Patent ID: 6192132
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of providing access by a service vendor to a network data exchange facility controlled by a service provider for a plurality of data terminals, comprising the step of:providing a plurality of access accounts owned by the service vendor;receiving a first message via a data link from the service vendor requesting the activation of one of the plurality of access accounts;requesting personal identification information from the service vendor to verify the identify of the service vendor;activating the one of the plurality of access accounts in response to the first message and the personal identification information;receiving a second message via a data link from the service vendor requesting the deactivation of the one of the plurality of access accounts;requesting again the personal identification information from the service vendor to verify the identify of the service vendor;deactivating the one of the plurality of access accounts in response to the second message and the personal identification information;receiving a third message requesting disabling of an access account number that allows access to the one of the plurality of access accounts;requesting an encryption key from the service vendor in response to the third message;receiving the encryption key from the service vendor;accessing one of a set of network data exchange facility access terminals using the one of the plurality of access accounts with the encryption key in response to the third message and the encryption key; anddisabling the access account number within the one of the set of network data exchange facility access terminals in response to the third message and the encryption key.