Mechanism for dynamically binding a network computer client device to an approved internet service provider
US6112305A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/0853
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
All network computer client device (NC) manufacturers' authorizations to connect to specific internet service providers (ISPs) are maintained in a central database associated with a relationship server. The relationship server issues digital certificates which associate various ISPs to their respective public keys. Each ISP is assigned a unique enterprise identification number by the relationship server. To authorize a specific ISP, the manufacturer begins with the relationship server's ISP certificate. The manufacturer computes and appends its own digital signature for the relationship server's ISP certificate, thereby creating an ISP usage certificate valid for its NCs which it sends back to the relationship server. Upon first powering on, each NC dials the relationship server and transmits its manufacturer identification number. The relationship server uses the manufacturer identification number to find the ISP usage certificates corresponding to the NC manufacturer. The relationship server then sends to the NC the ISP usage certificate corresponding to the enterprise identification number, or corresponding to the user's selection if no enterprise identification number on the sm…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.