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System and method for wide area wireless connectivity to the internet

  • US 9,344,883 B2
  • Filed: 03/25/2011
  • Issued: 05/17/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:

  • receiving an access request through an access point of a Wi-Fi system, the Wi-Fi system configured to provide connection to an Internet, the access request being generated by a wireless device of a user and sent wirelessly to the access point;

    identifying a unique identifier of the wireless device from the access request;

    comparing the unique identifier of the wireless device to a number of unique identifiers stored at the access point;

    if the unique identifier of the wireless device does not match any of the number of unique identifiers;

    transmitting a signal from the access device to a portal system via an internal network,determining at the portal system a type of the wireless device,transmitting to the wireless device a first user interface containing a login page for receiving at least one user credential, the first user interface formatted according to the type of the wireless device,receiving from the wireless device the at least one user credential,determining whether the at least one user credential is authorized based on whether the at least one user credential is stored in a database of credentials of authorized users, andif the at least one user credential is authorized,storing the unique identifier of the wireless device at the access point,receiving an acknowledgment signal at the portal system from the access point that the unique identifier of the wireless device has been stored at the access point,andupon receipt of the acknowledgement signal;



    permitting access by the wireless device to the Internet, and 

    tracking usage of the Wi-Fi system by the wireless device, the tracking including storing a start time of the usage and a unique identifier of the access point;

    determining a location for the wireless device, based on information identifying a location of the access point; and

    transmitting a signal to the wireless device, the signal containing a second user interface formatted according to the type of the wireless device and causing the wireless device to display location-specific information based on the determined location of the wireless device.

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