Apparatus and methods for selective data network access
First Claim
1. A method of providing wireless local area network (WLAN)-based services to a plurality of user devices within a prescribed location, the WLAN comprising one or more wireless access points (WAPs), the method comprising:
- enabling receipt, at the WLAN via at least one of the one or more WAPs, of (i) data indicative of a first request for access to a content distribution and delivery network from a first user device of the plurality of user devices, and (ii) data indicative of the first user device being associated with a first classification;
receiving, at a network entity from the at least one of the one or more WAPs, (i) the data indicative of the first request, and (ii) the data indicative of the first user device being associated with the first classification;
determining, via the network entity, data indicative of a first privilege of the first user device within the WLAN based at least in part on the data indicative of the first user device being associated with the first classification;
utilizing the data indicative of the first privilege to selectively cause application of at least one first WLAN access policy with respect to the first user device; and
causing application of at least one second WLAN access policy to one or more others of the plurality of user devices;
wherein the at least one first WLAN access policy comprises an enhanced WLAN service as compared to the at least one second WLAN access policy.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Wireless data network access architecture and methods enabling location-specific and/or user-specific provision of services or resources. In one embodiment, an end-user device makes a request for service within a wireless LAN (WLAN). A wireless access point (WAP) controller/policy server determines whether the user device meets criteria for a first user status or a second user status, and assigns the appropriate status to an identifier of the end-user device. When the user device is assigned the first user status, the user device is provided network access according to e.g., a first permissible bandwidth allocation. Otherwise, the user device is provided network access according to a second, different bandwidth allocation. The first and second user status may be assigned based on a location of the user device within e.g., a venue, a class of end-user device, end user application, an access pass associated with the user device, or yet other criteria.
603 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing wireless local area network (WLAN)-based services to a plurality of user devices within a prescribed location, the WLAN comprising one or more wireless access points (WAPs), the method comprising:
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enabling receipt, at the WLAN via at least one of the one or more WAPs, of (i) data indicative of a first request for access to a content distribution and delivery network from a first user device of the plurality of user devices, and (ii) data indicative of the first user device being associated with a first classification; receiving, at a network entity from the at least one of the one or more WAPs, (i) the data indicative of the first request, and (ii) the data indicative of the first user device being associated with the first classification; determining, via the network entity, data indicative of a first privilege of the first user device within the WLAN based at least in part on the data indicative of the first user device being associated with the first classification; utilizing the data indicative of the first privilege to selectively cause application of at least one first WLAN access policy with respect to the first user device; and causing application of at least one second WLAN access policy to one or more others of the plurality of user devices; wherein the at least one first WLAN access policy comprises an enhanced WLAN service as compared to the at least one second WLAN access policy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computerized controller apparatus comprising:
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digital processor apparatus configured for data communication with at least a digital data storage apparatus, the digital data storage apparatus configured to store at least user status data, the user status data comprising one or more of (i) data indicative of a first user status associated with a first permissible bandwidth consumption, or (ii) data indicative of a second user status associated with a second permissible bandwidth consumption, the second permissible bandwidth consumption being less than the first permissible bandwidth consumption; a first data interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a local area wireless network; a second data interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a computerized network entity of a managed content delivery network (CDN); and a non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality of computer readable instructions which are configured to, when executed by the digital processor apparatus, cause the computerized controller apparatus to; receive data indicative of a first connection request from a first user device via said first data interface; detect a first end user application computer program running on the first user device, the first end user application computer program being of a first bandwidth consumption class relative to a prescribed standard; based at least in part on the detection of the first end user application computer program, determine that the first user device is associated with the data indicative of the first user status; based at least in part on the association of the first user device with the data indicative of the first user status, assign the first permissible bandwidth consumption to the first user device; and enable access to the managed CDN via the second data interface for the first user device consistent with the first permissible bandwidth consumption. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computerized controller apparatus comprising:
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digital processor apparatus; a first data interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with one or more wireless local area network (WLAN) access points; a second data interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a network entity of a managed content delivery network (CDN); and a non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality of computer readable instructions which are configured to, when executed by the digital processor apparatus, cause the computerized controller apparatus to; receive data indicative of a first service request from a first user device via said first data interface, the first service request comprising at least first end user application-specific identifier data associated with the first user device; and utilize at least a portion of the data indicative of the first service request to authenticate, within the managed CDN, the first user device as having a first privilege enabled via at least a first one of the one or more WLAN access points, the first privilege comprising data indicative of a greater permissible bandwidth than a permissible bandwidth of a second privilege associated with one or more other user devices. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification