Cooperative network for mobile internet access

• US 8,935,326 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2010
• Issued: 01/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Truphone Limited
• Original Assignee: Truphone Limited
• Inventors: Tagg, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAIR, DOUGLAS B
• Application Number:
  US12/684,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20100115103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,831 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227, 709/228, 709/229, 709/204, 709/249, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/029 Firewall traversal, e.g. tunnelling or, creating pinholes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/40 Support for services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0022 for transferring data sessions between adjacent core network technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0072 of resource information of target access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• 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: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and system for connecting mobile users to the Internet using cooperative interconnection. A node consists of a network element that has two connections methodologies—typically a node will have a radio link and a wired link to the Internet. To obtain a connection, a member of the service located themselves in proximity to a network node which is commonly provided by another member and the cooperative tunneling agent requests a secure link. All members of the service agree to give connection to the Internet upon request from another member.

Claims

1. A method of creating a cooperative network comprising:

providing software to a first system and a second system;

the first and second systems each being capable of being configured by the software to identify the system as a member of a cooperative network and to act either as a host system or a client system;

the host system being capable of connecting with a server on a target network;

the server having associated software that would allow members of the cooperative network to obtain access to services;

the host system and client system also being capable of communicating with each other using the provided software;

identifying the client system as a member of the cooperative network to the host system;

linking the client system to the host system when the client system has been identified as a member; and

connecting the client system to the server via a tunnel through the host system;

the server allowing the identified and linked client system access to the services via the tunnel through the host system.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the services is access to the Internet.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the services is VoIP.