Systems and methods for providing network access

Abstract

Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, a request from a customer to initiate a communication session, establishing a first communication link between the vending machine and a device associated with the customer, and establishing a second communication link between the vending machine and a remote network device, such that a communication session is established between the device associated with the customer and the remote network device. Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, an indication of a selection of a product sold by the vending machine, receiving, from a customer, payment for the selected product, dispensing the product to the customer, the product comprising an indication of a communication session activation code, receiving, by the vending machine, an indication of the communication session activation code, and establishing a communication session between a device associated with the customer and a remote network device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vending machine offering for sale at least one of (i) a plurality of food items, and (ii) a plurality of beverage items, the vending machine comprising:
 means for receiving a request from a customer to initiate a communication session via the vending machine, the communication session being between a remote network device and a mobile communications device operated by the customer;   means for establishing, in response to receiving a request from the customer to initiate the communication session via the vending machine, the communication session being between the remote network device and the mobile communications device operated by the customer, a first communication link between the vending machine and mobile communications device operated by the customer;   means for establishing, in response to receiving the request from the customer to initiate the communication session via the vending machine, the communication session being between the remote network device and the mobile communications device operated by the customer, a second communication link between the vending machine and the remote network device; and   means for utilizing the first and second communication links to (i) facilitate data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) facilitate data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device.   
     
     
         2 . The vending machine of  claim 1 , wherein the vending machine further comprises:
 means for receiving payment, from the customer, in exchange for a facilitation, by the vending machine, of (i) data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device.   
     
     
         3 . The vending machine of  claim 1 , wherein a facilitation, by the vending machine, of (i) data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device, comprises a provision of Internet access to the customer. 
     
     
         4 . The vending machine of  claim 1 , wherein the device operated by the customer comprises a wireless telephone and wherein the remote network device is associated with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider. 
     
     
         5 . The vending machine of  claim 1 , wherein the vending machine further comprises:
 means for determining a price to charge the customer for a facilitation, by the vending machine, of (i) data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device, wherein the price is based at least in part on one or more of (i) an identity of the customer, (ii) a duration of the communication session, (iii) a bandwidth of the communication session, (iv) current utilization of available bandwidth, (v) a time or date, and (vi) at least one of (a) one the plurality of food items, and (b) one of the plurality of beverage items of the vending machine, selected by the customer for purchase.   
     
     
         6 . A vending machine offering for sale at least one of (i) a plurality of food items, and (ii) a plurality of beverage items, the vending machine comprising a processing device and a memory device in communication with the processing device, the memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processing device result in:
 receiving a request from a customer to initiate a communication session via the vending machine, the communication session being between a remote network device and a mobile communications device operated by the customer;   establishing, in response to receiving a request from the customer to initiate the communication session via the vending machine, the communication session being between the remote network device and the mobile communications device operated by the customer, a first communication link between the vending machine and mobile communications device operated by the customer;   establishing, in response to receiving the request from the customer to initiate the communication session via the vending machine, the communication session being between the remote network device and the mobile communications device operated by the customer, a second communication link between the vending machine and the remote network device; and   utilizing the first and second communication links to (i) facilitate data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) facilitate data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device.   
     
     
         7 . The vending machine of  claim 6 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing device, further result in:
 receiving payment, from the customer, in exchange for a facilitation, by the vending machine, of (i) data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device.   
     
     
         8 . The vending machine of  claim 6 , wherein a facilitation, by the vending machine, of (i) data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device, comprises a provision of Internet access to the customer. 
     
     
         9 . The vending machine of  claim 6 , wherein the device operated by the customer comprises a wireless telephone and wherein the remote network device is associated with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider. 
     
     
         10 . The vending machine of  claim 6 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing device, further result in:
 determining a price to charge the customer for a facilitation, by the vending machine, of (i) data transmissions from the remote network device to the mobile communications device operated by the customer and (ii) data transmissions from the mobile communications device operated by the customer to the remote network device, wherein the price is based at least in part on one or more of (i) an identity of the customer, (ii) a duration of the communication session, (iii) a bandwidth of the communication session, (iv) current utilization of available bandwidth, (v) a time or date, and (vi) at least one of (a) one the plurality of food items, and (b) one of the plurality of beverage items of the vending machine, selected by the customer for purchase.