US 10,097,540 B2 · Convenient WiFi network access using unique identifier value

Abstract

A WiFi network manager stores a unique identifier value such as a network address associated with a communication device as being a valid credential for the communication device to subsequently access a WiFi network including one or more access points. The WiFi network manager monitors use of the unique identifier value to access the WiFi network. In response to detecting misuse of the unique identifier value by two or more communication devices using the unique identifier value to use the WiFi network, the WiFi network manager at least temporarily prevents access to the WiFi network.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

via computer processor hardware, performing operations of:
detecting first use of a network address to establish a first communication session with a first wireless access point;
subsequent to termination of the first communication session, detecting second use of the network address to establish a second communication session over a second wireless access point;
in response to detecting that the second use of the network address occurs within a threshold amount of time following the termination of the first communication session, denying the second communication session and corresponding use of the second wireless access point;
and
wherein a magnitude of the threshold amount of time is derived based on a distance between the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point.

3 more elements

A computer system comprising:

computer processor hardware;
and
a hardware storage resource in communication with the computer processor hardware, the hardware storage resource storing instructions that, when executed by the computer processor hardware device, cause the computer processor hardware to:
detect first use of a network address to establish a first communication session using a first wireless access point;
subsequent to termination of the first communication session, detect second use of the network address to establish a second communication session over a second wireless access point;
and
in response to detection that the second use of the network address occurs within a threshold amount of time following the termination of the first communication session, deny the second communication session and corresponding use of the second wireless access point;
and
wherein the threshold amount of time is derived based at least in part on a distance between the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description9,232 words

Summary2,372 words

#Conventional computer devices typically include a network interface capable of communicating with a WiFi network. For example, according to current technology, to learn of WiFi access points in a region, a computer device transmits a wireless query signal in a region. In response to the wireless signal, any of one or more WiFi network access points in the region respond with information indicating their identities. Accordingly, via the response information from the access points, the operator of the computer device can identify which, if any, WiFi networks are available in a region.

#WiFi networks can be openly accessible to any communication device or, alternatively, accessible only by a certain group of subscribers. To access a private WiFi network, a user may be authenticated to verify that the user should be given access to the WiFi network.

#One way to authenticate a WiFi user is to request the user to provide a valid password prior to providing the user access to the resources in the WiFi network. For example, a WiFi access point can be configured to challenge a user each time they attempt to use the WiFi network. In response to a challenge, the user provides a password and username. If the password is correct for the username, a user may be provided access to the WiFi network. If the password is incorrect, the user may be denied access to the WiFi network.

Brief description of the drawings13 figures

#The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

#FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating a network environment in with which users register to a use a WiFi network according to embodiments herein.

#FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating a communication device programmed with a unique identifier value according to embodiments herein.

Detailed description6,481 words

#According to one embodiment, a WiFi network manager stores a unique identifier value such as a network address associated with a communication device as being a valid credential for the communication device to subsequently access a WiFi network including one or more access points. The WiFi network manager monitors use of the unique identifier value to access the WiFi network. In response to detecting misuse of the unique identifier value by two or more communication devices using the network address to use the WiFi network, the WiFi network manager at least temporarily prevents access to the WiFi network.

#More specifically, FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating a network environment in with which users register to use a WiFi network according to embodiments herein.

#As shown, communication devices 160 (e.g., communication device 160-1, communication device 160-2, . . . ) resides and roam in network environment 100.

Facts

Application

15/045,579Filed 17 Feb 2016 · continuation

Priority

24 Apr 2012

Published

US 2016/0164864 A19 Jun 2016

Granted

9 Oct 2018

Term ends

11 Jun 2032

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 48 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification9 codes

H04L 63/0846
Using passwords: using time-dependent-passwords, e.g. periodically changing passwords
H04L 63/0876
For authentication of entities: based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or…
H04W 12/08
Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity: access security
H04W 12/12
Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity: detection or prevention of fraud

Family

Application13/455,031Parent of this continuation · filed 24 Apr 2012

US 2016/0164864 A1Pre-grant publication · published 9 Jun 2016

US 9,288,674 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2013/0283358 A1Published application

US 10,097,540 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

24 Apr 2012Priority claimedParent application 13/455,031
17 Feb 2016Application filedUS 15/045,579
2 Mar 2016Assigned to Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCassignment of assignor's interest
18 May 2016Assigned to Bank of America, N.A., AS Administrative Agentsecurity interest
9 Jun 2016PublishedUS 2016/0164864 A1
15 Nov 2017Assigned to Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLCchange of address
17 Jul 2018Assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.security interest
25 Jul 2018Assigned to Wells Fargo Trust Company, N.A.security interest
9 Oct 2018GrantedUS 10,097,540 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
11 Jun 2032Term endsEstimated, includes 48 days of adjustment

Convenient WiFi network access using unique identifier value

Life of this patent

Convenient WiFi network access using unique identifier value

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims24

Description9,232 words

Drawings

Classification9 codes

Life of this patent

Description9,232 words