Methods and systems for accessing networks, methods and systems for accessing the internet

• US 20060168454A1
• Filed: 03/28/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bahl, Paramvir, Venkatachary, Srinivasan, Balachandran, Anand
• Granted Patent: US 7,500,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/182
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing network access, e.g. Internet access, are described. An architecture includes a host organization network through which network access is provided. The host organization network can be advantageously deployed in public areas such as airports and shopping malls. An authentication/negotiation component is provided for authenticating various users and negotiating for services with service providers on behalf of the system users. The authentication/negotiation component can include one or more specialized servers and a policy manager that contains policies that govern user access to the Internet. An authentication database is provided and authenticates various users of the system. An access module is provided through which individual client computing devices can access the Internet. In one embodiment, the access module comprises individual wireless access points that permit the client computing devices to wirelessly communicate data packets that are intended for the Internet. In one aspect, users are given a variety of choices of different service levels that they can use for accessing the Internet. The service levels can vary in such things as bandwidth allocation and security measures. The various service levels can be purchased by the users using their computing devices.

Claims

1. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

establishing a communication link with a mobile computing unit;

using the communication link to authenticate a user of the mobile computing unit, the user being unaffiliated with any particular Internet Service Providers (ISPs);

using the communication link to provide Internet access to the user of the mobile computing unit; and

using a policy manager to provide various policies that govern user of the system by the user, at least one of the policies relating to service levels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the policies relates to access speed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the policies relates to security measures.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the policies relates to use of system resources.

5. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the computers to:

establish a communication link with a mobile computing unit;

use the communication link to authenticate a user of the mobile computing unit, the user being unaffiliated with any particular Internet Service Providers (ISPs);

use the communication link to provide Internet access to the user of the mobile computing unit; and

use a policy manager to provide various policies that govern user of the system by the user, at least one of the policies relating to service levels.

6. The computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein at least one of the policies relates to access speed.

7. The computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein at least one of the policies relates to security measures.

8. The computer-readable media of claim 5, wherein at least one of the policies relates to use of system resources.

9. A system for providing access to the Internet, the system comprising:

means for establishing a communication link with a mobile computing unit;

means for using the communication link to authenticate a user of the mobile computing unit, the user being unaffiliated with any particular Internet Service Providers (ISPs);

means for using the communication link to provide Internet access to the user of the mobile computing unit; and

means for using a policy manager to provide various policies that govern user of the system by the user, at least one of the policies relating to service levels.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the policies relates to access speed.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the policies relates to security measures.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the policies relates to use of system resources.