Apparatus and method for controlling access to a service over a communications system

• US 6,938,089 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Virtual Access Technology Limited
• Inventors: Brankin, Henry, Loughlin, Thomas, Slaby, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Pollack, Melvin H.
• Application Number:
  US09/550,324
• Time in Patent Office: 1,964 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/208, 709/218, 709220-228, 709/230, 709/238, 709/219, 709/229, 713/1, 713/2, 713/100, 713200-202
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0457 Connection protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 Packet switching, X.25, frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

Apparatus for accessing a service over a communications network comprises an interface for connection to a communication line of the network, a memory for storing a unique serial number and configuration data, and a process of configuring the interface to communicate with a remote configuration system when the apparatus is first connected to the communication line and then to transmit the unique serial number. Configuration data is received from the remote configuration system and stored in the memory. The apparatus is then re-initialized to use the configuration data for future communications to access a service over the network.

Claims

1. A method of remotely configuring a communication apparatus for communication over a network to access at least one service system, the method comprising:

connecting said communication apparatus to said network;

automatically configuring said communication apparatus to communicate with a remote configuration system using initial configuration data stored in said communication apparatus, said initial configuration data not enabling said communication apparatus to communicate with said at least one service system, said remote configuration system and said at least one service system being arranged to allow independent communications between said communication apparatus and each of said remote configuration system and said at least one service system;

said communication apparatus automatically communicating with said remote configuration system over said network using the stored initial configuration data;

said communication apparatus transmitting unique identification information to said configuration system;

at said configuration system determining configuration data for said communication apparatus dependent upon the unique identification information and transmitting said configuration data to said communication apparatus;

storing said configuration data received from said configuration system in said communication apparatus;

controlling subsequent communications by said communication apparatus over said network to access a said service system using the stored configuration data;

transmitting subsequent configuration data to said communication apparatus automatically from said configuration system;

storing said subsequent configuration data in said communication apparatus; and

controlling subsequent communications by said communication apparatus over said network to access a said service system in accordance with the stored subsequent configuration data.

2. A method according to claim 1, including the steps of a user of said communication apparatus generating a request for further subsequent configuration data, and transmitting said request to said configuration system to initiate the transmission of subsequent configuration data.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said configuration data is transmitted over said network using a permanently open control channel associated with a plurality of data/voice channels.

4. A method according to claim 1, including the steps at said communication apparatus, of:

gathering information on the use of said at least one service system;

processing said information to generate summary information; and

periodically transmitting said summary information to a service management system.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said information is gathered in real time using a real time clock.

6. A method according to claim 4, including the step of supplying said information and/or said summary information to a user.

7. Communication apparatus for interfacing a computer system to a communication network to access at least one service system, the apparatus comprising:

first I/O for connection to said computer system;

second I/O for connection to the communication network;

a storage for storing unique identification information and configuration data for configuring the operation of the apparatus to access said at least one service system over said communication network;

a processor for controlling said second I/O in accordance with initial configuration data stored in said storage to connect to a remote configuration system and to transmit said unique identification information in said storage to the configuration system, said initial configuration data not enabling said processor to control said second I/O to connect to said at least one service system said processor being operable to control said second I/O to independently communicate with said remote configuration system and said at least one service system;

wherein said processor is operable to control said second I/O to receive configuration data from said configuration system, to store said received configuration data in said storage, and to control access to at least one said service system by said computer system in accordance with said received configuration data; and

wherein said processor is operable to control said second I/O to receive subsequent configuration data automatically generated by said configuration system, to store said subsequent configuration data in said storage, and to control subsequent access to at least one said service system by said computer system in accordance with said subsequent configuration data.

8. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first I/O comprises a local area network port for connection to a local area network.

9. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second I/O comprises an ISDN port for connection to one or more ISDN lines in said communications network.

10. Communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second I/O is adapted for connection to an ISDN line having a data channel (D) and a plurality of bearer channels (B).

11. Communication apparatus according to claim 9, including at least one plain old telephone services (POTS) interface for connecting a telephone to the or each ISDN line.

12. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, including a user interface for allowing a user to generate a request for further subsequent configuration data, said processor being responsive to said request to control said second I/O to transmit said request to said configuration system to cause further subsequent configuration data to be transmitted to said apparatus.

13. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second I/O comprises an ISDN interface for connection to one or more ISDN lines of an ISDN network having one or more channels permanently connecting said ISDN interface to the ISDN network, and for receiving said subsequent configuration data using said data channel.

14. Communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said ISDN interface is adapted to receive said subsequent configuration data using one or more communication channels of the or each ISDN line.

15. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second I/O is adapted for connection to a dedicated data communication line.

16. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said processor is operable to gather information on the use of said at least one service server by said computer system, to process said information to generate summary information, and to control said second I/O to periodically transmit said summary information to a service management service.

17. Communication apparatus according to claim 16, including real time clock, wherein said processor is operable to use said real time clock to gather real time information on the use of said at least one service server by said computer system.

18. Communication apparatus according to claim 16, including user interface to allow a user of said communication apparatus access to said information.

19. Communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said user interface comprises a further I/O.

20. Communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said user interface comprises a computer program running on said processor to allow a user of said computer system access to said summary information via said first I/O.

21. Communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said user interface comprises said processor operating as a web server.

22. Communication apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said processor is operable to gather and process said information using machine independent instructions for output to said user.

23. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, including an encoder for encoding said unique identification information before transmission by said second I/O.

24. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, including a decoder for decoding said initial and subsequent configuration data received in encoded form by said second I/O.

25. Communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second I/O includes a modem for connection to an analogue telephone line.

37. A configuration system for connection to said communication apparatus according to claim 7 via a communication network, said configuration system comprising:

a third I/O for connection to said communication network, and for receiving said unique identification information from said communication apparatus to enable said communication apparatus to access at least one service system, said remote configuration system and said at least one service system being arranged to allow independent communications between said communication apparatus and each of said configuration system and said at least one service system; and

a configuration processor responsive to said unique identification information to determine configuration data for said communication apparatus to enable said communication apparatus to access at least one said service system;

wherein said third I/O is adapted to transmit said determined configuration data to said communication apparatus near said communications network; and

wherein said configuration processor is operative to automatically determine updated configuration data and to cause said third I/O to transmit said updated configuration data to said communication apparatus to enable said communication apparatus to access at least one said service system.

38. A configuration system according to claim 37, wherein said configuration processor is operative to determine said configuration data using said unique identification information, information on the user or users of said communication apparatus, and information on the service required by the user or users.

39. A configuration system according to claim 38, including obtaining means for obtaining said information on the user or users, and said information on the service required by the user or users.

40. A configuration system according to claim 39, wherein said obtaining means is adapted to obtain said information on the user or users, said information on the service required by the user or users, and expected unique identification information prior to receipt of said unique identification information by said third I/O, and said configuration processor is operative to determine said configuration data before receipt of said unique identification information using the information obtained by said obtaining means, to compare the received unique identification information with said expected unique identification, and to cause said third I/O to transmit the configuration data if there is a match in the comparison.

41. A configuration system according to claim 40, including means for storing a plurality of sets of said configuration data for a corresponding plurality of said expected unique identification information for a corresponding plurality of said communication apparatuses, wherein said configuration system can connect to a plurality of said communication apparatuses.

42. A configuration system according to claim 37, wherein said configuration processor is responsive to a request for configuration data received by said third I/O from said communication apparatus to determine configuration data and control said third I/O to transmit said determined configuration data.

43. A configuration system according to claim 37, including a decoder for decoding encoded unique identification information received from said apparatus.

44. A configuration system according to claim 41, including an encoder for encoding said configuration data for transmission to said apparatus.

26. Communication apparatus for communicating with a remote system over a network to access at least one service system, the apparatus comprising:

an I/O for connection to the network;

a storage for storing unique identification information and configuration data for the operation of the communication apparatus to access said at least one service system;

a processor for controlling said I/O in accordance with initial configuration data stored in said storage to connect to a remote configuration system and to transmit said unique identification information thereto, said initial configuration data not enabling said processor to control said I/O to connect to said at least one service system, said processor being operable to control said I/O to independently communicate with said remote configuration system and said at least one service system;

wherein said processor is operable to control said I/O to receive configuration data from said configuration system, to store said received configuration data in said storage, and to control access to at least one said service system in accordance with said received configuration data; and

wherein said processor is operable to control said I/O to receive subsequent configuration data automatically generated by said configuration system, to store said subsequent configuration data in said storage, and to control subsequent access to at least one said service system in accordance with said subsequent configuration data.

27. Communication apparatus according to claim 26, including an interface means for allowing a user to generate a request for further subsequent configuration data, said processor being responsive to said request to control said I/O to transmit said request to said configuration system to cause further subsequent configuration data to be transmitted to said apparatus.

28. Communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said I/O comprises an ISDN interface for connection to one or more ISDN lines of an ISDN network having one or more data channels permanently connecting said ISDN interface to the ISDN network, and for receiving said subsequent configuration data using said data channel.

29. Communication apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said ISDN interface is adapted to receive said subsequent configuration data using one or more communication channels of the or each ISDN line.

30. Communication apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said processor is operable to gather information on the use of said at least one service server by said computer system, to process said information to generate summary information and to control said I/O to periodically transmit said summary information to a service management system.

31. Communication apparatus according to claim 30, including real time clock, wherein said processor is operable to use said real time clock to gather real time information on the use of said at least one service system.

32. Communication apparatus according to claim 30, including user interface to allow a user of said apparatus access to said information.

33. Communication apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said user interface comprises a computer program running on said processor to allow access to said summary information.

34. Communication apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said processor is operable to gather and process said information using machine independent instructions for output to said user.

35. Communication apparatus according to claim 26, including an encoder for encoding said unique identification information before transmission by said I/O.

36. Communication apparatus according to claim 26, including a decoder for decoding configurating received in encoded form by said I/O.