Distributed Network Communication System Which Selectively Provides Data to Different Network Destinations
First Claim
1. A method for operating a network system, the method comprising:
- receiving, at an access point coupled to a network, identification information from a portable computing device,accessing a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating network access information;
if the identification information received from the portable computing device does not map to an identification information entry in the data structure, then providing, through the access point, network access to the portable computing device according to a default access level and a mechanism to register with a network provider; and
allowing external network access to the portable communication device upon registration with a network provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. Access points (APs) for the network may be widely distributed in various facilities, such as airports, mass-transit stations, and various businesses. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers. The identification information may also or instead indicate an access or privilege level of the user. Each of the access points are operable to “listen for” or detect identification information associated with numerous different providers. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access may then be provided to the portable computing device through the determined network provider. Thus the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible network providers, thereby enabling subscribers to “roam” on various wireless networks, including networks maintained by other providers. The access information may also include an access level which indicates the user'"'"'s access or privilege level. Thus, the local network may provide various local resources which are available to users having a first access level, and users with a second access level may not be entitled to view or utilize these network resources on the network, but may be simply provided external Internet access.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for operating a network system, the method comprising:
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receiving, at an access point coupled to a network, identification information from a portable computing device, accessing a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating network access information; if the identification information received from the portable computing device does not map to an identification information entry in the data structure, then providing, through the access point, network access to the portable computing device according to a default access level and a mechanism to register with a network provider; and allowing external network access to the portable communication device upon registration with a network provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus, comprising
a network interface; -
a wireless network interface; and a control unit operably connected to the network interface and the wireless network interface and configured to; receive identification information from a portable computing device, access a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating network access information; if the identification information received from the portable computing device does not map to an identification information entry in the data structure, then provide network access to the portable computing device according to a default access level and a mechanism to register with a network provider; and allow external network access to the portable communication device upon registration with a network provider. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A network system, comprising:
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a network; a plurality of access points coupled to the network; wherein an access point of the plurality of access points comprises a processor a memory medium coupled to the memory processor; wherein the memory medium stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating network access information; wherein the memory medium comprises program instructions which are executable by the processor to; receive identification information from a portable computing device, access a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information entries each indicating network access information; if the identification information received from the portable computing device does not map to an identification information entry in the data structure, then provide network access to the portable computing device according to a default access level and a mechanism to register with a network provider; and allow external network access to the portable communication device upon registration with a network provider.
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Specification