Local area wireless airspace management

• US 8,532,069 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ramesh Balwani
• Original Assignee: Ramesh Balwani
• Inventors: Balwani, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US11/525,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20070117558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,545 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/310, 370/328, 455/422.1, 4554321-433, 455/435.1
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A mobile wireless device that is implemented to provide personal communications services in a wireless communications network can be integrated with hardware and/or software to manage the device at the device level at the local level. Management can be implemented to be invisible to wireless device user such as to be implemented without requiring user initiation to acknowledge or allow management to proceed. Local management can be implemented on a real time basis to manage the usage or operation of a device, device components or software integrated into the device. Different policies can be applied within a local airspace management network. Security measures can also be implemented to assure that local airspace management is applied by a trusted network. Information associated with a local airspace management network such as user biometrics, trusted network certification, authentication information can be stored in a wireless device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing a wireless device based on local airspace policies of an organization, comprising an integrated circuit that is implemented on wireless personal communications services devices to apply the local airspace policy when one of the wireless devices is present within the airspace of the organization, wherein the integrated circuit is configured for use in the apparatus in multiple different locations within a campus of an organization, and the integrated circuit being further configured to store multiple user categories and corresponding device-level location usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from one campus location to another campus location and being further configured to use a third party certifier message transmitted to users in a near location to bind user usage rights on their wireless devices, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the wireless device to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit is dedicated to applying the local policies of organizations.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit is an ASIC.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit implements a local policy that disables a wireless device or that disables components, features, or peripherals of the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit receives local policy on a first frequency band and provides personal communications services on a separate and distinct second frequency band.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit implements a local policy that disables a camera that is integrated into the wireless device.

7. A cellular telephone that incorporates an integrated circuit for managing the cellular telephone based on a local policy of an organization, wherein the integrated circuit is designed and configured to apply the local airspace policy when the cellular telephone is present within the airspace of the organization, wherein the integrated circuit is configured for use in the cellular telephone in multiple different locations of cellular coverage, and the integrated circuit being further configured to store multiple varying user categories and corresponding device-level usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from location to location and being further configured to store certification information for locations and use a third party certifier message received from a near location to bind user usage rights on the cellular telephone, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the cellular phone to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

8. The cellular telephone of claim 7 wherein the integrated circuit implements a local policy to disable functionality generally available to the cellular telephone user within the cellular network.

9. A WiMAX telephone that incorporates an integrated circuit for managing the WiMAX telephone based on a local policy of an organization, wherein the integrated circuit is designed and configured to apply the local airspace policy when the WiMax telephone is present within the airspace of the organization, wherein the integrated circuit is configured for use in the WiMAX telephone in multiple different locations of WiMAX coverage, and the integrated circuit being further configured to store multiple varying user categories and corresponding device-level usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from location to location and being further configured to store certification information for locations and use a third party certifier message received from a near location to bind user usage rights on the WiMAX telephone, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the WiMAX telephone to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

10. A WiFi telephone that incorporates an integrated circuit for managing the WiFi telephone based on a local policy of an organization, wherein the integrated circuit is designed and configured to apply the local airspace policy when the WiFi telephone is present within the airspace of the organization, wherein the integrated circuit is configured for use in the WiFi telephone in multiple different locations of WiFi coverage, and the integrated circuit being further configured to store multiple varying user categories and corresponding device-level usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from location to location and being further configured to store certification information for locations and use a third party certifier message received from a near location to bind user rights on the WiFi telephone, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the WiFi telephone to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

11. Local airspace management network equipment comprising:

a transmitter and related circuitry that is configured to transmit a local airspace policy to wireless devices that enter its airspace to manage such wireless devices, wherein the circuitry is configured for use in the equipment in multiple different locations by having the circuitry being further configured to store multiple user categories and corresponding device-level location usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from location to location and being further configured to use a third party certifier message transmitted to users to bind user usage rights on their wireless devices, and the wireless device configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the wireless device to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

12. The equipment of claim 11 wherein the transmitter comprises an integrated circuit that is configured to implement a local airspace management network.

13. The equipment of claim 12 wherein the integrated circuit is dedicated to implementing a local airspace management network.

14. The equipment of claim 11 wherein the transmitter is assigned to operate on a frequency band that is different than the frequency band used for personal communications services that are provided by the wireless devices.

15. The equipment of claim 11 wherein software is implemented at the transmitter to implement a local airspace management network.

16. The equipment of claim 11 wherein a transceiver is in communications with a database in accordance with LDAP or other directory access protocol for user authentication and permission information.

17. The equipment of claim 11 wherein the transmitter is designed and configured to transmit the local policy only within an airspace controlled by an organization that sets the local policy.

18. The equipment of claim 17 wherein at least one of an integrated circuit or software implements a local airspace management layer on a wireless device.

19. Local airspace management network equipment comprising WiFi or WiMAX access point that includes a local airspace management layer that is configured to initiate transmission of the local airspace policy to wireless devices that enter its airspace, wherein the access point is configured for use in multiple different locations, and the integrated circuit being further configured to store multiple user categories and corresponding device-level location usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from one access point location to another access point location and being further configured to use a third party certifier message sent to users in its airspace to bind user usage rights on wireless devices, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the wireless device to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

26. The equipment of claim 19 wherein the WiFi access point is implemented in a residential router for networking home computer components when wherein the layer is used to implement and apply parental control settings selected for computer components in the home.

20. A method for providing a local airspace management network comprising:

implementing a personal airspace management protocol on the network equipment of a campus of an organization that establishes communications and carries policy information to wireless devices that are operatively associated with a local airspace management network, wherein the protocol is configured for use in the network in multiple different locations within the campus of the organization, and the network equipment being configured implement the protocol whereby the equipment stores multiple user categories and corresponding device-level location usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from one campus location to another campus location and being further configured to use a third party certifier message transmitted to users in a near location to bind user usage rights on their wireless devices, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the wireless device to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the personal airspace management protocol is implemented on wireless devices that are connected to the local airspace covered by the network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the wireless devices include an integrated circuit that is designed and configured to receive and apply the personal airspace management protocol.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the personal airspace management protocol is implemented as the wireless devices that pass an access point to the local airspace.

24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which machine-readable instructions for implementing a method is recorded, the method comprising:

a personal airspace management protocol that establishes communications and carries policy information on the network equipment of a campus of an organization to wireless devices that are operatively associated with a local airspace management network, wherein the protocol is configured for use in the network in multiple different locations within the campus of the organization, and the network equipment being configured implement the protocol whereby the equipment stores multiple user categories and corresponding device-level location usage rights for each user category permitting different access to the usage rights from one campus location to another campus location and being further configured to use a third party certifier message transmitted to users in a near location to bind user usage rights on their wireless devices, and is further configured to retrieve and examine trusted network certification information for one of a plurality of locations from the wireless device to determine that the airspace policy is from a trusted source.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the protocol is implemented on wireless devices using an integrated circuit that is designed and configured to receive and apply the personal airspace management protocol.