Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an authorization and access control system for a venue or a geographic region comprising a plurality of venues. The authorization and access control system provides one or more computing devices selective access to one or more networks and/or services available in a network communications system by distributing a substantially unique string of characters (an “access code”) to each user of a computing device. The access code can then be entered via an input device, such as a keyboard or its equivalent, of the computing device. This enables the computing device to gain access to one or more networks and/or services at a venue or in geographic region with the network communications system. Various embodiments are useful and may have several advantages in several venues, such as coffee shops, hotels, train stations, law offices, marinas, truck stops, fueling stations, restaurants, and stores, among others.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for user fraud protection and prevention of access to a distributed network communication system. A first set of identification data associated with a first network access are stored. A second set of identification data associated with a second network access are stored. The first and second sets of identification data comprise a first computing device identification and a second computing device identification, respectively. If one or more fraud indicators are determined in the two sets of identification data, then the first and/or second network access may be revoked. The fraud indicators may include, e.g., use of the same username with different computing device identifications, use of the same computing device identification at different geographical locations, violation of a threshold for computing device identifications, violation of a threshold for authentication failures, and violation of a threshold for rate of network propagation by a user account.

Abstract: A system and method uses a plurality of access points coupled to a network, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is operable to communicate with a computing device, and a network provider server communicatively coupled to a network. The network provider server is operable to perform initiating communication between a computing device and a network, wherein the computing device is coupled to the network through an access point of the plurality of access points at a geographic location, determining different levels of services apply at the venue, presenting one or more of the different levels of services for selection by a user of the computing device, and delivering a level of service selected by the user, among the different levels of services, over the network to the computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing network access are disclosed. After connecting to a network at an access point, a user of a computing device registers for network access with a network provider. In response to the registration, the network provider sends a completion page to the computing device. The completion page includes a link to an embedded file such as a small, transparent GIF image. When the computing device retrieves the embedded file, the embedded file is associated with a header than includes an instruction to generate a network system identifier (e.g., a cookie). The network system identifier may be stored by the computing device and later used to identify the computing device as a registrant for network access with the network provider. The embedded file may also be sent at other times, such as after authentication of the user for network access.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an authorization and access control system for a venue or a geographic region comprising a plurality of venues. The authorization and access control system provides one or more computing devices selective access to one or more networks and/or services available in a network communications system by distributing a substantially unique string of characters (an “access code”) to each user of a computing device. The access code can then be entered via an input device, such as a keyboard or its equivalent, of the computing device. This enables the computing device to gain access to one or more networks and/or services at a venue or in geographic region with the network communications system. Various embodiments are useful and may have several advantages in several venues, such as coffee shops, hotels, train stations, law offices, marinas, truck stops, fueling stations, restaurants, and stores, among others.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an authorization and access control system for a venue or a geographic region comprising a plurality of venues. The authorization and access control system provides one or more computing devices selective access to one or more networks and/or services available in a network communications system by distributing a substantially unique string of characters (an “access code”) to each user of a computing device. The access code can then be entered via an input device, such as a keyboard or its equivalent, of the computing device. This enables the computing device to gain access to one or more networks and/or services at a venue or in geographic region with the network communications system. Various embodiments are useful and may have several advantages in several venues, such as coffee shops, hotels, train stations, law offices, marinas, truck stops, fueling stations, restaurants, and stores, among others.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for user fraud protection and prevention of access to a distributed network communication system. A first set of identification data associated with a first network access are stored. A second set of identification data associated with a second network access are stored. The first and second sets of identification data comprise a first computing device identification and a second computing device identification, respectively. If one or more fraud indicators are determined in the two sets of identification data, then the first and/or second network access may be revoked. The fraud indicators may include, e.g., use of the same username with different computing device identifications, use of the same computing device identification at different geographical locations, violation of a threshold for computing device identifications, violation of a threshold for authentication failures, and violation of a threshold for rate of network propagation by a user account.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the systems and/or methods described herein may address locations that may be incapable of utilizing one or more systems and/or methods in related fields. According to one embodiment, a method and/or system may deliver audio and/or visual information to an audience represented by a collective of persons present in a selection of retail locations at any given moment. In another embodiment, advertisements may be customized to a specific venue and/or a group of venues. In one embodiment, a venue may use a computer system to distribute media such as audio and/or video information. In an alternative embodiment, one or more venues may comprise a portion of a private radio network system which may distribute media such as audio and/or visual media in accordance with one or more methods.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an authorization and access control system for a venue or a geographic region comprising a plurality of venues. The authorization and access control system provides one or more computing devices selective access to one or more networks and/or services available in a network communications system by distributing a substantially unique string of characters (an “access code”) to each user of a computing device. The access code can then be entered via an input device, such as a keyboard or its equivalent, of the computing device. This enables the computing device to gain access to one or more networks and/or services at a venue or in geographic region with the network communications system. Various embodiments are useful and may have several advantages in several venues, such as coffee shops, hotels, train stations, law offices, marinas, truck stops, fueling stations, restaurants, and stores, among others.

Abstract: A system and method for providing network access are disclosed. After connecting to a network at an access point, a user of a computing device registers for network access with a network provider. In response to the registration, the network provider sends a completion page to the computing device. The completion page includes a link to an embedded file such as a small, transparent GIF image. When the computing device retrieves the embedded file, the embedded file is associated with a header than includes an instruction to generate a network system identifier (e.g., a cookie). The network system identifier may be stored by the computing device and later used to identify the computing device as a registrant for network access with the network provider. The embedded file may also be sent at other times, such as after authentication of the user for network access.