Managing wireless network data

• US 7,508,799 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: USA Mobility Wireless, Inc. (Spok Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Arch Wireless Operating Company Inc.
• Inventors: Rodts, James, Rassoulian, Scott S., Sumner, Terence Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, DUC CHI
• Application Number:
  US10/060,020
• Publication Number:
  US 20030142641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,611 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/352
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

In the context of managing wireless network data, access information for a wireless local area network (WLAN) is identified. The access information is accessible over a wireless packet data connection. Based on the access information, a connection is established between a wireless data device and the WLAN.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying and obtaining from a separate wireless wide area network (WWAN) control point a list of wireless local area networks (WLANs);

identifying and obtaining access information for at least one of the WLANs on the list from the separate WWAN via a narrowband paging network with a wireless device, the WWAN and WLANs on the list being different networks;

relating the access information to an authorizing entity of the at least one WLAN from the wireless device, the access information including one or more of frequency, modulation, a server set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address; and

based on the access information, establishing a connection between the wireless device and the at least one WLAN.

2. The method of claim 1, the access information including frequency, modulation, a server set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address.

3. A method comprising:

identifying and obtaining a list of wireless local area networks (WLANs) from a separate wireless wide area network (WWAN) control point via a narrowband paging network with a wireless device, the WWAN being a different network from the WLANs on the list; and

based on the list, attempting to establish a packet data connection with at least one of the WLANs on the list with wireless device by the control point relating access information to an authorizing entity of the at least one WLAN, the access information including one or more of frequency, modulation, a server set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address.

4. A method comprising:

identifying a wireless device and at least one wireless local area network (WLAN) from a list of WLANs not presently communicating with the wireless device from a control point of a separate wireless wide area network;

providing identifying information of the at least one WLAN of the list of WLANs to the wireless device from a control point of a separate wireless wide area network;

conveying access information from the control point via the separate wireless wide area network to the wireless device sufficient to enable the wireless device to communicate with at least one of the WLANs of the list of WLANs, the separate wireless wide area network and WLANs being different networks, wherein the conveying access information via the separate wireless wide area network includes conveying access information via a narrowband paging network; and

relating the access information by the wireless device to a control point of the at least one of the WLANs to authorize the wireless device to utilize a service through the at least one of the WLANs, the access information including one or more of frequency, modulation, a server set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the wireless device confirming to the control point that access has been granted.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

reporting charges for usage of services through the WLAN to a billing service.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

validating the identity of the wireless device before permitting access to the WLAN.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

authenticating the identity of the user of services through the WLAN before permitting the usage of services.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

using a wireless wide area network (WWAN) location to approximate proximity to the WLAN.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

using a geo-location network to approximate proximity to the WLAN.

11. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

using location information supplied by the user to approximate proximity to the WLAN.

12. A system comprising:

a first information identifier identifying at least one wireless local area network (WLAN) for a wireless data device from a list of WLANs from a separate wireless wide area network control point;

a second information identifier identifying access information for the at least one of the WLANs on the list from the separate wireless wide area network via a narrowband paging network, the separate wireless wide area network and WLANs on the list being different networks;

an information relater relating the access information to an authorizing entity of the at least one WLAN, the access information including one or more of frequency, modulation, a sewer set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address; and

a connection establisher establishing, based on the access information, a connection between the wireless data device and the at least one WLAN.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the separate wireless network is a wireless wide area network, and the wireless device receives data from the wireless wide area network and from the WLAN.

14. Apparatus comprising:

a first information identification mechanism identifying at least one wireless local area network (WLAN) for a wireless data device from a list of WLANs from a separate wireless wide area network control point;

a second information identification mechanism identifying access information for the at least one of the WLAN on the list from the separate wireless wide area network via a narrowband paging network, the separate wireless wide area network and WLANs on the list being different networks;

an information relating mechanism relating the access information to an authorizing entity of the at least one WLAN, the access information including one or more of frequency, modulation, a server set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address; and

a connection establishing mechanism establishing, based on the access information, a connection between the wireless data device and the at least one WLAN.

15. A computer readable medium encoded with a set of instructions when executed by a computer system, the set of instructions causing the computer system to:

identify and obtain from a separate wireless wide area network control point a list of wireless local area networks (WLANs);

identify and obtain access information for at least one of the WLANs on the list from the separate wireless network via a narrowband paging network, the separate wireless network and the WLANs on the list being different networks;

relate the access information to an authorizing entity of the at least one WLAN, the access information including one or more of frequency, modulation, a server set identifier, and an identifier portion of a MAC address; and

based on the access information, establish a connection between a wireless data device and the at least one WLAN.