Captive portal system and method for use in peer-to-peer networks

• US 20060233375A1
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McAfee, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAfee, Inc. (McAfee, LLC)
• Inventors: Wiedmann, Christian, Lillie, Terrance L., Sneiderman, Richard P., Zeljko, Robert, Wiedmann, Ulrich, Lynch, Sean R., Chu, Gigi C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/068 using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, a peer-to-peer wireless network is advertised utilizing a granting node. Further, a requesting node is provided for connecting to the peer-to-peer wireless network. Thereafter, such requesting node is redirected to a portal. To this end, a software application is capable of being downloaded to the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing the portal.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

advertising a peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing a granting node;

connecting to the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing a requesting node;

redirecting the requesting node to a portal; and

downloading a software application to the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing the portal.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the peer-to-peer wireless network includes an ad-hoc network.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the redirecting occurs in response to any request received from the requesting node.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the redirecting is automatic.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the redirecting occurs in response to an opening of a network browser utilizing the requesting node.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the redirecting is carried out in response to a request from the requesting node to access a centrally-based wireless network.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the centrally-based wireless network includes a network operating in an infrastructure mode.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the centrally-based wireless network requires that the software application be installed on the requesting node for allowing access thereto.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the software application carries out a process including:

exchanging a first key between the granting node and the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network;

generating a human-perceptible hash at the granting node and the requesting node, utilizing the first key;

comparing the human-perceptible hashes via an out-of-band communication channel; and

transmitting a second key to the requesting node for providing access to the centrally-based wireless network based on the comparison.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the software application carries out a process including:

exchanging a first key between the granting node and the requesting node via another peer-to-peer wireless network;

generating a human-perceptible hash at the granting node and the requesting node, utilizing the first key;

comparing the human-perceptible hashes via an out-of-band communication channel; and

transmitting a second key to the requesting node for providing access to the centrally-based wireless network based on the comparison.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the granting node redirects the requesting node to the portal.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the portal includes a captive portal.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the portal includes a graphical user interface.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the graphical user interface is capable of being used for allowing a user of the requesting node to download the software application.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the software application includes an applet.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the software application requires a separate installation process on the requesting node.

17. A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for advertising a peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing a granting node;

computer code for connecting to the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing a requesting node;

computer code for redirecting the requesting node to a portal; and

computer code for downloading a software application to the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing the portal.

18. A system, comprising:

a granting node for advertising a peer-to-peer wireless network; and

a requesting node for connecting to the peer-to-peer wireless network;

wherein the granting node redirects the requesting node to a portal, and a software application is downloaded to the requesting node via the peer-to-peer wireless network utilizing the portal.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the peer-to-peer network includes an ad-hoc network.

20. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the redirecting occurs in response to any request received from the requesting node.