by a connection module provider.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the data center is operated by a provider of the at least one application.

22. A method of providing an application comprising:

providing a server offering an application for use by at least one client device, wherein the server is connected to an Intranet;

providing a client device located remote to the Intranet; and

providing a connection module at the client device, the connection module comprising an amount of network connectivity, a transport service module for enabling network connectivity to the server and an access module that allows access to only one application.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the application is document sharing software, wherein the application controls access to selected files.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the software, the server software, and the at least one application-driven connection modules are sold as a package.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising selling additional airtime to recharge the connection module.

24. A method of selling an application comprising selling client software, server software, and at least one application-driven connection module under the same brand name.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the connection module includes prepaid airtime.