Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring – Reconfiguring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2004-09-07
Alam, Hosain (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
Reconfiguring
C709S227000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06789110
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a network gateway interface and, more particularly, to an information and control console for use with a network gateway interface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order for a computer to function properly in a network environment, the computer must be appropriately configured. Among other things, this configuration process establishes the protocol and other parameters by which the computer transmits and receives data. In one common example, a plurality of computers are networked to create a local area network (LAN). In the LAN, each computer must be appropriately configured in order to exchange data over the network. Since most networks are customized to meet a unique set of requirements, computers that are part of different networks are generally configured in different manners in order to appropriately communicate with their respective networks.
While desktop computers generally remain a part of the same network for a substantial period of time, laptops, handhelds, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellphones or other portable computers (collectively “portable computers”) are specifically designed to be transportable. As such, portable computers are connected to different networks at different times depending upon the location of the computer. In a common example in which the portable computer serves as an employee's desktop computer, the portable computer is configured to communicate with their employer's network, i.e., the enterprise network. When the employee travels, however, the portable computer may be connected to different networks that communicate in different manners. In this regard, the employee may connect the portable computer to the network maintained by an airport, a hotel, a cellular telephone network operator or any other locale in order to access the enterprise network, the Internet or some other on-line service. The portable computer is also commonly brought to the employee's residence where it is used to access various networks, such as, the enterprise network, a home network, the Internet and the like. Since these other networks are configured somewhat differently, however, the portable computer must also be reconfigured in order to properly communicate with these other networks. Typically, this configuration is performed by the user each time that the portable computer is connected to a different network. As will be apparent, this repeated reconfiguration of the portable computer is not only quite time consuming, but is also prone to errors. The reconfiguration procedure may even be beyond the capabilities of many users or in violation of their employer's information technology (IT) policy.
As described by U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 08/816,174 entitled “Nomadic Router”, filed on Mar. 12, 1997, and now abandoned in the name of inventors Short et. al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/458,602 entitled “Systems and Methods for Authorizing, Authenticating and Accounting Users Having Transparent Computer Access to a Network Using a Gateway Interface”, filed on Dec. 08, 1999, and still pending in the name of inventors Pagan, et. al., a Universal Subscriber Gateway (USG) device has been developed by Nomadix, Inc. of Westlake Village, Calif., the assignee of the present invention. The contents of both of these applications are expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The gateway interface serves as an interface connecting the user/subscriber to a number of networks or other online services. For example, the gateway interface can serve as a gateway to the Internet, the enterprise network, or other networks and/or on-line services. In addition to serving as a gateway, the gateway interface automatically adapts to a host, in order that it may communicate with the new network in a manner that is transparent both to the user/subscriber and the new network. Once the gateway interface has appropriately adapted to the user's host, the host can communicate via the new network, such as the network at a hotel, at home, at an airport, or any other location, in order to access other networks, such as the enterprise network, or other online services, such as the internet.
The transient user/subscriber, and more specifically the remote or laptop user, benefits from being able to access a myriad of computer networks without having to undergo the time-consuming and all-too-often daunting task of reconfiguring their host in accordance with network specific configurations. From another perspective, the network service provider benefits from avoiding “on-site” visits and/or technical support calls from the user who is unable to properly re-configure the portable computer. In this fashion, the gateway interface is capable of providing more efficient network access and network maintenance to the user/subscriber and the network operator.
A gateway interface is also instrumental in providing the user/subscriber broadband network access that can be tailored to the user's needs. In many instances the remote user is concerned with being able to acquire network access and levels of service in the most cost-effective manner. Correspondingly, the gateway interface administrator desires the capability to be able to offer the user/subscriber numerous different service, routing, and billing rate options. By way of example, the remote user in a hotel environment may desire a network subscription for the duration of their hotel stay while the user in an airport may desire a network subscription for the duration of their layover or until their scheduled flight departs. Additionally, a user may desire a certain level of service based on bandwidth concerns and the need for higher or lower data transfer rates. For example, the user/subscriber who is accessing a network for the purpose of viewing text may desire a lower bandwidth service level that meets their particular needs, however, another user/subscriber who is accessing a network for the purpose of downloading files may desire a higher bandwidth service level capable of transferring data at higher speeds.
Additionally, the network service provider benefits from being able to offer various service, routing and billing options to the user/subscriber. By offering service at varying speeds and pricing scales, the network service provider is able to minimize network congestion, i.e. not all user/subscribers are tied to one high speed (and high cost) service. Lessening network traffic is beneficial for attracting new subscribers and insuring that pre-existing subscribers maintain status quo. From an economic standpoint, differentiated service quality and usage based pricing will promote the use and deployment of broadband network access and enhance the revenue models of the network service providers. No longer will the user/subscriber be tied to a flat-rate billing scheme that offers a single level of service quality. Flat-rate pricing and single level service quality consumes resources, requires light network users to subsidize heavy users, and hinders the dissemination of widespread use of broadband network access. Additionally, the ability to provide differentiated service quality and usage based pricing can be enhanced by providing these features on demand and dynamically throughout the user's network session. For a more detailed discussion of the need to provide differentiated quality of service and billing schemes to the broadband network environment see “Providing Internet Access: What We Learn From INDEX”, INDEX project report #99-010W, Apr. 16, 1999, (http://www.INDEX.Berkeley.edu/reports/99-010W), R. J. Edell et.al. That document is herein expressly incorporated by reference as if setforth fully herein.
In today's fast paced computing and networking environment it is even more advantageous to provide these service and billing options dynamically, allowing the user/subscriber to change, for example, billing rates, service routing or bandwidth capacity while a network session is on going. Thi
Goldstein Josh J.
Robbins Barry R.
Short Joel E.
Wandler Andrew P.
Alam Hosain
Duong Canh
Nomadix, Inc.
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