Wireless device registration, such as automatic registration of a Wi-Fi enabled device

摘要

A system for providing a wireless device with access to a computer network includes an access point that sets up a radio link with the wireless device and couples the wireless device to the network. The system also includes a server that receives data packets from the access point through the computer network. The data packets include at least one data packet that has a first identifier that uniquely identifies the wireless device and a second identifier that corresponds to the wireless device. The system further includes a database that is coupled to the server and stores data for associating a service plan with the first and second identifiers and basing the service plan, at least in part, on the second identifier. Other features and systems are also disclosed.

主权项

1. At least one computer-readable storage medium, excluding transitory signals, and carrying instructions to perform a method in a wireless device for requesting and obtaining Wi-Fi access to a computer network, the method comprising:
transmitting, from a wireless device, a message regarding a request for the wireless device to access a computer network,
wherein the message includes a device identifier and a Wi-Fi service identifier, andwherein the Wi-Fi service identifier corresponds to a variable characteristic associated with the wireless device; and accessing, by the wireless device, information via the computer network, wherein prior to accessing the information:
a service plan is associated with the wireless device based on at least the Wi-Fi service identifier,
wherein the associating is initiated without user input,wherein the service plan is for wireless access to the computer network and not to a cellular phone network; andwireless access between the wireless device and a Wi-Fi access point coupled to the computer network is authenticated based on the service plan,
wherein the authenticating of the wireless access is not performed based on use of a subscriber identity module (SIM) associated with the wireless device, andwherein the authenticating is performed without user input at the wireless device.