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.