METHOD OF CONNECTING A DEVICE TO A NETWORK USING DIFFERENT SERVICE PROVIDERS

• US 20130247157A1
• Filed: 04/26/2013
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Selgas, Thomas Drennan, Gmuender, John Everett, Massing, Michael Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/871,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20130247157A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/50 Address allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0464 using hop-by-hop encryption, i.e. wherein an intermediate entity decrypts the information and re-encrypts it before forwarding it
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/30 for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information circuit switched telephony call monitoring H04M3/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for simplifying the process of access to a network for a roaming computer user, divides the responsibility of servicing a given user wanting to access the network between multiple parties wanting to access the network between multiple parties and minimizes the possibility of improper dissemination of email header data as well as improper use of network resources (including server systems) by non-clients.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a computing device to the Internet by way of a plurality of Internet service providers, each Internet service provider (ISP) having different ISP-specific access information, the method comprising:

providing the computing device access to the Internet by way of a first ISP;

based on a need of the computing device to select a second ISP, procuring ISP-specific access information for the second ISP;

storing the ISP-specific access information of the second ISP in memory on the computing device; and

using the ISP-specific access information of the second ISP to access the Internet by way of the second ISP.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the need is due to the computing device moving to a different geographic location.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising disconnecting the computing device access to the Internet by way of the first ISP while maintaining access to the Internet by way of the second ISP.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ISP-specific access information comprises one or more keys for encoding messages to the second ISP.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ISP-specific access information comprises one or more authentication protocol identifiers.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the second ISP based on at least one member of a group comprising cost and availability associated with network service provided by the second ISP.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ISP-specific access information is procured from a network access provider.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising establishing a point-to-point connection with the first ISP.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the ISP-specific access information comprises at least one member of a group comprising a PAP ID and a PAP password.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating a database maintained in the memory with received access information associated with the second ISP.

11. A method of enabling a user to gain access to the Internet by way of a network of a plurality of different Internet service providers, each Internet service provider (ISP) having respectively different ISP-specific access information to enable user Internet access, an access service provider entity in bidirectional communication through the Internet with said user, the method comprising:

the user communicating with said access server provider, through the Internet, an intent to access the Internet by way of one of said Internet service providers;

the user receiving from said access service provider, through the Internet, the ISP-specific access information associated with said one Internet service provider; and

the user accessing the Internet by way of said one Internet service provider after being authenticated by either the said one Internet service provider or the access service provider.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the user communicating with said access service provider is initiated based on a change in geographic location of the user.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the ISP-specific access information comprises one or more passwords.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the ISP-specific access information comprises one or more keys for encoding messages.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said intent to access the Internet comprises a message that includes at least one member of a group comprising:

a PAP ID associated with a user device,

time stamp information, and

version information associated with a client dispatch application on the user device.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the user selecting another ISP based on cost and availability.

17. A method of providing a user access to the Internet by way of a plurality of different Internet service providers, each Internet service provider (ISP) having respectively different ISP specific access information to enable user Internet access, the method comprising:

providing a user device in bidirectional communication, through the Internet, with an access server provider; and

using the user device to receive from the access server provider, through the Internet, the ISP-specific access information associated with one of the Internet service providers.

18. The method of claim 17 in which the access server provider is in bidirectional communication, through the Internet, with at least said one Internet service provider, and having the ISP-specific access information associated with said one Internet service provider.

19. The method of claim 17, in which the user'"'"'s right to access the Internet has been authenticated.

20. The method of claim 19, in which the authentication by either the Internet service provider or the access service provider.