Wireless local area network access controlled by cellular communications

摘要

A computer readable medium stores a program for enabling access to a wireless local area network (WLAN) from a dual mode device. The program enables the dual mode device to detect presence of a WLAN access point. The program also transmits information about the access point and about the dual mode device via a cellular network to a clearinghouse server. A portion of the program receives the information via the cellular network, the information identifying the dual mode device and an access point of a WLAN provider. The program then determines whether the dual mode device has permission to access the access point. When permission exists, the program informs the WLAN provider. The dual mode device accesses the WLAN access point in response to the clearinghouse server approving access.

主权项

1. A dual mode device, comprising:
a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program for enabling the dual mode device to access a wireless local area network (WLAN); and a processor that executes the program, wherein the processor executes the program so that the dual mode device detects presence of a WLAN access point, transmits information about the WLAN access point and about the dual mode device via a cellular network, and not through any WLAN access point, to a clearinghouse server, and accesses the WLAN access point via the WLAN in response to the clearinghouse server approving access and forwarding credentials to an operator of the WLAN access point based on the information received by the clearinghouse server from the dual mode device via the cellular network.