Dynamic online subscription for wireless wide-area networks
First Claim
1. A subscription module incorporated within a network server, the subscription module facilitating subscribing a networking device for access to at least one wireless wide-area network (WWAN), the module executing the steps of:
- receiving a subscription request from the networking device;
establishing a secure data link with the networking device in response to the request;
receiving user information via the secure data link; and
digitally transmitting subscription information for the networking device from the subscription module to the networking device in response to receiving the user information, the subscription information adapted for configuring the network device for accessing the at least one WWAN;
wherein the subscription information comprises data for authenticating the networking device during a later attempt by the networking device to access the at least one WWAN.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for dynamically subscribing for access to a wireless wide-area network via an online process. Subscription information and user credentials are digitally transmitted by a network carrier to a networking device and is stored locally by the device in a SmartCard, other portable medium, or on the device'"'"'s hard drive. The locally stored credentials and information may subsequently be updated wirelessly. No human interaction is required to subscribe, and access may be limited by a variety of criteria. A subscription may be used to access networks operated by multiple network carriers.
87 Citations
57 Claims
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1. A subscription module incorporated within a network server, the subscription module facilitating subscribing a networking device for access to at least one wireless wide-area network (WWAN), the module executing the steps of:
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receiving a subscription request from the networking device; establishing a secure data link with the networking device in response to the request; receiving user information via the secure data link; and digitally transmitting subscription information for the networking device from the subscription module to the networking device in response to receiving the user information, the subscription information adapted for configuring the network device for accessing the at least one WWAN; wherein the subscription information comprises data for authenticating the networking device during a later attempt by the networking device to access the at least one WWAN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24)
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20. A method of subscribing a networking device for access to at least one wireless wide-area network (WWAN), comprising the steps of:
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receiving a subscription request; establishing a secure data link with the networking device in response to the request; receiving user information via the secure data link; and digitally transmitting subscription information for the networking device in response to receiving the user information; wherein the subscription information comprises data for authenticating the networking device during a later attempt by the networking device to access the at least one WWAN. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of subscribing a networking device for access to at least one wireless wide-area network (WWAN), comprising the steps of:
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contacting a subscription service over a network; digitally receiving over the network subscription information for the networking device from the subscription service; and storing the received subscription information in a storage medium accessible by the networking device; wherein the subscription information comprises data for authenticating the networking device during a later attempt by the networking device to access the at least one WWAN. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. In a system comprising a subscription service and a plurality of wireless networks operated by a plurality of network carriers, a method of provisioning a networking device to access any of the plurality of wireless networks, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, by the subscription service, a subscription request from the networking device; digitally transmitting, by the subscription service, a first set of subscription information to the networking device in response to the request; wherein the first set of subscription information allows the networking device to access any of the plurality of wireless networks; sending, by the subscription service, a second set of subscription information to at least one network carrier from the plurality of network carriers; wherein the second set of subscription information is used by a wireless network operated by the at least one network carrier to allow the networking device to access the wireless network; receiving, from the at least one network carrier, usage information regarding networking activity involving the networking device; and maintaining, by the subscription service, user information regarding the networking device; wherein the user information comprises name information, address information, and/or billing information. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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Specification