Distributed network communication system which allows multiple wireless service providers to share a common network infrastructure
First Claim
30. A network system, comprising:
- a network; and
a plurality of access points coupled to the network, wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to communicate with a portable computing device, wherein each of the plurality of access points is configured to receive identification information from the portable computing device indicating a wireless service provider of a plurality of possible wireless service providers;
wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to determine the wireless service provider indicated in the identification information;
wherein network access is provided to the portable computing device through the determined wireless service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and method for providing access to multiple wireless service providers (WSPs) on a shared network infrastructure. The system includes a plurality of access points (APs) coupled to a network which may be distributed in airports, mass-transit stations, businesses, etc. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. Each AP may include a plurality of virtual APs (VAPs), each corresponding to a WSP. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user stores identification information indicating a WSP of a plurality of possible WSPs, and which may include an access level of the user. Each AP “listens for” or detects identification information associated with numerous WSPs. When the AP receives the identification information from the PCD, it determines the VAP/WSP for the PCD using the identification information. Network access is then provided to the PCD through the determined WSP at the determined access level.
496 Citations
83 Claims
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30. A network system, comprising:
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a network; and
a plurality of access points coupled to the network, wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to communicate with a portable computing device, wherein each of the plurality of access points is configured to receive identification information from the portable computing device indicating a wireless service provider of a plurality of possible wireless service providers;
wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to determine the wireless service provider indicated in the identification information;
wherein network access is provided to the portable computing device through the determined wireless service provider. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A method for providing roaming features on a wireless network system, wherein the wireless network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising:
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a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the identification information indicates a wireless service provider of a plurality of possible wireless service providers;
determining a wireless service provider for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;
the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device in a wireless manner; and
providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined wireless service provider. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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77-1. The method of claim 62, wherein the network system includes a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information and a corresponding list of the plurality of possible wireless service providers;
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wherein said determining the wireless service provider for the portable computing device includes accessing the memory medium and using the received identification information to determine the wireless service provider.
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Specification