Mechanism for dynamically binding a network computer client device to an approved internet service provider
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for connecting a network computer client device (NC) to an internet service provider (ISP), the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) dialing a relationship server;
(b) transmitting an NC manufacturer identification number to the relationship server corresponding to an NC manufacturer of the NC;
(c) receiving an authorized usage certificate for the ISP from the relationship server that includes a manufacturer'"'"'s digital signature;
(d) performing a cryptographic verification of the authorized usage certificate for the ISP using an NC root public key; and
(e) connecting to the ISP if step (d) is successful.
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Accused Products
Abstract
All network computer client device (NC) manufacturers'"'"' authorizations to connect to specific internet service providers (ISPs) are maintained in a central database associated with a relationship server. The relationship server issues digital certificates which associate various ISPs to their respective public keys. Each ISP is assigned a unique enterprise identification number by the relationship server. To authorize a specific ISP, the manufacturer begins with the relationship server'"'"'s ISP certificate. The manufacturer computes and appends its own digital signature for the relationship server'"'"'s ISP certificate, thereby creating an ISP usage certificate valid for its NCs which it sends back to the relationship server. Upon first powering on, each NC dials the relationship server and transmits its manufacturer identification number. The relationship server uses the manufacturer identification number to find the ISP usage certificates corresponding to the NC manufacturer. The relationship server then sends to the NC the ISP usage certificate corresponding to the enterprise identification number, or corresponding to the user'"'"'s selection if no enterprise identification number on the smart card is established. The NC performs a cryptographic verification of the ISP usage certificate using the manufacturer'"'"'s public key which is permanently stored in the NC in read only memory. Only if the verification of the ISP usage certificate is successful, thus indicating that the ISP usage certificate is signed by the manufacturer does the NC then attempts to connect to the ISP. When an ISP and manufacturer terminate an agreement, the relationship server disables the ISP'"'"'s managed access software; when the NC'"'"'s attempt to connect to the ISP fails, the NC then dials the relationship server to receive a new ISP usage certificate.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for connecting a network computer client device (NC) to an internet service provider (ISP), the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) dialing a relationship server; (b) transmitting an NC manufacturer identification number to the relationship server corresponding to an NC manufacturer of the NC; (c) receiving an authorized usage certificate for the ISP from the relationship server that includes a manufacturer'"'"'s digital signature; (d) performing a cryptographic verification of the authorized usage certificate for the ISP using an NC root public key; and (e) connecting to the ISP if step (d) is successful. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer readable storage medium comprising:
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computer readable program code embodied on said computer readable storage medium, said computer readable program code for programming a computer to perform a method for connecting said computer (NC) to an internet service provider (ISP), the method comprising the steps of; (a) dialing a relationship server; (b) transmitting an NC manufacturer identification number to the relationship server corresponding to an NC manufacturer of the NC; (c) receiving an authorized usage certificate for the ISP from the relationship server that includes a manufacturer'"'"'s digital signature; (d) performing a cryptographic verification of the authorized usage certificate for the ISP using an NC root public key; and (e) connecting to the ISP if step (d) is successful. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for connecting a network computer client device (NC) to an internet service provider (ISP), the apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for dialing a relationship server; (b) means for transmitting an NC manufacturer identification number to the relationship server corresponding to an NC manufacturer of the NC; (c) means for receiving an authorized usage certificate for the ISP from the relationship server that includes a manufacturer'"'"'s digital signature; (d) means for performing a cryptographic verification of the authorized usage certificate for the ISP using an NC root public key; and (e) means for connecting to the ISP responsive to means (d). - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification