Methods and systems for accessing networks, methods and systems for accessing the internet

• US 20040215956A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bahl, Paramvir, Venkatachary, Srinivasan, Balachandran, Anand
• Granted Patent: US 7,444,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/150
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing network access, e.g. Internet access, are described. An architecture includes a host organization network through which network access is provided. The host organization network can be advantageously deployed in public areas such as airports and shopping malls. An authentication/negotiation component is provided for authenticating various users and negotiating for services with service providers on behalf of the system users. The authentication/negotiation component can include one or more specialized servers and a policy manager that contains policies that govern user access to the Internet. An authentication database is provided and authenticates various users of the system. An access module is provided through which individual client computing devices can access the Internet. In one embodiment, the access module comprises individual wireless access points that permit the client computing devices to wirelessly communicate data packets that are intended for the Internet. In one aspect, users are given a variety of choices of different service levels that they can use for accessing the Internet. The service levels can vary in such things as bandwidth allocation and security measures. The various service levels can be purchased by the users using their computing devices.

Claims

1. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

establishing a wireless communication link between a mobile computing device and a server, the server being configured to receive data packets from the mobile computing device that are intended for transmission to the Internet;

offering a plurality of security options to a user of the mobile computing device;

responsive to selection of a security option by the user, implementing the security option to protect data packet transmission from the mobile computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said implementing comprises generating a key that can be used to encrypt the data packets.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a different key is generated for each different user.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the key can have an arbitrary length.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the key length is randomly selected.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said implementing comprises selecting from among a number of different encryption algorithms and providing the selected encryption algorithm to the user for use in encrypting their data packets.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said offering comprises offering the security options for purchase by a user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said offering comprises offering the security options for purchase by a user, the security options being differently priced depending on the degree of security provided by the option.

9. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 1.

10. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

establishing a wireless communication link between a mobile computing device and a server, the server being configured to receive data packets from the mobile computing device that are intended for transmission to the Internet;

offering a plurality of security options to a user of the mobile computing device;

responsive to selection of a security option by the user, implementing the security option to protect data packet transmission from the mobile computing device, wherein said implementing comprises generating a key that can be used to encrypt the data packets, wherein a different key is generated for each different user, and wherein each key can have an arbitrary length.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the key length is randomly selected.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said implementing comprises selecting from among a number of different encryption algorithms and providing the selected encryption algorithm to the user for use in encrypting their data packets.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said offering comprises offering the security options for purchase by a user, the security options being differently priced depending on the degree of security provided by the option.

14. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 10.

15. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

establishing a wireless communication link between a mobile computing device and a server, the server being configured to receive data packets from the mobile computing device that are intended for transmission to the Internet;

offering a plurality of security options to a user of the mobile computing device;

responsive to selection of a security option by the user, implementing the security option to protect data packet transmission from the mobile computing device, wherein said implementing comprises;

generating a key that can be used to encrypt the data packets; and

selecting from among a number of different encryption algorithms and providing the selected encryption algorithm to the user for use in encrypting their data packets.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a different key is generated for each different user.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the key can have an arbitrary length.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the key length is randomly selected.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said offering comprises offering the security options for purchase by a user.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said offering comprises offering the security options for purchase by a user, the security options being differently priced depending on the degree of security provided by the option.

21. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 15.

22. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

establishing a wireless communication link between a mobile computing device and a server, the server being configured to receive data packets from the mobile computing device that are intended for transmission to the Internet;

offering a plurality of security options to a user of the mobile computing device, said security options being offered for purchase by the user;

responsive to selection of a security option by the user, implementing the security option to protect data packet transmission from the mobile computing device, wherein said implementing comprises generating a key that can be used to encrypt the data packets.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein a different key is generated for each different user.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the key can have an arbitrary length.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the key length is randomly selected.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the security options are differently priced depending on the degree of security provided by the option.

27. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 22.