Methods and systems for providing variable rates of service for accessing networks, methods and systems for accessing the internet
First Claim
1. A method for providing access to the Internet comprising:
- monitoring data packet traffic, at a PANS server configured to provide access to the Internet, from a plurality of client computing devices that are wirelessly transmitting data packets that are intended to be transmitted to the Internet, wherein the plurality of client computing devices are aggregated into one or more groups, and wherein each group is assigned a portion of available bandwidth; and
generating, at the PANS server, a signal that indicates when one of the groups is permitted to wirelessly transmit data packets, wherein the group is responsible for arbitrating among the plurality of computing devices in the group for the portion of available bandwidth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing network access, e.g. Internet access, are described. An architecture includes a host organization network through which network access is provided. The host organization network can be advantageously deployed in public areas such as airports and shopping malls. An authentication/negotiation component is provided for authenticating various users and negotiating for services with service providers on behalf of the system users. The authentication/negotiation component can include one or more specialized servers and a policy manager that contains policies that govern user access to the Internet. An authentication database is provided and authenticates various users of the system. An access module is provided through which individual client computing devices can access the Internet. In one embodiment, the access module comprises individual wireless access points that permit the client computing devices to wirelessly communicate data packets that are intended for the Internet. In one aspect, users are given a variety of choices of different service levels that they can use for accessing the Internet. The service levels can vary in such things as bandwidth allocation and security measures. The various service levels can be purchased by the users using their computing devices.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for providing access to the Internet comprising:
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monitoring data packet traffic, at a PANS server configured to provide access to the Internet, from a plurality of client computing devices that are wirelessly transmitting data packets that are intended to be transmitted to the Internet, wherein the plurality of client computing devices are aggregated into one or more groups, and wherein each group is assigned a portion of available bandwidth; and generating, at the PANS server, a signal that indicates when one of the groups is permitted to wirelessly transmit data packets, wherein the group is responsible for arbitrating among the plurality of computing devices in the group for the portion of available bandwidth.
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2. A method for providing access to the Internet comprising:
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receiving a generated signal from a PANS server configured to monitor data packet traffic and configured to provide access to the Internet, at a group of client computing devices, that indicates when one or more of the client computing devices in the group is permitted to wirelessly transmit data packets, wherein the group is assigned a portion of available bandwidth that may be shared by the client computing devices in the group; and responsive to receiving the generated signal arbitrating by the group of client computing devices for the portion of available bandwidth and wirelessly transmitting at least one data packet, by at least one computing device in the group, to a wireless access point that is configured to receive wireless communication. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A method for providing access to the Internet comprising:
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receiving a generated signal, at a group of client computing devices, that indicates when one or more of the client computing devices in the group may wirelessly transmit data packets, wherein the signal is generated at a PANS server configured to provide access to the Internet, and wherein the signal is based on monitoring data packet traffic from one or more client computing devices that are wirelessly transmitting data packets that are intended to be transmitted to the Internet, and wherein the group is guaranteed a portion of available bandwidth for transmitting data packets; and responsive to receiving the generated signal, arbitrating by one or more of the computing devices in the group for the available bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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Specification