U.S. patent application number 16/194434 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for method and system for wirelessly accessing a network.
The applicant listed for this patent is EXCALIBUR IP, LLC. Invention is credited to Alwin CHAN.
Application Number | 20190156349 16/194434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40363701 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190156349 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHAN; Alwin |
May 23, 2019 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WIRELESSLY ACCESSING A NETWORK
Abstract
Systems and methods for wirelessly accessing a network are set
forth in this disclosure. Specifically, this disclosure sets forth
systems and methods for using advertising to regulate wireless
access to a network.
Inventors: |
CHAN; Alwin; (San Carlos,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EXCALIBUR IP, LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40363701 |
Appl. No.: |
16/194434 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11837853 |
Aug 13, 2007 |
10134043 |
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16194434 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0267 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; H04W 48/18 20060101 H04W048/18 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, at an Internet Service Provider
(ISP) server associated with a wireless access point, a network
access request from a computing device wirelessly connected to the
wireless access point, the wireless access point connected to a
network via the service provider; determining, via the ISP server,
whether the computing device comprises an executable program that
displays an advertising interface; transmitting, via the ISP
server, instructions for displaying the advertising interface to
the computing device only when it is determined that the computing
device does not include functionality for displaying the
advertising interface; retrieving, via the ISP server, advertising
information from an advertising source, the advertising information
comprising digital media that is renderable by the advertising
interface, said advertising source being associated with a
third-party network resource; electronically connecting, via the
ISP server, the computing device to the network based on the
computing device having said functionality for rendering said
advertising information; and transmitting, via the ISP server, the
advertising information to the computing device via the established
electronic connection.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: notifying the
computing device that network access requires the advertising
interface; and querying the computing device to include the
advertising interface.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: retrieving the
advertising interface from a remote computing device.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: regulating, by the
wireless access point, the connection between the computing device
and the network.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of regulating is based
upon an amount of the advertising information transmitted to the
computing device.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: regulating, by the
service provider, the connection between the computing device and
the network.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of regulating is based
upon an amount of the advertising information transmitted to the
computing device.
8-13. (canceled)
14. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the advertising
interface comprises: transmitting one or more executable files to
the computing device.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the one or more executable files
renders a toolbar on the computing device.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the toolbar renders the
advertising information.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the advertising
interface comprises: retrieving one or more files from a network
address corresponding to the advertising interface, the one or more
files renderable by at least a portion of a display connected to
the computing device; and transmitting the one or more files to the
computing device.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the one or more files are
renderable by a browser.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the network access request
identifies a location of the computing device and the method
further comprises: transmitting advertising information
corresponding to the location of the computing device.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing device is
disconnected from the network if a user of the computing device
does not accept transmission of the advertising information.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein the computing device is
disconnected from the network if a user of the computing device
does not accept transmission of the advertising interface.
22-65. (canceled)
66. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium tangibly
encoded with computer-executable instructions, that when executed
by a processor associated with an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
server, performs a method comprising: receiving, at the (ISP)
server associated with a wireless access point, a network access
request from a computing device wirelessly connected to the
wireless access point, the wireless access point connected to a
network via the service provider; determining, via the ISP server,
whether the computing device comprises an executable program that
displays an advertising interface; transmitting, via the ISP
server, instructions for displaying the advertising interface to
the computing device only when it is determined that the computing
device does not include functionality for displaying the
advertising interface; retrieving, via the ISP server, advertising
information from an advertising source, the advertising information
comprising digital media that is renderable by the advertising
interface, said advertising source being associated with a
third-party network resource; electronically connecting, via the
ISP server, the computing device to the network based on the
computing device having said functionality for rendering said
advertising information; and transmitting, via the ISP server, the
advertising information to the computing device via the established
electronic connection.
67. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) server comprising: a
processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
for tangibly storing thereon program logic for execution by the
processor, the program logic comprising: logic executed by the
processor for receiving, at the (ISP) server associated with a
wireless access point, a network access request from a computing
device wirelessly connected to the wireless access point, the
wireless access point connected to a network via the service
provider; logic executed by the processor for determining, via the
ISP server, whether the computing device comprises an executable
program that displays an advertising interface; logic executed by
the processor for transmitting, via the ISP server, instructions
for displaying the advertising interface to the computing device
only when it is determined that the computing device does not
include functionality for displaying the advertising interface;
logic executed by the processor for retrieving, via the ISP server,
advertising information from an advertising source, the advertising
information comprising digital media that is renderable by the
advertising interface, said advertising source being associated
with a third-party network resource; logic executed by the
processor for electronically connecting, via the ISP server, the
computing device to the network based on the computing device
having said functionality for rendering said advertising
information; and logic executed by the processor for transmitting,
via the ISP server, the advertising information to the computing
device via the established electronic connection.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of and is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/837,853, filed on
Aug. 13, 2007, titled "Method and System for Wirelessly Accessing a
Network", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,134,043, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Increasingly, wireless network providers are utilizing
wireless local area networks, including but not limited to networks
based on the IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), the IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)
specifications and/or other wireless specifications (e.g., EDGE,
GPRS, UMTS), to provide connectivity to wide area networks such as
the Internet. In many cases, wireless networks utilize inexpensive
consumer premises equipment (CPE) that provide a cheaper
alternative to more traditional wired networks (e.g., cable,
telephone, and satellite networks) that typically require
high-fixed costs for the installation and maintenance of expensive
head-end equipment.
[0003] Despite the cost-savings of wireless network CPE, the
deployment of wireless networks may still require substantial
up-front capital investment. Typically, wireless networks utilize
line-of-sight transmission technologies that propagate radio
signals within localized geographic regions. Thus, deployment of
wireless networks over large geographic regions may require
substantial numbers of otherwise inexpensive CPE. If wireless
network providers, such as individuals, businesses and/or
governments, desire to offer Internet connectivity to users on a
free or reduced-cost basis (e.g., to encourage build out of
Internet access), the deployment and maintenance of wireless
network technology may result in little to no return on investment
(ROI).
[0004] Currently, many wireless network providers offset these
expenses by charging subscription fees to users for wireless access
to the Internet. Other wireless network providers may charge other
types of fees, including but not limited to hourly or usage-based
fees for accessing the Internet. In each case, however, charging a
fee to a user incurs significant overhead and requires additional
costs for maintaining user information in confidence. Thus, what is
needed are systems and methods for providing wireless access to the
Internet that encourage Internet build-out and permit wireless
network providers to recoup their ROI.
SUMMARY
[0005] Against this backdrop systems and methods have been
developed for wirelessly accessing a network. In one embodiment
(which embodiment is intended to be illustrative and not
restrictive), a method for wirelessly accessing a network is
provided. The method includes receiving, at a wireless access
point, a network access request from a computing device wirelessly
connected to the wireless access point, the wireless access point
connected to the network via a service provider. The method further
includes determining whether the computing device includes an
advertising interface. The method also includes transmitting the
advertising interface to the computing device only if it is
determined that the computing device does not include the
advertising interface. The method further includes retrieving
advertising information from an advertising source, the advertising
information renderable by the advertising interface. The method
also includes transmitting the advertising information to the
computing device. The method further includes connecting the
computing device to the network. In one aspect, the method further
includes notifying the computing device that network access
requires the advertising interface and querying the computing
device to include the advertising interface. In another aspect, the
method includes retrieving the advertising interface from a remote
computing device. In yet another aspect, the method includes
regulating, by the wireless access point, at least one network
access property of the computing device. In one aspect, regulating
at least one network access property includes limiting at least the
bandwidth, speed, or latency of the connection between the
computing device and the network. In another aspect, the method
includes regulating, by the service provider, at least one network
access property of the computing device. In yet another aspect,
regulating at least one network access property includes limiting
at least the bandwidth, speed, or latency of the connection between
the computing device and the network. In another aspect, the method
includes receiving, by the service provider, compensation for the
step of transmitting the advertising information, the compensation
received from one or more vendors that supply the advertising
information to the service provider. In yet another aspect, the
method includes, receiving, by the service provider, compensation
for the step of transmitting the advertising interface, the
compensation received from one or more vendors that supply the
advertising interface to the service provider. In still yet another
aspect, the method includes receiving, by a provider of the
wireless access point, compensation for the step of transmitting
the advertising information, the compensation received from the
service provider. In another aspect, the method further includes
receiving, by a provider of the wireless access point, compensation
for the step of transmitting the advertising information, the
compensation received from one or more vendors that supply the
advertising information. In yet another aspect, the method includes
receiving, by a provider of the wireless access point, compensation
for the step of transmitting the advertising interface, the
compensation received from the service provider. In another aspect,
the method includes receiving, by a provider of the wireless access
point, compensation for the step of transmitting the advertising
interface, the compensation received from one or more vendors that
supply the advertising information. In yet another aspect,
transmitting the advertising interface includes transmitting one or
more executable files to the computing device. In still yet another
aspect of the method, the one or more executable files renders a
toolbar on the computing device. In another aspect of the method,
the toolbar renders the advertising information. In yet another
aspect of the method, transmitting the advertising interface
includes retrieving one or more files from a network address
corresponding to the advertising interface, the one or more files
renderable by at least a portion of a display connected to the
computing device and transmitting the one or more files to the
computing device. In another aspect of the method, the one or more
files are renderable by a browser. In yet another aspect of the
method, the network access request identifies a location of the
computing device and the method includes transmitting advertising
information corresponding to the location of the computing
device.
[0006] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a method for wirelessly
accessing a network is provided. The method includes receiving, at
a wireless access point, a network access request from a computing
device wirelessly connected to the wireless access point, the
wireless access point connected to the network via a service
provider. The method further includes determining that the
computing device includes an advertising interface. The method
includes retrieving advertising information from an advertising
source, the advertising information renderable by the advertising
interface. The method further includes transmitting the advertising
information to the computing device. The method further yet
includes connecting the computing device to the network. In one
aspect, the method includes regulating, by the wireless access
point, at least one network access property of the computing
device. In another aspect of the method, regulating at least one
network access property includes limiting at least the bandwidth,
speed, or latency of the connection between the computing device
and the network. In another aspect, the method includes regulating,
by the service provider, at least one network access property of
the computing device. In yet another aspect of the method,
regulating at least one network access property includes limiting
at least the bandwidth, speed, or latency of the connection between
the computing device and the network. In another aspect, the method
includes receiving, by the service provider, compensation for the
step of transmitting the advertising information, the compensation
received from one or more vendors that supply the advertising
information to the service provider. In yet another aspect, the
method includes receiving, by a provider of the wireless access
point, compensation for the step of transmitting the advertising
information, the compensation received from the service provider.
In still yet another aspect, the method includes receiving, by a
provider of the wireless access point, compensation for the step of
transmitting the advertising information, the compensation received
from one or more vendors that supply the advertising information.
In one aspect of the method, the advertising interface comprises a
toolbar. In another aspect of the method, the advertising interface
comprises at least one web page frame. In still yet another aspect
of the method, the network access request identifies a location of
the computing device and the method includes transmitting
advertising information corresponding to the location of the
computing device. In another aspect of the method, the advertising
interface is associated with the service provider or the wireless
access point.
[0007] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a method for wirelessly
accessing a network is provided. The method includes receiving a
request to access the network from a wireless device. The method
further includes querying whether the wireless device includes an
advertising interface. The method includes receiving confirmation
that the wireless device includes the advertising interface. The
method further includes, upon receiving the confirmation, providing
network access to the wireless device. In one aspect, the method
includes transmitting advertising information to the wireless
device. In another aspect of the method, the advertising
information corresponds to a vendor and the method includes
receiving compensation from the vendor for transmitting the
advertising information to the wireless device. In yet another
aspect of the method, the advertising information corresponds to a
user of the wireless device. In another aspect, the method includes
prompting a user of the wireless device to accept transmission of
advertising information to the wireless device for rendering within
the advertising interface. In another aspect, the method includes
receiving confirmation that the user of the wireless device accepts
transmission of the advertising information and transmitting the
advertising information to the wireless device. In yet another
aspect, the method includes receiving confirmation that the user of
the wireless device does not accept transmission of the advertising
information and preventing network access to the wireless device.
In one aspect of the method, the prompting requires the user to
interact with a web page. In another aspect of the method,
receiving the confirmation includes receiving an identification of
the wireless device. In yet another aspect of the method, the
identification of the wireless device is a globally unique
identifier. In another aspect of the method, receiving the
confirmation includes receiving an identification of a user account
associated with the wireless device.
[0008] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a system for wirelessly
accessing a wide area network is provided. The system includes a
wireless device including at least one advertising interface and
having access to a local area network, wherein the wireless device
is communicatively coupled to the local area network over which the
wireless device can request access to the wide area network. The
system further includes a gateway that receives, via the local area
network, a request to access the wide area network from the
wireless device and that provides wide area network access to the
wireless device, wherein the provision of wide area network access
to the wireless device is contingent upon the wireless device
rendering advertising information via the advertising interface. In
one aspect of the system, the gateway comprises a router. In
another aspect of the system, the gateway retrieves the advertising
information from the wide area network and transmits the
advertising information to the wireless device. In yet another
aspect of the system, the gateway includes at least one memory
component for storing the advertising information and at least one
processor that transmits the advertising information from the at
least one memory component to the wireless device. In still yet
another aspect of the system, the wide area network comprises the
Internet.
[0009] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a system for wirelessly
accessing a wide area network is provided. The system includes a
gateway that receives, via a local area network, a request to
access the wide area network from a wireless device and that
provides wide area network access to the wireless device, wherein
the provision of wide area network access to the wireless device is
contingent upon the wireless device rendering advertising
information transmitted via the local area network. In one aspect
of the system, the gateway comprises a router. In another aspect of
the system, the gateway retrieves the advertising information from
the wide area network and transmits the advertising information to
the wireless device. In yet another aspect of the system, the
gateway includes at least one memory component for storing the
advertising information and at least one processor that transmits
the advertising information from the at least one memory component
to the wireless device. In still yet another aspect of the system,
the wide area network comprises the Internet.
[0010] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a system for wirelessly
accessing a second network is provided. The system includes a
gateway that receives, via a first network, a request to access the
second network from a wireless device and that provides second
network access to the wireless device, wherein the provision of the
second network access to the wireless device is contingent upon the
wireless device rendering advertising information transmitted via
the first network. In one aspect of the system, the first network
is a local area network. In another aspect of the system, the
second network is a wide area network. In one aspect, the wide area
network is the Internet. In another aspect of the system, the
gateway comprises a router. In another aspect of the system, the
gateway retrieves the advertising information from the second
network and transmits the advertising information to the wireless
device. In yet another aspect of the system, the gateway further
includes at least one memory component for storing the advertising
information, and at least one processor that transmits the
advertising information from the at least one memory component to
the wireless device.
[0011] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a method for wirelessly
accessing a network is provided. The method includes receiving, at
a wireless access point, a network access request from a computing
device wirelessly connected to the wireless access point, the
wireless access point connected to the network via a service
provider. The method further includes determining whether the
computing device includes an advertising interface. The method
further yet includes transmitting the advertising interface to the
computing device only if it is determined that the computing device
does not include the advertising interface. The method further
includes retrieving advertising information from an advertising
source, the advertising information renderable by the advertising
interface. The method still further includes transmitting the
advertising information to the computing device. The method further
yet includes not connecting the computing device to the network if
a user of the computing device does not accept transmission of the
advertising information.
[0012] In another embodiment (which embodiment is intended to be
illustrative and not restrictive), a method for wirelessly
accessing a network is provided. The method includes receiving, at
a wireless access point, a network access request from a computing
device wirelessly connected to the wireless access point, the
wireless access point connected to the network via a service
provider. The method further includes determining whether the
computing device includes an advertising interface. The method
further yet includes transmitting the advertising interface to the
computing device only if it is determined that the computing device
does not include the advertising interface. The method further
includes retrieving advertising information from an advertising
source, the advertising information renderable by the advertising
interface. The method still further includes transmitting the
advertising information to the computing device. The method further
yet includes not connecting the computing device to the network if
a user of the computing device does not accept transmission of the
advertising interface.
[0013] These and various other features as well as advantages will
be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description
and a review of the associated drawings. Additional features are
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
described embodiments. While it is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory, the benefits and
features will be realized and attained by the structure
particularly pointed out in the written description and claims
hereof as well as the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The following drawing figures, which form a part of this
application, are illustrative of embodiments systems and methods
described below and are not meant to limit the scope of the
invention in any manner, which scope shall be based on the claims
appended hereto.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system for wirelessly
accessing a wide area network.
[0016] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a method for wirelessly
accessing a network.
[0017] FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a method for wirelessly
accessing a network.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of another method for
wirelessly accessing a network.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical user
interface for a method of wirelessly accessing a network.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an advertising interface
for rendering advertising information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following detailed description is intended to convey a
thorough understanding of the embodiments described by providing a
number of specific embodiments and details involving systems and
methods for wirelessly accessing a wide area network. It should be
appreciated, however, that the claims appended hereto are not
limited to these specific embodiments and details, which are
exemplary only. It is further understood that one possessing
ordinary skill in the art, in light of known systems and methods,
would appreciate the applicability of this disclosure for its
intended purposes and benefits in any number of alternative
embodiments, depending upon specific design and other needs.
[0022] As set forth in this disclosure, including the claims and
figures appended hereto, the term "network" refers generally to a
plurality of computing devices, including but not limited to
associated devices (e.g., switches, routers, hubs), that are
communicatively connected. A network may include any number of
wired or wireless and permanent or temporary connections between
the computing devices.
[0023] For example, a network may comprise a "local area network"
(LAN) or group of communicatively connected computing devices that
are dispersed over a relatively limited geographic area. A LAN may
include computing devices communicatively connected by a wired
connection, for example, an Ethernet connection based on the IEEE
802.3 specification. Alternatively, a LAN may include computing
devices communicatively connected by a wireless connection, for
example, a WiFi connection based on the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n
specifications or a WiMAX connection based on the IEEE 802.16
specification. One skilled in the art will recognize that other
network protocols are possible and within the scope of this
application, including but not limited to current and future
implementations based upon the 802.xx network protocols. The term
"LAN" is used broadly within this disclosure, including the claims
and figures appended hereto, such that it additionally includes
other non-wide area networks (as described below), including but
not limited to, metropolitan area networks (MANs), campus area
networks (CANs), personal area networks (PANs), virtual private
networks (VPNs) and cellular networks (e.g., cellular networks
based upon the EDGE, GPRS, UMTS specifications). One skilled in the
art will recognize that many other types of LAN connectivity and
networks exist and are within the scope of this disclosure.
[0024] As another example, a network may comprise a "wide area
network" (WAN) or a group of communicatively connected computing
devices dispersed over a broad geographic area. The largest and
most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet. A WAN may be one
large network, or it may include a plurality of LANs and/or other
types of networks that are communicatively connected together so
that users and computers in one location can communicate with users
and computers in other locations. For example, a first network
comprising a LAN may be communicatively connected to a second
network comprising one or more other LANs and/or a WAN (e.g., the
Internet).
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system 100 for
wirelessly accessing a network such as the Internet 108. In one
embodiment, the system 100 includes wireless devices 102, 118, 120.
In an embodiment, the wireless devices 102, 118, 120 may comprise
one or more computing devices, such as a laptop computer 102,
mobile telephone 120, media player 118, personal digital assistant
(not pictured), or other computing device. In another embodiment,
the wireless devices 102, 118, 120 may comprise a plurality of
computing devices that are communicatively connected. One skilled
in the art will recognize that many types of wireless devices 102,
118, 120 exist and are within the scope of this disclosure.
[0026] As illustrated in the embodiment of the system 100, the
wireless devices 102, 118, 120 include at least one advertising
interface for rendering advertising information. For example, the
advertising interface may comprise a software program, such as a
browser program 114 (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer.RTM. or
Mozilla Firefox.RTM.). As another example, the advertising
interface may comprise other software, such as firmware (e.g., a
mobile telephone 120 and media player 118 may include software that
is embedded in one or more non-volatile memory components). One
skilled in the art will recognize that software comprising the
advertising interface may take many forms within the scope of this
disclosure. As set forth in the present embodiment, the advertising
interface renders, or facilitates rendering, of advertising
information. For example, where the advertising interface comprises
a browser program 114, the advertising interface may render
advertising information for display on a screen 124 or other
display or output device. As another example, the advertising
interface may comprise software that facilitates rendering of
audible advertising information (e.g., advertising announcements)
on a speaker 116 or other output device. As another example, an
advertising interface may comprise a toolbar (e.g., a toolbar, such
as the Yahoo! .RTM. toolbar, may be integrated with a browser
program), a media rendering program (e.g., Yahoo! Music
JukeBox.RTM., Apple iTunes.RTM. and Real Networks RealPlayer.RTM.),
an applet or other program. As yet another example, an advertising
interface may utilize other programs to render advertising
information. For example, where advertising information comprises
video data, an advertising interface may utilize a video player
(e.g., Windows Media Player.RTM.) to render the advertising
information. One skilled in the art will also recognize that output
devices may take many forms within the scope of this disclosure.
For example, output devices may include, but are not limited to,
touch screens, LCD displays, and numerous other output devices. The
wireless device 102 further includes a wireless connection to a
wireless access point 104 that may be included as part of a gateway
106. For example, the wireless device 102 may be equipped with a
network interface controller (NIC) or other network hardware and/or
software for communicating with a wireless access point 104 and
gateway 106. Typically, NICs provide physical access (OSI layer 1)
and low-level addressing (OSI layer 2) network functionality.
[0027] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the gateway 106 may
include a wireless access point 104. As set forth in this
disclosure, including the claims and figures appended hereto, a
gateway may include one or more devices that connect one or more
networks together such that information (i.e., data) may be passed
between the networks. For example, a gateway 106 may connect
networks using different communications protocols (e.g., a gateway
may connect a network using the IPX/SPX protocol to a network using
the TCP/IP protocol). Typically, a gateway 106 includes at least
one connection (e.g., via a cable modem or DSL modem that is often
provided by an Internet service provider (ISP)) that links one
network (e.g., a LAN) to another network (e.g., the Internet 108).
In one aspect, a gateway 106 may include a wireless access point
(WAP) 104. A WAP 104 typically takes the form of a wireless router
that includes one or more wireless connections, and may also
include one or more wired connections. For example, a WAP
implementing the IEEE 802.11b specification may communicate with
thirty (30) wireless devices within a geographically limited radius
of approximately one-hundred (100) meters. One skilled in the art
will recognize that a WAP 104 may take many forms and implement
numerous different specifications that are within the scope of this
disclosure. One skilled in the art will also recognize that many
configurations and permutations of of hardware and software may be
used within a gateway 106 and WAP 104. For example, a gateway 106
and/or a WAP 104 may further include wired connections (e.g.,
Ethernet connections) to various other computing devices, including
but not limited to gateways, WAPs, and/or network devices (e.g.,
cable/DSL modems, hubs, switches).
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a gateway 106 may provide network
(i.e., LAN) connectivity that permits communications between a
computing device, such as a wireless device 102, and the gateway
106 and associated hardware and software such as a wireless access
point 104. As set forth above, a LAN may comprise a group of
computing devices that are dispersed over a relatively limited
geographic area and that are communicatively connected. In one
embodiment, a wireless LAN may utilize spread-spectrum
communications for communicatively connecting one or more computing
devices, such as a wireless device 102. One skilled in the art will
recognize that a wireless device 102 may take many forms,
including, but not limited to, personal computing devices that
include a wireless connection, mobile computing devices that
include a wireless connection, and/or other computing devices that
include wireless connectivity.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment of the system 100, a service
provider 112 may be connected to the gateway 106. A service
provider 112 typically comprises one or more computing devices for
providing access to one or more other networks, such as one or more
wide area networks. Typically, service providers 112 provide access
to the Internet 108. Internet 108 access typically is provided
through a variety of connectivity options, including, but not
limited to, dial-up, DSL, ADSL, broadband wireless access, cable
modems access, ISDN access, satellite access, and/or a variety of
other network access technologies. In many cases, the service
provider 112 may provide the hardware and/or software that comprise
part of the gateway 106, including, but not limited to, a wireless
access point 104. For example, a service provider 112 may provide a
wireless access point 104 that is comprised within a cable modem
that together provides access to one or more computing devices of
the service provider 112, thus facilitating access to the Internet
108.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment of the system 100, an
advertising source 110 may be connected to the service provider,
directly or indirectly, such that the advertising source may supply
advertising information to the service provider and/or the gateway
106. An advertising source may comprise one or more computing
devices corresponding to one or more advertising vendors or other
third parties who provide advertising data for retrieval, download,
and/or other transmission to the service provider 112 and/or
gateway 106. Examples of advertising information include, but are
not limited to, images, photographs, text, audio, video, and/or
other data that together or in part may be transmitted to a
wireless device 102 for rendering. Typically, advertising
information may be rendered within a browser at a wireless device
102 or other computing device. Advertising information may be
retrieved from an advertising source 110, with or without payment
or other compensation paid to or from the advertising source 110
and the service provider 112. In one embodiment, the gateway 106
retrieves the advertising information from a wide area network,
such as the Internet 108, and transmits the advertising information
from an advertising source 110 to the wireless device 102. In one
embodiment, the gateway 106 further comprises at least one memory
component for storing advertisement information, and at least one
processor for further transmitting the advertisement information
from the at least one memory component to the wireless device 102.
In another embodiment, the service provider 112 may retrieve
advertising information from an advertising source 110 and
temporarily or permanently store the advertising information. The
service provider 112 may then transmit the advertising information
to the wireless device 102 via the gateway 106.
[0031] FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a method 200 for
wirelessly accessing a network. In the method 200, a network access
request is received from a computing device in a receiving network
access request operation 202. The network access request may be
received at a wireless access point. In one embodiment of the
receiving network access request operation 202, the network access
request is received from a computing device that is wirelessly
connected to the wireless access point. The wireless access point
may be connected to a network, such as the Internet, via a service
provider. In a determining operation 204 of the method 200, it is
determined that a computing device does not include an advertising
interface. An advertising interface may take many forms, including,
but not limited to, hardware and/or software for rendering video
and/or audio. For example, an advertising interface may include or
utilize a browser (i.e., a software application for rendering and
interacting with images, text and other information typically set
forth on a web page) for rendering advertising information.
[0032] In one embodiment, in response to receiving a network access
request in the receiving network access request operation 202 and
determining that an advertising interface is absent from a
computing device in determining operation 204, a user and/or a
computing device may be notified that an advertising interface is
required for network access in a notifying operation 206. In one
aspect, the notification in a notifying operation 206 may take the
form of a prompt requiring user input. In another aspect, the
notification may take the form of a notice not requiring user
input. In a further embodiment, a user and/or a computing device
may request to include an advertising interface at the computing
device in a receiving advertising interface request operation 208.
In the method 200, an advertising interface may then be transmitted
to the computing device in a transmitting advertising interface
operation 210. An advertising interface may take many forms, as
discussed previously. For example, an advertising interface may
comprise software that renders, or facilitates rendering of, video,
audio, text or other data.
[0033] In a retrieving operation 212, advertising information may
then be retrieved for rendering on the computing device in a
retrieving operation 212. One skilled in the art will recognize
that advertising information may be stored and retrieved from
within a gateway, a service provider, or some other service or
computing device. In one embodiment, a gateway may comprise
components (e.g., a processor and memory) for retrieving and
temporarily storing the advertising information within the gateway.
Advertising information may also be retrieved in retrieving
operation 212 from an advertising source (e.g., an advertiser). In
the method 200, advertising information is then transmitted to the
computing device in a transmitting advertising information
operation 214 for rendering at the computing device. In response to
transmitting the advertising information in the transmitting
advertising information operation 214, the computing device is then
connected to a network in a connecting operation 216. One skilled
in the art will recognize that many ways of connecting a computing
device to a network such as the Internet are possible and within
the scope of this disclosure. For example, using a variety of
network hardware (e.g., switches, routers, hubs) an ISP may
establish a TCP/IP connection with a computing device and permit
the computing device to transmit information to and from the
Internet via the connection.
[0034] In one embodiment, the method 200 further comprises
retrieving an advertising interface from a remote computing device.
For example, a Flash.RTM. application may be retrieved from an
advertising source, such that advertising information rendered
within the Flash.RTM. application may be transmitted, along with
the Flash.RTM. application, for rendering within a browser at the
computing device. In another embodiment, the method 200 may further
comprise regulating, by the wireless access point, at least one
network access property of a computing device and/or a network
interface component of the computing device. The bandwidth
available to a computing device for accessing a wireless access
point and/or the network may comprise a network access property. A
network property may also include the speed (e.g., processing
speed, actual transmission speed) or maximum bandwidth capability
of the computing device. Alternatively, a network access property
may comprise a regulated or permissible latency for the connection
between the computing device and the network. In one embodiment, a
service provider may itself regulate at least one network access
property of the computing device. For example, the service provider
may regulate the bandwidth available to the computing device, the
speed of the connection by which the computing device may access a
wireless access point or other network device, or the latency
inherent or permitted for the connection between the computing
device and the network.
[0035] In one embodiment, the method 200 may further comprise
receiving, by a service provider and/or a provider of the wireless
access point, compensation for the step of transmitting advertising
information to the computing device 214. The compensation received
by the service provider and/or a provider of the wireless access
point may originate from one or more vendors that may supply the
advertising information to the service provider. Compensation may
take the form of monetary compensation. Alternatively, compensation
may take the form of credits (e.g., network access credits) or
other forms of payment. In another embodiment of the method 200,
the service provider and/or a provider of the wireless access point
may be compensated for the step of transmitting the advertising
interface. Compensation, again, may be received from one or more
vendors that supply the advertising interface to the service
provider and/or a provider of the wireless access point.
[0036] In one embodiment of the method 200, transmission of the
advertising interface 210 may comprise transmitting one or more
executable files to the computing device. For example, transmission
of the advertising interface 210 may include transmission of
browser software and/or one or more programs associated with a
browser that may be used to render advertising information. As
another example, transmission of an advertising interface 210 may
comprise transmitting a toolbar for use within a browser. A toolbar
may comprise one or more executable files that, when executed, may
render the advertising information at the computing device. In
another embodiment, the transmission of an advertising interface
210 may comprise retrieving one or more files from a network
address that corresponds to an advertising interface. The one or
more files may be renderable by at least a portion of a display
(e.g., a browser) that is connected to a computing device. The one
or more files may be transmitted to the computing device and may
permit rendering of advertising information. For example, a
Flash.RTM. application or a Java.RTM. application or applet may be
retrieved from a network address and executed by a browser on a
computing device, such that advertising information may be rendered
within the Flash.RTM. application or Java.RTM. application or
applet.
[0037] In another embodiment of the method 200, a network access
request 202 may identify a location of a computing device, and the
method 200 may further comprise transmitting advertising
information that corresponds to the location of the computing
device. For example, a network access request in a receiving
network access request operation 202 may include information
identifying a zip code or account number of a user associated with
the computing device. Alternatively, a receiving a network access
request operation 202 may include information identifying the
location of a gateway, wireless access point, router or other
hardware communicatively connected to the computing device.
Identifying the location of the computing device, or a device
communicatively connected to a computing device, may permit the
advertising information to be tailored to the location of the
device(s). For example, local advertising that corresponds to an
identified zip code may be included as part of the advertising
information transmitted to the computing device in a transmitting
advertising information operation 214.
[0038] In another embodiment of the method 200, a user of the
computing device may not accept transmission of either transmission
of the advertising interface and/or transmission of the advertising
information. For example, a user may be prompted to accept
transmission of advertising information to their computing device.
The user may desire not to receive advertising information and thus
may not accept such a transmission. In such a circumstance, the
computing device may not be connected from the network or
disconnected from the network (e.g., where the computing device was
previously connected to the network).
[0039] FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of another method 218 for
wirelessly accessing a network. Similar to the previous discussion
regarding the method 200 and FIG. 2A, the method 218 includes a
receiving network access request operation 202 whereby a network
access request is received from a computing device. The method 218
also includes a retrieving advertising information operation 212,
transmitting advertising information operation 214, and a
connecting operation 216. The method 218 further includes a
determining the presence of an advertising interface operation 220
that determines the presence of an advertising interface for
rendering advertising information. A determining the presence of an
advertising interface operation 216 may comprise receiving a
confirmation that a computing device has certain hardware and/or
software. For example, a computing device may confirm that the
computing device includes a browser or identify the name and/or
other information (e.g., version number) about the browser. A
determining the presence of an advertising interface operation 220
may be included as part of the receiving a network access request
operation 202. For example, the receiving a network access request
operation 202 may include data that identifies the advertising
interface or otherwise indicates a previous determination that an
advertising interface is present at the computing device.
Alternatively, or in addition, the determining the presence of an
advertising interface operation 220 may transmit a request to the
computing device to confirm the existence of an advertising
interface and receive a confirmation of the presence of the
advertising interface from the computing device. One skilled in the
art will recognize that many ways of confirming the presence of an
advertising interface are possible and within the scope of this
disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method 300 for
wirelessly accessing a network. In the method 300, a network access
request is received from a wireless device in a receiving network
access request operation 302. As described previously, the network
access request may take many forms. Typically, a network access
request will take the form of data that identifies a network
location (e.g., beyond network locations managed by a gateway
communicatively connected to the wireless device) requiring network
access. For example, where a wireless device requests access to a
remote computing device (e.g., a computing device serving the web
page corresponding to an address outside of the WLAN that includes
the wireless device), identification of a web page address
corresponding to the address outside of the WLAN may act as the
request. Alternatively, a network access request may comprise data
that overtly requests general or specific access to a larger
network. For example, a user may affirmatively request network
access without identifying a particular web page address requiring
network access.
[0041] In a querying operation of method 300, the wireless device
is queried to determine whether the wireless device includes an
advertising interface. For example, where a wireless device
comprises a laptop computer that is wirelessly connected to a
gateway, the gateway may query or transmit information to the
laptop computer that requests the laptop computer to confirm (i.e.,
send back data that confirms) the existence of an advertising
interface (e.g., a browser program). In a receiving advertising
interface confirmation operation 306, data that confirms the
existence of the advertising interface is received from the
wireless device. In one aspect, a receiving advertising interface
confirmation operation 306 may identify the wireless device and/or
programs or other data associated with the wireless device. For
example, a confirmation received from the wireless device may
include a globally unique identification (GUID).
[0042] In a network access operation 308, the wireless device is
then connected to one or more networks (e.g., the Internet). In one
embodiment, connecting the wireless device to one or more networks
in a network access operation 308 may further comprise transmitting
advertising information to the wireless device in a transmitting
advertising information operation 310. In one aspect, the
advertising information transmitted to the wireless device may
correspond to a vendor. In another aspect, compensation may be
received from the vendor for transmission of the advertising
information (e.g., advertising promoting the vendor) to the
wireless device. In another aspect, the advertising information
transmitted to the wireless device may correspond to a user. For
example, advertising information may correspond to a user account
history (e.g., past purchases) or past network activity (e.g.,
gambling advertisements may correspond to a user's past interaction
with web pages associated with gambling).
[0043] In another embodiment, the method 300 may further comprise a
prompting user operation 312 wherein a user of a wireless device is
prompted to accept transmission of advertising information for
rendering within an advertising interface at the wireless device.
For example, a prompt may comprise sending a web page to a user
that describes terms of service (i.e., for obtaining network access
that is contingent upon rendering advertising information) and
requests the user to interactively acknowledge their acceptance of
the terms of service. The user of the wireless device may then
confirm the user's acceptance to transmit (and thus render)
advertising information in a receiving confirmation of user
acceptance operation 314.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a graphical user
interface (GUI) 400 for a method of wirelessly accessing a network.
The GUI 400 illustrates a dialog box 402 that may be presented to a
user of a computing device that includes an advertising interface.
For example, upon determining that a computing device includes an
advertising interface, a dialog box 402 may prompt a user of the
computing device to accept one of three selection criteria 404,
406, 408. In one embodiment, the selection criteria 404, 406, 408
provide a user to select 410 a connection speed or other
transmission property (e.g., bandwidth, latency, etc.) that
corresponds to an amount or frequency of advertising information
rendered at the computing device. For example, a first selection
criteria 404 may provide a fast connection speed (e.g., 3.0 Mbit/s)
in exchange for more frequent rendering of advertising information
at the computing device. Similarly, a second selection criteria 406
may provide a moderate connection speed (e.g., 1.5 Mbit/s) in
exchange for the moderate rendering of advertising information at
the computing device. As another example, a third selection
criteria 408 may provide a slow connection speed (e.g., 256 Kbit/s)
in exchange for infrequent rendering of advertising information at
the computing device.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an advertising interface
500 for rendering advertising information. As previously discussed
with respect to FIG. 1, an advertising interface 500 may comprise a
toolbar 504, for example the Yahoo!.RTM. toolbar. The toolbar 504
may be associated with or integrated within a program, such as a
browser program 502. As further described with respect to FIG. 1,
the advertising interface 500 renders, or facilitates rendering, of
advertising information 506, 508. For example, a browser program
502 may render advertising information 506, 508 in the form of
images (i.e., "Advertisement 1" and "Advertisement 2") for display
on a screen 124 or other display or output device.
[0046] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and
systems of the present disclosure may be implemented in many
manners and as such are not to be limited by the foregoing
exemplary embodiments and examples. In other words, functional
elements being performed by a single or multiple components, in
various combinations of hardware and software or firmware, and
individual functions, can be distributed among software
applications at either the client or server level or both. In this
regard, any number of the features of the different embodiments
described herein may be combined into single or multiple
embodiments, and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more
than all of the features herein described are possible.
Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among
multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. Thus,
myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations are possible in
achieving the functions, features, interfaces and preferences
described herein. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure
covers conventionally known manners for carrying out the described
features and functions and interfaces, and those variations and
modifications that may be made to the hardware or software or
firmware components described herein as would be understood by
those skilled in the art now and hereafter.
[0047] While various embodiments have been described for purposes
of this disclosure, various changes and modifications may be made
which are well within the scope of this disclosure. For example,
advertising interfaces may permit rendering of non-advertising
information such as news, sports, or other data. As another
example, user access to an advertising interface may be disabled
such that an ISP or other service provider may exercise control
over the rendering of information by the advertising interface.
Numerous other changes may be made which will readily suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in
the spirit of this disclosure and as defined in the appended
claims.
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