METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK (WLAN) GATEWAY SYSTEM

• US 20110078060A1
• Filed: 12/10/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Original Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Inventors: ZABAWSKYJ, Bohdan Konstantyn, Morel, Daniel Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,331,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1457 using an account
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/146 using digital cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1467 involving prepayment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/47 Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/59 based on real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/7655 shared by technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/772 per service, e.g. prepay or post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8214 Data or packet based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/854 Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/20 : with provision for recharging the prepaid account or card, or for credit establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0148 : Fraud detection or prevention means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0152 : General billing plans, rate plans, e.g. charge rates, numbering plans, rate centers, customer accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 : Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2013 : Fixed data network, e.g. PDN, ATM, B-ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2033 : WLAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 : Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/725 : Shared by technologies, e.g. one account for different access technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 : Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7263 : per service, e.g. prepay and post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/782 : Data or packet based
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/8166 : Available credit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements

Abstract

The invention of present provides for a real-time authentication and billing gateway for WLAN traffic. Notably, the improved method for implementing a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) gateway system enables telecommunications network operators (and like entities) to rate and bill for services accessed by the wireless user. The logic of the invention supports and furthers the art in regards to advanced real-time rating/billing in addition to providing for a variety of replenishment mechanisms for casual users via pre-paid vouchers and credit cards.

Claims

1. A method for providing access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a computing device, the method comprising:

receiving, at an access gateway connected to an access controller of said WLAN, authentication information for a subscriber associated with said computing device;

sending a first message from said access gateway to a mobile handset associated with said subscriber; and

,

if no reply message to said first message is received from said mobile handset within a configurable interval, then denying said computing device access to said WLAN; and

if a reply message to said first message is received from said mobile handset within said configurable interval, then permitting said computing device to access said WLAN.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said access gateway emulates an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a first message from said access gateway to a mobile handset associated with said subscriber comprises sending said first message, via a Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) interface, to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) for delivery to said mobile handset, and wherein said reply message is received at said access gateway from said mobile handset via said SMPP interface.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving one or more additional messages from said mobile handset at said access gateway via said SMPP interface;

said additional messages including instructions to modify subscriber preferences associated with said access of said WLAN via said access gateway.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a first message from said access gateway to a mobile handset associated with said subscriber comprises sending said first message via an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) gateway connected to said access gateway, for delivery to said mobile handset, and wherein said reply message is received at said access gateway from said mobile handset via said USSD gateway.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving one or more additional messages from said mobile handset at said access gateway via said USSD gateway;

said additional messages including instructions to modify subscriber preferences associated with said access of said WLAN via said access gateway.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

during said access, determining, at a rating element connected to said access gateway, a rate of charge for packets carried between said computing device and said WLAN, said rate of charge based on a classification assigned to each of said packets; and

generating at one or both of a charging element and a session controller connected to said access gateway, charging details associated with the access of said WLAN by said computing device;

said charging details based on said rate of charge.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising storing an available voucher balance at said session controller, wherein said charging details include decrementing said available voucher balance.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

prior to permitting said computing device to access said WLAN, sending a voucher validation instruction from said charging element via a voucher interface.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising generating a correlation identifier and a temporary password prior to permitting said computing device to access said WLAN, wherein said charging details include decrementing a credit card balance.

11. A wireless local area network (WLAN) gateway system, comprising:

an access gateway connected to an access controller of a WLAN;

said access gateway configured to receive authentication information for a subscriber associated with a computing device;

said access gateway further configured to send a first message to a mobile handset associated with said subscriber;

said access gateway further configured, if no reply message to said first message is received from said mobile handset within a configurable interval, to deny said computing device access to said WLAN, and, if a reply message to said first message is received from said mobile handset within said configurable interval, to permit said computing device to access said WLAN.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said access gateway is configured to emulate an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) interface connected to said access gateway;

said access gateway being further configured to send said first message, via said SMPP interface, to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) for delivery to said mobile handset, and to receive said reply message from said mobile handset via said SMPP interface.

14. The system of claim 13, said access gateway further configured to receive one or more additional messages from said mobile handset via said SMPP interface;

said additional messages including instructions to modify subscriber preferences associated with said access of said WLAN via said access gateway.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) gateway connected to said access gateway;

said access gateway being further configured to send said first message via said USSD gateway for delivery to said mobile handset, and to receive said reply message from said mobile handset via said USSD gateway.

16. The system of claim 15, said access gateway further configured to receive one or more additional messages from said mobile handset via said USSD gateway;

said additional messages including instructions to modify subscriber preferences associated with said access of said server via said access gateway.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a rating element connected to said access gateway, said rating element configured to determine a rate of charge for packets carried between said computing device and said WLAN, said rate of charge based on a classification assigned to each of said packets;

a charging element connected to said access gateway; and

a session controller connected to said access gateway;

one or both of said charging element and said session controller being configured to generate charging details associated with the access of said WLAN by said computing device;

said charging details based on said rate of charge.

18. The system of claim 17, said session controller further configured to store an available voucher balance, wherein said charging details include decrementing said available voucher balance.

19. The system of claim 18, said charging element further configured, prior to said access gateway permitting said computing device to access said WLAN, to send a voucher validation instruction via a voucher interface.

20. The system of claim 17, said session controller further configured to generate a correlation identifier and a temporary password prior to said access gateway permitting said computing device to access said WEAN, wherein said charging details include decrementing a credit card balance.