Systems and methods for creating a wireless network

• US 7,266,089 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2003
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cook, Charles I.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARCELO, MELVIN C
• Application Number:
  US10/370,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20040165545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,656 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/255, 370/338
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods for transferring information are described herein. Some of the systems include one or more wireless access points providing access to a network for wireless client devices. In addition, the systems can include a modem coupling the wireless access point(s) to a network that includes a central gateway operable to authorize access to the network via the wireless access point. In some cases, the wireless access point is located at a customer premises. Various methods are also described for transferring information over a wireless network. Such methods can include receiving a request from a wireless client device at a central gateway via a wireless access point located at a customer premises, and authorizing access to a network associated with the central gateway. Other methods can include receiving multiple requests from the same wireless client device via different access points as the wireless client device moves from location to location.

Claims

1. A method of providing network access, comprising:

receiving a first request from a first wireless device to access a network via a first wireless access point at a first customer premises operated by a first operator, wherein the first wireless device is registered with the first operator;

forwarding the first request from the first wireless access point to a gateway located within the network, wherein the gateway is located at a location different from the first customer premises;

at the gateway, determining to provide the first wireless device access to the network and recording information about the first wireless device;

transmitting a set of data from the first wireless access point to the network, wherein the set of data includes data from the first wireless device and data from a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless device is not registered with the first operator;

recognizing undesirable activity by the first wireless device and recording information at the gateway that identifies the first wireless device as a suspicious device;

receiving a second request from the first wireless device to access the network via a second wireless access point at a second customer premises operated by a second operator;

forwarding the second request from the second wireless access point to the gateway, wherein the gateway is located at a location different from the second customer premises; and

at the gateway, determining to deny access to the network by the first wireless device based on the identification of the first wireless device as a suspicious wireless device.

2. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

attributing a first billing charge to a party responsible for the second wireless device; and

attributing a second billing charge to the first operator.

3. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein the set of data comprises data from the first wireless device multiplexed with data from the second wireless device.

4. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein undesirably activity by the first wireless device comprises unsuccessful attempts by the first device to access the network.

5. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein the first wireless device comprises a roaming wireless device roaming from the first customer premises to the second customer premises.

6. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein the first wireless access point is a Wi-Fi access point.

7. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein the first wireless access point is coupled with the network via an xDSL modem.

8. The method of providing network access of claim 1, wherein the first wireless access point is coupled directly to a network equipment location.

9. A system for providing network access, comprising:

a first wireless access point, wherein;

the first wireless access point is located at a first customer premises operated by a first operator;

the first wireless access point is configured to receive a first request from a first wireless device to access a network via the first wireless access point, wherein the first wireless device is registered with the first operator; and

the first wireless access point is further configured to transmit a set of data from the first wireless access point to the network, wherein the set of data includes data from the first wireless device and data from a second wireless device, and wherein the second wireless device is not registered with the first operator;

a second wireless access point, wherein;

the second wireless access point is located at a second customer premises operated by a second operator; and

the second wireless access point is configured to receive a second request from the first wireless device to access the network via a second wireless access point; and

a gateway, wherein;

the gateway is located within the network;

the gateway is located at a location different from the first customer premises and the second customer premises;

the gateway is configured to receive the first request from the first wireless access point;

the gateway is further configured to determine whether to provide the first wireless device access to the network and record information about the first wireless device;

the gateway is further configured to recognize undesirable activity by the first wireless device via the first wireless access point and record information at the gateway that identifies the first wireless device as a suspicious device;

the gateway is further configured to receive the second request from the second wireless access point; and

the gateway is further configured to determine to deny access to the network via the second wireless access point by the first wireless device based on the identification of the first wireless device as a suspicious wireless device.

10. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein the gateway is further configured to:

attribute a first billing charge to a party responsible for the second wireless device; and

attribute a second billing charge to the first operator.

11. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein the set of data comprises data from the first wireless device multiplexed with data from the second wireless device.

12. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein undesirably activity by the first wireless device comprises unsuccessful attempts by the first device to access the network.

13. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein the first wireless device comprises a roaming wireless device roaming from the first customer premises to the second customer premises.

14. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein the first wireless access point is a Wi-Fi access point.

15. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein the first wireless access point is coupled with the network via an xDSL modem.

16. The system for providing network access of claim 9, wherein the first wireless access point is coupled directly to a network equipment location.