Wireless local area network access controlled by cellular communications

• US 20070256135A1
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Doradla, Anil, Muhamed, Rias
• Granted Patent: US 8,793,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• 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 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/73 Access point logical identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• 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 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• 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 computer readable medium stores a program for enabling access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a dual mode device. The program enables the dual mode device to detect presence of a WLAN access point. The program also transmits information about the access point and about the dual mode device via a cellular network to a clearinghouse server. A portion of the program receives the information via the cellular network, the information identifying the dual mode device and an access point of a WLAN provider. The program then determines whether the dual mode device has permission to access the access point. When permission exists, the program informs the WLAN provider. The dual mode device accesses the WLAN access point in response to the clearinghouse server approving access.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium storing a program for enabling access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a dual mode device, comprising:

a WLAN detecting code segment that detects presence of a WLAN access point;

a transmitting code segment that transmits information about the access point and about the dual mode device via a cellular network to a clearinghouse server; and

an access code segment that accesses the WLAN access point in response to the clearinghouse server approving access and forwarding credentials to an operator of the access point.

2. The medium of claim 1, in which the cellular network comprises a GSM network.

3. The medium of claim 2, in which the transmission is via general packet radio service (GPRS).

4. The medium of claim 2, in which the transmission is via enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE).

5. The medium of claim 2, in which the transmission is via universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS).

6. The medium of claim 2, in which the transmission is via short message service (SMS).

7. The medium of claim 2, in which the WLAN comprises an 802.11 network.

8. A computer readable medium storing a program for enabling access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a dual mode device, comprising:

a receiving code segment that receives a query from the dual mode device via a cellular network, the query identifying the dual mode device and an access point of a WLAN provider;

a verifying code segment that determines whether the dual mode device has permission to access the access point; and

a transmission code segment that informs the WLAN provider when the dual mode device is determined to have permission to access the access point.

9. The medium of claim 8, further comprising a billing code segment that receives billing information from the WLAN provider, the billing information reflecting charges associated with the dual mode device accessing the access point of the WLAN provider, the billing code segment combining billing information from a plurality of WLAN providers and presenting the combined information to a user of the dual mode device.

10. The medium of claim 9, in which the WLAN comprises an 802.11 network.

11. A computer readable medium storing a program for enabling access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a dual mode device, comprising:

a WLAN detecting code segment that detects presence of a WLAN access point;

a cellular transmitting code segment that transmits information about the access point and about the dual mode device via a cellular network to a clearinghouse server;

a receiving code segment that receives the information via the cellular network, the information identifying the dual mode device and an access point of a WLAN provider;

a verifying code segment that determines whether the dual mode device has permission to access the access point;

a WLAN transmission code segment that informs the WLAN provider when the dual mode device is determined to have permission to access the access point; and

an access code segment that accesses the WLAN access point in response to the clearinghouse server approving access and forwarding credentials to an operator of the access point.

12. The medium of claim 11, further comprising a billing code segment that receives billing information from the WLAN provider, the billing information reflecting charges associated with the dual mode device accessing the access point of the WLAN provider, the billing code segment combining billing information from a plurality of WLAN providers and presenting the combined information to a user of the dual mode device.

13. The medium of claim 11, in which the cellular network comprises a GSM network.

14. The medium of claim 13, in which the transmission is via general packet radio service (GPRS), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), or universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS).

15. The medium of claim 11, in which the transmission is via short message service (SMS).

16. The medium of claim 11, in which the WLAN comprises an 802.11 network.

17. A system for enabling access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a dual mode device, comprising:

a server that receives a query from the dual mode device via a cellular network, the query identifying the dual mode device and an access point of a WLAN provider, and determines whether the dual mode device has permission to access the access point of the WLAN provider; and

a database that enables the server to determine whether the dual mode device has permission to access the access point.

18. The system of claim 17, in which the database further comprises a list of access points that the dual mode device has permission to access.

19. The system of claim 18, in which the database is accessed by the WLAN provider to update access point information.

20. The system of claim 17, in which the dual mode device is identified by a media access control address.

21. The system of claim 18, in which the access point is identified by a media access control (MAC) address.

22. The system of claim 21, in which the access point is further identified by a service set identifier (SSID).