Distributed network communication system which allows multiple wireless service providers to share a common network infrastructure

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing access to a network system, wherein the network system includes a plurality of access points coupled to a network, the method comprising: 
 a first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein the identification information indicates a wireless service provider of a plurality of possible wireless service providers;    determining the wireless service provider for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device; and    providing network access to the portable computing device through the wireless service provider determined in said determining.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first access point is operable to accommodate subscribers of each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 the first access point recognizing a System ID (SID)) of a plurality of possible SIDs, wherein each of the plurality of possible SIDs is associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 the first access point maintaining associations between the plurality of possible SIDs and the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 the first access point maintaining associations between the plurality of possible SIDs and a plurality of active subscribers.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 the first access point broadcasting a plurality of possible SIDs, wherein each of the plurality of possible SIDs is associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first access point is operable to function as a wireless service provider access point for each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first access point comprises computer software which implements a plurality of virtual access points, wherein each virtual access point corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers, and wherein each virtual access point provides network access services to the corresponding wireless service provider.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each virtual access point provides access point functionality implemented in software, wherein each virtual access point appears as a physical access point to the portable computing device.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each virtual access point (AP) executes a wireless protocol stack.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the wireless protocol stack comprises an IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol stack.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each virtual access point (AP) includes an Extended Service Set ID (ESSID), and wherein each ESSID corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing network access comprises providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined wireless service provider.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 maintaining and storing a usage amount by the portable computing device;    wherein the determined wireless service provider charges for access by the portable computing device to the network.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , 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; and 
 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.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network system includes a memory medium which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information, a corresponding list of the plurality of possible wireless service providers, and associated methods for providing data to the respective plurality of possible wireless service providers; and 
 wherein said determining the wireless service provider for the portable computing device includes accessing the memory medium, using the received identification information to determine the wireless service provider, and using an associated method for providing the data to the wireless service provider.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the data structure stores a destination address indicating a destination specified by the wireless service provider; and 
 wherein said providing the data comprises providing the data to the destination specified by the wireless service provider.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of access points are maintained by a first wireless service provider; and 
 wherein the identification information indicates a second wireless service provider.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification information comprises a System ID, wherein the System ID uniquely identifies the wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification information comprises an Extended Service Set ID (ESSID), wherein the ESSID uniquely identifies the wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein the identification information indicates a first wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers;    determining the first wireless service provider for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device;    providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination associated with the first wireless service provider;    the first access point receiving identification information from a portable computing device, wherein the identification information indicates a second wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers;    determining the second wireless service provider for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device; and    providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination associated with the second wireless service provider.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method further comprising:    the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device;    wherein said providing network access comprises selectively providing network access to the portable computing device based on the known geographic location of the portable computing device.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method further comprising:    the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device; and    determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    wherein said providing network access comprises selectively providing network access to the portable computing device based on the known geographic location of the portable computing device and the determined access level.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device; and    providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined access level.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said providing the data comprises: 
 providing the data to one or more resources on the network to allow the portable computing device access to the one or more resources on the network if the access level is a first access level; and    providing the data to a destination for external access out of the network to only allow the portable computing device access to other networks if the access level is a second access level;    wherein, if the access level is the second access level, the data is not provided to the one or more resources on the network.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 assigning a wireless communication channel for communication between the first access point and the portable computing device.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the first access point assigns the wireless communication channel for communication between the first access point and the portable computing device.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said assigning comprises assigning the wireless communication channel based on one or more of: 
 the identification information received from the portable computing device,    the determined wireless service provider, or    a determined access level for the portable computing device, wherein said determined access level is determined after receiving the identification information.    
     
     
         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.    
     
     
         31 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein said first access point is operable to accommodate subscribers of each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         32 . The network system of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 the first access point recognizing a System ID (SID) of a plurality of possible SIDs, wherein each of the plurality of possible SIDs is associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         33 . The network system of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 the first access point maintaining associations between the plurality of possible SIDs and the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         34 . The network system of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 the first access point maintaining associations between the plurality of possible SIDs and a plurality of active subscribers.    
     
     
         35 . The network system of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 the first access point broadcasting a plurality of possible SIDs, wherein each of the plurality of possible SIDs is associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         36 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein said first access point is operable to function as a wireless service provider access point for each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         37 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of said plurality of access points comprises computer software which implements a plurality of virtual access points, wherein each virtual access point corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers, and wherein each virtual access point provides network access services to the corresponding wireless service provider.  
     
     
         38 . The network system of  claim 37 , wherein each virtual access point provides access point functionality implemented in software, wherein each virtual access point appears as a physical access point to the portable computing device.  
     
     
         39 . The network system of  claim 37 , wherein each virtual access point (AP) executes a wireless protocol stack.  
     
     
         40 . The network system of  claim 39 , wherein the wireless protocol stack comprises an IEEE 802.11 protocol stack.  
     
     
         41 . The network system of  claim 37 , wherein each virtual access point (AP) includes an Extended Service Set ID (ESSID), and wherein each ESSID corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         42 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to provide data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined wireless service provider.  
     
     
         43 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         44 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein the determined wireless service provider charges for access by the portable computing device to the network.  
     
     
         45 . The network system of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a memory medium coupled to the network which stores a data structure comprising a list of identification information and a corresponding list of the plurality of possible wireless service providers;    wherein, in determining the wireless service provider for the portable computing device, each of the plurality of access points is operable to access the memory medium and use the received identification information to determine the wireless service provider.    
     
     
         46 . The network system of  claim 45 , wherein the memory medium is comprised in one or more of the access points.  
     
     
         47 . The network system of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a memory medium coupled to the network which stores a data structure comprising a list of wireless service provider identification information, a corresponding list of the plurality of possible wireless service providers, and associated methods for providing data to the respective plurality of possible wireless service providers;    wherein, in determining the wireless service provider for the portable computing device, each of the plurality of access points is operable to access the memory medium, use the received wireless service provider identification information to determine the wireless service provider, and use an associated method for providing the data to the determined wireless service provider.    
     
     
         48 . The network system of  claim 47 , wherein the memory medium is comprised in one or more of the access points.  
     
     
         49 . The network system of  claim 47 , 
 wherein the data structure stores a destination address indicating a destination specified by the determined wireless service provider; and    wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to provide the data to the destination specified by the determined wireless service provider.    
     
     
         50 . The network system of  claim 49 , wherein the plurality of access points are maintained by a first wireless service provider; and 
 wherein the identification information indicates a second wireless service provider.    
     
     
         51 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein the identification information comprises a System ID, and wherein the System ID uniquely identifies a wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         52 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein the identification information comprises an Extended Service Set ID (ESSID), wherein the ESSID uniquely identifies the wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         53 . The network system of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a portable computing device operated by a user, wherein the portable computing device includes the identification information, wherein the identification information indicates a first wireless service provider of the plurality of wireless service providers;    wherein, when a first access point of the plurality of access points receives the identification information from the portable computing device, the first access point is operable to determine the first wireless service provider; and    wherein the first access point is operable to provide data received from the portable computing device according to the first wireless service provider.    
     
     
         54 . The network system of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 one or more network devices coupled to the network, wherein each of the one or more network devices corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers;    wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to provide data received from the portable computing device to a network device corresponding to the determined wireless service provider.    
     
     
         55 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the plurality of access points is operable to provide the data to the destination in a secure manner.  
     
     
         56 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, wherein each access point is operable to provide geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device; and 
 wherein network access is selectively provided to the portable computing device based on the known geographic location of the portable computing device.    
     
     
         57 . The network system of  claim 30 , 
 wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method further comprising:    the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device; and    determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    wherein said providing network access comprises selectively providing network access to the portable computing device based on the known geographic location of the portable computing device and the determined access level.    
     
     
         58 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein one or more of the plurality of access points are operable to: 
 determine an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information; and    provide data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined access level.    
     
     
         59 . The network system of  claim 58 , wherein, in providing the data, said one or more of the plurality of access points are operable to: 
 provide the data to one or more resources on the network to allow the portable computing device access to the one or more resources on the network if the access level is a first access level; and    provide the data to a destination for external access out of the network to only allow the portable computing device access to other networks if the access level is a second access level;    wherein, if the access level is the second access level, the data is not provided to the one or more resources on the network.    
     
     
         60 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the access points is operable to assign a wireless communication channel for communication between the first access point and the portable computing device.  
     
     
         61 . The network system of  claim 30 , wherein one or more of the access points are operable to assign the wireless communication channel based on one or more of: 
 the identification information received from the portable computing device,    the determined wireless service provider, or    a determined access level for the portable computing device, wherein said access level is determined by one of said one or more of the access points after receiving the identification information.    
     
     
         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: 
 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.    
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said first access point is operable to accommodate subscribers of each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 the first access point recognizing a System ID (SID) of a plurality of possible SIDs, wherein each of the plurality of possible SIDs is associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising: 
 the first access point maintaining associations between the plurality of possible SIDs and the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising: 
 the first access point maintaining associations between the plurality of possible SIDs and a plurality of active subscribers.    
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising: 
 the first access point broadcasting a plurality of possible SIDs, wherein each of the plurality of possible SIDs is associated with a respective one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.    
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said first access point is operable to function as a wireless service provider access point for each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein said first access point comprises computer software which implements a plurality of virtual access points, wherein each virtual access point corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers, and wherein each virtual access point provides network access services to the corresponding wireless service provider.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein each virtual access point provides access point functionality implemented in software, wherein each virtual access point appears as a physical access point to the portable computing device.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein each virtual access point (AP) executes a wireless protocol stack.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the wireless protocol stack comprises an IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol stack.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein each virtual access point (AP) includes an Extended Service Set ID (ESSID), and wherein each ESSID corresponds to one of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the wireless network system is a distributed wireless network system.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the network system is useable by subscribers of each of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising: 
 maintaining and storing a usage amount by the portable computing device;    wherein the determined wireless service provider charges for access by the portable computing device to the network.    
     
     
         77 . 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; and 
 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.    
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the plurality of access points are maintained by a first wireless service provider; and 
 wherein the identification information indicates a second wireless service provider.    
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the identification information comprises a System ID, wherein the System ID uniquely identifies the wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein the identification information comprises an Extended Service Set ID (ESSID), wherein the ESSID uniquely identifies the wireless service provider of the plurality of possible wireless service providers.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 62 , 
 wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method further comprising:    the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device;    wherein said providing network access comprises selectively providing network access to the portable computing device based on the known geographic location of the portable computing device.    
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 62 , 
 wherein the plurality of access points are arranged at known locations in a geographic region, the method further comprising:    the first access point providing geographic location information indicating a known geographic location of the portable computing device; and    determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    wherein said providing network access comprises selectively providing network access to the portable computing device based on the known geographic location of the portable computing device and the determined access level.    
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising: 
 determining an access level for the portable computing device after receiving the identification information;    the first access point receiving data from the portable computing device; and    providing the data received from the portable computing device to a destination based on the determined access level.