Mapping wireless proximity identificator to subscriber identity for hotspot based wireless services for mobile terminals

A method in a short-range wireless access point for enabling a mobile device to resume service with a network server, the service having been interrupted by moving the mobile device out of the coverage area of the access point, comprising;

• a) establishing a short-range communication link for initiating a service with the mobile wireless device, wherein the short-range communication link is based on a local area identification the mobile wireless device;
• b) requesting from the mobile wireless device an additional identification through the short-range communication link, wherein the requested identification relates to a wide area network identification of the terminal;
• c) receiving the additional identification from the mobile wireless device;
• d) determining whether the service with the mobile wireless device through the short-range communication link is open;
• and
• e) establishing wide area connection with the mobile wireless device using the stored association in response to detecting that the short-range communication link is closed.

A system enabling a mobile wireless device to resume service with a network server after the wireless device moves out of a coverage area of an access point, comprising:

• a) a hotspot server including transceivers for short-range wireless communication within a coverage area and with a network server;
• b) a mobile device including means for short-range communication and network communications;
• c) means coupling the hotspot server to a service provider;
• c) means stored in the mobile device for implementing short-range communications with the hotspot server when within the coverage area;
• d) means stored in the hotspot server for recognizing the mobile device when initiating short-range communication with the mobile device
• e) means registering the mobile device when initiating proximity services with the service provider;
• f) means transmitting a code to the mobile device for identification purposes in short-range and network communications;
• g) means initiating a session for the mobile device with the service provider within the coverage area;
• and
• h) means maintaining the session with the service provider using the code when the mobile device moves outside the coverage area.

A method enabling a mobile wireless device to resume service with a network server after the wireless device moves out of a coverage area of an access point, comprising:

• a) installing transceivers in a hotspot server for short-range wireless communication within a coverage area and with a network server;
• b) installing short-range communication and network communications means in a mobile device;
• c) coupling the hotspot server to a service provider;
• c) storing in the mobile device means for implementing short-range communications with the hotspot server when within the coverage area;
• d) storing in the hotspot server means for recognizing the mobile device when initiating short-range communication with the mobile device
• e) registering the mobile device when initiating proximity services with the service provider;
• f) transmitting a code to the mobile device for identification purposes in short-range and network communications;
• g) initiating a session for the mobile device with the service provider when within the coverage area;
• and
• h) maintaining the session with the service provider using the code when the mobile device moves outside the coverage area.