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

• US 7,406,707 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bahl, Paramvir, Venkatachary, Srinivasan, Balachandran, Anand
• Primary Examiner(s): Heneghan; Matthew
• Application Number:
  US10/850,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20040221157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 379/114.05, 379/114.14, 455/405, 709/226, 726/4
• US Class Current: 726/4
• 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:

configuring a server to offer various levels of service that a user can select for accessing the Internet;

enabling wireless access of the server computer from a mobile computing device;

enabling a user to select one of the various levels of service by enabling the user to select indicia, displayed on the mobile computing device, associated with the various levels of service; and

accessing the Internet through the server computer using the selected level of service, wherein accessing is independent of the user being a subscriber;

wherein the server is unable to ascertain user authentication information used to gain Internet access.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the service levels pertain to bandwidth availability.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the service levels pertain to security.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said enabling wireless access comprises doing so from a wireless subnet that comprises one or more access points that are accessible from public locations.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the server computer to monitor the user'"'"'s Internet access and collect information that pertains to the user'"'"'s use of the Internet.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising using the collected information to charge the user a fee for their Internet use.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising using the collected information to schedule data packet traffic.

8. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 1.

9. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

configuring a server to offer various levels of service that a user can select for accessing the Internet, wherein the service levels pertain to bandwidth availability and security;

enabling wireless access of the server computer from a mobile computing device;

enabling a user to select one of the various levels of service by enabling the user to select indicia, displayed on the mobile computing device, associated with the various levels of service; and

accessing the Internet through the server computer using the selected level of service, wherein accessing is independent of the user being a subscriber;

wherein the server is unable to ascertain user authentication information used to gain Internet access.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said enabling wireless access comprises doing so from a wireless subnet that comprises one or more access points that are accessible from public locations.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising using the server computer to monitor the user'"'"'s Internet access and collect information that pertains to the user'"'"'s use of the Internet.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising using the collected information to charge the user a fee for their Internet use.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising using the collected information to schedule data packet traffic.

14. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 9.

15. A method of providing Internet access comprising:

configuring a server to offer various levels of service that a user can select for accessing the Internet, wherein the service levels pertain to bandwidth availability and security;

enabling wireless access of the server computer from a mobile computing device wherein said enabling wireless access of the server computer comprises doing so from a wireless subnet that comprises one or more access points that are accessible from public locations;

enabling a user to select one of the various levels of service by enabling the user to select indicia, displayed on the mobile computing device, associated with the various levels of service; and

accessing the Internet through the server computer using the selected level of service, wherein accessing is independent of the user being a subscriber; and

using the server computer to monitor the user'"'"'s Internet access and collect information that pertains to the user'"'"'s use of the Internet;

wherein the server is unable to ascertain user authentication information used to gain Internet access.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising using the collected information to charge the user a fee for their Internet use.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising using the collected information to schedule data packet traffic.

18. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, implements the method of claim 15.