CA2337134A1 - Method and apparatus for providing a connection to a data network - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for providing a connection to a data network Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2337134A1
CA2337134A1 CA002337134A CA2337134A CA2337134A1 CA 2337134 A1 CA2337134 A1 CA 2337134A1 CA 002337134 A CA002337134 A CA 002337134A CA 2337134 A CA2337134 A CA 2337134A CA 2337134 A1 CA2337134 A1 CA 2337134A1
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Canada
Prior art keywords
data network
network node
subscriber
connection
voice
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002337134A
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French (fr)
Inventor
Peter J. Hartmaier
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Openwave Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
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Publication of CA2337134A1 publication Critical patent/CA2337134A1/en
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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/253Telephone sets using digital voice transmission
    • H04M1/2535Telephone sets using digital voice transmission adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L9/00Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
    • H04L9/40Network security protocols
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/08Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/247Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
    • H04M1/2473Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface)

Abstract

A voice network node is configured to recognize the receipt of a non-routable data network access number, which may be in the form of X11, which is dialed from a subscriber terminal wishing to gain access to a data network. Either the voice network node alone, or in combination with other network nodes, requests subscriber information, including an identification of a data network service provider, from the subscriber terminal. The subscriber information is forwarded to the data network service provider identified by the subscriber information for authentication purposes. If authenticated, the subscriber terminal is connected to the data network via one of the voice network nodes.
Upon termination of the connection, a voice network node sends data network connection information to the data network service provider for billing and revenue sharing purposes. In an alternate embodiment, another type of local access node, such as a cable television network node, may replace the voice network node and perform similar functions.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A
CONNE(:TION TO A DATA NETWORK
The present invention relates generally to providing a connection to a data network. More particularly, the ~~resent invention relates to providing a connection between a calling station and a data network via a voice network node resulting from the dialing of a predetermined access number, or via another type of local access node, such 1 o as a cable television network node.
The Internet is a data network which is greatly increasing in popularity.
There are various ways of connecting to the; Internet. Many larger businesses have local area 15 networks which are dirextly connected to the Internet such that computers on the local area network can gain access to tlhe Internet. However, such a direct connection to the Internet is expensive and therefore not available to small businesses and individuals. As an alternative to the direct connection, there are Internet Service Providers (ISP), which provide access to the Internet via dial-up connections. Currently, an ISP will have a point 20 of presence (POP), which is a network node directly connected to the Internet. The POP
is accessible by subscribers to the; ISP by a dial-up connection. Thus, a person wanting to connect to the Internet places a modem call to a telephone number assigned to the POP, the call gets routed to the POP, and the POP acts as the gateway to the Internet for the subscriber's computer. The ISP stores information regarding connection time for each of 25 its subscribers for billing purposes. ISP subscribers are generally billed on a flat rate basis, a connection time basis, or some combination of flat rate and connection time.
If the POP is within the subscriber's local calling area, then the subscriber is charged for a local telephone call and the dial-up connection is generally routed from the local telephone company switch to the POP. However, when a subscriber is travelling 3o away from home, the telephone call to the POP may result in a long distance call which will result in higher long distance charges. Further, the dial-up call may be muted via several telephone network switches prior to reaching the POP, thus tying up valuable telephone network resources. This long distance routing is generally inefficient for the telephone network, because there is often an Internet connection available to the travelling subscriber which is closer than the subscriber's home POP. However, since these POPS are operated by other ISPs, the subscriber does not have access to them. In some instances,. the travelling subscriber's ISP may have a POP which is local to the location of the travelling subscriiber. However, in order to access such a local POP, the subscriber must. know the telephone number for dial-up access to that POP. It is inconvenient for the subscriber t:o remember the different telephone numbers of all the POPs operated by his/her ISP.
1o The problem of multiple telephone numbers for information service providers has been addressed in U.S. Patent No. 5,524,146. That patent describes a method for automatically routing calls to customer selected information sources using a dedicated short access number (e.g. 3-digit: Nl 1 number). When an N11 number is rexeived by the telephone switch, it triggers special processing of the call. Based on prestored selection 15 data and/or interaction with the user, the call is routed to an appropriate information service provider. This technique: is limited to the problem of connecting to information service providers which are directly connected to the telephone network. Thus, the technique described in the '146 patent merely automates the step of determining the correct telephone number to call to access a particular information service provider.
2o Once the telephone number is determined, the call is routed to that information service provider via the telephone network in a conventional manner. In contrast, in one aspect, the present invention is conceme;d with the problem of connecting a subscriber calling from the telephone network to a separate data network, such as the Internet.
T'he Internet information service providers are not directly available via a telephone call as are the 25 service providers described in the ' 146 patent.
Thus, there is a need for an improved technique for connecting a computer to a daps network via the telephone network, or via another type of local access node, such as a cable television network node.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a voice network node is configured to recognize the receipt of a data network access number (e.g., Internet access number) from a subscriber terminal, and in response, to initiate a connection between the subscriber terminal and a data network (e.g., Internet). The data network access number may be a non-routabIe number of the format XI 1. The voice network node may initiate the connection to the data network by connecting to the data network from one of its own to output ports, or by routing the call to one or more other voice network nodes and connecting to the data network from an output port of one of the other voice network nodes.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, upon receipt of the data network access number, the subscriber is requested to enter subscriber information for authentication purposes. Only if the subscriber is authenticated does the voice network node initiate a connection to the data network. In accordance with one advantage of the invention, part ofthe subscriber information entered by the subscriber is an identification of the data network service provider with which the subscriber has a data network access account. The voice network node; performing the authentication uses this identification to 2o determine the correct data network service provider with which to authenticate the current subscriber. In this manner, various subscribers can access the data network via this voice network node, even if these various subscribers have data network access accounts with different data network service providers.
The invention also provides for advantageous billing arrangements. In is accordance with this aspect of the invention, the voice network node records'connection information for each data network: access session for which it is providing, or for which it has initiatui,. a physical connection to the data network. Upon termination of the connection, the connection information is sent to the subscriber's data network service provider. This allows for the proper billing of the subscriber by the data network service 3o provider. It also allows for revenue sharing between the data network service provider and the company' operating the nodes which provided the physical connection to the data network.
In various embodiments, the steps to be performed in accordance with the inventive technique are performed by a single network node or in a distributed fashion by multiple network nodes. The single network node, or one or more of the nodes in the multiple network node embodiment, may be a local telephone switch. Further, multiple local telephone switches may be; configured to recognize the data network access number and upon receipt, to initiate a connection to the data network. In this manner, a subscriber may request connection to the data network using the same data network 1o access number even if the subscriber is away from home.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the subscriber terminal can obtain access to the data network via a local connection to another type of network, such as a cable television network. In this embodiment, the subscriber terminal does not place a telephone call, so the aspects of the invention related to the data network access ~ 5 number do not apply to this embodiment. However, the authentication and billing aspects of the invention apply to~ this embodiment.
These and other advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 shows a high level'. block diagram illustrating the principles of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a block dia~,ram of network elements illustrating a telephone network embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps performed in accordance with one emhodiment.ofthe invention; arid Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of network elements illustrating a cable television network embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a high level block diagram illustrating the principles of the present invention. In accordance with orie aspect of the invention, a subscriber computer 110 is connected to a local telephone switch 120 via communication link 112. Link 112 may be a standard twisted pair POTS (pl<~in old telephone service) line. The local switch 120 is connected to the Internet 130 via direct link 122. As used herein, the term Internet is used to refer to any data network. The focal switch 120 would also be connected to other telephone network switches (not shown) in a conventional manner. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) 140 is shown canr~e:cted to the Internet 130. The ISP provides Internet t0 access accounts to subscribers wishing to access the Internet 130. In accordance with the invention, the ISP is an administrative, authentication, and billing entity, and may not provide subscribers with a physical connection to the Internet 130.
In order to gain access to the Internet 130, a subscriber using computer 110 places a dial-up telephone call from computer 110 by dialing an Internet Access Number (IAN).
t 5 The IAN is a predetermined number which, in an advantageous embodiment, is a non-routable three digit number in the form of X11 (e.g. 511). The local switch 120 is configured to recognize the IAN ors an indication that computer 110 is requesting access to the Internet 130. The local switch 120 sends a message to computer 110 via line 112 requesting that the subscriber enter an ISP Identification (ISP-m), username, and 20 password. Upon receipt of this infonmation from the subscriber, the local switch 120 sends an authorization request measage to the ISP identified by the ISP-ID.
Assume that the ISP-ID entered by the subscriber corresponds to ISP 140. Upon receipt of the authorization request message, the ISP 140 looks up the account information for the subscriber identified by the username to determine if such a user is a subscriber of ISP
25 140 and if the password entered by the subscriber matches the password associated with the account information stored an ISP 140. If the ISP 140 determines that the subscriber is authorized, the_ISP 140 sends an appropriate authorization message to the local switch via the Internet 130. Upon receipt of the appropriate authorization message, the local switch 120 connects the dial-up telephone call received from computer I IO to the Internet 30 130. The focal switch monitors the connection time of computer 110 and reports the information to ISP 140 for billing; and revenue sharing purposes.

The invention is described in further detail in Fig. 2 which shows one embodiment of the invention. A subscriber wanting to access the Internet is using computer 202 connected to modem 204. Although modem 204 is shown external to computer 202, modem 204 could also be internal to computer 202. The modem 204 is connected to a local switch 208 via POTS line 206. The local switch 208 is an intelligent switch which includes a computer processor 210 connected to a memory 214 and database 212. The functions of switch 208 are controlled by processor 210 executing computer program instructions stored in memory 214 and/or database 212.
Local switch 208 is connected to authentication platform 218. Authentication to platform 218 includes computer processor 220 connected to modem pool 210, memory 222, and database 224. Authentication platform 218 is an intelligent network node which functions under control of computer processor 220 executing computer program instructions stored in memory 22:2 and/or database 224. The authentication platform 218 is connected to the Internet 226. Also connected to the Internet 226 is ISP
228 and ISP
15 236. ISP 228 functions under control of processor 230 executing computer program instructions stored in memory 232 and/or database,234. Similarly, ISP 236 functions under control of processor 238 executing computer program instructions stored in memory 240 and/or database 244.
Also shown in Fig. 2 is another computer 250 connected to modem 252. Modem 20 252 is connected to another local switch 244. Local switch 244 includes a computer processor 254 connected to memory 256 and database 258. The functions of switch 244 are controlled by processor 254 executing computer program instructions stored in memory 256 and/or database 258. Local switch 244 is connected to authentication platfomn 248 which includes computer processor 262 connected to modem pool 260, 25 memory 264, and database 266. .Authentication platform 248 is an intelligent network node which functions under control of computer processor 262 executing computer program instructions stored in memory 264 and/or database 266. Authentication platform 248 is connected to the Internet :!26. Interexchange switch 242 is shown connecting local switch 208 and local switch 244.
3o The method steps perfortr~ed in accordance with the present invention in order to provide computer 202 with access to the Internet 226 are described below in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 3. In .step 302 a subscriber using computer 202 places a dial-up modem call utilizing modem 204 to an Internet access number (IAN). For purposes of this example, the IAN is 511. The IAN digits are transmitted from modem 204 to local switch 208 via POTS line 206. lfn step 304 the local switch 208 recognizes the IAN as a non-routable telephone number ,and as a request for access to the Internet, as distinguished from a request to place an ordinary telephone call. Upon recognizing the IAN,~the local switch 208 is configured to connect the call to the authentication platfonm 218. The call is received by the authentication platform 218 and is assigned to one of the available moderns in the modem pool 210. In step 306 the authentication platform 218 1 o sends a message to computer 202 requesting authentication information, including an ISP-ID, userid, and password, from the subscriber. In step 308 the subscriber transmits the ISP-ID, userid, and password to the authentication platform 218.
The ISP-ID entered by th.e subscriber will identify the ISP with which the subscriber has an Internet access account. For purposes of this example, assume that the subscriber has an Internet access account with ISP 228, and that the ISP-ID
entered by the subscriber identifies ISP 228. In step 310 the authentication platform 218 sends an authentication request, including the username and password entered by the subscriber, to ISP 228 via the Internet 226. The ISP 228 has an Internet address which the authentication platform 218 looks up in a database using the ISP-ID. This database could 2o be internal to the authentication platform 218, or it could be external to the authentication platform (e.g. connected to the Internet).
Upon receipt of the authorization request, in step 312 the ISP 228 determines whether the supplied username and password correspond to an authorized subscriber who has an Internet access account with ISP 228 by performing a database lookup.
The ISP
228 stores subscriber profile records in database 234. These subscriber profile records contain usemames, passwords,-and billing information for each subscriber who has an Internet access a6count with the ISP 228. Thus, if the supplied username and password correspond to a valid subscriber vprofile record stored in database 234, the determines that the subscriber is authorized. Instep 314, the ISP 228 returns an 3o authentication response to the authorization platform 218 indicating whether the subscriber is an authorized subsc;riber to ISP 228. In step 316 the authentication platform 218 receives the authentication response.
In step 318 the authentication platform 218 determines whether the subscriber is authorized based on the response; received from the ISP 228. If the authentication message received from the ISP 228 indicates that the subscriber is not authorized, then in step 330 the authentication platform 218 sends a message to the computer 202 indicating that access to the Internet is refu:>ed and the method ends in step 328. If the authentication message received from the ISP 228 indicates that the subscriber is authorized, then in step 320 the authentication platform 218 connects the subscriber to the 1 o Internet 226 via an output port oil authentication platform 218.
In step 322 the authentication platform 218 begins recording connection infonmation for the subscriber. When the subscriber terminates the connection with local switch 208 (i.e. hangs up), the authentication platform 218 recognizes that the communication link has been tenminated and the test in step 324 is YES and control 15 passes to step 326. In step 326 the authentication platform 218 sends billing information to the ISP 228 via the Internet 226. Such billing information includes the username, connection time, and an identification of the telecommunication company operating the local switch 208 and authentication platform 218. The method ends in step 328.
The billing information sent to the ISP 228 in step 326 allows for revenue sharing 2o between the ISP 228 and the company operating authentication platform 218 and local switch 208. As described above, the ISP 228 is an administrative, authentication, and billing entity, and does not provide subscribers with a physical connection to the Internet.
The physical connection is provided by local switch 208 and authentication platform 218, which would typically be operated by a local telephone company. The billing zs information sent to the ISP 228 allows the ISP 228 to bill the subscriber for access to the Internet. Since the billing infotm~ation sent to the ISP 228 includes an identification of the: telecommunication company operating the local switch 208 and authentication platform 218, it allows the ISP 228 to share the subscriber revenue with the company providing the physical access to the Internet.
3o In accordance with one advantage of the invention, the subscriber could travel to a different location and still gain access to the Internet in the same manner as if the subscriber were using his/her home computer 202. The invention also allows for beneficial billing and revenue shearing as follows. Consider now that the same subscriber that was using computer 202 to connect to the Internet 226 from home is traveling and is using computer 250 which is located outside the area serviced by local switch 208 and authentication platform 218. Lns;tead, computer 250 is connected to modem 252 which is connected to local switch 244. Assume that local switch 244 is configured in a manner similar to that of local switch 20.8 such that it recognizes the dialing of the IAN (e.g. 511 ) as a request for connection to the; Internet 226. In accordance with the steps described above in connection with Fig. 3, the subscriber now at computer 250 will initiate a deal-t o up call to the IAN from computer 250. Upon receipt of the IAN digits, the local switch 244 will recognize that the call is requesting access to the Internet 226.
Thus, local switch 244 connects the call to authentication platform 248. The call is received by the authentication platform 248 and :is assigned to one of the available modems in the modem pool 260. The authentication platform 248 will request authorization information from the subscriber naw using computer 250. The subscriber enters in the same ISP-ID, userid, and password, as was ent~,~red when using computer 202. Thus, even though the subscriber is at a. different computer, he/she dials the same IAN and enters the same authentication information, making accessing the Internet more convenient. In a manner similar to that described above, tlae authentication information is sent to ISP 228, the ISP
228 authenticates the subscriber and sends an authentication message to authentication platform 248, and the subscriber using computer 250 is connected to the Internet.
When the Internet access session is terminated, the authentication platform sends billing information to the ISP 228. Since the billing information includes the identification of the telecommunication company operating the local switch 244 and authentication platform 248, the ISP 228 can now share the billing revenue from this Internet access session with the.appropriate telecommunications company which provided the.physical access to tt~e Internet.
Thus, as can be seen, even though the subscriber has traveled to a different geographuc location and is gaining physical access to the Internet from a different local 3o telephone company, the subscriber's steps to access the Internet are the same as when accessing the Internet from the subscriber's home computer 202. Even the telephone WO 00/04689 PC'T/US99/16212 number dialed, the IAN, remains the same. The subscriber uses the same ISP and thus billing is simplified. Further, the ISP is able to engage in revenue sharing with the appropriate local telephone company providing physical access to the Internet.
In accordance with another advantage of the invention, different subscribers s having accounts with different ISPs, can use the same computer to connect to the Internet in the same manner, and correct billing will take place. Assume that computer 202 is now being used by another subscriber having an Internet access account with instead of ISP 228. The subscriber establishes a connection to the Internet 226 in the same way as described above by dialing the IAN. When the subscriber is requested to 1o enter his/her authentication inforrnation, the subscriber enters his/her username, password, and ISP-ID identifying ISP 236 as this subscriber's ISP. The subscriber is authenticated using ISP 236 and is provided with access to the Internet as described above. When the subscriber terminates the connection, the authentication platform 218 sends billing information to ISP 2.36, so that ISP 236 can correctly bill the subscriber and 15 share the revenue with the local telephone company operating local switch 208 and authentication platform 218.
The principles of the present invention may be implemented in many different embodiments by one skilled in the art. For example, referring back to the example discussed above in connection with Fig. 3, it is possible that in step 304 authentication 2o platform 218 may not have any available modems in the modem pool 210 such that no modem can be assigned for use by the subscriber connecting to the Internet. In this case, the authentication platform 218 would send an appropriate message back to the local switch 208. The local switch could then re-route the call in a conventional manner to another authentication platform, such as authentication platform 248, via IXC
switch 242 is and local switch 244.
In another alternate embodiment, the authentication platforms 218, 248 could be int~grxted.into the local switches :Z08, 244 respectively. Thus, the appropriate computer program instructions could be inclluded in the memory (214, 256) and database (212, 258) of local switches 208, 244 respectively, such that the fimctions of the authentication 3o platforms are performed by the local switches. As would be understood by one skilled in the art, the functions to be performed in accordance with the present invention may be performed by one network node, or in a distributed fashion by multiple network nodes.
In yet another alternate embodiment, although the modem pools 210, 260 are shown to be components of authentication platforms 218, 248 respectively, such modem pools could be included as components of the local switches 208, 244, or the modem pools could be external to both the authentication platforms 218, 248 and the local switches 208, 244.
In yet another alternate embodiment, although the ISPs 228, 236 are shown to be separate entities, since these ISPs provide administrative, authentication, and billing functions, and not physical connection to the Internet, they could be placed anywhere within the telecommunication network or within the Internet 226. All that is needed to provide these functions is an appropriately configured computer system including a computer processor executing appropriate computer program instructions to carry out the ISP functions and appropriate storage (e.g. memory and database). In fact, multiple ISPs could share a single computer system, as long as the information for each ISP
is logically separate from the other ISP withui such shared computer system. Alternatively, the ISP
functions could be integrated into other network nodes.
In another embodiment of the invention, the subscriber terminal is connected to the intemet via a local connection. to a cable television network node. Such an 2o embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. A subscriber wanting to access the Internet 412 is using computer 402 connected to cable modem 404. Cable modem 404 is connected to cable television network node 408 via coax cable 406. It is noted that cable 406 could also be a combination of coax cable and fiber optic cable. Cable television network node 408 and coax cable 406 are part of the cable television network. Cable television network node 2s 408 is connected to authentication platform 410. The authentication platform is connected to the Internet 412. .Also connected to the Internet 412 is ISP 414 and ISP 416.
Fig: 4~lso.shows-computer 42G connected to cable modem 424. Cable modem 424 is connected to cable television netv~rork node 420 via coax cable 424. Cable television network node 420 is also connecl:ed to authentication platform 418 which is connected to 3o the Internet 412.
n The elements of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 are very similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 except that the local telephone switches 208 and 244 of Fig.
2 are replaced with cable television network nodes 408 and 420 respectively.
Although not shown in Fig. 4, each of the cable television network nodes 408 and 420 would contain a processor, memory, andl database, similar to the local switches 208 and 244 of Fig. 2. Of course, cable television network nodes 408 and 420 would also contain other elements appropriate for a cable television node. Each of the authentication platforms 410 and 418 would also contain a modem pool, processor, memory, and database, similar to the authentication platforms 218 and 248 of Fig. 2. The modem pools of to authentication platforms 410 and 418 would contain cable modems in order to properly communicate via the cable television network. ISP 414 and ISP 416 are configured, and operate, the same as ISPs 228 andl 236 of Fig. 2. Thus, in the embodiment of Fig. 4, the computers 402 and 426 are connected to the cable television network via cable modems 404 and 424 respectively. The use of cable modems to connect computers to a cable television network is well known in the art.
The method steps performed in accordance with the present invention in order to provide computer 402 with access to the Internet 412 are the same as those described above in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 3. However, in the embodiment of Fig. 4, steps 302 and 304 would not be perfonmed because computer 402 is not 2o required to place a dial-up call when connecting to the Internet via a cable modem and cable television network. Instead" when computer 402 properly establishes a connection with cable television network node 408, the cable television network node 408 recognizes that a computer is connecting and the computer 402 is automatically connected to the authentication platform 410. Otherwise, the steps of Fig. 3 are performed in a similar manner in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the mobility, authentication, bilking, and revenue sharing benefits of the invention, as described above in connection with the embodiment described in connection with Fig. 2, will apply in a similar manner to the embodiment of Fig. 4.
3o The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed 31-07-201)0 , ~ ~ ~, ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ US 009916212 t~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t ~ ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~
herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodament~ shown and disclosed herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, although the subscriber terminals are shown connected to the voice and cable networks via wired communication links, these connections could also be provided via wireless communication links.

AfVIENDED SHEET

Claims (33)

I claim:
1. A method for providing access to a data network (226) to users, each of said users being associated with one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236), comprising the steps of:
receiving from a calling station (202) at a voice network node a unique dialed digit string signifying a request for connection to a data network (226), wherein said unique dialed digit string is commonly utilized by said users;
said voice network node recognizing said unique dialed digit string as signifying said request for connection to a data network (226); and said voice network node initiating a connection between said calling station (202) and said data network (226).
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
receiving subscriber information from said calling station (202); and authenticating said subscriber with one of said plurality of data network service providers (228, 236) prior to initiating a connection between said calling station (202) and said data network (226).
3. The method of claim. 2 wherein said one data network service provider is identified in said received subscriber information.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said unique dialed digit string represents a non-routable telephone number.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of initiating further comprises the step of connecting said calling station (202) to said data network (226) via a port of said voice network node.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of initiating further comprises the steps of:
connecting said calling station (202) to at least one other voice network node; and connecting said calling station (202) to said data network (236) via a port of said at least one other voice network node.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
recognizing a call termination signal from said calling station (202); and sending calling station connection information to said one data network service provider.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said voice network node is an originating switch (208).
9. A system for providing access to a data network (226) to users, each of said users being associated with one of a plurality of data network service providers, comprising:
a first voice network node (208) comprising:
means for receiving from a calling station (202) a unique dialed digit string signifying a request for connection to a data network (226), wherein said unique dialed digit string is commonly utilized by said users;
means for recognizing said unique dialed digit string as signifying said request for connection to a data network (226); and means for initiating a connection between said calling station (202) and said data network (226).
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said first voice network node (208) further comprises:
means for receiving subscriber information from said calling station (202);
and means for authenticating said subscriber with one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236) prior to initiating a connection between said calling station (202) and said data network (226).
11. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
a second voice network node (218) in communication with said first voice network node (208), said second voice network node (218) comprising:
means for receiving subscriber information from said calling station; and means for authenticating said subscriber with one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236) prior to initiating a connection between said calling station and said data network.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein said received subscriber information comprises an identification of said one data network service provider.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein said received subscriber information comprises an identification of said one data network service provider.
14. The system of claim 9 wherein said unique dialed digit string represents a non-routable telephone number.
15. The system of claim 9 wherein said first voice network node (208) further comprises:
at least one output port connected to said data network (226) for connecting said calling station (202) to said data network (226).
16. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
a second voice network node (218) in communication with said first voice network node (208), said second voice network node (218) comprising:
at least one output port connected to said data network (226) for connecting said calling station (202) to said data network (226).
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said second voice network node (218) further comprises:
means for recognizing a call termination signal from said calling station (202); and means for sending calling station connection information to said one data network service provider (228, 236).
18. The system of claim 9 wherein said first network node (208) further comprises:
means for recognizing a call termination signal from said calling station (202); and means for sending calling station connection information to said one data network service provider (228, 236).
19. The system of claim 9 wherein said first voice network node (208) is an originating switch.
20. A system for providing access to a data network (226) comprising:
a voice network node (208) for receiving dialed digits from a subscriber terminal (202) and for recognizing the receipt of a non-routable data network access number, an authentication platform (218) connected to said voice network node (208) for receiving a call from said voice network node (208) when said voice network node (208) receives said data network access number; and wherein said authentication platform (218) further comprises an output port connected to a data network (226) for connecting said subscriber terminal to said data network (226).
21. The system of claim 20 wherein said authentication platform (218) further comprises:
means for receiving authentication information from said subscriber terminal (202);
means for transmitting said authentication information to one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236);
means for receiving an authentication response from said one data network service provider; and means for connecting said subscriber terminal (202) to said data network (226) if said authentication response indicates authorization to access said data network (226).
22. The system of claim 21 wherein said received authentication information comprises an identification of said one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236).
23. The system of claim 21 wherein said authentication platform (218) further comprises:
means for sending subscriber terminal connection information to said one data network service provider.
24. A method for providing a subscriber terminal (202) with access to a data network (226) via a connection to a local network node comprising the steps of:
receiving subscriber information from said subscriber terminal (202) at a local network node;
authenticating said subscriber with one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236); and said local network node initiating a connection between said subscriber terminal (202) and said data network (226).
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said local network node is a telephone network node.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein said local network node is a cable television network node (408).
27. The method of claim 24 wherein said one data network service provider is identified in said received subscriber information.
28. The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of:
recognizing a connection termination signal from said subscriber terminal (202); and sending subscriber terminal connection information to said one data network service provider.
29. A system urinal (202) with access to a data network (226) via a connection to a local network node comprising:
means for receiving subscriber information at said local network node from said subscriber terminal (202);
means for authenticating said subscriber with one of a plurality of data network service providers (228, 236); and means for initiating a connection between said subscriber terminal (202) and said data network (226).
30. The system of claim 29 wherein said local network node is a telephone network node.
31. The system of claim. 29 wherein said local network node is a cable television network node (408).
32. The system of claim 29 wherein said one data network service provider is identified in said received subscriber information.
33. The system of claim. 29 further comprising:
means for recognizing a connection termination signal from said subscriber terminal (202); and means for sending subscriber terminal connection information to said one data network service provider.
CA002337134A 1998-07-16 1999-07-16 Method and apparatus for providing a connection to a data network Abandoned CA2337134A1 (en)

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US09/116,760 US6553022B2 (en) 1998-07-16 1998-07-16 Method and apparatus for providing a connection to a data network
US09/116,760 1998-07-16
PCT/US1999/016212 WO2000004689A1 (en) 1998-07-16 1999-07-16 Method and apparatus for providing a connection to a data network

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US20020136199A1 (en) 2002-09-26
US6553022B2 (en) 2003-04-22
BR9912128A (en) 2001-09-25
US20030223437A1 (en) 2003-12-04
CN1312999A (en) 2001-09-12
WO2000004689A1 (en) 2000-01-27
KR20010090433A (en) 2001-10-18
AU5109799A (en) 2000-02-07
JP2002521869A (en) 2002-07-16

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