Wireless network having multiple communication allowances

• US 8,583,935 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lone Star WIFI LLC
• Original Assignee: Lone Star WIFI LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rashid, Harunur
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAVELLE, GARY E
• Application Number:
  US13/748,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20130148808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 713/153, 713/155, 713/156, 713/166, 713/183, 726/2, 726/4, 726/14, 726/21, 726/24, 725/29, 725/30
• US Class Current: 713/183
• 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 network transmitting system, comprising:

a first networking device, transmitting an unencrypted first wireless network stream from a first location, said first wireless network stream requiring a first key in order to access content in said first wireless network stream, and said first wireless network stream, when accessed using said first key, providing a first level of access to network resources;

wherein said first level of access to network resources provided by said first wireless network stream does not include access to information on a local area network server, and allows access to one or more specific webpages without said first key but does not allow access to a subset of webpages without said first key, and allows access to additional webpages including said subset of webpages with said first key;

a second networking device, transmitting an unencrypted second wireless network stream from an area overlapping in the same space as the first networking device, said second wireless network stream controlling access with a second key, and providing a second level of access to network resources in order to access said second wireless network stream,

wherein said second level of access to network resources provided by said second wireless network stream does not include access to the information on the local area network server, and allows access to the internet including said subset of webpages with said second key; and

third networking device, transmitting an unencrypted first wired network stream to an area overlapping in the same space as the first networking device, said first wired network stream providing the first level of access to network resources when accessed with a third key.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first, second and third networking devices are separate devices which are physically in a single housing.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first level of access also provides internet access.

4. A system as in claim 3, wherein said first networking device connects to a printer and allows access to a printer.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first key is provided without payment for a service.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third keys are different.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third networking devices includes keys that are different for different users.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein said unencrypted first wireless networking stream and said unencrypted second wireless networking stream have different names.

9. A system as in claim 4, further comprising a fourth networking device, transmitting a second wired network stream, said second wired network stream providing access to video over IP over said second wired network stream.

10. A system as in claim 9, further comprising a fifth networking device, transmitting a third wired network stream, said third wired network stream providing a third level of access that does not transmit video over IP and provides access to the Internet over said third wired network stream.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said first, second, and third levels of access provide internet access through the same connection.

12. A network transmitting system, comprising:

a first networking device, transmitting an unencrypted first wireless network stream from a first location, said first wireless network stream requiring a first key in order to access content in said first wireless network stream, and said first wireless network stream, when accessed using said first key, providing a first level of access to network resources;

wherein said first level of access to network resources provided by said first wireless network stream does not include access to information on a local server, and allows access to one or more specific webpages without said first key but does not allow access to a subset of webpages without said first key, and allows access to additional webpages including said subset of webpages with said first key;

a second networking device, transmitting an unencrypted first wired network stream to an area overlapping in the same space as the first networking device, said first wired network stream providing the first level of access to network resources when accessed using said first key;

a third networking device, transmitting an unencrypted second wireless network stream from an area overlapping the first networking device, said second wireless network stream controlling access with a second key, and providing a second level of access to network resources in order to access said second wireless network stream,

wherein said second level of access to network resources provided by said second wireless network stream does not include access to the information on the local server, and allows access to the internet including said subset of webpages with said second key; and

a fourth networking device, transmitting an unencrypted second wired network stream to an area overlapping in the same space as the third networking device, said second wired network stream providing the second level of access to network resources when accessed using said second key.

13. A system as in claim 12, wherein said first and second networking devices, and said third, and fourth networking devices are separate devices which are physically in separate housings.

14. A system as in claim 12, wherein said first level of access also provides internet access.

15. A system as in claim 14, wherein said first and second networking devices are connected to a printer and said first level of access allows access to a printer.

16. A system as in claim 12, wherein said first and second networking devices include keys that are different for different users.

17. A system as in claim 12, wherein said unencrypted first wireless networking stream and said unencrypted second wireless networking stream have different names.

18. A system as in claim 12, further comprising:

a fifth networking device, transmitting a third wired network stream, said third wired network stream providing access to video over IP over said third wired network stream; and

a sixth networking device, transmitting a fourth wired network stream, said fourth wired network stream providing a third level of access that does not provide access to video over IP and provides access to the Internet over said fourth wired network stream.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein said first, second, and third levels of access provide internet access through the same connection.

20. A system as in claim 12, further comprising a fifth networking device, transmitting a first encrypted wireless network stream from a first location, said first encrypted wireless network stream being encrypted with a third key for sending and receiving encrypted information, and said first encrypted wireless network stream providing a third level of access to network resources using said first encrypted wireless network stream wherein said third level of access to network resources includes access to information on a computer located near the fifth networking device.