Apparatus and methods for selective data network access
First Claim
1. A controller apparatus comprising:
- a processor apparatus configured to execute at least one computer program;
a storage apparatus configured to store data, the data comprising user status data that is at least one of (i) a first user status associated with a first permissible bandwidth consumption, and/or (ii) a second user status associated with a second permissible bandwidth consumption, said second permissible consumption being less than said first permissible consumption;
a first data interface in data communication with the processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a local area wireless network;
a second interface data communication with the processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a network entity of a managed content delivery network (CDN); and
a computer-readable storage apparatus having at least one computer program comprising a plurality of non-transitory computer readable instructions which are configured to, when executed by said processor apparatus, cause said controller apparatus to;
receive data indicative of a first connection request from a first user device via said first interface;
determine that said first user device is associated with said first user status;
based at least in part on said first user device association with said first user status, assign said first permissible bandwidth to said first user device;
enable access to said CDN via said second interface for said first user device consistent with said first permissible bandwidth consumption;
receive data indicative of a second connection request from a second user device via said first interface;
determine that said second user device is associated with said second user status;
based at least in part on said second user device association with said second user status, assign said second permissible bandwidth consumption to said second user device; and
enable access to said CDN via said second interface for said second user device consistent with said second permissible bandwidth consumption.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Wireless data network access architecture and methods enabling location-specific and/or user-specific provision of services or resources. In one embodiment, an end-user device makes a request for service within a wireless LAN (WLAN). A wireless access point (WAP) controller/policy server determines whether the user device meets criteria for a first user status or a second user status, and assigns the appropriate status to an identifier of the end-user device. When the user device is assigned the first user status, the user device is provided network access according to e.g., a first permissible bandwidth allocation. Otherwise, the user device is provided network access according to a second, different bandwidth allocation. The first and second user status may be assigned based on a location of the user device within e.g., a venue, a class of end-user device, end user application, an access pass associated with the user device, or yet other criteria.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A controller apparatus comprising:
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a processor apparatus configured to execute at least one computer program; a storage apparatus configured to store data, the data comprising user status data that is at least one of (i) a first user status associated with a first permissible bandwidth consumption, and/or (ii) a second user status associated with a second permissible bandwidth consumption, said second permissible consumption being less than said first permissible consumption; a first data interface in data communication with the processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a local area wireless network; a second interface data communication with the processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a network entity of a managed content delivery network (CDN); and a computer-readable storage apparatus having at least one computer program comprising a plurality of non-transitory computer readable instructions which are configured to, when executed by said processor apparatus, cause said controller apparatus to; receive data indicative of a first connection request from a first user device via said first interface; determine that said first user device is associated with said first user status; based at least in part on said first user device association with said first user status, assign said first permissible bandwidth to said first user device; enable access to said CDN via said second interface for said first user device consistent with said first permissible bandwidth consumption; receive data indicative of a second connection request from a second user device via said first interface; determine that said second user device is associated with said second user status; based at least in part on said second user device association with said second user status, assign said second permissible bandwidth consumption to said second user device; and enable access to said CDN via said second interface for said second user device consistent with said second permissible bandwidth consumption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing wireless local area network (WLAN)-based services to a plurality of user devices within a prescribed location, the WLAN comprising a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs), the method comprising:
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receiving, at the WLAN, a first request from a first user device of the plurality of user devices, the first request comprising data explicitly identifying the first user device and requesting access to a content distribution and delivery network via the WLAN; determining a first WAP of the plurality of WAPs with which the first user device is associated; identifying data indicative of a first location of the first WAP; transmitting, to a network entity, (i) the data explicitly identifying the first user device and (ii) the data indicative of the first location of the first WAP; obtaining, from the network entity, data indicative of a first privilege of the first user device within the WLAN based at least in part on the data indicative of the first location of the first WAP; utilizing the data indicative of the first privilege to selectively implement at least one first WLAN access policy with respect to the first user device only while the first user device is associated with the first WAP at the first location; and applying at least one second WLAN access policy to one or more others of the plurality of user devices. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of providing enhanced wireless local area network (WLAN)-based services to a plurality of user devices within a prescribed location, the WLAN comprising a plurality of wireless access points, the method comprising:
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receiving, at the WLAN, data indicative of a first request from a first user device of the plurality of user devices, the first request comprising data explicitly identifying the first user device and requesting access to a content distribution and delivery network via the WLAN; accessing a network entity and utilizing the data identifying the first user device to determine a privilege of the first user device within the WLAN; obtaining data indicative of the privilege from the network entity; obtaining data relating to one of the plurality of wireless access points with which the first user device is associated, wherein only a first portion of the plurality of wireless access points are enabled for provision of the enhanced WLAN-based services, the enhanced WLAN-based services comprising at least a first permissible bandwidth that is greater than a second permissible bandwidth of WLAN-based services provided by a second portion of the plurality of wireless access points; determining that the one of the plurality of wireless access points with which the first user device is associated is enabled for provision of the enhanced WLAN-based services; and utilizing (i) the data indicative of the privilege and (ii) the determination that the one wireless access point is enabled for provision of the enhanced WLAN-based services to selectively implement at least one WLAN access policy with respect to the first user device so as to provide the enhanced WLAN-based services.
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22. A controller apparatus comprising:
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a processor apparatus configured to execute at least one computer program; a storage device in data communication with the processor apparatus; a first data interface in data communication with the processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a plurality of wireless local area network (WLAN) access points; a second data interface in data communication with the processor apparatus and configured for signal communication with a network entity of a managed content delivery network (CDN); and a computer-readable storage apparatus in data communication with said processor apparatus and having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality of non-transitory computer readable instructions which are configured to, when executed by said processor apparatus, cause said controller apparatus to; receive data indicative of a first service request from a first user device via said first interface, the first service request comprising a device-specific identifier of the first user device; utilize at least a portion of data indicative of the first service request to authenticate, within the CDN, the first user device as having a privilege associated with a first one of the plurality of WLAN access points disposed at a first location, the privilege comprising data indicative of a greater permissible bandwidth than a permissible bandwidth privilege associated with one or more others of the plurality of WLAN access points each disposed at one or more other locations; receive data indicative of the privilege from the CDN and store the data in the storage device; and subsequently utilize the stored data indicative of the privilege to cause the first one of the plurality of WLAN access points to recognize data indicative of one or more subsequent service requests from the first user device, and implement one or more policies for data access according to the privilege. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification