Intelligent network access controller and method

• US 9,295,071 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2013
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tecore Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tecore Incorporated
• Inventors: Salkini, Jay, Joseph, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Chery, Dady
• Application Number:
  US13/939,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20130301574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/329, 370/341, 370/352, 455/411, 455/414.1, 455/455, 455/556, 455/565
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/02 by periodical registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices

Abstract

A method for dynamically controlling wireless communications includes establishing a targeted coverage area as an overlay to a portion of a wireless network; and at a first wireless network access controller: establishing an attraction process that compels wireless devices within the targeted coverage area to attempt to register with the first network access controller, receiving a registration signal from a wireless device, and determining an access category for the wireless device based on the received registration signal. Determining access categories includes enabling wireless communication access limitations for a first category of wireless devices, wherein the first network access controller provides to the wireless device, an appearance of operating on the wireless network; allowing limited wireless communications access for a second category of wireless devices.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for dynamically controlling wireless communications, comprising:

establishing, using a first network access controller, a targeted coverage area as an overlay to a portion of a wireless network; and

at the first wireless network access controller;

establishing an attraction process that compels wireless devices within the targeted coverage area to attempt to register with the first network access controller,

receiving a registration signal from a wireless device, and

determining an access category for the wireless device based on the received registration signal, comprising;

enabling wireless communication access limitations for a first category of wireless devices, wherein the first network access controller provides to the wireless device, an appearance of operating on the wireless network;

allowing limited wireless communications access for a second category of wireless devices, wherein the first network access controller;

directs second category wireless devices to attempt registration with the wireless network for a specific communication, and

redirects the second wireless device to re-register with the first wireless network access controller after completion of the specific communication; and

allowing unlimited wireless communications for a third category of wireless devices, wherein the first network access controller redirects third category wireless devices to attempt registration with the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing an attraction process comprises implementing a signal that mimics a signal of the wireless network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a same signal pattern, set of parameters, and characteristics as the existing wireless network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a mimic of a base station signal of the wireless network for a first technology.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mimicked signal further comprises a base station signal of a second technology not in use by the wireless network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast continuously.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast intermittently.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast based on a triggered event.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the triggered event comprises a change in security level requirements in the targeted coverage area.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the triggered event comprises a calendar-based criterion.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the triggered event comprises a change of location of the wireless device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the triggered event comprises a change of location of the first wireless network access controller.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast randomly.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a base station signal of a third technology in use by the wireless network.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the first wireless network access controller establishes a plurality of targeted coverage areas as overlays to one or more portions of the wireless network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of targeted coverage areas comprises an area for each technology of the wireless network.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of targeted coverage areas comprises a subset of the technologies of the wireless network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a mimic of a base station signal of each technology of the subset of technologies of the wireless network for a first technology.

19. The method of claim 2, further comprising connecting the mimicked signal only to the first wireless network controller.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network access controller operates in a disabled mode, wherein access to the wireless network is allowed for all wireless devices in the targeted coverall area.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network access controller operates in a virtual jam mode, wherein access to the wireless network is blocked for all wireless devices in the targeted coverage area.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted coverage area is established as overlays to a plurality of different wireless networks.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific communication is an emergency access communication.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the emergency communication is a 911 call.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising disabling emergency access by any wireless device in the targeted coverage area.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted coverage area is mobile with respect to a geographical point on Earth.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network access controller is a standalone wireless controller, and wherein the wireless network operates under control of a second wireless network access controller.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless network access controller is established as an adjunct to a second wireless network access controller that controls operation of the wireless network.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the wireless network is a private wireless network.

30. A system for controlling communications on an existing wireless network by creating a targeted coverage area overlaying the existing wireless network, comprising:

radio frequency distribution equipment; and

an intelligent network access controller coupled to the radio frequency distribution equipment, comprising;

an equipment identity module that receives and stores information identifying wireless devices that enter the targeted coverage area,

an access module that determines which of the wireless devices in the targeted coverage area are allowed access to the existing wireless network by;

establishing an attraction process that compels wireless devices within the targeted coverage area to register with the intelligent network access controller;

locking the wireless device to the intelligent network access controller; and

establishing access limitations for the wireless device, comprising;

preventing wireless communication access for a first category of wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller provides to the wireless devices, an appearance of operating on the wireless network,

allowing limited wireless communications access for a second category of wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller;

 

directs second category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network for a specific communication, and

 

upon completion of the specific communication, redirects the second wireless device to re-register with the intelligent wireless network access controller; and

allowing unlimited wireless communications for a third category of wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller redirects third category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein to establish the attraction process, the intelligent network access controller implements a signal that mimics a signal of the existing wireless network.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a same signal pattern, set of parameters, and characteristics as the existing wireless network.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the intelligent wireless network access controller establishes a plurality of targeted coverage areas as overlays to one or more portions of the existing wireless network.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of targeted coverage areas comprises an area for each technology of the existing wireless network.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of targeted coverage areas comprises a subset of the technologies of the existing wireless network.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a mimic of a base station signal of each technology of the subset of technologies of the existing wireless network for a first technology.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a mimic of a base station signal of the existing wireless network for a first technology.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the mimicked signal further comprises a base station signal of a second technology not in use by the existing wireless network.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast continuously.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast intermittently.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast based on a triggered event.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the triggered event comprises a change in security level requirements in the targeted coverage area.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the triggered event comprises a calendar-based criterion.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the triggered event comprises a change of location of the wireless device.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the triggered event comprises a change of location of the intelligent wireless network access controller.

46. The system of claim 38, wherein the base station signal of the second technology is broadcast randomly.

47. The system of claim 37, wherein the mimicked signal comprises a base station signal of a third technology in use by the existing wireless network.

48. The method of claim 31, further comprising connecting the mimicked signal only to the intelligent wireless network controller.

49. A system for dynamically controlling wireless communications in an existing wireless network, comprising:

an intelligent network access controller; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon a program of instructions that, when executed cause the controller to;

establish a targeted coverage area as an overlay to a portion of an existing wireless network; and

establish an attraction process that compels wireless devices within the targeted coverage area to attempt to register with the controller,

receive a registration signal from a wireless device, and

determine an access category for the wireless device based on the received registration signal, by;

blocking wireless communication access for a first category of wireless devices, wherein the controller provides to the wireless device, an appearance of operating on the existing wireless network; and

allowing unlimited wireless communications for a second category of wireless devices, wherein the controller redirects second category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network.

50. The system of claim 49, further comprising allowing limited wireless communications access for a third category of wireless devices, wherein the controller:

directs third category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network for a specific communication; and

after completion of the specific communication, redirects the third category wireless device to re-register with the controller.

51. A computer-implemented method for dynamically controlling access to a wireless communications network, comprising:

establishing, using an intelligent network access controller, a targeted coverage area as an overlay to a portion of the wireless communications network;

compelling wireless devices within the targeted coverage area to attempt to register with the intelligent network access controller,

receiving a registration signal from a wireless device,

providing to the wireless device an appearance of operating on the wireless communications network;

determining an access category for the wireless device; and

within the targeted coverage area;

preventing wireless communication access for a first category of wireless devices;

allowing limited wireless communications access for a second category of wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller;

allows second category wireless devices to attempt registration with the wireless communications network for a specific communication, and

after completion of the specific communication, compels the second wireless devices to re-register with the intelligent wireless network access controller; and

allowing unlimited wireless communications for a third category of wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller permits third category wireless devices to attempt registration with the wireless communications network.