Method and system for allowing multiple service providers to serve users via a common access network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- allowing a first subscriber to operate on an access network;
allowing a second subscriber to operate on the access network;
receiving a first indication that the first subscriber has been authenticated by a first service provider, and responsively assigning the first subscriber to operate in a first logical layer of the access network;
receiving a second indication that the second subscriber has been authenticated by a second service provider, and responsively assigning the second subscriber to operate in a second logical layer of the access network;
handling communications in the first logical layer according to a first logic set; and
handling communications in the second logical layer according to a second logic set different than the first logic set.
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Abstract
A method for allowing multiple service providers to provide services via a common access network. The access network is arranged with multiple logical network layers, each specific to a respective service provider. Upon successful authentication of a subscriber by a given service provider, the access network assigns that subscriber to the logical layer specific to the authenticating service provider. The access network then handles communication traffic in that logic layer in a manner specific to the service provider.
192 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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allowing a first subscriber to operate on an access network;
allowing a second subscriber to operate on the access network;
receiving a first indication that the first subscriber has been authenticated by a first service provider, and responsively assigning the first subscriber to operate in a first logical layer of the access network;
receiving a second indication that the second subscriber has been authenticated by a second service provider, and responsively assigning the second subscriber to operate in a second logical layer of the access network;
handling communications in the first logical layer according to a first logic set; and
handling communications in the second logical layer according to a second logic set different than the first logic set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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allowing a first wireless subscriber to operate on an access network and assigning the first wireless subscriber to operate in a default IP subnet of the access network;
allowing a wireless second subscriber to operate on the access network and assigning the second wireless subscriber to operate in the default IP subnet of the access network;
receiving a first indication that the first wireless subscriber has been authenticated by a first service provider, and responsively assigning the first wireless subscriber to operate in a first IP subnet of the access network, the first IP subnet being different than the default IP subnet;
receiving a second indication that the second wireless subscriber has been authenticated by a second service provider, and responsively assigning the second wireless subscriber to operate in a second IP subnet of the access network, the second IP subnet being different than the default IP subnet and being different than the first IP subnet;
handling communications in the default IP subnet according to a default logic set;
handling communications in the first IP subnet according to a first logic set different than the default logic set; and
handling communications in the second IP subnet according to a second logic set different than both the default logic set and the first logic set.
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13. A method comprising:
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receiving from a subscriber on an access network an authentication request, the authentication request identifying the subscriber and identifying a designated service provider from among a plurality of service providers;
sending the authentication request to the designated service provider;
receiving from the designated service provider an authentication response indicating successful authentication of the subscriber by the designated service provider;
responsive to the authentication response, assigning the subscriber to operate in a designated layer of the access network set aside for subscribers that have been authenticated by the designated service provider; and
serving the subscriber in the designated layer of the access network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24)
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21. A method carried out by an access network, the method comprising:
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prompting a first client station to select a service provider from among a plurality of service providers, and receiving a signal from the first client station, indicating a first selected service provider;
sending a first authentication request message for the first client station to the first selected service provider, the first authentication request message indicating authentication information for the first client station;
receiving a first authentication response message from the first selected service provider, the first authentication response message indicating that first client station is authenticated by the first selected service provider; and
in response to the first authentication response message, restricting the client station to communications in a first logical layer of the access network associated with the first selected service provider.
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23. A communication system comprising:
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means for prompting a first client station to select a service provider from among a plurality of service providers, and for receiving a signal from the first client station, indicating a first selected service provider;
means for sending a first authentication request message for the first client station to the first selected service provider, the first authentication request message indicating authentication information for the first client station;
means for receiving a first authentication response message from the first selected service provider, the first authentication response message indicating that first client station is authenticated by the first selected service provider; and
means for responding to the first authentication response message by restricting the client station to communications in a first logical layer of the access network associated with the first selected service provider.
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Specification