Abstract:
A system for managing wireless internet access. The system includes an interface for receiving incoming requests for wireless internet access from a plurality of subscribers. The subscribers submit requests from a wireless access provider having a plurality of geographic locations at least one request coming from one location and at least a second request coming from a different location. An authentication module authenticates account information from the subscriber. A session manager monitors each of the wireless internet access sessions of each of the subscribers. A data collection and storage module stores said session information. A mediation module supplies usage reports to the wireless access provider based on the session information from each of the subscribers at each of the plurality of locations.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present invention is related to and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/740,687, filed on Nov. 29, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to WiFi/WiMax wireless internet access. More particularly, the present invention is related to management of WiFi/WiMax installations. BACKGROUND  
         [0003]     Wireless internet access is a method for providing internet access and other network capabilities to a mobile/wireless client device such as laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) etc. . . . Wireless internet access is typically provided by a wireless router, commonly referred to as a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) router.  
         [0004]     Apart from home use, the supplying of wireless internet access to customers at retail locations and other commercial and non-commercial institutions is becoming more common. In many instances, the wireless access is being offered in larger commercial chains such as Starbucks™ and McDonalds™. In the case of commercial chains offering wireless internet access, wireless internet providers are typically partnered with to handle the access.  
         [0005]     For example,  FIG. 1  shows a prior art arrangement where a first retail location  12 A provides wireless internet access (hot spot) to a plurality of users  10  via a service provider  14  and a second retail location  12 B also provides wireless internet access to a plurality users  10  via service provider  14 .  
         [0006]     In another example, enterprises and universities are now widely deploying wireless local area networks (LANs) based on the IEEE 802.11 (and 802.16) standards. Users with client devices such as laptops and PDAs use an 802.11 network interface card that provides them wireless access to the Internet. In addition to replacing traditional Ethernet-based local area networks, these wireless LANs are now also being deployed in other novel settings. Of special interest is the increasing deployment of these 802.11 based networks in public spaces and hot spots such as, e.g., airports, convention centers, hotels, and even local coffee shops. These hotspots can provide Wi-FI/Wi-MAX service at fast speeds with coupled LAN access.  
         [0007]     These Wi-FI/Wi-MAX service providers (i.e., service providers who own direct relationships with end users), and particularly the commercial providers, are constantly challenged to excel at meeting the needs of their end users. These needs include, for example: providing service coverage across key venues; a simple, reliable and high-quality end user experience; enterprise-quality security in a public environment; access to a suite of local and global applications; enterprise-level management of end user usage and costs; and affordable pricing plans for enterprise and individual users.  
         [0008]     However, existing arrangements have a number of drawbacks concerning session management, authentication log-on/log-off services, record keeping and billing. For example, it is difficult for a large geographically divers access provider to manage usage and billing data, particularly when it employs multiple service providers for different geographic locations. Such drawbacks, in addition to being problems in and of themselves, also leave a large amount of tracking data either uncollected or otherwise underutilized which would be of great value to the retail wireless access providers and to the wireless service providers.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY  
       [0009]     The present invention looks to overcome the drawbacks associated with the prior art and to provide a system and method for providing uniform session management, authentication log-on/log-off services, record keeping and billing for wireless internet access. Another object of the present invention is to provide detailed record keeping of wireless internet access sessions to assist in tracking of the users&#39; actions and habits for reporting to the wireless providers. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such services in manner linked with traditional enhanced directory assistance (typically employed in the telephone environment) such that various directory assistance services may be handled via the user&#39;s wireless connection.  
         [0010]     The system and method of the present invention includes receiving at a gateway, coupled to the service provider network, a request for authenticating a subscriber desiring access to either the internet directly or the internet via a local area network. The request contains the subscriber&#39;s credentials. They are authenticated based on their credentials and information relating to the subscriber previously stored in a subscriber database.  
         [0011]     The local area network or (LAN) access (and accompanying WiFi internet access) is authorized to grant access to the subscriber when the subscriber is authenticated. A link is established between the system gateway and a client program operating on the subscriber&#39;s terminal. Session information is collected either through system gateway itself or through the link between the system gateway and the client program.  
         [0012]     The gateway of the present invention may provide, among other features: (1) advanced service plan support allowing creation and enforcement of complex service plans around several parameters such as locations, connections, duration, and volume; (2) prepay support for authentication, monitoring, and management of prepaid sessions; (3) aggregation and mediation of multi-session records for complex service plans (ie. total time sessions rather than per log-on sessions), including prepaid and postpaid sessions; (4) enhanced security through end-to-end credential encryption; (5) interface to external subscriber databases for flexible access to subscriber information; (6) interface to export records to external systems for easy reporting and data manipulation by operators; and (7) installation macros to simplify configuration of roaming relationships.  
         [0013]     The service manager client program, if utilized to log-on for wireless internet access via a LAN using LAN access cards, may provide among other services: (1) “Dashboard” architecture, providing integrated client skins; (2) customizable profiles, allowing service provider, Wi-FI/Wi-MAX operator, and user customization of network, security, and application settings; (3) tethered phone support; (4) driver management, allowing management of up to-date versions of Wi-FI/Wi-MAX drivers; (5) conflicting application management, allowing detection and management of conflicting applications on end-user terminals; and (6) authentication enhancements to support multiple roaming network configurations.  
         [0014]     To this end, the present invention is directed to a system for managing wireless internet access. The system includes an interface for receiving incoming requests for wireless internet access from a plurality of subscribers. The subscribers submit requests from a wireless access provider having a plurality of geographic locations at least one request coming from one location and at least a second request coming from a different location.  
         [0015]     An authentication module authenticates account information from the subscriber. A session manager monitors each of the wireless internet access sessions of each of the subscribers. A data collection and storage module stores said session information. A mediation module supplies usage reports to the wireless access provider based on the session information from each of the subscribers at each of the plurality of locations.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art wireless internet access arrangement for a retail wireless internet access provider;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a system gateway for managing wireless internet access, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a system gateway for managing wireless internet access, in accordance with anther embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system gateway for managing wireless internet access, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of the gateway from  FIG. 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of the service manager application from  FIG. 4 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates a block diagram of the gateway from  FIG. 2  coupled to a directory assistance system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart depicting the operation of a wireless session conducted via the gateway of either  FIG. 2  or  4 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart depicting the operation of a wireless session conducted via the gateway of either  FIG. 2  or  4 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     The present invention provides a unified access control for wireless internet access provided by various installations such as wireless access providers  12 , including but not limited to retail stores or other commercial and non-commercial institutions. For the purposes of illustrating the salient features of the present invention, the present invention is described in conjunction with chain retail stores  12  that provide wireless internet access. However it is understood that the feature described below are equally applicable to any multi-location wireless internet access installations.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a gateway device  100  is situated between wireless access providers  12  (and their associated Wi-Fi/WiMax routers) and service provider  14 . As discussed in more detail below, gateway  100  provides all session log-on/log-off, billing and other related session management for wireless internet access through providers  12 .  
         [0028]     For illustration purposes,  FIG. 3  shows a real-world arrangement whereby gateway  100  is shown to manage multiple access providers  12  having multiple locations as well as the accompanying interfaces with multiple service providers  14 . For simplicity, the arrangement of  FIG. 2  with only one provider  12  (at several locations) and one service provider  14  are used to illustrate the various feature of the present invention.  
         [0029]     Returning however to  FIG. 2  to illustrate the features of the present invention, it is noted that although gateway  100  is shown as a single element for illustration purposes, it is understood that gateway  100  may represent a cluster of distributed gateways  100 , accessible by a single IP address, that are operated in a linked manner, even though geographically distributed. Furthermore, gateway  100  is shown apart from internet/wireless service provider  14 . However, gateway  100  (or clusters of gateways  100 ), may be employed directly as a node within the network of service provider  14 .  
         [0030]     If gateway  100  is deployed within the network architecture of a service provider  14 , it may be deployed in either a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)/GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) or a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)/1βRTT (CDMA2000-3G mobile) arrangement. In each arrangement gateway  100  of the present invention may be either in an integrated architecture or overlay architecture. In the integrated architecture, gateway  100  is in direct contact with the existing access, billing and core nodes of the service provider  14 , augmenting the services provided. In an overlay architecture, gateway  100  may directly takeover certain billing and access operations. As discussed throughout for illustrative purposes, it is assumed that gateway  100  is performing all of the functions independently of service provider  14 . However, it is understood that such operations may be integrated directly into some of the existing network architecture of service providers  14 .  
         [0031]     The multi-site clusters of gateways  100  may be deployed in a number of ways including load distribution mode and back-up mode. In load distribution mode, some clients (wireless access providers  12 ) point to one cluster as the primary and use a second cluster as a backup, while other access providers  12  point to the other cluster as a primary. This deployment provides geographic load sharing. In back-up mode one cluster of gateways  100  may be used as the primary cluster for all traffic and the second cluster of gateways may be used for backup.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 4  shows an alternative arrangement, whereby in addition to system gateway  100 , a service manager application  200  is operated on the terminal of subscriber  10 . As discussed in more detail below, service manager program  200  is typically operated as a plug-in application that is added to the device of subscriber  10  either via its incorporation into the LAN access card used at access provider  12  or communicated directly through a web page supported by access provider  12  or their affiliates.  
         [0033]     The following discussion of the operation of the present invention discusses both the operation of gateway  100  as well as service manager application  200 . However, it is understood that the present invention may operate solely with gateway  100  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or alternatively, with both gateway  100  and service manager application  200  as shown in  FIG. 4 , for additional data transmission, seamless usability, added security and other enhanced features. The following description begins with the operation and features of gateway  100  and then follows with the additional operations that may be maintained with the addition of service manager application  200 .  
         [0034]     In one embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5  illustrates the various modules of gateway  100 . This list of modules is not exhaustive or limiting of the total number of modules within gateway  100 , but is for illustrating the important features thereof.  
         [0035]     A WiFi interface module  102  may be implemented to connect with the wireless access providers  12  and their associated WiFi/WiMax routers. It is noted the interface module  102  is typically configured to interface with providers  12  employing RADIUS hot spots. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) is an authentication, authorization and accounting protocol (AAA) for applications such as network access that works in both local and roaming. It is understood that gateway  100  may also be employed with other standard formats such as DIAMETER protocol.  
         [0036]     A session manager module  104  implements the core real-time session management capability in gateway  100 . For example, session manager module  104  maintains the real-time state for all the active subscriber  10  sessions, such as authentication state, usage, device from which the session was initiated, IP address, MAC address. Session manager  104  also manage the state for service plans of subscribers  10  that last through multiple sessions and controls prepaid sessions.  
         [0037]     An additional feature of session manager  104  is to manage complex “multi-sessions.” These multi-sessions are generated as a result of the common service plans used by various service providers  14  and access providers  12 . For instance, a service plan may allow unlimited logins from a single location over certain duration. In this case, multiple sessions may be created, one every time subscriber  10  logs in through gateway  100 . However, there is only one ‘billable’ session for all the sessions within this duration. Session manager  104  of gateway  100  has the ability to define, authorize, and enforce such service plans. Such, pre-paid or complex multiple log-on sessions may be monitored to warn subscriber  10  of a low balances, offer the ability to top re-up an account, and support session disconnection. Necessary storage for such management may be handled by collection and storage module  110  and authentication module  108  discussed below.  
         [0038]     A client interface module  106  collects additional session records and delivers them to data collection and storage module  110 . Additionally, client interface module  106  provides the external interface for subscriber  10  connections that utilize service manager application  200  as opposed to a direct RADIUS connection through WiFi interface  102 . As noted above, gateway  100  support direct connections from access points  12  without service manager application  200 . In such instances incoming communications would interface directly with interface module  102  in a RADIUS arrangement. However, if using a LAN card or other web-based manner for implementing service manager application  200 , then the connection to gateway  100  may be handled directly by client interface module  106  which may augment the real-time record collection.  
         [0039]     An authentication module  108  supports the authentication of subscribers  10 , including passwords, log-on IDs, and all of the associated protocols used by various wireless providers  12  including all the 802.1x protocols such as MD5, PEAP, MS-CHAP, and EAP SIM.  
         [0040]     A collection and storage module  110  manages the collection and storage of session usage data received from both session manager  104  and the client interface  106 . Data collection and storage module  110  also maintains the necessary records for to compliment authentication module  108  to properly identify subscribers  10 . Collection and storage module  110  may also processes multiple sessions to generate aggregated session records. This data may be utilized by wireless access providers  12  and service providers  14  to generate reports on usage and to audit hotspot performance and activity patterns.  
         [0041]     A partner data module  112  maintains a database of wireless access providers  12  and their relevant information such as all of the pertinent information regarding the WiFi/WiMax routers, such as locations, speed, IP addresses, etc. . . . Partner module  112  also includes information regarding the service providers  14  including rate plans, and connectivity arrangements necessary for mediation module  116  to settle accounts with the various partners (wireless access providers  12  and service providers  14 ).  
         [0042]     For example, for large access providers  12  having many geographically diverse locations, it is possible that they utilize different service providers  14  for different geographic reasons. In such situations, it is particularly difficulty to manage the overall usage of all subscribers  10 . Furthermore, presents a more complex scenario for settling the billing accounts. This added level of complexity makes it more difficult to audit the services offered by an access provider  12 , for value, marketing, and affiliated advertising options. Mediation module  116  discussed in more detail below can utilize data from partner data module  112  to assist an access provider  12  with aggregating all of the necessary billing and usage data.  
         [0043]     In prior art arrangements potentially difficult information to capture and manage is the database of home and partner network locations. Partner data module  112  is preferably maintained accurately as it is used to create hotspot location directories of other locations of wireless access providers  12  that subscribers  10  can search through either directly through a link on a web browser, or via service manager application  200 , when available. Gateway  100  can incorporate a mechanism for location auto-discovery whereby the partner data module  112  is populated with new locations whenever service manager application  200 , employed by a subscriber  10 , is accessed at a location, regardless of whether gateway  100  has been pre-configured to be aware of said location. This mechanism creates a self-maintaining partner data module minimizing maintenance and increasing accuracy- and provides a simple mechanism for wireless access providers  12  to inform subscribers  10  of new locations.  
         [0044]     A billing module  114  is configured to utilize information from collection and storage module  110  as well as session management module  104  to generate complete billing records for wireless access provider  12 , service providers  14  as well as subscribers  10  if applicable.  
         [0045]     The mediation module  116  is for interfacing with external modules of both wireless access providers  12  and service providers  14 . The information provided may include, among other things, the usage reports generated from data in collection and storage module  110  as well as billing module  112 . Data may be formatted into GCDR, TAP3 (data record formats) or other such formats and can be delivered as desired.  
         [0046]     As noted above, one of the features of utilizing gateway  100  to manage WiFi/WiMax access is that gateway  100  stores a larger amount of usage data stored in data collection and storage module  110 , to be reported to wireless access providers  12  and service providers  14  through mediation module  116 .  
         [0047]     The following TABLE 1 is an exemplary, though not exhaustive listing of potential information that data collection and storage module  110  may store relating to a session initiated by subscriber  10  at wireless access point  12 .  
                   TABLE 1                           User Realm   Realm (system notation) used to authenticate this user       User Id   Subscriber Id (User Name, Phone Number of IMSI)           used to authenticate this user       Device Id   Device Id with which the subscriber connected to the           session       Start Time   Start time of the session       End Time   End time of the session       Gateway Id   Id of Gateway       Gateway Session   Session Id given to a session by the Gateway       Id       Error Code   Error code for the session       User Name   User name of the subscriber       Phone Number   Phone number of the subscriber       IMSI   IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identifier) of           the subscriber       Pay Plan   Pay plan of the subscriber       Service Plan Id   Id of the subscriber&#39;s service plan       Service Access Id   Access Id of the subscriber&#39;s service plan Service Start       Time Start   Start time of the subscriber&#39;s service plan       Service End Time   End time of the subscriber&#39;s service plan       Service Plan Days   Valid days of the subscriber&#39;s service plan       Service Location   Location categories of the subscriber&#39;s service plan       Service Access   Access of the subscriber&#39;s service plan       NAS Id   Id of the Network Access Server (at access provider           12)       NAS Certificate   Id of the Network Access Server security certificate       Id       NAS IP   IP Address of the Network Access Server       NAS Session Id   Session Id given by the Network Access Server       Location Partner   Location partner (12) providing service at this location       Location Id   Id of this location       Location Name   Name of this location       Location Address   Location address of this location       Location TZ   Offset of this location from GMT Location, DST           if Flag Was DST in effect       Location   Location category of this location       Category       Auth Method   Authentication method used       Auth Proxy   Was this authentication proxied?       Interims   Number of interim accounting records       Bytes In   Bytes transferred in during session       Bytes Out   Bytes transferred out during session       Packets In   Packets transferred in during session       Packets Out   Packets transferred out during session       Session Duration   Duration of session       Term Cause   Cause of the session termination       Client Version   Version of the client software       Client SN   Serial number of the client       Client IP   IP address of the client                  
 
         [0048]     Such information can be used for various gateway  100  functions, such as real-time tracking of subscriber  10  activity as well as for reports issued by mediation module  116  to service provider  14  of wireless access provider  12 , both of which are discussed in more detail below.  
         [0049]     In another embodiment of the present invention, service manager application  200  is a software application, plug-in or other such web-based application that is provided to subscriber  10  for use on the accessing device. An exemplary implementation of service manager  200  is a plug-in application that is included on wireless LAN access card that is employed by a subscriber  10  for wireless LAN/internet access. Another implementation of service manager application  200  is for direct download from a web page via gateway  100 , where the web page is maintained by access provider  12  or their affiliates.  
         [0050]     As noted above, although gateway  100  of the present invention may operate without an accompanying service manager application  200  on a subscriber  10  device, the use of service manager application  200  may provide additional advantages such as improved security, improved information tracking, improved application transfer and improved access provider  12  control over the look and feel of the interface that subscriber  10  uses when at the establishment of access provider  12 .  
         [0051]     The following information and services, handled through service manager application  200  are discussed, for exemplary purposes, as being imported from a plug-in from a LAN access card or from an access provider  12  managed web page. However, it is understood that each and every application discussed in conjunction with service manager application  200  may be equally employed as simply an application run entirely through a web page managed by access provider  12  or service provider  14  that enables the same services without an actual application being imported on the device of subscriber  10 .  
         [0052]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an exemplary service manager application  200  architecture is shown. Service manager application  200 , maintains a GUI (Graphical User Interface) module  210 , a service module  220  and a driver module  230 . It is important to note that service manager application  200  may be implemented in any number of ways including, but not limited to installation on the device of subscriber  10 , implementation on the device of subscriber  10  via an inserted LAN card, or even permanent installation on the device of subscriber  10  as a pre-installation (from manufacturer of the device). Regardless of how service manager application  200  is installed the following is a non-exhaustive exemplary list of functional modules.  
         [0053]     GUI module  210  enables subscriber  10  to view and connect to service provider  14  networks via wireless access locations  12 , manage connection profiles, search for network locations (other physical locations of wireless access points managed by wireless provider  12 ), perform automatic software and data updates, and access help files.  
         [0054]     GUI module  210  of service manager application  200  may be implemented as a tray icon within the operating system of the device of subscriber  10 . GUI module  210  is configured to interact with authentication module  108  and session management module  104  to initiate, maintain, and terminate a wireless session. GUI modules  210  may further be configured to interact with gateway  100  to enable updates, application downloads, and other access provider  12  applications that are supported through gateway  100  as discussed below.  
         [0055]     GUI module of service manager  210  can be branded by a customer (wireless provider  12 ) to a specific look and feel. GUI module  210  may support ‘dynamic skinning,’ or the ability to load a different look and feel at run time. GUI module  210  of service manager  200  is preferably designed around a ‘dashboard’ paradigm, which allows subscriber  10  to use service manager application  200  as an application launch pad, in addition to wireless connection management.  
         [0056]     In another embodiment of the present invention, service module  220  forms the communication hub for driver module  230  and GUI module  210 . Service module  220  is configured to handle the additional functions, mentioned above such as application updates and other such enhanced features.  
         [0057]     For example, service module  220  allows GUI module  210  to authenticate credentials to be exchanged and session information such as bytes in/out to be presented to the subscriber  10  during the session. This allows subscriber  10  to better handle their session and manage time and access fees.  
         [0058]     Another enhanced feature managed by service module  220  also handles authentication via 802.1x or HTTP intercept mechanisms, allowing subscriber  10  to seamlessly utilize varying authentication methods from different NAS (Network Access Servers) used at different locations of wireless access provider  12 . Such a situation would occur where a subscriber  10  would attempt to log-on at different locations owned/operated by access provider  12  using the same account, where each location may utilize a different router device (having a varied authentication process).  
         [0059]     In yet another embodiment, service module  220  includes the necessary information and protocols to manage the wireless internet connection with service provider  14 . Such an application may assist in managing SMS services on the wireless link.  
         [0060]     Service module  220  may also be configured to communicate with gateway  100  to coordinate a secure communication mechanism between subscriber  10  and gateway  100 . This enhanced security link may then be utilized to perform software updates (of service manager  200 ), location directory updates, collection and delivery of session logs, Wi-FI/Wi-MAX session information, etc. This may be used to provide end-to-end encryption of subscriber  10  credentials. This is especially useful when subscriber  10  is in a roaming wireless provider  14  network and the service provider  14  of subscriber  10  being used through access provider  12  does not wish to expose the identity of its users to roaming networks. To support credential encryption, service manager application  200  and gateway  100  share an encryption key, in a typical encryption such as DES.  
         [0061]     Additionally, data supplied through this secure connection, such as location databases and profiles of access providers  12 , may be stored to the subscriber  10  device from improved access to access provider applications, and further to allow certain functions, such as searching for wireless access provider  12  locations, to be performed off-line. For example, this is particularly useful when subscriber  10  is not at an access location  12 , has no internet access and is looking for a log-on access point managed by provider  12 .  
         [0062]     In another embodiment of the present invention, driver module  230  is used to supply an update all of the necessary drivers to operate GUI module  210  and service module  220 .  
         [0063]     In another embodiment of the present invention, service manager application  200  may implement configurable profiles including service provider  14  configurable profiles, wireless access provider  12  configurable profiles, and subscriber  10  configurable profiles.  
         [0064]     Service provider  14  configurable profiles allow service provider  14  to specify blocked networks, preferred networks and authentication schemes to be used, etc. Similarly, wireless access provider  12  profiles include any realms (internal physical location notations) that need to be appended to user identity for the purpose of proxy. Other capabilities may include the authentication mechanism supported at a specific wireless access hotspot  12 . Subscriber  10  configurable profile settings include VPN (Virtual Private Networks), application launch profiles, auto connection options, network-specific user credentials, etc.  
         [0065]     GUI module  210  and service module  220  of service manager application  200  may also support an embedded HTML compatible display area that allows display of access provider  12  messages, location specific messages, pre-pay notifications from access provider  12 , etc. For example, access provider  2  may send periodic service notifications to all subscribers  10 . These messages are captured by service manager  200  and displayed in a notification area.  
         [0066]     In addition, location-specific messages may be delivered to subscriber  10  as well. For example, the location directory may contain pointers or advertisement to local links that correspond to specific locations. As noted above location information is stored in gateway  100  in partner module  112 . As such, session log-ons from subscribers  10  include the location of such sessions. Access providers  12  or service providers  14  may have affiliates or other advertisers which may be pushed to subscriber  10  while in session, either on a web page or through GUI module  210 , where such advertisements can be better targeted so that only local or otherwise geographically relevant advertisers are displayed to subscriber  10 .  
         [0067]     Other services handled by service manager  200  may include but are not limited to assisting in generating network performance and usage statistics, SMS management and conflicting application detection (on the equipment of subscriber  10 ).  
         [0068]     In addition to the above features added by service manager application  200 , as noted previously, service manager module  200  is able to provide additional tracking data to gateway  100  so that data collection and storage module  110  and mediation module  116  may generate even more detailed reports regarding the usage of subscribers  10  on the networks provide by access providers  12  and service providers  14 .  
         [0069]     For example, table 2 below shows additional data fields collected and sent from service manager application  200  to data collection and storage module  110  in gateway  100 . Some of the fields may be redundant with TABLE 1 (info directly collected by gateway  100 ) but may be more accurate. Other fields are simply only obtainable from service manager application  200 .  
                   TABLE 2                           User Realm   Realm used to authenticate this user       User Id   User Id (Name, Phone Number or IMSI) of session           user       Device Id   Device Id (typically the MAC address) of the client       Start Time   Start time of the session       End Time   End time of the session       Gateway Id   ID of Tatara Gateway       Gateway Session Id   The Session Id given to a session by the Tatara           Gateway       Type   CTDR Type, FULL or FAILED       IMSI   IMSI of session user       Bytes In   Bytes transferred in during session       Bytes Out   Bytes transferred out during session       SSID   Network name of the wireless network NAS       Certificate Id   NAS certificate Id       NAS Id   Location NAS Id       Location Id   Id of this location       Client Version   Version of the software running on the client       Client Serial   Serial number of the client       Link Speed   Connection speed between the client and the access           point       Error   Connection error       Packets In   Packets transferred in during session       Packets Out   Packets transferred out during session       Session Duration   Duration of the current session       Signal Strength   Signal strength between the client and the access           point       Link In Errors   Errors on data transfers to the client       Link Out Errors   Errors on data transfers from the client       Failed Logins   Number of failed login attempts                  
 
         [0070]     This data for example can be used in the instance of larger geographically diverse access providers  12 . For example, if a large access provider  12  maintains multiple geographically diverse locations, some using different service providers  14 . By having this additional information, access provider is able to obtain diverse and complete system wide usage information about subscriber  10  sessions, even where sessions are managed by disparate service providers  14 .  
         [0071]     Additional features of service manager application  200 , that may be provided to subscriber  10  via the above described arrangement may also include auto-discovery of Wi-FI/Wi-MAX authentication method used by the network equipment of access provider  12 ; Auto-discovery of Wi-FI/Wi-MAX access provider  12  networks, location-specific branding by access provider  12  of GUI module  210 , security status display of the session.  
         [0072]     In another embodiment of the present invention, gateway  100  may be implemented as a node in a traditional Enhanced Directory Assistance system  300  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In such an arrangement, regardless of the set-up between gateway  100  and the network of service provider  14 , gateway  100  is further included as a node in a directory assistance network  300 .  
         [0073]     In such an arrangement, a subscriber  10  who logs-on to a wireless network provided by access provider  12  would further be coupled to directory assistance system  300 , having additional access to all of the attending services.  
         [0074]     It is contemplated that in accessing gateway  100  directly (without service manager application  200 ) an additional link or DA button may be added to the web pages or web frame that allows subscriber  10  to access the DA. In the case of using service manager application  200  a DA button may simply be added via GUI interface module  210 .  
         [0075]     In either case, a link to DA system  300  may advantageously provide a number of additional services to subscriber  10 . For example, subscriber  10  may simply activate the link to receive traditional directory assistance. The assistance may be provided by text (SMS, IM, live chat, HTTP, WAP, etc. . . . ) or may be done by voice through a digital or soft connection supported through the wireless session.  
         [0076]     Another use of the DA button would be to seek additional information about some aspect of the web page being viewed via gateway  100 . Because gateway  100  is a network in DA network  300 , the customer service representative or computer agent would have some passive knowledge of the page being viewed by subscriber  10 . In such an instance, subscriber  10  may press the link to DA system  300  and request additional information about some aspect on the web page being viewed, such as a request for a telephone number of a commercial institution that has a display on the page. As with regular directory assistance, system  300  may provide not only telephone numbers to the desired commercial institution, but may also provide other services such as connectivity options, additional data (hours, location, maps) and possibly reservation or ticket purchasing services if available.  
         [0077]     Another feature may be that DA platform  300  can include branded audio messages (advertisements and cross-promotions) as either opening or closing prompts that relate to access provider  12 , other paid advertisers from DA system  300 , and/or local advertisements related to the location of subscriber  10 . The location of subscriber  10  is easily derived from the session information being managed by system  100   
         [0078]     It is understood that all of the possible features of directory assistance that may be employed are too numerous to recount individually. Any DA system  300  services provided to subscriber  10  via gateway  100  and a link provided therethrough, is within the contemplation of the present invention.  
         [0079]     Turning now to the operation of the present invention, the following is a description of a subscriber  10  session via gateway  100  and service manager  200  (if applicable)  
         [0080]     It is understood that, prior to subscribers  10  utilizing gateway  100 , wireless access providers  12  and service providers  14  may employ typical set-up procedures to supply the necessary information to gateway  100  (partner module  112 ) including but not limited to connectivity protocols, security settings, equipment addresses and protocols, IP addresses, billing protocols, records and diagnostic formats, physical geographic location information, access provider  12  and service provider  14  contact information (telephone and address).  
         [0081]     Assuming such set up is completed, a typical subscriber  10  information is conducted as shown in the accompanying flow chart  FIG. 8 . In a first step  400 , subscriber  10  comes to a hotspot provided by access provider  12 . Next, at step  402 , subscriber  10  initiates a log-on session with the hotspot router or network equipment. At step  404 , because of the arrangement between access provider  12  (and/or possibly service provider  14 ) the session is immediately routed to gateway  100 .  
         [0082]     At step  406 , authentication module  108  of gateway  100  prompts subscriber  10  for a user ID and password. If they are prior subscribers  10  then they simply enter the information as prompted. If they are new subscribers to the network provided by access provider  12  then they need to set up a new account in the manner proscribed by access provider  12 .  
         [0083]     After the account is set up and log-in is verified, at step  408 , session management module  104  begins the session through internet/wireless service provider  14  and data collection and storage module begins recording the information under the session ID set by session management module  104 . At step  410 , subscriber  10  acts freely on the wireless internet connection, taking advantage of any of the above described enhanced services offered via the present invention. Finally, at step  412 , subscriber  10  logs-out and the session is closed by session management module  104  and the final session information is recorded.  
         [0084]     Regarding the installation of service manager application  200 , this may be installed (via plug-in) on the accessing device of subscriber  10  as a sub-routine between any number of steps outlined above for a gateway  100  enabled session. Any of the features or routines described above, enabled by service managing application  200  may also be implemented during session step ( 410 ) or at log-in ( 408 ) or log-off ( 412 ) as appropriate for the particular feature.  
         [0085]     In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a complex session flow include multiple log-ons to the same account, such as a pre-paid or other multi-use account.  
         [0086]     At step  500 , subscriber  10  enters a wireless access provider  12  location and initiates an account setup. Next, at step  502 , subscriber  10  begins a wireless access session and is routed to gateway  100 . At step  504 , gateway  100  routs the session to authentication module  108 . Once, authenticated, at step  506 , session manager  104  handles the session flow and directs subscriber  10  to wireless service provider  14 .  
         [0087]     Once, subscriber  10  decides to log-off, at step  508 , session manager  104  closes the session and records all of the relevant data to data collection and storage module  110 .  
         [0088]     At some later time or other location, at step  510 , the same subscriber  10  re-initiates a session under the same account information. At step  512 , session manager  104 , recalls the account information from data collection and storage module  110 , notifies subscriber  10  of the remaining time/amount left on the account, and sends the session through to service provider  14 . These steps are repeated until the account is closed or runs out of funds.  
         [0089]     As noted above, such account management is simplified from the perspective of access providers  12 , as all account/session management is handled by a single (cluster) of gateways  100 .  
         [0090]     In one embodiment of the present invention, as described in more detail above, the present invention, via gateway  100 , and with potential supplemental information from service management application  200 , may provide real-time analysis to service provider  14  and access provider  12 , as well as integrated billing and usage reports.  
         [0091]     As noted above in both tables 1 and 2, gateway  100  maintains detailed records of wireless access which is aggregated across many locations of wireless access provider  12 . This allows mediation module  116  and billing module  114  to generate and send location and venue specific details regarding subscriber  10  usage.  
         [0092]     The usage information is important because it allows access providers to not only determine the effectiveness and marketability of their product to their customers (subscribers  10 ), but is also allows them greater leverage with their advertising partners where they can show specific geographically located usage (page views, etc. . . . ). Likewise, access providers  12  provided with such uniform and detailed information from data collection and storage module  110  may be able to audit their existing contracts with the service providers  14  and advertisers to ensure that their subscriber  10  usages is appropriate relative to their contracts.  
         [0093]     The enhanced records further assist both service providers  14  and access providers  12  in auditing billing such that the detailed records may be used to audit existing billing contracts, and manage future service contracts. Such a feature is particularly advantageous in the context of the present invention where complex (pre-paid/multi-use) session bills are aggregated even where subscribers  10  utilize multiple access provider  12  locations.  
         [0094]     Furthermore, as discussed above, these records for access provider  12  are comprehensive across their entire wireless access network. This is particularly advantageous for larger access providers  12  where certain locations in one geographic are use a first service provider  14  and other locations in other geographic areas use a second service provider  14 .  
         [0095]     In one embodiment of the present invention, mediation module  116  can pre-format billing information into a format compatible with the pre-existing billing formats used by each of various access providers  12  and each of service providers  14 . This is further facilitated in the case of service provider  14  where gateway  100  is integrated directly into the network of service provider  14 .  
         [0096]     In addition to the added record keeping and billing advantages, mediation module  116 , coupled to access providers  12  and service providers  14 , is able to provider real-time access to the data in data collection and storage module  110  as provided from session manager  104 . Such a feature is particularly useful for larger access providers  12  when a real-time analysis of subscriber  10  usage can provide valuable information. For example, certain times of day or during special events, may sharply increase usage on a particular network of an access provider  12 . By monitoring and tracking this usage, access provider may better tailor their advertising packages.  
         [0097]     While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.