Method and apparatus for providing preauthorization for a mobile receiving device to access wireless networks

• US 8,892,027 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Sean S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica M
• Application Number:
  US13/439,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20120192237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.02, 455/3.03, 455/3.05, 455/414.1, 455/12.1, 455/456.1, 455/422.1
• US Class Current: 455/3.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information

Abstract

A mobile wireless system includes a transmitter such as a satellite that broadcasts wireless signals such as boundaries for wireless networks to a mobile receiving device. Mobile receiving device may include an antenna. A locating receiver is used to generate locating signals so that a determination may be made to the location of the mobile receiving device. Preauthorizations may be obtained to allow the mobile receiving device to communicate back to business controller to enable functions such as pay-per-view or on-demand, interactive television, gaming, and the like. The preauthorizations enable access to various wireless networks as the mobile receiving device moves.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a wireless network that requires a wireless network access signal to obtain access thereto;

generating a wireless network access signal at a business center;

communicating the wireless network access signal to a mobile receiving device from the business center;

storing the wireless network access signal within the mobile receiving device;

communicating the wireless access signal from the mobile receiving device to the wireless network; and

enabling use of the wireless network when the wireless network access signal is an appropriate wireless network access signal.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein communicating comprises communicating the wireless network access signal through a satellite.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein communicating comprises wirelessly communicating the wireless network access signal.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein wirelessly communicating the wireless network access signal comprises communicating the wireless network access signal through a wireless network.

5. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein wirelessly communicating the wireless network access signal comprises communicating the wireless network access signal through a WiFi network.

6. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein wirelessly communicating the wireless network access signal comprises communicating the wireless network access signal through a cellular phone network.

7. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein wirelessly communicating the wireless network access signal comprises communicating the wireless network access signal through a wireless local area network.

8. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein wirelessly communicating the wireless network access signal comprises communicating the wireless network access signal through a stratospheric platform.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile receiving device comprises a mobile satellite receiver receiving satellite signals and communicating on a return link through the wireless network.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein enabling use of a wireless network by the mobile receiving device in response to the wireless network access signal comprises enabling use of a wireless network by the mobile receiving device for transmitting signals to the business center.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein enabling use of a wireless network by the mobile receiving device in response to the wireless network access signal comprises enabling use of a wireless network by the mobile receiving device for transmitting signal to and receiving signals from the business center.

12. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:

electronically determining a location of the mobile device and a wireless network for the location; and

at the mobile device, electronically obtaining a wireless network access signal for the wireless network in response to the location, said wireless network access signal enables communication through the wireless network.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising storing the wireless network access signal within the mobile receiving device.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising communicating to a business controller through the wireless network using the wireless network access signals.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein communicating comprises communicating an authorization request.

16. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein communicating comprises communicating a query signal for missing packets of a satellite signal.

17. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising determining a predicted location based on movement of the mobile device and wherein obtaining the wireless network access signal comprises obtaining the wireless network access signal in response to the predicted location.

18. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein determining a location comprises determining a location in response to a global positioning system.

19. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein determining a location comprises determining the location in response to a cellular phone system.

20. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone.

21. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the mobile device comprises a personal electronic device.

22. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein obtaining a wireless network access signal comprises obtaining the wireless network access signal from a business controller.

23. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein obtaining a wireless network access signal comprises obtaining the wireless network access signal from a business controller through a satellite.

24. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein obtaining a wireless network access signal comprises requesting the wireless network access signal from a business controller through a cellular network.