Managing wireless network data

• US 20030142641A1
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: USA Mobility Wireless, Inc. (Spok Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Arch Wireless Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Rodts, James, Rassoulian, Scott S., Sumner, Terence Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,508,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

In the context of managing wireless network data, access information for a wireless local area network (WLAN) is identified. The access information is accessible over a wireless packet data connection. Based on the access information, a connection is established between a wireless data device and the WLAN.

Claims

1. A method for use in managing wireless network data, comprising:

identifying access information for a wireless local area network (WLAN), the access information being accessible over a wireless packet data connection; and

based on the access information, establishing a connection between a wireless data device and the WLAN.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is capable of receiving data from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and from the WLAN.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless packet data connection includes a narrowband packet data connection.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless packet data connection includes a connection that is compatible with narrowband paging technology.

5. A method for use in managing wireless network data, comprising:

identifying a list of wireless local area networks (WLANs), the list being accessible over a wireless packet data connection; and

based on the list, attempting to establish a packet data connection with at least one of the WLANs in the list.

6. A method for use in managing wireless network data, comprising:

identifying location information pertaining to a geographical location; and

based on a communication over a wireless wide area network (WWAN), identifying a wireless local area network (WLAN) that corresponds to the location information.

7. A method for use in managing wireless network data, comprising:

identifying a wireless device and a wireless local area network (WLAN);

conveying information via a wireless packet data connection to the wireless device sufficient to enable the wireless device to detect the WLAN; and

sending information to a control point of the WLAN sufficient to authorize the wireless device to utilize a service through the WLAN.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

causing the wireless device to confirm to the control point that access has been granted.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

reporting charges for usage of services through the WLAN to a billing service.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

validating the identity of the wireless device before permitting access to the WLAN.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

authenticating the identity of the user of services through the WLAN before permitting the usage of services.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

using a wireless wide area network (WWAN) location to approximate proximity to a WLAN.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

using a geo-location network to approximate proximity to a WLAN.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

using location information supplied by the user to approximate proximity to a WLAN.

15. A system for use in managing wireless network data, comprising:

a information identifier identifying access information for a wireless local area network (WLAN), the access information being accessible over a wireless packet data connection; and

a connection establisher establishing, based on the access information, a connection between a wireless data device and the WLAN.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless device is capable of receiving data from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and from the WLAN.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless packet data connection includes a narrowband packet data connection.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless packet data connection includes a connection that is compatible with narrowband paging technology.

19. Apparatus for use in managing wireless network data, comprising:

an information identification mechanism identifying access information for a wireless local area network (WLAN), the access information being accessible over a wireless packet data connection; and

a connection establishing mechanism establishing, based on the access information, a connection between a wireless data device and the WLAN.

20. Computer software, residing on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising a set of instructions for use in a computer system to help cause the computer system to manage wireless network data, the set of instructions causing the computer system to:

identify access information for a wireless local area network (WLAN), the access information being accessible over a wireless packet data connection; and

based on the access information, establish a connection between a wireless data device and the WLAN.