Location-based network access

• US 20060143292A1
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Machan, Stephen T., Callaway, Edgar H. Jr., Taubenheim, David B.
• Application Number:
  US11/024,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20060143292A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas

Abstract

When a candidate node (104) wishes to join a network (100), network access is either allowed or denied based on the candidate node'"'"'s physical location. More particularly, a plurality of nodes associated with the network aide in locating the candidate node. Once located, a decision is made to either allow or deny network access based on the candidate node'"'"'s physical location.

Claims

1. A method for location-based network access, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a wireless request from a candidate node for network access;

determining a physical location parameter for a signal received from the candidate node; and

allowing or denying network access based on the physical location of the candidate node.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

reporting the physical location parameter to location finding equipment; and

receiving a location of the candidate node.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

reporting the physical location parameter to location finding equipment; and

receiving a message indicating whether the candidate node is allowed access to the network.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the location parameter comprises the step of determining a signal strength parameter.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the location parameter comprises the step of determining a time-of-arrival parameter.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the location parameter comprises the step of determining an angle-of-arrival parameter.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of allowing or denying network access based on the physical location of the node comprises the step of allowing access when the node is located within a building and denying access when the node is located outside the building.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

transmitting a message to the candidate node informing the candidate node that network access is permitted.

9. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of location parameters transmitted from a plurality of nodes associated with a network;

determining a location of a candidate node based on the received location parameters;

determining a geographic area of restricted access;

determining if the location of the candidate node is within the geographic area of restricted access; and

transmitting a message indicating whether the candidate node is allowed or denied access based on whether the candidate node is within the geographic area or restricted access.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of the plurality of location parameters comprises the step of receiving a plurality of signal strength parameters.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of the plurality of location parameters comprises the step of receiving a plurality of time-of-arrival parameters.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of the plurality of location parameters comprises the step of receiving a plurality of angle-of-arrival parameters.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transmitting the message comprises the step transmitting a message allowing access when the node is located within a building and transmitting a message denying access when the node is located outside the building.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver receiving a plurality of location parameters;

location-finding equipment determining a location of a node based on the location parameters;

logic circuitry for determining a restricted geographic area, and determining if the location of the node is within the restricted geographic area; and

a transmitter transmitting a message allowing or denying network access for the node based on the whether or not the node is within the restricted geographic area.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the location parameters comprise signal strength parameters.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the location parameters comprise time-of-arrival parameters.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the location parameters comprise angle-of-arrival parameters.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the message allows access when the node is located within a building and denies access when the node is located outside the building.