Abstract: A method includes receiving authentication information for a client device at a server. The authentication information includes a geographic location of the client device and a first result of a one-way hash function based on a combination including an authentication seed and a first secret. The method includes computing, at the server, a second result of the one-way hash function based on a combination including the authentication seed and a second secret. The method also includes enabling the client device to access a second network in response to a determination by the server that the first result matches the second result and a determination by the server that the client device is authorized to access the second network based on the geographic location.

Abstract: A method and system for providing distributed network access point installation and management. A network provider installs and/or operates a plurality of access points at locations of a retail entity. Each access point may provide services such as Internet access, and/or content such as audio, video, text, and/or graphics, among other types of services. A carrier, such as a telephone or cable company, may compensate the network service provider for installation and operation of the access points. The carrier may in turn charge its subscribers for network access at the retail entity locations. A plurality of different carriers may provide compensation and allow respective subscriber access. The network access points may be configured to allow each carrier to present a point of presence to its subscribers at the retail entity locations. The installed network may also provide service for retail entity back office functions.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a server from a computing device coupled to a first network, a request to access a first web page via a second network. The method includes redirecting the computing device to a second web page in response to a determination that the computing device is not permitted access to the second network. The method further includes providing, to the computing device, baseline content and additional content associated with the second web page. The additional content is retrieved from a content management server.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing location-specific content to a personal computing device (PCD) connected to a distributed server network (such as the Internet) without requiring an access control gateway to provide such content. Location-specific (and user-specific) content/services are provided by a client-server architecture utilizing a location database and a location look-up utility of a location identifier and content retrieval (LICR) server. Specifically, a utility executing on the PCD provides PCD location parameters to the LICR server, which is equipped with a location look up engine/functionality and a location content retrieval engine/functionality (both within a LICR utility) that responds by providing location-specific and user-specific content to the PCD.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a server from a computing device coupled to a first network, a request to access a first web page via a second network. The method includes redirecting the computing device to a second web page in response to a determination that the computing device is not permitted access to the second network. The method further includes providing, to the computing device, baseline content and additional content associated with the second web page. The additional content is retrieved from a content management server.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a network device, data indicating a geographic location associated with a mobile communication device. The method also includes selecting promotion information based on the geographic location associated with the mobile communication device. The method further includes transmitting the promotion information to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a beacon from a mobile device at an access point associated with a transportation station. The beacon includes identification information that identifies the mobile device. The method includes receiving, at the access point via a network, information from at least one service provider based on a location of the access point and the identification information. The method also includes sending the information to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving authentication information for a client device at a server. The authentication information includes a network address of the client device, a geographic location of the client device, and a first result of a one-way hash function based on a combination of the network address, an authentication seed, and a first secret. The method includes computing, with the server, a second result of the one-way hash function based on a combination of the network address, the authentication seed, and a second secret. The method also includes enabling the client device to access a second network in response to a determination by the server that the first result matches the second result and a determination by the server that the client device is authorized to access the second network based on the geographic location.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at an information provider, identification information of a portable computing device from a wireless access point. The method includes determining, at the information provider, a service, a product, or both, to be potentially used by a user of the portable computing device. The service, the product, or both, is determined based on a prior user preference of the user. The prior user preference is obtained from a user profile identified based on the identification information. The method includes selecting, at the information provider, an advertisement associated with a business. The advertisement is selected based on the service, the product, or both, to be potentially used by the user and based on a geographic location of the wireless access point.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a server from a computing device coupled to a first network, a request to access a first web page via a second network. The method includes redirecting the computing device to a second web page in response to a determination that the computing device is not permitted access to the second network. The method further includes providing, to the computing device, baseline content and additional content associated with the second web page. The additional content is retrieved from a content management server.

Abstract: A web server utility executes on a server and provides the following functions: determining when a web page profile also includes an assignment of additional content; dynamically retrieving the additional content; and generating the web page with the additional content either appended to, prepended to, or wholly replacing one or more sections of the baseline content. When the utility detects assignment of additional content, the utility checks a specific location within the filesystem for the additional content. When the additional content is not found at the specific location, the utility automatically checks the temporary directory (for static content) then the centralized administrative and/or content (CAC) server for the additional content. When the additional content is dynamic, the CAC server retrieves and executes the file at the CAC server to generate the dynamic content, which is transmitted back to the web server for rendering within or as the whole-page output.

Abstract: A method includes receiving authentication information for a client device at a server. The authentication information includes a network address of the client device, a geographic location of the client device, and a first result of a one-way hash function based on a combination of the network address, an authentication seed, and a first secret. The method includes computing, with the server, a second result of the one-way hash function based on a combination of the network address, the authentication seed, and a second secret. The method also includes enabling the client device to access a second network in response to a determination by the server that the first result matches the second result and a determination by the server that the client device is authorized to access the second network based on the geographic location.

Abstract: A system has a device connected to a network and an access point. The access point is configured to communicate with the portable computing device using a wireless communication protocol. The access point is further configured to receive from the portable computing device identification information of the portable computing device. The access point is further configured to transmit a location of the access point and the identification information to the device. The device determines a service provider based on the location and based on a prior user transaction, the prior user transaction determined based on the identification information, and automatically transmits a request to the service provider.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a network device, data indicating a geographic location associated with a mobile communication device. The method also includes selecting promotion information based on the geographic location associated with the mobile communication device. The method further includes transmitting the promotion information to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes memory and a processor. The processor is operable to receive identification information of a user from a portable computing device. The processor is also operable to access the memory to identify a previous trip record based on the identification information of the user and to identify a user preference based on the previous trip record. The processor is further operable to generate reservation information based on the user preference, where the reservation information is associated with a requested trip of the user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a client device, an authentication seed from a first network. The method also includes receiving a shared secret. The method further includes, in response to receiving the authentication seed, determining a network address of the client device. The method further includes computing a result of a one-way hash function of a combination of the network address, the authentication seed, and the shared secret. The method further includes transmitting the network address and the result of the one-way hash function to a server that provides access control of a second network coupled to the first network. The method further includes receiving permission from the server to access the second network.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the content information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access and/or roaming features on a network system. The network system includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points coupled to a network. Access points (APs) for the network may be widely distributed in various facilities, such as airports, mass-transit stations, and various businesses. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a portable computing device (PCD) of a user may store identification information which uniquely indicates a network provider of a plurality of possible network providers. The identification information may also or instead indicate an access or privilege level of the user. Each of the access points are operable to “listen for” or detect identification information associated with numerous different providers.

Abstract: A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic location and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A network communication service with an improved subscriber model. In one embodiment, a mobile user (MU), also referred to as a subscriber, may access the network service through a portable computing device (PCD) using a wireless (or wired) network interface card. Access points (APs) for the network may be widely distributed in various facilities. In one embodiment, the APs are arranged at known geographic locations and may provide geographic location information regarding the geographic location of the mobile user (MU). A digital certificate may be stored on the mobile user's PCD in order to allow access to the network. The digital certificate may store sponsorship information, including information regarding programs or entities in which the mobile user is a member or is affiliated. Each mobile user (subscriber) to the network service may have a “value bucket” which determines the amount of network access or service available to the user. Billing for access to the network communication service, i.e.