Distributed network communication system which enables multiple network providers to use a common distributed network infrastructure
US6732176B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W4/185
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.