Wireless network having multiple communication allowances

• US 7,490,348 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2004
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lone Star WIFI LLC
• Original Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLIN, CARL G
• Application Number:
  US10/800,472
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 726/3, 726/4, 726/5, 726/7, 726/14, 726/15, 726/17, 726/19, 726/21, 726/27, 726/2, 713/166, 713/153, 713/155, 709/203, 709/225, 725/29, 725/30
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

Multiple levels of wireless network resource granting. A user who has an authorized key, e.g., an encryption key or a key indicating that they have paid for service, gets a first, better level of access to the network resources. One without the key is granted lesser access, e.g., less total bandwidth, less bandwidth speed, no access to files or the like.

Claims

1. A wireless network, comprising:

a first communication part defining a first class of service that includes a first set of permissions for access to resources including access to files on a system being controlled by said first communication part, and a second communication part, transmitting a separate communication stream from said first communication part, over substantially a same transmitting area as said first communication part, and said second communication part defining a second class of service which includes a second set of permissions of access to resources, where said second set of permissions does not include said access to said files on said system,

said first communication part having its access controlled by requiring users of the first communication part to use a first key, said first key being a non-public key of a type that controls access, and automatically provides access to users that have said first key and does not provide access to users who do not have said first key, said second communication part allowing access without said first key;

wherein said second communication part allows said access upon detecting a second key which is a public key, and does not allow said access when not detecting said second key;

a third communication part, transmitting a separate communication stream from said first communication part, and separate from said second communication part, over substantially a same transmitting area as said first and second communication parts, and said third communication part defining a third class of service which includes a third set of permissions of access to resources, where said third set of permissions does not include said access to said files on said system, and allows access to only specified internet sites;

wherein said third communication part allowing access without needing any key.

2. A network as in claim 1, wherein said first class of service includes a greater speed of network access than said second class of service.

3. A network as in claim 1, wherein said wireless network includes an access granting mechanism, that detects a user'"'"'s key, and automatically grants one of said first and second levels of services based on detecting one of said first or second key, or grants said third level of service if a user is detected without said first or second key.

4. A wireless network system, comprising:

a first wireless network portion, including a first network transmitter, which is accessed by users having a first key which is a non-public key of a type that controls access, and which allows a first specified level of access to services, and which automatically grants access to users having said first key but does not grant access to users who do not have said first key; and

a second wireless network portion, including a second network transmitter transmitting over substantially the same area as said first network transmitter, which is accessed by users not having said first key, which allows a second specified level of access to services which includes less services than said first specified level of access to services;

wherein said second wireless network portion allows said access upon detecting a second key which is a public key, and does not allow said access when not detecting said second key;

a third wireless network portion, transmitting a separate communication stream from said first and second wireless network portions, and separate from said first and second wireless network portions, over substantially a same transmitting area as said first and second wireless network portions, and said third wireless network portions defining a third class of service which includes a third set of permissions of access to resources, where said third set of permissions does not include access to files on said system, and allows access to only specified internet sites,

wherein said third communication part allowing access without needing any key.

5. A system as in claim 4, wherein said second specified level of access to services specifies an amount of bandwidth.

6. A system as in claim 4, wherein said second specified level of access to services specifies an amount of access to network files.

7. A system as in claim 4, wherein said first and second wireless network portions are separate wireless network interface cards operating in the same location.

8. A system as in claim 4, wherein said non-public key is an encryption key.

9. A method, comprising:

at a first location, first allowing a user to obtain access to wireless network resources which has a specified level of network features by using a first key which is a non-public encryption key, to access a first wireless network portion that has said first specified level of network features;

at said first location, second allowing a user to obtain access to only a first subset of said specified level of network features, less than said specified level of network features, and having a more limited download speed than said first wireless network, by accessing a second wireless network portion using a second key which is a public encryption key; and

at said first location, third allowing a user to obtain access to only a second subset of specified internet sites, comprising less access than said first subset of said specified level of network features, by accessing a third wireless network portion, said third wireless network portion defining a third class of service;

wherein said third allowing allows access without needing any encryption key and wherein each of said first, second and third wireless network portions transmit a separate communication over substantially a same transmitting area as said first and second wireless network portions; and

automatically granting said first allowing if a first encryption key is detected, automatically granting said second allowing if a second encryption key is detected, and automatically granting said third allowing if neither said first nor second encryption key is detected.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein said second allowing allows said access upon detecting a second key, and does not allow said access when not detecting said second key.

11. A method as in claim 9, wherein said first allowing allows access to files, and said second allowing does not allow access to any files, but does allow access to Internet.

12. A method as in claim 9, further comprising detecting a user'"'"'s network credential, and automatically granting one of said first allowing or said second allowing based on said credential.

13. A method as in claim 9, wherein said first non-public key comprises an indication that a user has paid for a certain specified service.

14. A method as in claim 9, wherein said second allowing allows internet access but only to certain web pages.