Distributed wireless online access system

• US 6,553,218 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Modern Medium Services LLC
• Original Assignee: Eimar M. Boesjes
• Inventors: Boesjes, Eimar M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Congvan
• Application Number:
  US09/715,705
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/414, 455/418, 455/419, 370/351, 370/552, 370/401, 379/114.03, 379/114.05, 379/114.28, 379/114.29, 379/115.01
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
• 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: 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 15/51 for resellers, retailers or service providers
• 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 2215/54 Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A distributed wireless online access system comprises a plurality of primary wireless units forming primary wireless communications network, and a plurality of secondary wireless units. Each primary wireless unit may comprise a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a programmed processor for routing data packets received by the primary wireless unit for re-transmission to another primary wireless unit or to a secondary wireless unit. Each secondary wireless unit may comprise a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, and a programmed processor for processing received data packets and for generating transmitted data packets. A portal unit may provide a connection or link between the primary wireless network and an external communications system (such as the Internet), thereby providing access to the external communications network to all primary and secondary wireless units. Data packets may be generated by an originating secondary wireless unit, transmitted to a primary wireless unit, routed and re-transmitted through a succession of other primary wireless units, and ultimately received by a destination unit (either a destination secondary wireless unit or a portal unit/external communications system). A data packet may follow one of several alternative network paths through the primary network connecting the originating point and the destination point, thereby enabling the system to route data packets around unavailable primary units, slower portions of the primary network, and so on. An wireless online access provider may collect access fees from subscribers having primary or secondary wireless units, and may pay provider revenue out to subscribers having primary wireless units to encourage growth of the wireless network. One or more primary wireless units may be mobile, resulting in a transient primary wireless network having a dynamically varying network topology.

Claims

1. A distributed wireless-online access system, comprising:

a plurality of primary wireless units;

a plurality of secondary wireless units; and

a billing unit operated by an online access provider,

wherein;

each primary wireless unit comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for routing a received in-transit data packet for transmission to another of the plurality of primary wireless units;

at least one primary wireless unit further comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for routing a received in-transit data packet for transmission to one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

each secondary wireless unit comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for processing the data packet received by the secondary wireless unit and for generating the data packet transmitted by the secondary wireless unit; and

the billing unit comprises a programmed processor for calculating at least one of i) an access fee amount to be charged, by the online access provider, to a respective primary subscriber for each of the plurality of primary wireless units, ii) an access fee amount to be charged, by the online access provider, to a respective secondary subscriber for each of the plurality of secondary wireless units, and iii) an access provider revenue amount to be credited, by the online access provider, to the respective primary subscriber for each of the plurality of primary wireless units.

2. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein the billing unit further comprises:

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet volume data query to each wireless unit among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units; and

a wireless receiver for receiving data packet volume data from each wireless unit among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units.

3. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 2, wherein the access fee amount charged to each primary subscriber may be calculated based at least in part on the volume of data packets received by and transmitted from the respective primary wireless unit.

4. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 2, wherein the access fee amount charged to each secondary subscriber may be calculated based at least in part on the volume of data packets received by and transmitted from the respective secondary wireless unit.

5. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 2, wherein the access provider revenue amount credited to each primary subscriber may be based at least in part on the volume of in-transit data packets received by and re-transmitted by the respective primary wireless unit.

6. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein the access provider revenue amount credited to each primary subscriber may be based at least in part on at least one of i) the number of other primary wireless units within the maximum transmission range of the respective primary wireless unit and the number of other primary wireless units for which the respective primary wireless unit is within the maximum transmission range thereof, and ii) the number of secondary wireless units within the maximum transmission range of the respective primary wireless unit and the number of secondary wireless units for which the respective primary wireless unit is within the maximum transmission range thereof.

7. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein the access provider revenue amount credited to each primary subscriber may be based at least in part on at least one of i) a number of other primary subscribers recruited by the primary subscriber to participate in the distributed wireless online access system, and ii) a number of secondary subscribers recruited by the primary subscriber to participate in the distributed wireless online access system.

8. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein each primary wireless unit is also a secondary wireless unit.

9. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein each secondary wireless unit is also a primary wireless unit.

10. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a portal unit for connecting to an external communications system, the portal unit comprising:

a link to the external communications system for receiving a data packet transmitted therefrom;

a wireless transmitter for transmitting to one of the plurality of primary wireless units the data packet received from the external communications system;

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from one of the plurality of primary wireless units; and

a link to the external communications system for transmitting to the external communications system the data packet received from one of the plurality of primary wireless units.

11. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 10, wherein the external communications system comprises the Internet.

12. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 10, wherein the link to the external communications system is a wired link.

13. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein each primary wireless unit may be an unlicensed wireless device in legal compliance with government regulations applicable at the location of the primary wireless unit, and each secondary wireless unit may be an unlicensed device in legal compliance with government regulations applicable at the location of the secondary wireless unit.

14. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 13, wherein each primary wireless unit may be an unlicensed wireless device in legal compliance with Part 15 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and each secondary wireless unit may be an unlicensed device in legal compliance with Part 15 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

15. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 13, wherein each of the primary wireless units may conform to an IEEE 802.11 standard and each of the secondary units may conform to an IEEE 802.11 standard.

16. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 13, wherein the wireless transmitter of at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units is a directional transmitter.

17. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

each primary wireless unit lies within a maximum transmission range of at least one other primary wireless unit, and at least one other primary wireless unit lies within the maximum transmission range of each primary wireless unit, thereby enabling the plurality of primary wireless units to form a primary wireless network linking each primary wireless unit to each of the other primary wireless units; and

each secondary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of at least one primary wireless unit, and at least one primary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of each secondary wireless unit, thereby linking each secondary wireless unit to the primary wireless network.

18. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 17, wherein the primary wireless network provides more than one network path between a pair of primary wireless units.

19. A distributed wireless online access network as recited in claim 17, wherein a secondary wireless unit lies within the maximum transmission range of more than one primary wireless unit, and more than one primary wireless unit lie within the maximum transmission range of a secondary wireless unit, thereby providing more than one wireless link between the secondary wireless unit and the primary wireless network.

20. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 17, further comprising an administration unit operated by the online access provider for controlling transmission of a data packet through the primary wireless network among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary units, the administration unit comprising:

a wireless transmitter for transmitting queries and commands to at least one wireless unit from among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units;

a wireless receiver for receiving at least one of wireless unit status data, primary wireless network status data, data packet transmission data, and command acknowledgements from at least one wireless unit from among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units; and

a programmed processor for generating the commands and queries and for processing at least one of wireless unit status data, primary wireless network status data, data packet transmission data, and command acknowledgements.

21. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 20, wherein the administration unit processor, in response to at least one of received wireless unit status data, received primary wireless network status data, received data packet transmission data, and received command acknowledgements, may select a network path for transmission of data packets through the primary wireless network among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units.

22. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 20, wherein the administration unit processor, in response to at least one of received wireless unit status data, received primary wireless network status data, received data packet transmission data, and received command acknowledgements, may re-route from a first network path to a second network path transmission of data packets through the primary wireless network among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units.

23. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 20, wherein the administration unit processor, in response to at least one of received wireless unit status data, received primary wireless network status data, received data packet transmission data, and received command acknowledgements, may generate primary wireless network data packet traffic density data, thereby enabling addition of a new primary wireless unit to the primary wireless network for reducing localized data packet traffic density in a portion of the primary wireless network.

24. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 20, wherein the administration unit processor may generate primary wireless network geographic coverage data, thereby enabling addition of a new primary wireless unit for covering a geographic area not-adequately covered by one of the plurality of primary wireless units.

25. A distribution wireless online access system, comprising:

a plurality of primary wireless units; and

a plurality of secondary wireless units,

wherein;

each primary wireless unit comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for routing a received in-transit data packet for transmission to another of the plurality of primary wireless units;

at least one primary wireless unit further comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for routing a received in-transit data packet for transmission to one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

each secondary wireless unit comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for processing the data packet received by the secondary wireless unit and for generating the data packet transmitted by the secondary wireless unit;

at least one wireless unit among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units may be a mobile wireless unit;

each primary wireless unit lies within a maximum transmission range of at least one other primary wireless unit, and at least one other primary wireless unit lies within the maximum transmission range of each primary wireless unit, thereby enabling the plurality of primary wireless units to form a primary wireless network linking each primary wireless unit to each of the other primary wireless units;

each secondary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of at least one primary wireless unit, and at least one primary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of each secondary wireless unit, thereby linking each secondary wireless unit to the primary wireless network; and

a mobile primary wireless unit may move beyond the maximum transmission range of a first other primary wireless unit and move into the maximum transmission range of a second other primary wireless unit, thereby changing a topology of links between primary wireless units of the primary wireless network.

26. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 25, wherein a mobile secondary wireless unit may move beyond the maximum transmission range of a first other primary wireless unit and within the maximum transmission range of a second other primary wireless unit, thereby changing a topology of links between the secondary wireless unit and the primary wireless network.

27. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 25, further comprising a portal unit for connecting the primary wireless network to an external communications system, the portal unit comprising:

a link to the external communications system for receiving a data packet transmitted therefrom;

a wireless transmitter for transmitting to the primary wireless network the data packet received from the external communications system;

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from the primary wireless network; and

a link to the external communications system for transmitting to the external communications system the data packet received from the primary wireless network.

28. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 25, wherein each primary wireless unit may be an unlicensed wireless device in legal compliance with government regulations applicable at the location of the primary wireless unit, and each secondary wireless unit may be an unlicensed device in legal compliance with government regulations applicable at the location of the secondary wireless unit.

29. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 25, further comprising an administration unit operated by the online access provider for controlling transmission of a data packet through the primary wireless network among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary units, the administration unit comprising:

a wireless transmitter for transmitting queries and commands to at least one wireless unit from among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units;

a wireless receiver for receiving at least one of wireless unit status data, wireless unit position data, primary wireless network status data, data packet transmission data, and command acknowledgements from at least one wireless unit from among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units; and

a programmed processor for generating the commands and queries and for processing at least one of wireless unit status data, wireless unit position data, primary wireless network status data, data packet transmission data, and command acknowledgements.

30. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 29, wherein the administration unit processor, in response to at least one of received wireless unit status data, received wireless unit position data, received primary wireless network status data, received data packet transmission data, and received command acknowledgements, may select a network path for transmission of data packets through the primary wireless network among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units.

31. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 29, wherein the administration unit processor, in response to at least one of received wireless unit status data, received wireless unit position data, received primary wireless network status data, received data packet transmission data, and received command acknowledgements, may re-route from a first network path to a second network path transmission of data packets through the primary wireless network among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units.

32. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 25, wherein the mobile wireless unit may be mounted on a motor vehicle.

33. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 32, wherein the mobile wireless unit comprises a directional transmitter directed substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

34. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 32, wherein at least one other primary wireless unit may be positioned near a roadway traversed by the motor vehicle.

35. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 32, wherein multiple wireless units among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units are mobile wireless units mounted on motor vehicles, thereby enabling formation of a transient wireless online access system encompassing a portion of a length of a roadway traversed by the motor vehicles.

36. A distributed wireless online access system as recited in claim 35, the transient wireless online access system may provide a network path for data packet transmission from a primary wireless unit at a first fixed location to a primary wireless unit at a second fixed location.

37. A method for using a distributed wireless online access system, comprising the steps of:

transmitting, through a wireless transmitter of one of a plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet to at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units;

transmitting, through a wireless transmitter of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet to at least one of a plurality of secondary wireless units;

receiving, through a wireless receiver of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet transmitted from at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units;

receiving, through a wireless receiver of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

receiving, through a wireless receiver of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units;

transmitting, though a wireless transmitter of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet to at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units;

routing, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a received in-transit data packet for transmission to another of the plurality of primary wireless units;

routing, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a received in-transit data packet for transmission to one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

processing, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet received by the secondary wireless unit;

generating, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet transmitted by the secondary wireless unit; and

calculating, with a programmed processor of a billing unit, at least one of i) an access fee amount to be charged, by an online access provider, to a respective primary subscriber for each of the plurality of primary wireless units, ii) an access fee amount to be charged, by the online access provider, to a respective secondary subscriber for each of the plurality of secondary wireless units, and iii) an access provider revenue amount to be credited, by the online access provider, to the respective primary subscriber for each of the plurality of primary wireless units.

38. A method for using a distributed wireless online access system, comprising the steps of:

transmitting, through a wireless transmitter of one of a plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet to at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units;

transmitting, through a wireless transmitter of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet to at least one of a plurality of secondary wireless units;

receiving, through a wireless receiver of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet transmitted from at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units;

receiving, through a wireless receiver of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

receiving, through a wireless receiver of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units;

transmitting, though a wireless transmitter of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet to at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units;

routing, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a received in-transit data packet for transmission to another of the plurality of primary wireless units;

routing, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of primary wireless units, a received in-transit data packet for transmission to one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

processing, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet received by the secondary wireless unit; and

generating, with a programmed processing unit of one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, a data packet transmitted by the secondary wireless unit,

wherein;

at least one wireless unit among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units may be a mobile wireless unit;

each primary wireless unit lies within a maximum transmission range of at least one other primary wireless unit, and at least one other primary wireless unit lies within the maximum transmission range of each primary wireless unit, thereby enabling the plurality of primary wireless units to form a primary wireless network linking each primary wireless unit to each of the other primary wireless units;

each secondary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of at least one primary wireless unit, and at least one primary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of each secondary wireless unit, thereby linking each secondary wireless unit to the primary wireless network; and

a mobile primary wireless unit may move beyond the maximum transmission range of a first other primary wireless unit and move into the maximum transmission range of a second other primary wireless unit, thereby changing a topology of links between primary wireless units of the primary wireless network.

39. A method for providing a distributed wireless online access system to a plurality of subscribers, comprising the steps of:

providing each of a plurality of primary subscribers with one of a plurality of primary wireless units;

providing each of a plurality of secondary subscribers with one of a plurality of secondary wireless units;

collecting from each primary subscriber a primary access fee;

collecting from each secondary subscriber a secondary access fee; and

crediting to each primary subscriber an access provider revenue amount,

wherein;

each primary wireless unit comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one other of the plurality of primary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for routing a received in-transit data packet for transmission to another of the plurality of primary wireless units;

at least one primary wireless unit further comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one of the plurality of secondary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for routing a received in-transit data packet for transmission to one of the plurality of secondary wireless units;

each secondary wireless unit comprises

a wireless receiver for receiving a data packet transmitted from at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units,

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a data packet to at least one of the plurality of primary wireless units, and

a processing unit programmed for processing the data packet received by the secondary wireless unit and for generating the data packet transmitted by the secondary wireless unit.

40. A method for providing a distributed wireless online access system to a plurality of subscribers as recited in claim 39, wherein:

at least one wireless unit among the plurality of primary wireless units and the plurality of secondary wireless units may be a mobile wireless unit;

each primary wireless unit lies within a maximum transmission range of at least one other primary wireless unit, and at least one other primary wireless unit lies within the maximum transmission range of each primary wireless unit, thereby enabling the plurality of primary wireless units to form a primary wireless network linking each primary wireless unit to each of the other primary wireless units;

each secondary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of at least one primary wireless unit, and at least one primary wireless unit lies within the transmission range of each secondary wireless unit, thereby linking each secondary wireless unit to the primary wireless network; and

a mobile primary wireless unit may move beyond the maximum transmission range of a first other primary wireless unit and move into the maximum transmission range of a second other primary wireless unit, thereby changing a topology of links between primary wireless units of the primary wireless network.