Method of assessing a credit risk associated with a number

Abstract

A system and method for accessing the Internet on a per-time basis, through an Internet service provider (ISP), includes an access station. Application software is provided to an electronic terminal, from which Internet access may be attempted. Upon initiation of the application, the access station is dialed, and a number of processing steps serve as a precondition to permitting the electronic terminal to access the Internet through the Internet service provider. In particular, upon an initial attempt to access the Internet, the access station sets up an account in which the telephone number from which access is attempted is utilized for subsequent billing purposes. The access station further determines whether the telephone number from which access is desired is-within an acceptable network, is associated with an undesirable credit risk, and is a valid telephone number. In the event the electronic terminal passes these validation procedures, the access station transmits account information to the electronic terminal and directly to the Internet service provider. Additionally, the access station transmits an ISP identifier (such as a modem telephone number) whereupon the electronic terminal initiates a communications link with the Internet service provider. Once the link with the Internet service provider is established, the electronic terminal transmits the established account information to the Internet service provider, whereupon the Internet service provider compares the transmitted account information with account information received from the access station. Then Internet access is granted. The Internet service provider monitors the time associated with Internet access and transmits that time information to the access station. The access station uses that time information, applies a corresponding charge, and associates the resulting charges with an account associated with the telephone number from which access is desired, such as by placing the Internet access charges directly on an invoice associated with usage of the telephone line associated with the telephone number from which access is achieved.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for accessing an electronic network with an electronic terminal via a service provider, said electronic terminal having an associated identifier, said system comprising: 
 an access station, wherein said electronic terminal initially links with said access station via a first communications link and wherein said identifier associated with said electronic terminal is transmitted to said access station, wherein said access station establishes an account based upon said identifier and transmits connection information back to said electronic terminal for use in establishing a second communications link between said electronic terminal and said service provider, wherein a second communications link is initiated between said electronic terminal and said service provider based upon said connection information, and wherein said service provider monitors a time of said second communications link and transmits data indicative of said time to said access station.    
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , where in said access station associates said time with said account for billing purposes.  
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said identifier of said electronic terminal is a telephone number.  
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said electronic terminal is portable, and when said electronic terminal is used at a remote location from a home port associated with said telephone number, said access station requires entry of additional information.  
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said additional information corresponds to said account.  
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said additional information is indicative of dialing instructions at said remote location.  
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein a monetary amount corresponding to said time of said second link is charged to said telephone number.  
     
     
         8 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said access station associates a task with said identifier of said electronic terminal, wherein said password is transmitted to said electronic terminal via said first communications link and to said electronic network service provider via a third communications link.  
     
     
         9 . A system for accessing an electronic network, said system comprising: 
 an electronic network service provider;    an access station;    an electronic terminal for accessing said electronic network, said electronic terminal having an associated identifier, wherein said electronic terminal links with said access station via a first communications link and said access station (a) stores data indicative of said identifier, (b) transmits said data indicative of said identifier to said electronic network service provider via a second communications link; and    (c) provides said electronic terminal with an identifier associated with said electronic network service provider for use by said electronic terminal in linking with said electronic network service provider wherein, once a link between said electronic terminal and said electronic network service provider is established, said electronic network service provider monitors a number of time units associated with said established link and transmits data indicative of said time units to said access station for use in billing matters.    
     
     
         10 . The system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said identifier associated with said electronic terminal is a telephone number associated with a subscriber.  
     
     
         11 . The system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said identifier is an electronic address associated with a subscriber.  
     
     
         12 . A method of accessing the Internet with an electronic terminal and via an Internet service provider, said electronic terminal having an associated identifier, said method comprising: 
 providing an access station;    initially linking said electronic terminal with said access station via a first communications link;    establishing an account at said access terminal corresponding to said electronic terminal;    transmitting from said access station to said electronic terminal ISP connection information pertaining to said ISP;    using said connection information to link said electronic terminal with said Internet service provider via a second communications link;    monitoring time units associated with said second communications link;    multiplying said time units by a monetary rate to thereby obtain billing data; and    associating said billing data with said established account for billing purposes.    
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said steps of establishing said account further comprising: 
 determining an identifier associated with said electronic terminal; and    using said identifier to establish a billing identifier.    
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said step of establishing an account further comprising: 
 establishing a password for said account.    
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14 , said method further comprising: 
 transmitting said billing identifier, said password, and an identifier associated with said Internet service provider to said electronic terminal as part of said connection information.    
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , said method further comprising: 
 additionally transmitting said billing identifier and said password to said Internet service provider via a third communications link.    
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , when said electronic terminal links with said Internet service provider via said second communications link, transmitting said billing identifier and said password from said electronic terminal to said Internet service provider and comparing said billing identifier and said password transmitted via said second link with said billing identifier and password transmitted via said third link for log on purposes at said Internet service provider.  
     
     
         18 . A system for accessing a communications network with a terminal and via a source service provider, said terminal having an associated identifier indicative of an account, said system comprising: 
 a facility, wherein a time associated with access to said network with said terminal is stored at said facility, and wherein said facility associates a monetary charge corresponding to said time with said account.