COOPERATIVE NETWORK FOR MOBILE INTERNET ACCESS

• US 20100115104A1
• Filed: 01/08/2010
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Truphone Limited
• Original Assignee: Truphone Limited
• Inventors: Tagg, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,862,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/029 Firewall traversal, e.g. tunnelling or, creating pinholes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/40 Support for services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0022 for transferring data sessions between adjacent core network technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0072 of resource information of target access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• 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 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and system for connecting mobile users to the Internet using cooperative interconnection. A node consists of a network element that has two connections methodologies—typically a node will have a radio link and a wired link to the Internet. To obtain a connection, a member of the service located themselves in proximity to a network node which is commonly provided by another member and the cooperative tunneling agent requests a secure link. All members of the service agree to give connection to the Internet upon request from another member.

Claims

1. A cooperative networking system for connecting a client system to a target network, said networking system comprising:

a cooperative agent program capable of receiving a request to allow said client system to connect to a host system, said host system being capable of accessing said target network; and

a matching means capable of comparing preferences of the host system and the client system, and establishing a secure link from the client system to the target network in the host system based on the preferences;

wherein said cooperative agent program is capable of examining membership information stored on said client and host systems to determine whether the host system and the client system are registered members of said cooperative networking system, and approving said request depending on said membership status before said host system accesses said target network;

wherein said secure link is controlled by said host system and the client system does not access any resources of the host system; and

wherein the preferences of the host system are not essential for connecting the client system to the target network.