Virtual private network service provider for asynchronous transfer mode network

(54) VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ASYNCHRONOUS TRANSFER MODE NETWORK

(75) Inventors: Antonio G. Tello, Garland, TX (US);

Margaret Hui, Dallas, TX (US); Kim
Holmes, Richardson, TX (US)

(73) Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited, St. Laurent (CA)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/432,949

(22) Filed: Nov. 3, 1999

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation of application No. 08/769,649, filed on Dec. 19, 1996, now Pat. No. 6,032,118.

(51) Int. CI.7 G06F 17/60; H04M 3/42

(52) U.S. CI 705/1; 705/40; 705/44;

379/211.01

(58) Field of Search 705/1, 40, 43,

705/44; 379/211.01, 211.02, 212.01

(56) References Cited

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Primary Examiner—-Wynn W. Coggins

Assistant Examiner—Nicholas David Rosen

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Haynes and Boone, LLP

(57) ABSTRACT

A virtual private network service provider is used to transfer data over a data network to a final destination, with thirdparty billing. The method comprises the steps of: prompting the user at a data terminal to select a destination, password, and call type; sending a set-up message to the data network; selecting a virtual private network provider through the data network; the virtual private network provider giving an encryption key to the user, and then prompting the user for a password and a user identification; encrypting the password, and sending the user identification and the encrypted password to the virtual private network provider; the virtual private network provider decrypting the encrypted password, and verifying the password; the virtual private network provider providing an authorization code; and the data terminal transferring the data through the data network to the final destination, using the authorization code.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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