WIRELESS ACCESS SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A method of providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said method comprising providing a set of functions for use on a user terminal, said functions including functions for:
- storing a plurality of sets of user identification data, said user identification data relating to one or more wireless access points via which the user has authorisation to access the communications system;
providing a directory of wireless access points in said communications system, said directory including wireless access point identification data;
using said directory to identify a wireless access point; and
using one of said plurality of sets of user identification data to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides method of, apparatus capable of, and computer software for, providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said method comprising providing set of functions for use on a user terminal, said functions including functions for: storing a plurality of sets of user identification data, said user identification data relating to one or more wireless access points via which the user has authorisation to access the communications system; providing a directory of wireless access points in said communications system, said directory including wireless access point identification data; using said directory to identify a wireless access point; and using one of said plurality of sets of user identification data to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point.
60 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said method comprising providing a set of functions for use on a user terminal, said functions including functions for:
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storing a plurality of sets of user identification data, said user identification data relating to one or more wireless access points via which the user has authorisation to access the communications system; providing a directory of wireless access points in said communications system, said directory including wireless access point identification data; using said directory to identify a wireless access point; and using one of said plurality of sets of user identification data to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said method comprising:
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storing user credentials in a user terminal, said user credentials being for authorising the user to access the communications system via one or more wireless access points, wherein the stored user credentials include; i) first user credentials which are held in a first state, and in said first state, the user can use the credentials to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point; and ii) second user credentials which are held in a second state, and in said second state, the user cannot use the credentials to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point; and conducting a procedure whereby said second user credentials are converted to said first state.
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13. A method of providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said method comprising:
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storing limited validity user credentials in a user terminal, said limited validity user credentials being for authorising the user to access the communications system via one or more wireless access points, wherein the limited validity user credentials have a predetermined temporal usage limit associated therewith in said communications system; and monitoring usage of the limited validity user credentials, and in response thereto conducting a transfer of further limited validity user credentials between the user terminal and a remote data processing system before said temporal usage limit expires.
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14. A method of providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said method comprising:
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storing a plurality of sets of user credentials in a user terminal, said user credentials being for authorising the user to access the communications system via one or more wireless access points, storing service provider identity data associated with said plurality of sets of user credentials; using said service provider data to identify a set of credentials suitable for use with an identified wireless access point; storing preference data associated with said sets of user credentials; and where a plurality of different sets of credentials are suitable for use in gaining network access, using said preference data to select between said plurality of sets of user credentials.
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15. (canceled)
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16. (canceled)
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17. A user terminal for providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said terminal providing functions for:
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storing a Plurality of sets of user identification data, said user identification data relating to one or more wireless access points via which the user has authorisation to access the communications system; providing a directory of wireless access points in said communications system, said directory including wireless access point identification data; using said directory to identify a wireless access point; and using one of said plurality of sets of user identification data to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point.
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18. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of a method of providing a user with access to a communications system including a plurality of wireless access points, said program code providing a set of functions for use on a user terminal, said functions including functions for:
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storing a plurality of sets of user identification data, said user identification data relating to one or more wireless access points via which the user has authorisation to access the communications system; providing a directory of wireless access points in said communications system, said directory including wireless access point identification data; using said directory to identify a wireless access point; and using one of said plurality of sets of user identification data to access the communications system via an identified wireless access point.
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Specification