Distributed network communication system which provides different network access features
First Claim
1. A method for providing access to a distributed wireless network system, wherein the distributed wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising:
- a first access point of the plurality of access points receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein the identification information indicates an access level, wherein the first access point and the computing device communicate in a wireless fashion;
determining a geographic location of the portable computing device;
determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information, wherein the access level is based on the geographic location of the portable computing device and the identification information; and
providing network access to the portable computing device based on the access level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing multiple access levels to users of a wireless network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless access points coupled to a network. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which indicates an access or privilege level for the user of the PCD. The access level may determine the network access and/or services available to the user of the PCD. The identification information may include a System ID of the PCD. The network system may store a list of identification information and a corresponding list of access levels. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate access level for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access and services may then be provided to the portable computing device at the indicated level.
216 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A method for providing access to a distributed wireless network system, wherein the distributed wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising:
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a first access point of the plurality of access points receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein the identification information indicates an access level, wherein the first access point and the computing device communicate in a wireless fashion; determining a geographic location of the portable computing device; determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information, wherein the access level is based on the geographic location of the portable computing device and the identification information; and providing network access to the portable computing device based on the access level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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13. A wireless network system, comprising:
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a wireless network; a plurality of wireless access points coupled to the network, wherein each of the plurality of wireless access points is operable to communicate with a portable computing device, wherein each of the plurality of wireless access points is configured to receive identification information from the portable computing device indicating an access level of the portable computing device; wherein each wireless access point of the plurality of wireless access points is operable to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device, wherein the wireless access point is communicating with the portable computing device; wherein each of the plurality of wireless access points is operable to determine the access level indicated in the identification information; and wherein network access is provided to the portable computing device based on the determined access level and the geographic location of the portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A carrier medium comprising program instructions for providing network access to a distributed network system, wherein the distributed network system comprises a plurality of wireless access points, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:
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receive identification information from a portable computing device, wherein the identification information indicates an access level, wherein the identification information is received through a first wireless access point of the plurality of wireless access points; determine a geographic location which comprises the portable computing device; determine an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information, wherein the access level is based on the geographic location which comprises the portable computing device and the identification information; and provide network access to the portable computing device based on the access level. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification