Access point coupling guests to the internet
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An access point, comprising:
- an ISP network interface coupling the access point to the Internet;
a wireless network interface that permits one or more guests to obtain Internet access via wireless transmissions with the access point;
authentication and authorization logic that identifies if a guest is approved to use the access point, and further identifies a guest'"'"'s privilege level; and
wherein a host configures the authentication and authorization logic to identify usage permitted for each privilege level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access point communicates wirelessly with one or more guests requesting Internet access. The access point includes authentication and authorization logic that determines if a guest is authorized to request Internet access, and the level of the guest'"'"'s privileges. The authentication and authorization logic may be configured by a host to identify multiple privilege levels and the usage permitted for each privilege level. If a guest is unauthenticated, or if a guest requests a usage exceeding that guest'"'"'s privilege level, then the access point provides basic services or a basic screen to the guest.
79 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An access point, comprising:
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an ISP network interface coupling the access point to the Internet;
a wireless network interface that permits one or more guests to obtain Internet access via wireless transmissions with the access point;
authentication and authorization logic that identifies if a guest is approved to use the access point, and further identifies a guest'"'"'s privilege level; and
wherein a host configures the authentication and authorization logic to identify usage permitted for each privilege level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing guests with Internet service, comprising:
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detecting a request for Internet access from a guest;
determining if the guest is permitted to use the Internet service;
if the guest is permitted to use the Internet service, determining a privilege level for the guest;
identifying if the request for Internet access from the guest exceeds that guest'"'"'s privilege level; and
providing the requested Internet access if the guest has the appropriate privilege level for the requested access. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An access point, comprising:
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an ISP network interface coupling the access point to an Internet Service Provider;
a wireless network interface that permits multiple guests to substantially simultaneously obtain Internet access via wireless transmissions with the access point;
packet monitor logic that determines a guest'"'"'s type of Internet usage;
authorization logic that is configured by a host to identify levels of privilege and type of usage permitted for each privilege level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An access point that permits multiple guests to obtain Internet access, comprising:
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means for interfacing said access point with the multiple guests;
means for coupling the access point to the Internet;
means for monitoring requests made by a guest to determine type of usage requested by that guest;
means for configuring said access point with multiple privilege levels that differ based on type of use; and
means for determining if a guest'"'"'s privilege level exceeds a guest'"'"'s requested type of use. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification