Method of accessing network connectivity with a portable computing device

The accessing of network connectivity with a portable computing device begins with the search for at least one proximal network router within a connectivity range of the portable computing device. An unverified identification is routed from the proximal network router through the portable computing device to the remote server. The unverified identification is compared to the router identification for each network router with the remote server in order to identify the router identification of a matching network router from the plurality of network routers. The router password of the matching network router is routed from the remote server through the portable computing device to the proximal network router. Communication access for the proximal network router is granted to the portable computing device. The portable computing device is free to perform computer functions within a secure wireless communication signal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to network connectivity with a portable computing device. More specifically, the present invention allows a user to identify and access secure wireless networks with a portable computing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Data usage is an expense that is difficult to avoid when using a smart device, such as a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), or a laptop. In the event, the smart device or laptop is able to use unlimited data, the data speed may slow down or even prevent the smart device or laptop from performing simple computer functions. Wireless connection to a network over local wireless network (e.g. Wi-Fi) serves as a quick solution to these issues. Wireless connection however is limited as networks may be locked from public use or unsecure, risking sensitive information stored on the smart device or laptop.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a secure, wireless network for all portable computing devices. The present invention allows a user to identify which networks are secure amongst a variety of networks. The present invention provides security by sending a secure password to the portable computing device upon request, which connects the portable computing device to the wireless network. The present invention preferably accounts for the usage of a portable computing device with each wireless network, thereby allowing the portable computing device and a router to perform a financial transaction.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method of accessing network connectivity with a portable computing device. More specifically, the present invention allows a user to select and wirelessly connect to a plurality of routers within a distance of the portable computing device1, as seen inFIG. 1. The portable computing device1may include, but is not limited to, smart phones, tablet person computers (PC), and laptops. The portable computing device1allows a user to perform a variety of computer functions without having to remain stationary. The present invention distinguishes between the plurality of network routers2that have been registered with present invention, which are more secure in comparison to the routers that are not registered with the present invention. Thus, the physical system used to implement the method of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 1, includes a plurality of network routers2, wherein each network router2is associated with a router identification3and a router password4(Step A). Each of the plurality of network routers2provide a wireless data feed to the portable computing device1. The physical system of the present invention further includes, as seen in bothFIG. 1andFIG. 2, at least one remote server5, wherein the remote server5stores the router identification3and the router password4for each network router2(Step B). The router identification3distinguishes each network router2amongst the plurality of network routers2, and the router password4provides the portable computing device1access to the wireless data feed of the network router2. Furthermore, the router identification3allows the at least one remote server5to assess the amount of data used by the portable computing device1.

The overall process for the present invention includes the following steps that are implemented with the portable computing device1, the plurality of network routers2, and the at least one remote server5. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the overall process begins with the search for at least one proximal network router6within a connectivity range of the portable computing device1(Step C). This maximizes the options for which the portable computing device1may connect to a network router2that is registered with the at least one remote server5. An unverified identification is then routed from the proximal network router6through the portable computing device1to the remote server5(Step D) in order to verify if the proximal network router6is registered with the remote server5. The verification of the at least one remote server5is established through the comparison of the unverified identification to the router identification3for each network router2with the remote server5so that the remote server5is able to identify a matching network router from the plurality of network routers2(Step E). In order for the portable computing device1to wirelessly connect to the proximal network router6the router password4of the matching network router2is routed from the remote server5through the portable computing device1to the proximal network router6(Step F). Similar to that of secure wireless communication networks, a request for the router password4is displayed and the input is required. Once the router password4is correctly inputted into the portable computing device1, communication access is granted for the proximal network router6to the portable computing device1(Step G).

The present invention allows the at least one remote server5to determine the value of the data used by the portable computing device1based on the amount of data used and the amount of time the data consumption took, as shown inFIG. 4. In order to calculate the value of data used by the portable computing device1, the present invention further includes a user account7managed by the remote server5, wherein the user account7is associated to the portable computing device1. The user account7provides a unique identification for each portable computing device1and records the communication between the portable computing device1and a matching network router2. The present invention further includes a plurality of vendor accounts8managed by the remote server5, wherein each network router2is associated with a corresponding account from the plurality of vendor accounts8. Each of the plurality of vendor accounts8collects payment from each portable computing device1that wirelessly connects to the matching network router2. More specifically, a financial transaction is executed between the user account7and the corresponding account of the matching network router2with the remote server5. The financial transaction prevents portable computing devices1from freely connecting to matching network routers2.

The financial transaction is preferably dependent on the amount of time the portable computing device1is wireless connected to the matching network router2and the amount of data used by the portable computing device1while wirelessly connected to the matching network router2. As shown inFIG. 5, a usage time is tracked for the matching network router2by the portable computing device1. A payment amount for the financial transaction is proportionally assessed with the remote server5based on the usage time. As shown inFIG. 6, a data usage is tracked for the matching network router2by the portable computing device1. The payment amount for the financial transaction is proportionally assessed with the remote server5based on the data usage. Alternatively, the present invention could calculate the payment amount for the financial transaction by incorporating both the usage time and the data usage into the calculation.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the calculated payment amount is displayed on the portable computing device1after the portable computing device1has disconnected from the matching network router2. The financial transaction is manually completed with the input of various forms of digital payment, including credit card information, debit card information, bank account information, and so on. The financial transaction is automatically completed with delivery of digital payment information that is already associated with the user account7that is preferably stored on the remote server5. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the value of usage time and data usage is displayed on the portable computing device1for each of the verified network routers2of the plurality of network routers2. In another embodiment of the present invention, a set value is displayed on the portable computing device1for each of the verified network routers2of the plurality of network routers2for usage time and data usage.

In order to determine which of the plurality of network routers2is verified or is a matching network router2, the present invention further includes at least one proximal network router6as a plurality of proximal network routers6, as seen inFIG. 7. The plurality of proximal network routers6is graphically listed with the portable computing device1after Step F, as the portable computing device1recognizes network routers2within a certain connectivity range. The matching network router2amongst the plurality of proximal network routers6is graphically accentuated in order to identify network routers2that are registered with the at least one remote server5.

Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention records the connections of the portable computing device1with that of proximal network routers6. As seen inFIG. 8, in order to account for the connections of the portable computing device1, the present invention includes a user account7and an access history for the user account7. The user account7is managed by the remote server5and the access history is managed by the remote server5. The access history serves as a documentation of each connection between the portable computing device1and each proximal network router6. In order to keep track of each connection, an access-granted entry is logged for each iteration of Step G within the access history for the user account7, wherein the access-granted entry is logged by the remote server5. The access history for the user account7is prompted for viewing through the portable computing device1. The access-granted entry for each iteration for Step G is displayed through the portable computing device1, if the portable computing device1sends a request to view the access history for the user account7to the remote server5.

In order for each of the plurality of vendor accounts8to garnish the respective electronic value exchanges, a new vendor request is received with the remote server5, wherein the new vendor request includes a new router identification, a new network location, and a new router password, as seen inFIG. 9. A new vendor account8is generated from the new router identification, the new network location, and the new router password with the remote server5, thereby allowing the user account7of a portable computing device1to connect to the vendor account8of a new network router. The new vendor account8is appended into the plurality of vendor accounts8with the remote server5so that the corresponding vendor account8may be identified by the portable computing device1as a matching network router2from the plurality of network routers2.