Cooperative network for mobile internet access

• US 8,996,698 B1
• Filed: 11/03/2000
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Truphone Limited
• Original Assignee: Truphone Limited
• Inventors: Tagg, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAIR, DOUGLAS B
• Application Number:
  US09/706,406
• Time in Patent Office: 5,261 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227, 709/229, 709/225, 455/428, 455/430, 455/433, 455/436, 455/414.1, 379/114.2, 370/401, 370/353, 370/235, 726/21, 726/25, 717/118, 706/45
• US Class Current: 709/226
• 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 connection 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 locates 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 connecting a client system to a target network via a host system that has link capabilities for connecting to the target network comprising:

providing application software to a client system so the client system may act as a host or a client;

said application software being configured on said system that identifies said system as a member of a cooperative networking group;

connecting the client system to the host system via application software on a host system;

said host application software being configured to communicate with the application software on the client system that has the configured client application software that identifies the client system as a member of the cooperative networking group;

said host system being capable of accessing the target network;

linking the client system to the target network via a tunnel through the host system; and

preventing the client system from accessing resources of the host system by the steps of;

enabling the host system'"'"'s link capabilities for clients but directing those links to communicate with the host application software;

causing the client application software to intercept the communications of the client system directed to the target network, encapsulating them in a new packet and sending them to the host system;

wherein all packets sent by the client application software is directed to the host application software.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of

determining requirements for connecting the client system to the target network;

and

linking the client system to the target network based on the requirements;

wherein the determining step is made in a server.

3. The method of claim 2 where the determining step further comprises:

determining a cost of obtaining a link; and

comparing the cost with a predetermined limit stored by said client system where a match will be found if the cost is less than or equal to the predetermined limit.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the target network is the Internet.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the target network is a public network.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the target network is a PSTN.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the client system is a mobile phone.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the host system and the client system are members of the cooperative networking group that gives reciprocal roaming rights.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the host system is not connected to the target network and will make the connection to the target network upon request by the client system.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein any data sent by the client system is encrypted prior to being sent to the target network such that the privacy and security of the client are maintained.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the encryption can be selectively applied to the data depending on preferences.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the connecting step comprises using a wireless connection technology.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the linking step occurs automatically once the requirements for connecting the client system to the target network have been determined.