Wireless Network Facilitator for Seamless Multi-ISP Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in accessing the internet via wireless hotspots due to the lack of interoperability between different Internet Service Providers (ISPs), requiring multiple accounts and accounts management, which hinders seamless connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network facilitator and monitor system that configures client devices and intermediate nodes to connect to a desired ISP, tracks and bills connections, and monitors performance and quality, enabling seamless access through a single account by interfacing with multiple ISPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users connect to different hotspots serviced by different ISPs, then wireless connectivity coverage is improved, but users must maintain multiple ISP accounts and authentication credentials, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that mediates between the user's home ISP and visiting hotspots. The home ISP acts as a central authority that can authenticate users at foreign hotspots through inter-ISP communication, eliminating the need for users to maintain separate accounts at each hotspot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal authentication mechanism where a single ISP account can be used across multiple different hotspots and ISPs. The authentication system is designed to be multi-functional, supporting both direct authentication at home ISP hotspots and indirect authentication at visiting hotspots through the same credential set.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ISPs are configured to interface with each other for pass-through connections, then seamless wireless connectivity is improved, but tracking and billing for inter-ISP connections becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where authentication requests and usage information are communicated back from the visiting hotspot to the user's home ISP. The home ISP receives feedback about the connection status, data usage, and billing information, allowing it to track and charge users appropriately without requiring complex distributed billing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The home ISP acts as an intermediary that centralizes the billing and tracking functions. Instead of each hotspot needing its own complex billing system for inter-ISP connections, the home ISP mediates the entire process, receiving usage information and handling billing independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hotspots are configured to support multiple ISPs, then user access flexibility is improved, but security and performance management across multiple ISPs becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The home ISP serves as a security intermediary that maintains control over user authentication and authorization even when connecting to foreign hotspots. The visiting hotspot trusts the home ISP's authentication, allowing the home ISP to enforce security policies without requiring the visiting hotspot to implement complex multi-ISP security management.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are presented for facilitating and monitoring wireless network connections. Clients and intermediate nodes are configured to interact with one another via network connections. Initially, the clients wirelessly connect to a select one of the intermediate nodes. Tests may be periodically issued to the clients and to the intermediate nodes to measure and track performance and quality of the network connections. Billing records may also be recorded and billing policies verified for client activities occurring during the network connections.