Cisco Technology, Inc.

Wayport, Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

Kathleen E McClelland

Brett B Stewart

James W Thompson

A method comprising storing identification information in a memory medium of a portable computing device, communicating with a network access point to gain access to a network, sending the identification information from the portable computing device to the network access point, and receiving at the portable computing device access to the network through the network access point based on the identification information.

Distributed network communication system which selectively provides data to different network destinations

A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. Access points (APs) for the network may be widely distributed in various facilities, such as airports, mass-transit stations, and various businesses. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers. The identification information may also or instead indicate an access or privilege level of the user. Each of the access points are operable to 'listen for' or detect identification information associated with numerous different providers. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access may then be provided to the portable computing device through the determined network provider. Thus the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible network providers, thereby enabling subscribers to 'roam' on various wireless networks, including networks maintained by other providers. The access information may also include an access level which indicates the user's access or privilege level. Thus, the local network may provide various local resources which are available to users having a first access level, and users with a second access level may not be entitled to view or utilize these network resources on the network, but may be simply provided external Internet access.

Distributed network communication system to provide wireless access to a computing device at a reduced rate

A system and method includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers or may also or instead indicate an access or privilege level. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the PCD using the identification information and network access may then be provided. Thus the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible network providers, thereby enabling subscribers to 'roam' on various wireless networks. The access information may also include an access level which indicates the user's access or privilege level.

A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers. Each of the access points are operable to 'listen for' or detect identification information associated with numerous different providers. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access may then be provided to the portable computing device through the determined network provider.

Distributed network communication system which enables multiple network providers to use a common distributed network infrastructure

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.

System and method for concurrently utilizing multiple system identifiers

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.

In one embodiment, a wireless access point wirelessly receives identification information from a portable computing device, determines a particular communication medium access provider identified in the identification information, wirelessly receives data from the portable computing device, and transmits the data to a destination of the particular communication medium access provider. In one embodiment, the wireless access point communicates with the portable computing device using wireless Ethernet, listens for all types of identification information and answers all queries from the portable computing device even if the wireless access point does not recognize the identification information, and provides the portable computing devices access to a plurality of communication medium access providers. In one embodiment, each of the communication medium access providers wirelessly connects the portable computing device to a network, and the identification information identifies a particular one of the communication medium access providers.

A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network destination of a plurality of possible network destinations. Each of the access points are operable to 'listen for' or detect identification information associated with numerous different destinations. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate network destination for the portable computing device using the identification information. Data communications received from the portable compute device may then be routed through the identified network destination.

A system and method for providing multiple access levels to users of a wireless network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless access points coupled to a network. Access points (APs) for the network may be widely distributed in various facilities, such as airports, mass-transit stations, and various businesses. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which indicates an access or privilege level for the user of the PCD. The access level may determine the network access and/or services available to the user of the PCD. The identification information may include a System ID of the PCD. Each of the access points may be operable to 'listen for' or detect the identification information of the PCD. The network system may store a list of identification information and a corresponding list of access levels. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate access level for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access and services may then be provided to the portable computing device at the indicated level. Thus, the local network may provide various local resources which are available to users having a first access level, and users with a second access level may not be entitled to view or utilize these network resources on the network, but may be simply provided external Internet access.

Providing different network access levels in a network communication system

A system and method for providing multiple access levels to users of a wireless network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless access points coupled to a network. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which indicates an access or privilege level for the user of the PCD. The access level may determine the network access and/or services available to the user of the PCD. The identification information may include a System ID of the PCD. The network system may store a list of identification information and a corresponding list of access levels. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate access level for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access and services may then be provided to the portable computing device at the indicated level.

Distributed network communication system which provides different network access features

A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers. The identification information may also or instead indicate an access or privilege level of the user. When the access point receives the identification information from a PCD of a user, the access point may determine the appropriate network provider for the portable computing device using the identification information. Network access may then be provided to the portable computing device through the determined network provider.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Kathleen E McClelland