Systems and Methods of Network Operation and Information Processing

• US 20090222895A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridge and Post, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bridge and Post, Inc.
• Inventors: Patel, Amul, Shah, Nitin Jayant, Banga, Jasminder Singh, Patel, Brijesh Ramji
• Application Number:
  US11/933,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20090222895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• 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 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for network operation and information processing involving engaging users of a network. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of engaging users of a public-access network. Moreover, the method includes associating a processing component with the public-access network; transmitting a request for authorization to use the public-access network, including transmission of a specific identifier associated with the user; transmitting first data including data determined by processing software as a function of the specific identifier; and opening up a connection to the network for the user. In one or more further embodiments, the specific identifier may include or be a function of a processing component ID or the MAC address of a device associated with the user. Other exemplary embodiments may include building profiles of users who access the network based on information collected.

Claims

1. A method of engaging users of a public-access network, the method comprising:

associating a processing component, having associated therewith processing software, with the public-access network;

transmitting a request, associated with a user of an access device, for authorization to use the public-access network, including transmission, in connection with the request, of an IP address of the user access device;

transmitting first data including a splash page, wherein the data to be transmitted is determined by the processing software as a function of the IP address;

opening up a connection to the network for the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the function cross references an IP address of a Routing/Connectivity Device (RCD) with a database to determine a geographic location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data includes a MAC address of a computing device associated with the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data includes an access device ID.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data includes information indicative of a geographic location associated with the user or the access device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining usage-related information including one or more of usage frequency, usage patterns, length of session, time of use, local user usage, and/or visiting user usage.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising one or both of determining and maintaining user information including real-time historical records.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating the user to increase security or integrity of user activity associated with the network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering location-specific or location-based data/information relating to business/commercial interests (e.g., advertisements, etc.).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the splash page includes sponsor media associated with a sponsor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the function cross references an IP address of a Routing/Connectivity Device (RCD) with a database to determine a geographic location.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first data includes a MAC address of a computing device associated with the user.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first data includes an access device ID.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first data includes information indicative of a geographic location associated with the user or the access device.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining usage-related information including one or more of usage frequency, usage patterns, length of session, time of use, local user usage, and/or visiting user usage.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising one or both of determining and maintaining user information including real-time historical records.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising authenticating the user to increase security or integrity of user activity associated with the network.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising collecting user information and building profiles for specific users based on the user information.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising delivering location-specific or location-based data/information enabling commercial interaction (e.g., advertisements, etc.).

20-109. -109. (canceled)