Method of accessing a selected network

• US 8,516,132 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Selgas, Thomas Drennan, Massing, Michael Brian, Gmuender, John Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): LIN, KENNY S
• Application Number:
  US10/417,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,779 Days
• Field of Search: 709227-229, 709/230, 709/237, 709217-219, 709/250, 379/114.02
• US Class Current: 709/228
• 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 of 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 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 network access device of a user to a network comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of a plurality of geographic location indicators stored in the network access device;

the network access device selecting, based at least on the at least one selected geographic location indicator;

a first access number of a plurality of access numbers stored in the network access device, each of the plurality of access numbers being associated with the at least one selected geographic location indicator, and

a plurality of authentication information data items stored in the network access device, wherein one or more of the plurality of authentication information data items is associated with the first access number and selected based at least on the at least one selected geographic location indicator;

the network access device accessing the first access number;

the network access device determining whether the first access number is in use;

upon a determination by the network access device that the first access number is not in use;

the network access device transmitting the selected one or more authentication information data items associated with the first access number, and

the network access device connecting the user to the network; and

upon a determination that the first access number is in use, the network access device connecting to the network via another of the plurality of access numbers stored in the network access device and associated with the at least one selected geographic location indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more authentication information data items comprises a Password Authentication Protocol identification and password.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more authentication information data items are specific to the first access number.

4. A method of connecting a user network access device to a network comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one of a plurality of geographic location indicators stored in the user network access device;

the network access device selecting, based at least on the at least one selected geographic location indicator;

an initial predefined access number of an ISP, from a plurality of predefined access numbers stored in the user network access device, the initial predefined access number of an ISP associated with the at least one selected geographic location indicator, and

one or more authentication information data items, from a plurality of authentication information data items stored in the user network access device, the one or more authentication information data items associated with the initial predefined access number of an ISP and selected based at least on the at least one selected geographic location indicator;

the user network access device initially determining whether the initial predefined access number of an ISP is to be used;

upon an initial determination by the user network access device that the initial predefined access number of an ISP is to be used;

the network access device transmitting the one or more authentication information data items associated with the initial predefined access number of an ISP; and

the network access device connecting the user to the network via the predefined access number of an ISP;

upon a determination by the network access device that the initial predefined access number of an ISP is not to be used, performing the substeps of;

the user network access device selecting, based on the at least one selected geographic location indicator;

an ISP access number of an ISP that provides a lower cost service to the user, from the plurality of predefined access numbers; and

one or more authentication information data items associated with the selected ISP access number, from the plurality of authentication information data items; and

the user network access device connecting the user to the network via the selected ISP access number and using the one or more authentication information data items associated with the selected ISP access number.

5. A method of connecting a network access device of a user to a network comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of geographical location indicators in the network access device;

storing in the network access device a first plurality of access numbers associated with at least one of the geographical location indicators stored in the network access device, and each access number for use in connecting the network access device to the network;

storing in the network access device a plurality of authentication information data items, each authentication information data item associated with at least one of the plurality of access numbers;

selecting at least one of the plurality of geographical location indicators stored in the network access device, the at least one geographical location indicator associated with a second plurality of access numbers in the network access device, the first plurality of access numbers comprising the second plurality of access numbers;

the network access device determining;

a selected access number in the second plurality of access numbers, the determination based at least on the at least one selected geographical location indicator, and

one or more selected authentication information data items in the plurality of authentication information data items associated with the selected access number, the determination based at least on the at least one selected geographical location indicator,

wherein the step of determining comprises the user network access device selecting an access number that provides a higher level of service reliability to the user; and

the user network access device connecting the user to the network via the selected access number and using the one or more selected authentication information data items.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

authenticating the network access device at a centrally located database point.

8. The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

authenticating the network access device at a local point of presence associated with the selected access number.

6. A method of connecting a network access device of a user to a network comprising the steps of:

storing in the network access device a plurality of access numbers each associated with at least one different geographical indicator, for use in connecting the network access device to the network;

storing in the network access device a plurality of authentication information data items, each authentication information data item associated with at least one of the plurality of access numbers;

selecting at least one of a plurality of geographical indicators stored in the network access device, the at least one geographical indicator associated with at least one of the plurality of access numbers;

the network access device selecting, based on the at least one selected geographical indicator;

an access number of the plurality of access numbers, and

one or more authentication information data items of the plurality of authentication information data items, the one or more authentication information data items selected based at least on the at least one selected geographical indicator; and

the user network access device connecting the user to the network via the selected access number using the selected one or more authentication information data items.

9. A method of connecting a network access device of a user to a network comprising the steps of:

storing in the network access device;

a plurality of geographical location indicators for selection to access the network from a plurality of geographic locations,

a plurality of access numbers for use in connecting the network access device to the network from at least one of the plurality of geographic locations, and

a plurality of authentication information data items, each authentication information data item associated with at least one of the plurality of access numbers,

wherein each of the plurality of geographical location indicators is associated with at least one of the plurality of access numbers, wherein the at least one of the plurality of access numbers is an access number of a point of presence for connection to the network, the point of presence local to a geographic location indicated by the geographical location indicator;

selecting at least one of the plurality of geographical location indicators;

the network access device selecting, based at least on the at least one selected geographical location indicator and at least one of a service characteristic or a billing characteristic;

a an access number of the plurality of access numbers, and

one or more authentication information data items of the plurality of authentication information data items, the one or more authentication information data items selected based at least on the at least one selected geographical location indicator and the at least one of a service characteristic or a billing characteristic; and

the network access device transmitting the selected one or more authentication information data items to the point of presence associated with at least the access number selected by the network access device, the one or more authentication information data items associated with the access number selected by the network access device, the point of presence local to a geographic location indicated by the geographical location indicator.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the selected one or more authentication information data items transmitted to the point of presence are authenticated by a centrally located database point via the local point of presence.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the centrally located database point comprises an ASP.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more local points of presence and the ASP are controlled by the same entity.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the centrally located database point comprises an ASP billing entity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the one or more local points of presence and the ASP billing entity are controlled by the same entity.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the network access device receiving one or more authentication acknowledgements from the centrally located database point via the local point of presence.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the centrally located database point comprises an ASP.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more local points of presence and the ASP are controlled by the same entity.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the centrally located database point comprises an ASP billing entity.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the one or more local points of presence and the ASP billing entity are controlled by the same entity.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more local points of presence and the centrally located database point are controlled by the same entity.

21. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more local points of presence and the centrally located database point are controlled by the same entity.