Service Subscription Using Geophysical Location

Abstract

Subscriptions to a network may be limited to certain geographic areas by defining a geographic area for the subscriber, identifying all of the network access points with the geographic area, and enabling the subscriber to access the network through those network access points. The network access points may be outfitted with Global Positioning System receivers or other geophysical location determination mechanisms such that the actual location of the network access point is used in determining a subscriber's permitted access.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment showing a network with subscriber access that uses geophysical location information concerning the subscriber access points.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment showing a network access point with geophysical location information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustration of an embodiment showing a method for configuring multiple devices for a subscription.

Claims

1. A method comprising: determining the geophysical location of a plurality of devices on a network, said devices comprising subscriber access points for said network;receiving a subscription request on a first of said plurality of devices from a subscriber device;determining that said subscription request encompasses a specific geographic area;determining a second of said plurality of network devices within said specific geographic area; andgenerating configuration information such that said subscriber device may connect to said first and said second of said plurality of devices.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said network comprises access to the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said network comprises a wired backbone.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said network comprises a hybrid fiber-coax network.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said network comprises a twisted pair network.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said subscriber access points comprises a wireless subscriber interface.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said first of said devices comprises a database of subscribers authorized to use said one of said devices.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said first of said devices comprises a global positioning system receiver.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said first of said devices comprises a memory location comprising a geophysical location of said one of said devices.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: transmitting said configuration information to said first and said second of said plurality of devices.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: transmitting said configuration information to said subscriber device.

12. A network comprising: a network backbone; anda plurality of network devices, each of said network devices comprising: geophysical location information that is electronically accessible;a subscriber interface; anda subscriber authentication mechanism adapted to establish communications with a subscriber device, determine that said subscriber device has permission to gain network access through said network device, and establish network access for said subscriber device through said subscriber interface;said network being adapted to: receive a subscription request on a first of said plurality of network devices from said subscriber device;determine that said subscription request encompasses a specific geographic area;determine a second of said plurality of network devices within said specific geographic area; andgenerate configuration information such that said subscriber device may connect to said first and said second of said plurality of devices.

13. The network of claim 12 wherein said network further comprises access to the Internet.

14. The network of claim 12 wherein said network backbone comprises a wired backbone.

15. The network of claim 12 wherein said subscriber interface comprises a wireless subscriber interface.

16. The network of claim 12 wherein said first of said network devices comprises a database of subscribers authorized to use said one of said network devices.

17. The network of claim 12 wherein said first of said network devices comprises a global positioning system receiver.

18. The network of claim 12 wherein said first of said network devices comprises a memory location comprising a geophysical location of said one of said network devices.

19. The network of claim 12 further adapted to: transmit said configuration information to said first and said second of said plurality of network devices.

20. The network of claim 12 further adapted to: transmit said configuration information to said subscriber device.