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

• US 20040221155A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bahl, Paramvir, Venkatachary, Srinivasan, Balachandran, Anand
• Application Number:
  US10/850,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20040221155A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/153
• 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 graphic user interface configured for display on a computing device comprising:

a bandwidth selector configured to enable a user of the computing device to adjust the bandwidth that is allocated to the computing device for Internet access; and

a cost selector configured to enable a user of the computing device to adjust the cost that is associated with the bandwidth that is allocated to the computing device for Internet access, wherein by adjusting the cost, the user thereby adjusting the allocated bandwidth.

2. The graphic user interface of claim 1 further comprising a data rate display that displays indicia of a data rate that is currently being provided to the computing device.

3. A computing device comprising:

a display device;

one or more computer-readable media; and

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable media which, when executed by the computing device, cause a graphic user interface to be presented to a user, said interface comprising;

a bandwidth selector configured to enable a user of the computing device to adjust the bandwidth that is allocated to the computing device for Internet access; and

a cost selector configured to enable a user of the computing device to adjust the cost that is associated with the bandwidth that is allocated to the computing device for Internet access, wherein by adjusting the cost, the user thereby adjusting the allocated bandwidth.

4. The computing device of claim 3, wherein the graphic user interface further comprises a data rate display that displays indicia of a data rate that is currently being provided to the computing device.

5. A computing device comprising:

display means;

one or more computer-readable media; and

computer-readable instructions on the one or more computer-readable media which, when executed by the computing device, cause a graphic user interface to be presented to a user, said interface comprising;

means for enabling a user of the computing device to adjust the bandwidth that is allocated to the computing device for Internet access; and

means for enabling a user of the computing device to adjust the cost that is associated with the bandwidth that is allocated to the computing device for Internet access, wherein by adjusting the cost, the user thereby adjusting the allocated bandwidth.

6. The computing device of claim 5 wherein the graphic user interface further comprises means for displaying indicia of a data rate that is currently being provided to the computing device.