Method of obtaining a network address

• US 9,935,814 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2011
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: My Mail Limited
• Inventors: Selgas, Thomas Drennan, Massing, Michael Brian, Gmuender, John Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): Winder, Patrice L
• Application Number:
  US13/079,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20110185411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,556 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• 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 63/0853 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• 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 for accessing a digital network using a network access device, the method comprising:

sending, using a first network service provider entity to access the network, a message through the network to an access service provider entity;

in response to sending the message, receiving from the access service provider entity through the network at least one credential provided by the access service provider, wherein the at least one credential access information of a second network service provider not in contact with the network access device;

in response to receiving the at least one credential, and without further contacting the first network service provider entity, contacting, by the network access device, the second network service provider entity in accordance with the credential received from the access service provider entity while using the first network service provider entity; and

in response to contacting the second network service provider entity, receiving a temporarily assigned network address from the second network service provider entity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a geographic indicator associated with the network access device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one credential includes network access information for accessing multiple Internet service providers (ISPs).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the temporarily assigned network address is an internet protocol (IP) address.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the access service provider entity authenticates the network access device using a password or user identification in the message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network access device and the first network service provider entity are communicatively connected through a point-to-point network connection.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the login credentials include access information includes at least a PAP identifier and a PAP password.

8. A method for accessing a digital network using a network access device comprising:

transmitting access information to a first service entity;

establishing a network connection with the first service entity after transmitting the access information to the first service entity;

receiving a network address of an access service provider not in contact with the network access device, wherein the network address is provided through the network connection by the first service entity;

severing the network connection with the first service entity;

instantiating the network connection to the access service provider and transmitting a data message to the access service provider located at the network address provided by the first service entity, the data message including at least one credential associated with a computing device;

receiving, at the computing device, network access information from the access service provider for communicatively connecting to a network access provider;

storing the network access information;

severing the network connection after receipt of the network access information;

and using the network access information to establish a second network connection with the network access provider.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the access information comprises a second network address for the first service entity.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the network address comprises a uniform resource locator (URL) related to a web domain of the access service provider.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the network access information comprises a geographic identifier identifying a location of the computing device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the network access information comprises a public or private key.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the network access information comprises gateway address information.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the network connection between the service entity and the computing device is a point-to-point connection.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the login credentials include access information includes at least a PAP identifier and a PAP password.

16. A computing device, comprising:

memory embodied with computer-executable instructions executable for allowing a network access device to establish a data network connection; and

a processor executing the computer-executable instructions for;

receiving a network address for a first service provider,

using the network address to establish a connection with the first service provider,

receiving access information from the first service provider wherein the access information is provided by the first service provider and is for an access service provider,

using access information to contact the access service provider;

retrieving second access information from the access service provider for a second service provider not in contact with the computing device, and

using the second access information to establish a data connection with the second service provider.

17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the connection with the first service provider is a point-to-point network connection.

18. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to further perform:

maintaining the connection with the first service provider while establishing the data connection with the second service provider; and

severing the connection with the first service provider after establishing the data connection with the second service provider.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the login credentials include second access information includes at least a PAP identifier and a PAP password.