Wireless network monitoring methods, configuration devices, communications systems, and articles of manufacture

Wireless network monitoring methods, configuration devices, communications systems, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a wireless network monitoring method includes providing a communications device, providing a wireless network, storing wireless network access data using a configuration device, communicating the wireless network access data to the communications device using the configuration device, communicating the wireless network access data to the wireless network using the communications device to provide access of the communications device to the wireless network, and monitoring the access of the communications device to the wireless network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to copending U.S. Patent Application entitled “Wireless Network Access Methods, Communications Device Configuration Methods, Configuration Devices, Communications Systems, And Articles Of Manufacture” having Ser. No. 10/703,862, listing Brett Williams, Nathan Harmon, and Duane Mentze as inventors, and copending U.S. Patent Application entitled “Wireless Network Communications Methods, Communications Device Operational Methods, Wireless Networks, Configuration Devices, Communications Systems, And Articles Of Manufacture”, having Ser. No. 10/703,878, listing Duane Mentze, Nathan Harmon, and Brett Williams as inventors, which were filed concurrently and which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to wireless network monitoring methods, configuration devices, communications systems, and articles of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computing devices, such as personal computers, pocket PCs and other devices, continue to be used in new processing and communications applications. For example, the increased processing speeds and computational power of these devices has greatly enhanced the popularity and usage of the devices. More recently, advancements in networking and other communications between computing devices has also experienced significant improvements. Computing devices now quickly and efficiently communicate with other devices including e-mail, browsing, and other communications.

Portable computing devices have also experienced significant growth in capabilities and popularity. Wireless local area networks, such as wireless fidelity (WiFi) networks, have been developed to enable users to wirelessly access and communicate with other networked devices, such as Internet devices and other devices coupled with local area networks. For example, 802.11b networks are being used in an increased number of applications and locations to provide electronic connectivity. Coverage of the wireless local area network may be referred to as a hotspot. Public wireless local area networks may provide communications in office locations, public places, or other applications wherein electronic communications are desired. For example, wireless local area networks are now utilized in airport terminals, coffeehouses, and other establishments, providing public and/or membership access to the wireless local area network, and perhaps the Internet for browsing and e-mail communications.

Some drawbacks have been experienced with respect to connecting devices to wireless local area networks. For example, to connect to some networks, a computing device may use appropriate connection information including a network name (e.g., SSID) and mode of operation. In addition, the device may need to be authenticated and use appropriate encryption to send and receive communications with respect to the wireless local area network. Other information may also be necessary to establish communications between a given computing device and a wireless local area network. Accordingly, a user would manually configure the appropriate parameters or settings to provide network access. Without appropriate configuration of the computing device, a user may be unable to access the wireless local area network. However, manual configuration may be difficult for some users, subject to user errors, etc.

In one example, a user may desire to access a hotspot service provider (e.g., t-mobile.com) to access the public Internet. The user may setup the device for wireless access, purchase time from the provider, provide a computer at the location of the hotspot and manually attempt to connect to the service. At least some users may have difficulty manually configuring their computer to access the service, and as a result, become frustrated and avoid using the service.

In addition, it may be desired to facilitate access of numerous users to a wireless network. Further, it may be desired to track or otherwise monitor the users accessing a wireless network. In one example, it may be desired to identify the users and the amount of usage of the wireless network by the respective users.

According to at least some embodiments of the disclosure, improved methods and apparatus of accessing and/or monitoring access of wireless networks are described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wireless network monitoring methods, communications device configuration methods, configuration devices, communications systems, and articles of manufacture are described.

According to one aspect, a wireless network monitoring method comprises providing a communications device, providing a wireless network, storing wireless network access data using a configuration device, communicating the wireless network access data to the communications device using the configuration device, communicating the wireless network access data to the wireless network using the communications device to provide access of the communications device to the wireless network, and monitoring the access of the communications device to the wireless network.

According to another aspect, a configuration device comprises a communications interface configured to implement electronic communications of the configuration device with an external device which is externally located with respect to the configuration device, a storage device configured to store wireless network access data and network usage information and to output the wireless network access data and the network usage information to the communications interface for communication externally of the configuration device, and wherein the wireless network access data is arranged to configure the communications device to access and to implement communications with the wireless network, and the network usage information comprises information regarding access of the communications device to the wireless network.

According to a further aspect, a communications system comprises configuration means for providing wireless network access data, communications means for communicating with the configuration means, for receiving the wireless network access data from the configuration means, and for outputting the wireless network access data externally of the communications means, wireless network means for establishing the communications device as a node on the wireless network means responsive to receiving the outputted wireless network access data, and wherein the configuration means comprises means for providing network usage information corresponding to access to the wireless network means by the communications means.

According another additional aspect, an article of manufacture comprises a processor-usable medium comprising processor-usable code configured to cause processing circuitry of a communications device to establish communications with respect to a configuration device, access wireless access network data from a configuration device, establish communications of the communications device with the wireless network using the wireless network access data, and access network usage information corresponding to the access of the wireless network by the communication device.

Other aspects are disclosed as is apparent from the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an exemplary communications system10is shown. The depicted components of communications system10are configured to electronically communicate with another. The illustrated communications system10includes a configuration device12, a communications device14, a wireless network16, a service17, and an external network18. Other configurations of system10are possible in other embodiments. For example, external network18may be omitted in at least one other embodiment.

Configuration device12operates to configure communications device14in one embodiment. In exemplary aspects, configuration device12configures communications device14to communicate with wireless network16. Communications device14may be established as a node on wireless network16using configuration information (e.g., wireless network access data described below) received from configuration device12in one embodiment.

Communications device14is arranged by configuration device12to communicate with wireless network. Exemplary configurations of communications device14include a personal computer (PC) or pocket PC (e.g., iPAQ available from the Hewlett-Packard Company). Other embodiments of communications device14are possible. For example, communications device14may be arranged as any electrical device configured to implement wireless communications. Communications device14may include computational and/or data processing capabilities in some embodiments.

Wireless network16is configured to implement wireless communications with at least some devices or networks coupled with the network16. Wireless network16may also provide wired connectivity to one or more devices or networks coupled therewith. An exemplary arrangement of wireless network16comprises a wireless local area network, such as a 802.11b network, in one example. Wireless network16may comprise a public wireless network and be referred to as a hotspot in but one implementation.

Service17performs electronic actions with respect to communications device14in at least one example. For example, service17may perform desired actions responsive to commands, requests, or other communications originating from communications device14. Service17may be tailored to the location and application of the wireless network16. One example of service17includes a hotspot service provider for exemplary embodiments wherein wireless network16provides public communications in an airport terminal, coffeehouse, or other location. Another example of service17includes managing image forming devices (e.g., printers) available on the wireless network16. Another possible service17includes accessing services of a library via wireless network16. The described services17are exemplary and provision of other electrical actions may be performed by service17with respect to communications device14in other embodiments.

External network18is coupled with wireless network16. Communications device14may access external network18via wireless network16in the depicted example. One embodiment of external network18comprises the public Internet. Other arrangements of external network18are possible and may include wireless and/or wired components. Communications-device14may access a service (not shown) coupled with external network18.

Referring toFIG. 2, an exemplary arrangement of configuration device12is shown. The depicted arrangement may also correspond to one embodiment of communications device14. The illustrated configuration device12includes a storage device20, processing circuitry22, user interface24, and communications interface26. Configuration device12(or communications device14) may include more, less, or alternative components. For example, for configuration device embodiments, the processing circuitry22and/or user interface24may be omitted.

Storage device20is configured to store electronic data and/or programming such as executable instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware), data, or other digital information and may include processor-usable media. Processor-usable media includes any article of manufacture that can contain, store, or maintain programming, data and/or digital information for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system including processing circuitry in the exemplary embodiment. For example, exemplary processor-usable media may include any one of physical media such as electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor media. Some more specific examples of processor-usable media include, but are not limited to, a portable magnetic computer, diskette, such as a floppy diskette, zip disk, hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or other configurations capable of storing programming, data, or other digital information. Storage device20of configuration device12and/or communications device14may be configured to store network usage information regarding access of communications device14to wireless network16and/or service17as described further below.

In one embodiment, processing circuitry22may comprise circuitry configured to implement desired programming. For example, the processing circuitry22may be implemented as a processor or other structure configured to execute executable instructions including, for example, software and/or firmware instructions. Other exemplary embodiments of processing circuitry22include hardware logic, PGA, FPGA, ASIC, and/or other structures. These examples of processing circuitry22are for illustration and other configurations are possible.

User interface24may be embodied as any appropriate apparatus configured to display or convey user information and/or receive user input. Exemplary embodiments of user interface24comprise a display, speaker, keyboard, mouse, etc.

Communications interface26is configured to couple with and implement communications with respect to external devices. Communications interface26may provide wired and/or wireless communications. Exemplary embodiments of communications interface26comprise electromagnetic transmit and receive circuitry (e.g., radio frequency, infrared, etc.) or other wireless circuitry, USB port, parallel port, or serial port. Communications interface26may be embodied in any appropriate configuration to externally communicate electronic data. In one embodiment, configuration device12is provided in communication with communications device14during communications between communications device14and wireless network16(e.g., accessing of wireless network16). In other embodiments, configuration device12may configure communications device14and then be removed from communication with device14.

For configuration device embodiments, storage device20may store network access data and service access data to be used to configure communications device14to access wireless network16and to access service17. Network access data is arranged to facilitate connection of communications device14with wireless network16to enable communications. Service access data is arranged to facilitate access between communications device14to service17.

The network access data may be tailored to the associated type of wireless network16to be accessed. Exemplary wireless network access data may comprise network identification information of the wireless network16. Exemplary network identification information includes the network name, or Service Set Identifier (e.g., SSID), which identifies the Extended-Service Set (ESS). Network access data may comprise mode of operation information, for example specifying ad hoc peer-to-peer configuration, or infrastructure configuration. Network access data may comprise encryption information corresponding to encryption techniques utilized by wireless network16, and may include a digital certificate or dynamic key information configured to permit encrypted communications of communications device14with wireless network16. Network access data may comprise any other information configured to facilitate or assist a user with accessing and using wireless network16.

Service access data may also be tailored to the type of service17to be accessed, and/or the location or implementation of the service17. In one embodiment, service access data may comprise a navigation identifier associated with the service17. For example, if service17comprises a node on wireless network16, the navigation identifier may comprise an electronic address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, of the service17. If service17is coupled with external network18comprising the public Internet, the navigation identifier may comprise a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the service17. Other types of navigation identifiers may be used providing any suitable navigation to service17.

Service access data may additionally comprise authentication information usable to authenticate access between communications device14and service17and/or wireless network16. For exemplary RADIUS authentication, authentication information may comprise a username and a password.

Service access data may also comprise a command to initiate performance of an action of service17with respect to communications device14. For example, the command may automatically cause the loading of a web page associated with service17using communications device14, display devices of service17accessible to communications device14(e.g., communicate a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path command to initiate display of shared devices or services accessible to communications device14, perhaps associated with the username) or provide other desired operations.

Exemplary service access data may include user information corresponding to a user of the communications device14and may initiate operations or actions of service17applicable and/or tailored to an identified user as identified by the user information (e.g., permit services for which the user has rights). The user information may cause service17to perform the action in consideration of the user information (e.g., automatically launch an application of service17using a command of the service access data and seed the application using user information of the service access data). Service access data may comprise any other information configured to facilitate or assist a user with accessing and using service17.

According to at least one aspect, storage device20of configuration device12and/or communications device14may store network usage information. Network usage information corresponds to access and/or usage of wireless network16by communications device14. Exemplary network usage information may comprise temporal information corresponding to a length of time of access to wireless network16by communication device14. Network usage information may alternately or additionally comprise an amount of data communicated intermediate communications device14and wireless network16. Network usage information may also include data regarding the quality and/or speed of the wireless connection. Other forms of network usage information may be used and include any information capable of quantifying and/or characterizing access of communications device14to wireless network16. Generation and communication of network usage information according to exemplary aspects is described further below.

Information or data in addition to network access data, service access data, and network usage information may be stored using storage device20of either configuration device12or communications device14. For example, storage device20may comprise an operating system and other applications for use by a user or processing circuitry22of configuration device12or communications device14. Storage device20may comprise programming to assist a user with accessing wireless network16. For example, storage device20may comprise programming to detect available wireless networks proximate communications device14and to display the options to a user (e.g., Windows XP™ Service Pack 1 available from Microsoft Corporation).

According to exemplary aspects described herein, processing circuitry22of the communications device14may access the network access data downloaded from configuration device12, and utilize the information to select one of a plurality of detected wireless networks16and use the network access data to establish communications device14as a node on the wireless network16. The processing circuitry22may also forward service access data to wireless network16to access service17. Further, the processing circuitry22of communications device14may also forward commands, user seed information or other information to assist with accessing wireless network16and/or service17. Accordingly, access to wireless network16and/or service17may be automated without user input. In other aspects, the processing circuitry22may request user input (or a user may input information without a request) during the process of accessing wireless network16and/or service17using respective ones of the network access data and service access data.

Additionally, storage device20of communications device14may comprise programming to process encrypted (e.g., decrypt) communications from device12in one embodiment. Configuration device12may encrypt the network access data and/or service access data in one exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3, an exemplary configuration of wireless network16arranged in a service level authentication embodiment is illustrated. The depicted wireless network16comprises an access point30, a network services device32, an authentication device34, a management device36, and a network connection device38. Although illustrated as separate devices inFIG. 3, it is possible to implement functions or operations of a plurality of the separate devices within a single device.

Access point30comprises a wireless access point in the depicted embodiment configured to provide interfacing between wireless communications (e.g., with communications device14) and wired devices. In addition, access point30may be arranged to control encryption operations (e.g., control management of encryption keys).

Network services device32is arranged to dynamically enable communications between nodes of wireless network16. An exemplary network services device32comprises a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server configured to assign temporary or permanent electronic addresses to devices coupled with wireless network16including communications device14.

Authentication device34is configured to authenticate communications from devices coupled with wireless network16. In the exemplary service level authentication model ofFIG. 3, it is possible for users to communicate with one another via wireless access point30without authentication. However, proper authentication is used for communications to external network18. Accordingly, if the service (not shown inFIG. 3) is implemented using a device coupled with the access point30, the service may be accessed without authentication. If the service is accessed via the external network18, proper authentication is used to access the service in the exemplary depicted embodiment. Communications device14may communicate authentication information received from configuration device12to authentication device34for authentication. In one exemplary embodiment, authentication device34may be implemented as a RADIUS server and communications device14may communicate authentication information comprising a username and a password as described previously.

Management device36is configured to monitor, track and/or control access to and usage of wireless network16and/or service17by one or more of communications devices14. Management device36may generate, store, and/or communicate network usage information to respective communication devices14or other appropriate recipient. Management device36may be implemented within a server in one embodiment.

Network connection38is configured to implement communications intermediate wireless network16and one or more external network18. Network connection38may be implemented as a gateway, router and/or firewall in an exemplary embodiment wherein external network18comprises the public Internet.

Referring toFIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of wireless network is illustrated with respect to reference16awherein like numerals represent like components with differences being represented by a suffix. The exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 4uses connection level authentication for providing access to the service. Authentication device34is coupled with access point30and communications device14is authenticated before accessing wireless network16aor external network18in the embodiment ofFIG. 4. Wireless network16amay be configured according to standard 802.1x that permits wireless network16ato scale by allowing centralized authentication of users. In one configuration, 802.1x uses authentication protocol Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). EAP messages are encapsulated within 802.1x messages and may be referred to as EAPOL or EAP over LAN. In the described example, access point30forwards EAP messages to authentication device34(e.g., messages comprising service access data) to authenticate communications device14before communications device14is given access to wireless network16or service17.

Other configurations of wireless network16and/or other configurations for authentication are possible. For example, authentication may be implemented at a remote location of the service17(e.g., website supported by the public Internet) instead of within the wireless network16. For example, the network connection38may redirect communications from a communications device14to the location of the service17for authentication, and if authenticated, the communications may be forwarded from the service17to an appropriate destination identified within the communications. Other embodiments are possible for authentication and implementing access to service17.

At least some aspects of the disclosure relate to monitoring, tracking and/or control of access of and/or usage by one or more communications device14to wireless network16and/or service17. Additional aspects relate to providing network usage information corresponding to the monitored access and/or usage. The monitoring, tracking and/or control of access and the generation of network usage information may be performed by one or more of configuration device12, communications device14, wireless network16and/or service17(e.g., performed by processing circuitry of one or more of entities12,14,16,17).

In one arrangement, network usage information is provided before the access and quantifies or otherwise defines a predetermined amount of access of communications device14to wireless network16and/or service17. Thereafter, usage or access may be monitored and compared with the provided network usage information and the usage or access may be ceased responsive to the comparing indicating consumption or usage of the predetermined amount of access. Alternately and/or additionally, a user of communications device14may be given an option to purchase or otherwise add an additional quantity of access. Accordingly, in one aspect, monitoring of wireless network access comprises monitoring using network usage information.

In another arrangement, network usage information may be generated responsive to the access. For example, the duration of the access may be monitored during the wireless network accessing to provide the network usage information. The network usage information corresponding to the amount of access may be obtained responsive to the access. In one embodiment, the network usage information may be used to determine an amount of compensation owed by a user for the access.

Monitoring of access of communications device14to wireless network16and/or service17may be performed or implemented in different ways in different exemplary embodiments. Wherein the network usage information defines the predetermined amount of access described above in accordance with the first exemplary arrangement, the network usage information may be initially stored within configuration device12or other appropriate device. In one aspect, processing circuitry of configuration device12may monitor the access via a communications path with communications device14and operate to cease access once the predetermined amount of access is consumed or expended.

In another aspect, the network usage information comprising the predetermined amount of access may be communicated from the configuration device12to communications device14. Processing circuitry of communications device14may receive the network usage information, monitor the access, and cease the access once the predetermined amount of access is consumed or expended.

In an additional aspect, the network usage information comprising the predetermined amount of access may be communicated from configuration device12to communications device14which operates to communicate the network usage information to wireless network16and/or service17. The wireless network16and/or service17may implement the monitoring and ceasing access operations using the network usage information.

Communications system10may also be arranged wherein monitoring and ceasing operations are split between different ones of configuration device12, communications device14, wireless network16, and service17. For example, one of the devices may implement monitoring operations, and output a signal responsive to the monitoring indicating consumption of the predetermined amount of access. Another of the devices may receive the signal and operate to cease the access and/or offer additional access. Other implementations are possible.

As mentioned above, network usage information may also be generated responsive to the access of the wireless network16and/or service17by the communications device14. For example, the temporal duration and/or amount of data communicated may be monitored to generate the network usage information. The network usage information resulting from monitoring of the access may be used to determine an amount of compensation owed by the associated user of the communications device14in one implementation.

In one aspect, processing circuitry of configuration device12is arranged to monitor the access via communications with communications device14to generate the network usage information. In another aspect, the access may be monitored by communications device14, management device36of wireless network14, and/or service17to generate the network usage information. Resulting generated network usage information may be internally stored within the generating device and/or communicated to configuration device12and/or other appropriate device for storage and subsequent retrieval or extraction by an administrator of wireless network14and/or service17to determine compensation owed for the access, or for other purposes.

Referring toFIG. 5, a method of monitoring access to a wireless network is illustrated according to one possible embodiment. The exemplary method ofFIG. 5pertains to network usage information defining a predetermined amount of access of communications device14to wireless network16. Steps of the depicted method may be implemented using configuration device12, communications device14, wireless network16and/or service17. Other methods are possible including more, less or alternative steps

At a step S10, network usage information defining the predetermined amount of access is stored within the configuration device. Wireless network access data is also stored within the configuration device.

At a step S12, wireless network access data is communicated from the configuration device to the communications device.

At a step S14, the communications device uses the wireless network access data to access the wireless network.

At a step S16, the network usage information of the configuration device is accessed. In one aspect, processing circuitry of the configuration device accesses the information. In another aspect, processing circuitry of the communications device, the management device of the wireless network, and/or the service accesses the network usage information.

At a step S18, the access of the wireless network by the communications device is compared with the predetermined amount of access specified by the network usage information. The comparison may be performed by the configuration device, communications device, wireless network and/or service.

At a step S20, the access of the wireless network by the communications device may be ceased responsive to the usage of the wireless network by the communications device reaching the predetermined amount of access.

In one exemplary implementation of the method ofFIG. 5, a user receives the configuration device along with purchase of a product by an entity associated with the wireless network (e.g., purchase coffee from a coffeehouse supporting the wireless network and receive a corresponding configuration device). The configuration device may entitle the user to access the wireless network according to a predetermined amount of access specified by the configuration device. When the predetermined amount of access is consumed, the user may be notified of the ceasing of access and have the opportunity to purchase additional access to the wireless network. Other implementations are possible.

Referring toFIG. 6, a method of monitoring access to a wireless network is illustrated according to another possible embodiment. The exemplary method ofFIG. 6pertains to generating network usage information corresponding to an amount of access of communications device14to wireless network16. Steps of the depicted method may be implemented using configuration device12, communications device14, wireless network16and/or service17. Other methods may be used including more, less or alternative steps.

At a step S30, wireless network access data is communicated from the configuration device to the communications device.

At a step S32, the communications device uses the wireless network access data to access the wireless network.

At a step S34, network usage information is generated corresponding to monitoring the access of the wireless network by the communications device. Processing circuitry of the configuration device, communications device, the management device of the wireless network, and/or the service may be arranged to generate the network usage information in exemplary embodiments.

At a step S36, the generated network usage information may be stored using the configuration device. The network usage information may be initially communicated to the configuration device if generated within a different device. In other arrangements, the network usage information may be stored within communications device, the wireless network infrastructure, at the service and/or at another device.

At a step S38, the network usage information may be accessed from the configuration device in the depicted exemplary method. In other methods, the network usage information may be accessed from other devices if the devices contain the desired information. In one embodiment, the accessed network usage information may be accessed to determine an amount of compensation owed by the user of the communications device for accessing the wireless network and/or service.

In one exemplary implementation of the method ofFIG. 6, a user receives the configuration device along with purchase of a product by an entity associated with the wireless network (e.g., purchase coffee from a coffeehouse supporting the wireless network). The configuration device may entitle the user to access the wireless network according to the stored wireless network access data. The network usage information is monitored and tracked during usage of the wireless network and/or service by the user. The network usage information may be stored on the configuration device. When finished with accessing the wireless network and/or service, the user may return the configuration device to the coffeehouse whereupon the compensation owed by the user would be determined using the network usage information stored on the configuration device. Other implementations are possible.

Aspects of the disclosure facilitate configuration of a communications device to access a wireless network, such as a public wireless network, and/or a service associated with a wireless network. At least some embodiments of the disclosure simplify and condense tasks used to connect to a wireless network and/or a service available on the network. Monitoring access or usage of the wireless network and/or service by the communications device is also facilitated according to some aspects. The tasks used to connect to a wireless network, and sell and/or monitor the access to the wireless network may be simplified and condensed according to one embodiment.

The protection sought is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, which are given by way of example only, but instead is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.