Virtual private network service provider for asynchronous transfer mode network

• US 6,032,118 A
• Filed: 12/19/1996
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Holmes, Kim, Hui, Margaret, Tello, Antonio G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSEN, NICHOLAS D
• Application Number:
  US08/769,649
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 380/21, 380/49, 705/1, 705/40, 705/44, 379/211, 379/212
• US Class Current: 705/50
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1471 splitting of costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1492 negotiation of tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5615 Network termination, e.g. NT1, NT2, PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5616 Terminal equipment, e.g. codecs, synch.
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5619 Network Node Interface, e.g. tandem connections, transit switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5639 Tariffs or charging
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5673 Coding or scrambling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A virtual private network service provider is used to transfer data over a data network to a final destination, with third-party billing. The method comprises the steps of: prompting the user at a data terminal to select a destination, password, and call type; sending a set-up message to the data network; selecting a virtual private network provider through the data network; the virtual private network provider giving an encryption key to the user, and then prompting the user for a password and a user identification; encrypting the password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network provider; the virtual private network provider decrypting the encrypted password, and verifying the password; the virtual private network provider providing an authorization code; and the data terminal transferring the data through the data network to the final destination, using the authorization code.

Claims

1. A computerized method for a virtual private network service provider with third party billing, using a virtual private network to transfer data over a data network to a final destination, the method comprising the steps of:

a. prompting a user at a data terminal to select a destination, a user identification, a password, and a call type including a choice of the virtual private network;

b. selecting the virtual private network through the data network;

c. sending an encryption key to the data terminal;

d. verifying the password, and providing an authorization code to the user; and

e. allowing the user to transfer the data through the data network to the final destination, using the authorization code.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises negotiating for more bandwidth for the user, and including within the authorization code a grant of additional bandwidth.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein step (c) further comprises encrypting the password to produce an encrypted password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network service provider.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after step (a), the step of sending a set-up message to the data network.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, after step (c), the step of the virtual private network service provider decrypting the encrypted password.

6. A computer-readable medium encoded with a method of using a virtual private network, with third party billing, the method comprising the steps of:

a. prompting the user at a data terminal to select a destination, a user identification, a password, and a call type including a choice of the virtual private network;

b. selecting the virtual private network through the data network;

c. sending an encryption key to the data terminal;

d. verifying the password, and providing an authorization code to the user; and

e. allowing the user to transfer the data through the data network to the final destination, using the authorization code.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 wherein step (d) further comprises negotiating for more bandwidth for the user, and including within the authorization code a grant of additional bandwidth.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7 wherein step (c) further comprises encrypting the password to produce an encrypted password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network service provider.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising, after step (a), the step of sending a set-up message to the data network.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 further comprising, after step (c), the step of the virtual private network service provider decrypting the encrypted password.

11. An apparatus for providing a datalink connection from a user terminal to a data network and to a virtual private network, with third party billing, comprising:

a. means for prompting a user at a data terminal to select a destination, a user identification, a password, and a call type including a choice of the virtual private network;

b. means for selecting the virtual private network through the data network;

c. means for sending an encryption key to the data terminal;

d. means for verifying the password, and providing an authorization code to the user; and

e. means for allowing the user to transfer data through the data network to a final destination, using the authorization code.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for negotiating for more bandwidth for the user, and including within the authorization code a grant of additional bandwidth.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for encrypting the password to produce an encrypted password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network service provider.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for sending a set-up message to the data network.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for decrypting the encrypted password.