APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATION-BASED ACCESS CONTROL IN WIRELESS NETWORKS
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving wireless signals from a device at a wireless access point associated with a wireless network;
estimating a location of the device;
determining whether the estimated location of the device is within a specified area; and
allowing the device to communicate over the wireless network in response to determining that the estimated location of the device is within the specified area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method includes receiving wireless signals from a device at a wireless access point associated with a wireless network. The method also includes estimating a location of the device and determining whether the estimated location is within a specified area. In addition, the method includes allowing the device to communicate over the wireless network in response to determining that the estimated location is within the specified area. Estimating the device'"'"'s location could include estimating a direction of the device with respect to the wireless access point and/or estimating a distance of the device from the wireless access point. Estimating the direction of the device could include using a direction of arrival of at least one wireless message received at the wireless access point from the device. Estimating the distance of the device could include transmitting multiple messages to the device at different power levels and receiving one or more responses from the device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving wireless signals from a device at a wireless access point associated with a wireless network; estimating a location of the device; determining whether the estimated location of the device is within a specified area; and allowing the device to communicate over the wireless network in response to determining that the estimated location of the device is within the specified area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a wireless interface configured to receive wireless signals from a device attempting to communicate over a wireless network; and a controller configured to estimate a location of the device and to allow the device to join the wireless network based on a determination that the estimated location of the device is within a specified area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer readable medium embodying a computer program, the computer program comprising computer readable program code for:
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estimating, at a wireless access point associated with a wireless network, a location of a device attempting to access the wireless network; determining whether the estimated location of the device is within a specified area; and allowing the device to communicate over the wireless network in response to determining that the estimated location of the device is within the specified area. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification