Abstract: A wireless communication device operates between a WiFi link and an LTE link. The device receives a request indicating a user identifier and determines if the user identifier has sufficient usage credit. If there is sufficient usage credit, the device exchanges WiFi signals and LTE signals including user communications. The device decrements the usage credit and transfers usage credit consumption over the LTE link. After decrementing the usage credit, the device determines if the user identifier has sufficient usage credit, and if the user identifier does not, the device transfers a credit request and receives an additional usage credit for the user identifier over the LTE link. The device exchanges additional WiFI signals and LTE signals including additional user communications. The device decrements the additional usage credit and transfers additional usage credit consumption over the LTE link.

Abstract: A wireless communication device operates between a WiFi link and an LTE link. The device receives a request indicating a user identifier and determines if the user identifier has sufficient usage credit. If there is sufficient usage credit, the device exchanges WiFi signals and LTE signals including user communications. The device decrements the usage credit and transfers usage credit consumption over the LTE link. After decrementing the usage credit, the device determines if the user identifier has sufficient usage credit, and if the user identifier does not, the device transfers a credit request and receives an additional usage credit for the user identifier over the LTE link. The device exchanges additional WiFI signals and LTE signals including additional user communications. The device decrements the additional usage credit and transfers additional usage credit consumption over the LTE link.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system is disclosed which includes, in a wireless communication device, transferring a wireless beacon signal and responsively receiving a wireless access request from a user device, determining if a user identifier received with the wireless access request has usage credits in a data structure, exchanging wireless signals with the user device and with a wireless communication network based on the usage credits to provide a wireless communication service to the user device, and decrementing the usage credits for the user identifier in the data structure. The method also includes wirelessly transferring usage credit updates for receipt in a master data structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cradle that extends a wireless device's ability to communicate data through a wireless communications network. The cradle includes a frame having back, side, and bottom portions that define an open space for receiving a wireless device that has the ability to communicate with a wireless local area network using, for example, Wi-Fi technology. The wireless device is held in place relative to the frame so that the wireless device remains in direct contact with the cradle. At least one wireless communication component is integrated into the cradle to facilitate communication of data between the wireless device and the wireless communications network.