Method and apparatus for providing fungible intercourse over a network
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A method of connecting a use to a given NSP (Network Service Provider) comprising the steps of:
- providing a network device user with an initial use set of log-in information for initially communicating with an access SP via an available NSP;
storing in a database of the network device a hidden time shared set of log-in information supplied by sad access service for accessing said given NSP; and
causing the network device to reestablish communication with the network via said given NSP using the hidden set of log-in information.
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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.
299 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of connecting a use to a given NSP (Network Service Provider) comprising the steps of:
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providing a network device user with an initial use set of log-in information for initially communicating with an access SP via an available NSP;
storing in a database of the network device a hidden time shared set of log-in information supplied by sad access service for accessing said given NSP; and
causing the network device to reestablish communication with the network via said given NSP using the hidden set of log-in information. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of connecting a user to a network comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first access telephone number of an access service provider;
establishing a first telecommunications link to the access service provider via the first access telephone number;
receiving from the access service provider via the first telecommunications link one or more second access telephone numbers for future communications; and
connecting to the network via a second telecommunications link via one of the one or more second access telephone numbers. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A method of connecting a user to a network comprising the steps of:
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providing the user a first access telephone number to access an access service provider via an available NSP;
providing to the user a connection to the network via the first access telephone number and the available NSP;
providing to the user from the access service provider information indicating a second access telephone number for a given NSP; and
providing to the user a connection to the network via the second access telephone number and the given NSP. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method of accessing a network comprising the steps of:
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receiving data from a service entity on the network and storing said data in at least one database of a terminal;
retrieving service provider specific data from said at least one database for use in accessing at least a portion of the network;
contacting said service provider through at least a portion of the network in accordance with the retrieved data to obtain a temporarily assigned network address;
accessing at least a portion of the network through said service provider; and
contacting said service entity and updating said at least one database with data received from said service entity. - View Dependent Claims (10)
automatically inserting said service provider specific data in a calling program, after selection of said provider by a user of said terminal, preparatory to contacting said service provider.
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11. A method of obtaining access to a network comprising the steps of:
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accessing the network via an available network service provider (NSP) using a previously provided set of log-in data;
communicating with an access service;
storing a modified set of log-in data received from said access service;
disconnecting from the network; and
using said modified set of log-in data when next accessing the network via a given NSP.
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12. A method of preventing a network user from unauthorized distribution of network access log-in data comprising the steps of:
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supplying a user with initialization log-in data whereby a temporary communication with the network via an available network service provider (NSP) may be established between a network accessing device and an access service;
storing a hidden set of log-in data in said network accessing device obtained from said access service during the temporary communication with the network; and
causing said network accessing device to disconnect from the temporary communication with the network and to re-establish communication with the network via a given NSP using said hidden set of log-in data stored in said network accessing device.
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13. A method of connecting a user to an NSP (Network Service Provider) comprising the steps of:
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providing to a user an initializing set of identification information;
establishing communication with an access SP (Service Provider) on the network through an initialization NSP using the initializing set of identification information;
receiving and storing a customized set of identification information from said access SP for a selected NSP;
breaking communication with said initialization NSP; and
re-establishing communication with the network through said selected NSP using the customized set of identification information.
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Specification