# US 2016/0262192 A1 · System for Providing Internet Access Using Mobile Phones > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0262192 A1 - Document ID: US20160262192A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/061,892 - Filed: 2016-03-04 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-04 - Assignees: Nextivity, Inc. - Applicants: Nextivity, Inc. - Inventors: Werner Richard Sievers; Joseph Barry Schmeizer; Michiel Petrus Lotter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160262192A1 ## CPC - H04W 40/34: Modification of an existing route - H04L 45/245: {Link aggregation, e.g. trunking} - H04L 45/28: using route fault recovery - H04W 88/04: adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user - H04W 88/06: adapted for operation in multiple networks {or having at least two operational modes}, e.g. multi-mode terminals - H04W 88/16: Gateway arrangements - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A system and method for providing internet access using mobile devices is disclosed. A gateway/router device of a local environment selects at least one mobile device located within the local environment, the selecting being based on the at least one mobile device having a wireless connection to the internet. The gateway/router device established a local connection with the selected at least one mobile device, the local connection for communicating data signals between the at least one mobile device and the gateway/router device on a first hop, and for communicating the data signals between the selected at least one mobile device and the internet on a second hop via the wireless connection between the at least one mobile device and the internet. The gateway/router device communicates the data signals between at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing internet access using mobile devices, the method comprising: selecting, by a gateway/router device of a local environment, at least one mobile device located within the local environment, the selecting being based on the at least one mobile device having a wireless connection to the internet; establishing, by the gateway/router device, a local connection with the selected at least one mobile device, the local connection for communicating data signals between the at least one mobile device and the gateway/router device on a first hop, and for communicating the data signals between the selected at least one mobile device and the internet on a second hop via the wireless connection between the at least one mobile device and the internet; and communicating, by the gateway/router device, the data signals between at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wireless connection to the internet by the selected at least one mobile device is a cellular data connection. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the local connection with the selected at least one mobile device is a wireless data connection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the wireless data connection is one of a WIFI connection and a Bluetooth connection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein communicating the data signals between the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment is via a second wireless connection between the gateway/router device the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein communicating the data signals between the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment is by a wired connection between the gateway/router device the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment. ### Claim 7 A system for providing internet access using mobile devices, the system comprising: a gateway/router device that services a local environment, the gateway/router device selecting at least one mobile device located within the local environment, the selecting being based on the at least one mobile device having a wireless connection to the internet; a first local connection from the gateway/router device for communicating with the selected at least one mobile device, the first local connection for communicating data signals between the at least one mobile device and the gateway/router device on a first hop, and for communicating the data signals between the selected at least one mobile device and the internet on a second hop via the wireless connection between the at least one mobile device and the internet; and a second local connection from the gateway/router device for communicating with at least one other internet-enabled device, and for communicating the data signals between at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the wireless connection to the internet by the selected at least one mobile device is a cellular data connection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the local connection with the selected at least one mobile device is a wireless data connection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the wireless data connection is one of a WIFI connection and a Bluetooth connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein communicating the data signals between the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment is via a second wireless connection between the gateway/router device the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein communicating the data signals between the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment is by a wired connection between the gateway/router device the at least one other internet-enabled device within the local environment.