System and method of accessing a network by way of different service providers
First Claim
1. A method of providing a user device of a user access to the Internet by way of a plurality of different Internet service providers, each Internet service provider (ISP) having respectively different ISP-specific log-in information to enable Internet access for the user device, said method comprising:
- enabling bidirectional communication between an access service provider and a first ISP, through the Internet, the access service provider also in bidirectional communication, through the Internet, with the user device, wherein the user device is connected to the Internet through a second ISP;
conveying to the access service provider the ISP-specific log-in information associated with the first ISP in order to enable the ISP-specific log-in information of the first ISP to be conveyed to the user device;
using the first ISP to authenticate the user'"'"'s right to access the Internet by way of the first ISP based solely on the user device submitting the conveyed ISP-specific log-in information of the first ISP, wherein the ISP-specific log-in information is specific to the first ISP and not the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention comprises a method 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 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.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of providing a user device of a user access to the Internet by way of a plurality of different Internet service providers, each Internet service provider (ISP) having respectively different ISP-specific log-in information to enable Internet access for the user device, said method comprising:
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enabling bidirectional communication between an access service provider and a first ISP, through the Internet, the access service provider also in bidirectional communication, through the Internet, with the user device, wherein the user device is connected to the Internet through a second ISP; conveying to the access service provider the ISP-specific log-in information associated with the first ISP in order to enable the ISP-specific log-in information of the first ISP to be conveyed to the user device; using the first ISP to authenticate the user'"'"'s right to access the Internet by way of the first ISP based solely on the user device submitting the conveyed ISP-specific log-in information of the first ISP, wherein the ISP-specific log-in information is specific to the first ISP and not the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for providing a user access to the Internet by way of any one of a plurality of different Internet service providers, each Internet service provider (ISP) having respectively different ISP-specific log-in information to enable user Internet access, the apparatus comprising:
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an access service provider in bidirectional communication through the Internet with a device of said user, and also in bidirectional communication through the Internet with each of said plurality of different Internet service providers; said access service provider effective to procure, through the Internet, a plurality of ISP-specific log-in information associated with each of the plurality of Internet service providers directly from the respective Internet service providers, and to convey to the device of the user, through the Internet, ISP-specific log-in information that is specific to the one of a plurality of different Internet service providers and not the user; and said access service provider also effective to enable user access to the Internet by authenticating the user to use the one of a plurality of different Internet service providers based solely on receipt, through the Internet and from the device of said user, of the ISP-specific log-information specific to the one of a plurality of different Internet service providers and not the user. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification