DYNAMIC DUAL-MODE SERVICE ACCESS CONTROL, LOCATION-BASED BILLING, AND E911 MECHANISMS

• US 20060268902A1
• Filed: 04/17/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wantage Technologies LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Thomas W.
• Application Number:
  US11/379,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20060268902A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• 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: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/61 based on the service used
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/71 Hardware identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system that facilitates controlling network access comprises a lookup component that determines a geographic location associated with a public originating IP address, wherein the public originating IP address is associated with a request for dual mode services made by a dual mode client. A comparison component compares the determined geographic location with a retained geographic location associated with the dual mode client and determines whether to enable dual mode services based at least in part upon the comparison.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates controlling network access, comprising:

a lookup component that determines an approximate geographic location associated with a public originating IP address, the public originating IP address is associated with a request for dual mode services made by a dual mode client; and

a comparison component that compares the approximate geographic location with a retained geographic location associated with the dual mode client and determines whether to enable dual mode services based at least in part upon the comparison.

2. The system of claim 1, the lookup component utilizes a service that determines a street address of an IP service provider based at least in part upon the public originating IP address.

3. The system of claim 1, the request for dual mode services is made with respect to a DSL broadband network.

4. The system of claim 1, the request for dual mode services is made with respect to a cable broadband network.

5. The system of claim 1, the request for dual mode services is made with respect to a WiMAX broadband network.

6. The system of claim 1, the request for dual mode services is additionally associated with a MAC address of an access point desirably utilized to connect to a broadband network, the comparison component compares the MAC address with a retained MAC assigned to the dual mode client and determines whether to enable dual mode services based at least in part upon the comparison.

7. The system of claim 6, the access point is one of a wireless router and a wireless repeater.

8. The system of claim 1, the request is initiated upon the dual mode client detecting WiFi signals associated with an access point to a broadband network.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a billing component that bills a subscriber based at least in part upon the comparison.

10. The system of claim 9, the billing component bills at a first rate if the dual mode client is authorized to utilize dual mode services and bills at a second rate if the dual mode client is not authorized to utilize dual mode services.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a service update component that facilitates updating geographic locations with respect to which the dual mode client is authorized to employ dual mode services.

12. The system of claim 11, the service update component generates a graphical user interface that provides a subscriber with updating options relating to authorized geographic locations.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a billing component that charges the subscriber a fee if the subscriber updates authorized geographic locations associated therewith.

14. A method for controlling access to a network, comprising:

receiving an IP data packet associated with a multi-mode client, the IP data packet includes a public originating IP address associated with an IP service provider;

determining an approximate geographic location of the multi-mode client through utilization of the public originating IP address;

comparing the determined approximate geographic location with an authorized geographic location assigned to the multi-mode client; and

determining whether to enable the multi-mode client to employ dual mode services based at least in part upon the comparison.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising preventing access to dual mode services if the approximate geographic location and the authorized geographic location do not match.

16. The method of claim 14, the approximate geographic location is an identity of a city.

17. The method of claim 14, the IP data packet is received by way of one of a DSL and cable router.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising billing a subscriber that utilizes the multi-mode client according to the comparison.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising requesting additional payment from a subscriber that utilizes the multi-mode client to enable authorization of a geographic location if the approximate geographic location and the authorized geographic location do not match.

20. A system that facilitates control of access to a network, comprising:

means for determining an approximate geographic location of a dual-mode client that is requesting dual mode services based at least in part upon a public originating IP address;

and

means for determining whether to allow the dual-mode client to utilize dual mode services based at least in part upon a comparison of the approximate geographic location with an authorized geographic location.