Terminal apparatus to enable use of an internet connection line

• US 6,615,254 B1
• Filed: 01/21/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd., Precision Medical Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Precision Medical Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Takemoto, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pollack, Melvin H.
• Application Number:
  US09/488,823
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/219, 709/221, 709/227, 709/228, 709/217, 713/200, 713/201, 713/202, 710/100, 710/101, 710/102, 710/103
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• 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 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234

Abstract

A terminal apparatus for enabling the use of the Internet connection line. The terminal apparatus reads out the phone number of a first server and data for starting communication with the first server from an IC card mounted in the IC card socket, calls the phone number, and transmits the data in response to the demand from the first server. Moreover, the terminal apparatus receives the setting input by the setting acceptance screen for accepting the application for using the Internet connection line received from the first server, transmits the content to the first server, thereafter, demands the confirmation operation in response to the demand from the first server, and when it receives the confirmation input, advises the same. Furthermore, the terminal apparatus receives advice of the phone number of a second server, and the user ID and the password for starting communication with the second server from the first server, and stores the same in the IC card.

Claims

1. A terminal apparatus connected with a server computer via a communication line for calling a preset phone number of the server computer B, and transmitting preset information to a callee so as to receive a use permit of a communication network connection line for enabling the use of the communication network connection line, comprising:

a socket for detachably mounting a memory medium;

means for reading out a phone number of a first server computer and information for starting communication with the first server computer from the memory medium mounted on the socket;

means for calling the read out phone number of the first server computer;

means for transmitting the read out information for starting communication with the first server computer to the callee in response to demand from the callee;

means for receiving setting input for applying for the use of a communication network connection line connected with a second server computer and transmitting a content of the setting input to the callee in response to demand from the callee;

means for independently verifying the content of the setting input; and

means for receiving a phone number of the second server computer and information for receiving a use permit of the communication network connection line from the callee, and storing the same in the memory medium.

2. The terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory medium is an IC card.

3. The terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication network connection line is the Internet connection line.