Method and system of intelligently load balancing of Wi-Fi access point apparatus in a wlan

• US 20120230193A1
• Filed: 05/10/2011
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medium Access Systems Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Medium Access Systems Private Limited
• Inventors: Fang, Yang Lit
• Granted Patent: US 8,593,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/235
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0838 using one-time-passwords
• 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: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/24 Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 based on traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

A computer networking infrastructure for load balancing, which comprises a network, access points each with a first service set identifier, computing devices and a computing system. The computing system can receive requests from computing devices to access the network via a second service set identifier of an access point. In response to a request to access the network from a computing device, the computing system generates a list of access points which are able to support a connection with the computing device. The computing device may connect to the network via an access point on the list and via the first service set identifier.

Claims

1. A computer networking infrastructure for load balancing, comprising:

one or more access points, wherein each of the one or more access points has a first service set identifier;

a computing device having at least one access profile;

a network connected to the one or more access points; and

a computing system, in communication with said network, having at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code, and at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code, when executed;

(a) receives a request from the computing device to access the network, wherein the request includes the at least one access profile and the request is received via a second service set identifier of one of the one or more access points;

(b) determines whether the computing device is permitted to access the network based on the at least one access profile;

(c) generates a list comprising at least one of the one or more access points able to support a connection with the computing device, wherein said generating is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network; and

(d) sends the list to the computing device, wherein said sending is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network.

2. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the list includes the first service set identifier of each of the at least one of the one or more access points.

3. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the second service set identifier provides a communications medium for providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

4. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the second service set identifier is limited to providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

5. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein computing device further comprises a daemon or software application, and wherein communications between the computing device and computing system are sent and received via the daemon or software application.

6. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 5, wherein the daemon or software application detects the first and second service set identifiers.

7. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the generation of the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the capacity to support computing devices associated with the respective access points.

8. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the computing system further includes resource status information associated with each of the one or more access points, and wherein generation of the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the resource status information associated with the respective access points.

9. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein:

the program code, when executed;

generates a token, one time password or one time certificate, and

sends the token, one time password or one time certificate to the computing device; and

the computing device is configured to access the network through one of the at least one of the one or more access points on the list using the token, one time password or one time certificate.

10. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the at least one access profile is stored on a USB device, SD card, Micro SD card, SIM card, or integrated circuit.

11. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the first service set identifier of each of the one or more access points are hidden or not broadcasted.

12. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more access points is further configured to collect data utilization information for at least one computing device.

13. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein:

the program code, when executed;

receives a request from the computing device to add credit to a service plan associated with the computing device, wherein the request includes a credit amount; and

adds the credit amount to the service plan associated with the computing device.

14. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, where the list is ordered according to signal strength of the first service set identifier relative to or detected by the computing device.

15. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the list is ordered according to the distance between each access point and the location of the computing device.

16. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 1, wherein the network is connected to or comprises the internet.

17. A method for load balancing a computer networking infrastructure, the method comprising:

(a) receiving, by a computing system, a request from a computing device to access a network, wherein the computing system includes at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code and at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, the computing device includes at least one access profile, the network is connected to one or more access points, each of the one or more access points has a first service set identifier, the request includes the at least one access profile, and the request is received via a second service set identifier of one of the one or more access points;

(b) determining, by the computing system, whether the computing device is permitted to access the network based on the at least one access profile;

(c) generating, by the computing system, a list comprising at least one of the one or more access points able to support a connection with the computing device, wherein said generating is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network; and

(d) sending, by the computing system, the list to the computing device, wherein said sending is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the list includes the first service set identifier of each of the at least one of the one or more access points.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second service set identifier provides a communications medium for providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the second service set identifier is limited to providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein computing device further comprises a daemon or software application, and wherein communications between the computing device and computing system are sent and received via the daemon or software application.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the daemon or software application detects the first and second service set identifiers.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein generating the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the capacity to support computing devices associated with the respective access points.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the computing system further includes resource status information associated with each of the one or more access points, and wherein generating the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the resource status information associated with the respective access points.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the method further comprises;

generating a token, one time password or one time certificate, and

sending the token, one time password or one time certificate to the computing device; and

the computing device is configured to access the network through one of the at least one of the one or more access points on the list using the token, one time password or one time certificate.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one access profile is stored on a USB device, SD card, Micro SD card, SIM card, or integrated circuit.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the first service set identifier of each of the one or more access points are hidden or not broadcasted.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more access points is further configured to collect data utilization information for at least one computing device.

29. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a request from the computing device to add credit to a service plan associated with the computing device, wherein the request includes a credit amount; and

adding the credit amount to the service plan associated with the computing device.

30. The method of claim 17, where the list is ordered according to signal strength of the first service set identifier relative to or detected by the computing device.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein the list is ordered according to the distance between each access point and the location of the computing device.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the network is connected to or comprises the interne.

33. A computer networking infrastructure for load balancing, comprising:

a beacon access point having a first and second service set identifier;

one or more other access points, each having a first service set identifier;

a computing device having at least one access profile;

a network connected to the one or more other access points; and

a computing system having at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code, and at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code, when executed;

(a) receives a request from the computing device to access the network, wherein the request includes the at least one access profile and the request is received via the second service set identifier;

(b) determines whether the computing device is permitted to access the network based on the at least one access profile;

(c) determines whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device;

(d) generates a list comprising at least one of the one or more other access points and the beacon access point which are able to support a connection with the computing device, wherein said generating is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network; and

(e) sends the list to the computing device, wherein said sending is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network.

34. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 33, wherein the list does not include the beacon access point.

35. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 33, wherein:

the determination of whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device includes determining whether each of the one or more other access points is in substantially the same location as the location of beacon access point; and

the list only includes at least one of the one or more other access points able to support a connection with the computing device and being in substantially the same location as the location of the beacon access point.

36. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 33, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points;

the determination of whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device includes determining whether each of the other wireless coverages of the one or more other access points overlaps the beacon wireless coverage; and

the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps the beacon wireless coverage.

37. The computer networking infrastructure of claim 33, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points;

the determination of whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device includes determining whether any portion of each of the other wireless signal coverages of the one or more other access points overlaps any portion of the beacon wireless coverage; and

any portion of the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps any portion of the beacon wireless coverage.

38. A method for load balancing a computer networking infrastructure, the method comprising:

(a) receiving, by a computing system, a request from a computing device to access a network, wherein the computing system includes at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code and at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, the computing device includes at least one access profile, the network is connected to one or more other access points, each of the one or more other access points has a first service set identifier, the request includes the at least one access profile, and the request is received via a second service set identifier of a beacon access point;

(b) determining, by the computing system, whether the computing device is permitted to access the network based on the at least one access profile;

(c) determining, by the computing system, whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device;

(d) generating, by the computing system, a list comprising at least one of the one or more other access points and the beacon access point which are able to support a connection with the computing device, wherein said generating is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network; and

(e) sending, by the computing system, the list to the computing device, wherein said sending is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the list does not include the beacon access point.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein:

determining whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device includes determining whether each of the one or more other access points is in substantially the same location as the location of the beacon access point; and

the list only includes at least one of the one or more other access points able to support a connection with the computing device and being in substantially the same location as the location of the beacon access point.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points;

determining whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device includes determining whether each of the other wireless coverages of the one or more other access points overlaps the beacon wireless coverage; and

the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps the beacon wireless coverage.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points;

determining whether each of the beacon access point and the one or more other access points is able to support a connection with the computing device includes determining whether any portion of each of the other wireless signal coverages of the one or more other access points overlaps any portion of the beacon wireless coverage; and

any portion of the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps any portion of the beacon wireless coverage.

43. A beacon access point in a computer networking infrastructure for load balancing, in communication with a computing device, a computing system, and a network connected to one or more other access points each having a first service set identifier, wherein:

the beacon access point includes at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code, at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, and is configured to;

(a) receive a request from the computing device to access the network, wherein the request includes at least one access profile associated with the computing device and the request is received via a second service set identifier of the beacon access point;

(b) transmit the request to the computing system;

(c) receive a list from the computing system comprising at least one of the one or more other access points and the beacon access point which are able to support a connection with the computing device; and

(d) transmit the list to the computing device.

44. The beacon access point of claim 43, wherein the beacon access point is further configured to collect data utilization information for at least one computing device.

45. The beacon access point of claim 43, wherein the list does not include the beacon access point.

46. The beacon access point of claim 43, wherein the list only includes one or more of the one or more other access points able to support a connection with the computing device and being in substantially the same location as the location of the beacon access point.

47. The beacon access point of claim 43, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points; and

the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps the beacon wireless coverage.

48. The beacon access point of claim 43, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points; and

any portion of the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps any portion of the beacon wireless coverage.

49. A method of operating a beacon access point in a computer networking infrastructure for load balancing in communication with a computing device, a computing system, and a network connected to one or more other access points each having a first service set identifier, wherein the method comprises:

(a) receiving, by the beacon access point, a request from the computing device to access the network, wherein the beacon access point includes at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code and at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, the request includes at least one access profile associated with the computing device, and the request is received via a second service set identifier of the beacon access point;

(b) transmitting, by the beacon access point, the request to the computing system;

(c) receiving, by the beacon access point, a list from the computing system comprising at least one of the one or more other access points and the beacon access point which are able to support a connection with the computing device; and

(d) transmitting, by the beacon access point, the list to the computing device.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising collecting, by the beacon access point, data utilization information for at least one computing device.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the list does not include the beacon access point.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the list only includes one or more of the one or more other access points able to support a connection with the computing device and being in substantially the same location as the location of the beacon access point.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points; and

the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps the beacon wireless coverage.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein:

the beacon access point is associated with a beacon wireless coverage, wherein the beacon wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the second service set identifier;

the one or more other access points are each associated with an other wireless coverage, wherein the other wireless coverage comprises an area of coverage of the first service set identifier associated with the respective one of the one or more other access points; and

any portion of the other wireless coverage of each of the one or more other access points on the list overlaps any portion of the beacon wireless coverage.

55. A computing system for load balancing, in communication with one or more access points, a computing device, and a network, comprising:

at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code, and

at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, wherein the program code, when executed;

(a) receives a request from the computing device to access the network, wherein the request includes at least one access profile associated with the computing device and the request is received via a second service set identifier associated with one of the one or more access points;

(b) determines whether the computing device is permitted to access the network based on the at least one access profile;

(c) generates a list comprising at least one of the one or more access points able to support a connection with the computing device, wherein said generating is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network; and

(d) sends the list to the computing device, wherein said sending is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network.

56. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the list includes the first service set identifier of each of the at least one of the one or more access points.

57. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the second service set identifier provides a communications medium for providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

58. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the second service set identifier is limited to providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

59. The computer system of claim 55, wherein computing device further comprises a daemon or software application, and wherein communications between the computing device and computing system are sent and received via the daemon or software application.

60. The computer system of claim 59, wherein the daemon or software application detects the first and second service set identifiers.

61. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the generation of the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the capacity to support computing devices associated with the respective access points.

62. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the computing system further includes resource status information associated with each of the one or more access points, and wherein generation of the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the resource status information associated with the respective access points.

63. The computer system of claim 55, wherein:

the program code, when executed;

generates a token, one time password or one time certificate, and

sends the token, one time password or one time certificate to the computing device; and

the computing device is configured to access the network through one of the at least one of the one or more access points on the list using the token, one time password or one time certificate.

64. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the at least one access profile is stored on a USB device, SD card, Micro SD card, SIM card, or integrated circuit.

65. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the first service set identifier of each of the one or more access points are hidden or not broadcasted.

66. The computer system of claim 55, wherein at least one of the one or more access points is further configured to collect data utilization information for at least one computing device.

67. The computer system of claim 55, wherein:

the program code, when executed;

receives a request from the computing device to add credit to a service plan associated with the computing device, wherein the request includes a credit amount; and

adds the credit amount to the service plan associated with the computing device.

68. The computer system of claim 55, where the list is ordered according to signal strength of the first service set identifier relative to or detected by the computing device.

69. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the list is ordered according to the distance between each access point and the location of the computing device.

70. The computer system of claim 55, wherein the network is connected to or comprises the interne.

71. A method for operating a computing system for load balancing, in communication with one or more access points, a computing device, and a network, comprising:

(a) receiving, by the computing system, a request from the computing device to access the network, wherein the computing system includes at least one memory with at least one region for storing executable program code and at least one processor for executing the program code stored in the memory, the request includes at least one access profile associated with the computing device, and the request is received via a second service set identifier associated with one of the one or more access points;

(b) determining, by the computing system, whether the computing device is permitted to access the network based on the at least one access profile;

(c) generating, by the computing system, a list comprising at least one of the one or more access points able to support a connection with the computing device, wherein said generating is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network; and

(d) sending, by the computing system, the list to the computing device, wherein said sending is responsive to a determination that the computing device is permitted to access the network.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the list includes the first service set identifier of each of the at least one of the one or more access points.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the second service set identifier provides a communications medium for providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein the second service set identifier is limited to providing authentication of access to the network by the computing device.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein computing device further comprises a daemon or software application, and wherein communications between the computing device and computing system are sent and received via the daemon or software application.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the daemon or software application detects the first and second service set identifiers.

77. The method of claim 71, wherein generating the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the capacity to support computing devices associated with the respective access points.

78. The method of claim 71, wherein the computing system further includes resource status information associated with each of the one or more access points, and wherein generating the list further comprises determining whether each of the one or more access points are able to support a connection with the computing device based on the resource status information associated with the respective access points.

79. The method of claim 71, wherein:

the method further comprises;

generating a token, one time password or one time certificate, and

sending the token, one time password or one time certificate to the computing device; and

the computing device is configured to access the network through one of the at least one of the one or more access points on the list using the token, one time password or one time certificate.

80. The method of claim 71, wherein the at least one access profile is stored on a USB device, SD card, Micro SD card, SIM card, or integrated circuit.

81. The method of claim 71, wherein the first service set identifier of each of the one or more access points are hidden or not broadcasted.

82. The method of claim 71, wherein at least one of the one or more access points is further configured to collect data utilization information for at least one computing device.

83. The method of claim 71, further comprising:

receiving a request from the computing device to add credit to a service plan associated with the computing device, wherein the request includes a credit amount; and

adding the credit amount to the service plan associated with the computing device.

84. The method of claim 71, where the list is ordered according to signal strength of the first service set identifier relative to or detected by the computing device.

85. The method of claim 71, wherein the list is ordered according to the distance between each access point and the location of the computing device.

86. The method of claim 71, wherein the network is connected to or comprises the internet.