Cooperative network for mobile internet access

Abstract

A method and system for connecting mobile users to the Internet using cooperative interconnection. A node consists of a network element that has two connection methodologies—typically a node will have a radio link and a wired link to the Internet. To obtain a connection a member of the service locates themselves in proximity to a network node which is commonly provided by another member and the cooperative tunneling agent requests a secure link. All members of the service agree to give connection to the Internet upon request from another member.

1 . A method of connection to a network comprising:
 Under control of a host system,   The configuration of a tunnel under control of client system, the connection to the host system under control of a matching means the comparison of the host system and client system preferences and, if a match is made, the automatic establishing of a secure link from the mobile system to the target network through the fixed system.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  1  where the comparison is made in a server. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  1  where the fixed network is the Internet 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  1  where the fixed network is the PSTN. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  1  where the fixed system is, itself, mobile and connected to another fixed system in a manner that can be repeated recursively until a connection to the target network is made. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  1  where the host systems and the client systems are members of a service that gives reciprocal roaming rights. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  1  where the host system publishes a cost of obtaining a link and the mobile client system has a preprogrammed limit to the amount it is willing to pay for a lin and if the cost is less than or equal to the limit than the link is automatically established. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  1  where the host system is not connected to a network and will make connection to that network upon request by a client. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  1  further comprising a method for managing the handoff from one network to another under control of a server system the preferences of a mobile client system are stored; the server system can negotiate a link with an alternate network capability for use by the mobile system and can synchronize the handoff of the connection to the mobile system. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  1  by which a host PC mimics air interface for a cordless telephone link and converts the datastream into suitable packets for transmission over the Internet. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  1  where the link is not automatically established but rather the user is given notification of the availability of a link that they can accept or reject. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  1  where the client configuration is performed automatically by the host upon boot up. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  1  where packets can be automatically routed through multiple connection means under control of the mobile device and the server system. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  1  where the host system is mounted in a place where radio frequency interference might prove a hazard such as an airplane or blasting area such that all member devices can be either turned off selectively or turned off because they do not meet regulations or their presence notified whether they are members or not or any combination of these options. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  1  where the data stream is encrypted, either selectively or prior to being sent to the server and decrypted prior to being sent to the network such that the private and security of the client are maintained. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  15  where the encryption can be selectively applied to the data stream depending on preferences. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  1  where the system will have automatic synchronization of selected content such as email, music or video by predefined preferences upon the obtaining of a connection with the correct characteristics such as bandwidth and cost. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  1  where the coordination of the members of the network by means of time frequency or code such as to make incompatible wireless networks coexist. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  1  where the coordination of members by time such as they all power up or down substantially in concert in order to preserve power consumption. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  1  where the server is any available member located at sufficient physical and or logical distance from the host that security and privacy are maintained.