Abstract:
A method or system including managing one or more network connections of a first device, receiving a request for network access at the first device from one or more secondary devices, transmitting one or more network access requests to a network for the one or more secondary devices and enabling concurrent network access by the first device and the one or more secondary devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Wireless networks have become increasingly popular for providing network access to a variety of devices, including: laptops, cell phones, personal digital assistants, cameras, desktop computers and other devices. Wireless networks enable connectivity of devices to networked resources while reducing the need for traditional hard wired network access. Wireless networks may allow for the mobility of such devices within the coverage range of the network. Wireless networks are limited by the range of their transmitted radio signal. The signal of the wireless network is affected not only by distance but also by gaps in coverage within the range of the signal. Such gaps are referred to as deadspots. In many environments wireless access is not available. Deadspots, range limitations and the lack of wireless access affect the mobility of users of wireless devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, reference is now made to the appended drawings. These drawings should not be construed as limiting, but are intended to be exemplary only. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary wireless access network range extender system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting a method of providing a wireless access network range extender according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a wireless access network range extender system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary wireless access network range extender system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A system and process of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method and a system of providing a portable wireless network range extender. The portable wireless network range extender may allow users of a first device to extend the range of a wireless network without the use of dedicated network equipment. The portable wireless network range extender may allow users of that device to access a network while concurrently providing access to other devices. 
     The portable wireless range extender may be used where the desire for connectivity is only temporary. For example, extending temporary wireless access to an outdoor area where it may not be desirable or practical to locate a permanent wireless access point. The portable wireless range extender may also facilitate communications in temporary work locations such as meeting rooms. The portable wireless range extender may also enable a wireless access point to be mobile reducing the need for multiple wireless access points. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary wireless access network range extender system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. System  100  illustrates an exemplary system for extending the range of wireless communication with a portable device. As illustrated, Network Client  110  may connect via Network Connection  120  to Network Client  130 . Network Client  130  may connect to Network Access Device  150  using Network Connection  140 . Connectivity to Network  160  may be provided to Network Client  110  and Network Client  130  via Network Access Device  150 . Access to Network  160  may provide access to Network Resource  170 . 
     Network Client  110  may be a portable computer, according to one embodiment. Network Client  110  may also be another device capable of sending and receiving network signals such as a personal digital assistant, desktop computer, workstation, server, cellular telephone or other device. Network Connection  120  may be a wireless connection. For example, this wireless connection may use standard protocols including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Network Client  110  using a wireless connection may authenticate with a network using Wired Equivalent Privacy, Wi-Fi Protected Access or other wireless network security standards. 
     Network Connection  120  may also be a wired connection using a network connection such as an IEEE Ethernet 802.3, a fiber connection or other connection. Authentication with a Network  160  may be possible for Network Client  110  via Network Connection  120 . 
     Network Client  130  may comprise a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant or other device capable of sending and receiving wireless network signals. Network Client  130  may contain one or more Portable Wireless Range Extender(s)  135 . For example, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may be software contained on a computer device (e.g., portable computer) or other device with network communication capabilities. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may be implemented as a software client designed to work with existing network access devices and software. In other embodiments, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may be implemented as hardware providing network communication capabilities for a network client or may be implemented as hardware supplementing communication capabilities for a network client. For example, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  could be implemented as Universal Serial Bus network card, a PC Card, other external network access device or an internal network card. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may also be implemented as a portion of the software supporting a network access device. 
     Network Access Device  150  may comprise a wireless access point connected to a hub, cable modem, digital subscriber line modem, modem, router or other network device. Network Access Device  150  may be also a hub, an RJ45 Ethernet port or other port supporting wired connectivity. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may utilize Network Client  130 &#39;s wireless networking hardware to receive a network signal and authenticate with Network Access Device  150  creating Network Connection  140 , for example. In other examples, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may create Network Connection  140  utilizing Network Client  130 &#39;s wired networking capabilities to support an Ethernet RJ45/Category 5 Ethernet connection, a fiber connection or other wired network connection. 
     Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may provide an additional wireless access point to Network  160  using Network Client  130 &#39;s wireless networking hardware, according to some embodiments. Network Client  110  may receive network access signals from Network Client  130  and may authenticate with Network  160  directly. Once authenticated Network Connection  120  may be formed and Network Client  110  may have access to Network  160  and Network Resource  170 . Network  160  may be a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, or other networks. Access to Network  160  may provide access to one or more resources such as Network Resource  170 . Network Resource  170  may be a file server, email server, database, web server, application server or other resource. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may provide concurrent wireless connectivity for multiple clients within range of the wireless access signal of Network Client  130 . 
     By way of non-limiting example, Network Client  130  may be a laptop containing Portable Wireless Range Extender  135 . If a user of the laptop was located in an area with connectivity to Network  160 , such as a back deck of a residence, the user may enable Portable Wireless Range Extender  135 . Once enabled, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may use the laptop&#39;s wireless access device to transmit a network access signal. Network Client  110  may be a second laptop or a personal digital assistant used by a second member of the residence. A user of Network Client  110  may be located further away from Network Access Device  150  than Network Client  130 , for example in a back yard of the residence. The user of Network Client  110  may not be capable of receiving a network access signal from Network Access Device  150 . However, Network Client  110  may receive the signal from the closer Network Client  130  and may thus connect to Network  160 . The users of both devices may be connected concurrently to Network  160 . 
     In other embodiments, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may provide wireless connectivity to Network  160  where only wired connectivity is available. For example, Network Client  130  may be in a conference room where there is only one port for a wired network connection such as an RJ45 ethernet port or other port. Network Access Device  150  may be a hub in a network closet down the hall. A user of Network Client  130  may enable Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  and may authenticate to Network  160 . This may provide connectivity to Network Client  110  and other network users in the conference room with laptops using wireless network access cards. Multiple users may connect concurrently to Network Client  130 . The user of Network Client  130  may be able to access Network  160  concurrently with other users through Portable Wireless Range Extender  135 . This may provide access to a Network Resource  170  which may be a file server, web server, email server or other network resource. The user of Network Client  130  may disable Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  eliminating network access for Network Client  110 . The user of Network Client  130  may then connect to Network  160  without using Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  if desired. 
     In yet another embodiment, Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may provide connectivity for devices with only wired network access. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may authenticate with Network  160  using Network Client  130 &#39;s wireless networking capabilities. Network Client  110  may then connect to a wired network port of Network Client  130  and authenticate with Network  160 . 
     The various components of system  100  may be further duplicated, combined and/or integrated to support various applications and platforms. Additional elements may also be implemented in the system to support various applications. 
       FIG. 2  provides a flow chart depicting a method of providing a wireless access network range extender according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to one or more embodiments, flowchart  200  may begin at block  210 . 
     At block  220 , a first client may connect and authenticate with a network. The client may be a laptop, desktop, personal digital assistant or other client with a wireless network access device. A client may connect using a wireless connection using, for example, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or another wireless networking protocol. In other embodiments, a client may connect using a wired connection such as an RJ45 10/100/1000 Base-T or a fiber connection. The client may authenticate using Wired Equivalent Privacy, Wi-Fi Protected Access or other wireless or wired network security standards. 
     At block  230 , a user of the first client may then enable the Portable Wireless Range Extender on the first client providing a network access signal using the clients wireless network access device. This may provide a wireless network access signal where there was not one if the first client authenticated using a wired connection. This may provide a wireless network access signal extending network access range beyond the range of existing network access devices. 
     At block  240 , a second client may detect the network access signal provided from the first client by the Portable Wireless Range Extender. The second client may be a laptop or other device with a wireless network access device. At block  250 , the second client may be authenticated with the network. This may be done using Wired Equivalent Privacy, Wi-Fi Protected Access or other wireless network security standards. 
     At block  260 , both clients may access the network concurrently. The network usage of the first client may be transparent to the second client and the second client may function as if connected directly to a traditional wireless access point. The second client&#39;s network usage may be transparent to the first client. 
     At block  270 , the first client may disable the Portable Wireless Range Extender which may disconnect network access for the second client. The first client may then connect to the network using standard network connectivity provided by their network access device. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a wireless access network range extender system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may represent a portable wireless range extender that may be contained on a device with network access. Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may comprise one or more of the following modules: Network Connectivity Module  310 , Network Signal Transmitter Module  320 , and Network Request Management Module  330 . 
     Network Connectivity Module  310  may enable the connectivity of one or more devices to a network. According to an embodiment, Network Connectivity Module  310  may allow for concurrent network access between a first device containing or associated with Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  and one or more devices accessing a network through the networking capabilities of the first device. Network Connectivity Module  310  may terminate network connectivity for one or more devices if Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  is disabled when the one or more devices are connected. 
     Network Signal Transmitter Module  320  may enable the transmission of network access signals. According to one embodiment, Network Signal Transmitter Module  320  may utilize networking capabilities of a first device containing or associated with Portable Wireless Range Extender  135 . For example, Network Signal Transmitter Module  320  may use a wireless network access card of a first device to transmit network access signals. In other examples, Network Signal Transmitter Module  320  may transmit network access signals to a network port of the first device. Other devices may then connect to the wired network port to access a network. 
     Network Request Management Module  330  may receive one or more network access requests from devices. According to one embodiment, network access requests may be routed to a network connected to a device containing or associated with Portable Wireless Range Extender  135 . A device containing Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may route its own network access requests to Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  which may be received by Network Request Management Module  330 . If Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  is disabled, Network Request Management Module  330  may refuse requests for network access. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary wireless access network range extender system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. System  400  illustrates an exemplary system for extending the range of wireless communication with a portable device. As illustrated, Laptop  420 , may connect via Network Connection  430  to Laptop  450 . One or more additional laptops or other devices with wireless networking capability may also connect to Laptop  450 . For example, Laptop  422  may connect to Laptop  450  using Network Connection  432  and Laptop  424  may connect to Laptop  450  using Network Connection  434 . Laptop  450  may connect to Wireless Access Point  470  using Network Connection  460 . Connectivity to Network  490  may be provided to Laptop  420  and Laptop  450  via Wireless Access Point  470  and Network Access Device  480 . Network Access Range  410  may represent a signal range limitation of a wireless access device associated with Laptop  450 . Network Access Range  440  may represent a signal range limitation of a Wireless Access Point  470 . 
     Laptop  450  may contain or be associated with Portable Wireless Range Extender  135 , according to some embodiments. For example, a user of Laptop  420  may wish to connect to Network  490 . However Laptop  420  may be located beyond signal range  440  of the nearest wireless access point, Wireless Access Point  470 . Portable Wireless Range Extender  135  may use networking capabilities of Laptop  450  and may retransmit the signal which may result in Network Access Range  410 . Laptop  420  is within range  410  and may then create network connection  430 . Laptop  422  and Laptop  424 , also within range  410  may connect in a similar manner. Laptop  420 , Laptop  422 , Laptop  424  and Laptop  450  may be concurrently connected to Network  490 . 
     In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.