US20020183038A1 - System and method for crediting an account associated with a network access node - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for crediting an account of a network access node includes receiving a data signal at a network access node, forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node, and providing account crediting information to an accounting system. The account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the network access node.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
• The marketplace for portable computing devices has demanded increasing features, particularly relating to wireless communications. Wireless communication features provide convenience and accessibility to consumers, and improve productivity for businesses.[0001]
• Currently, many wireless standards are competing in the portable computing device market. One such standard is the so-called “3G”, or next generation phone systems advanced by telecommunications carriers throughout the world. These new systems will allow cellular phones to have Internet access at broadband speeds, allowing streaming audio, video, and other data to cellular phones and other portable computing devices. However, the 3G marketplace has been delayed due to problems with the network. Also, the likelihood success of the 3G network has been questioned, due to the costs involved in implementing and using the network.[0002]
• In any event, other wireless standards will be required which are affordable to end users and provide better accessibility and reliability.[0003]
• One known system is a wireless communication system using radio frequencies for transmitting and receiving voice and data signals. The system includes an internal network having multiple internal communication paths and an external network communication path for linking the internal network to an external communications network. The internal network contains transceivers that allow for decentralized communication along multiple communication paths within the internal network. If the transceivers are out of range of a central call switching and delivery center, they can communicate via intermediate transceivers that relay the calls to the destination transceivers, eliminating the need for a central call switching and delivery center.[0004]
• One drawback of this system is that it fails to provide an adequate method of collecting payments for airtime used. The transceivers used with this system only operate with special batteries which contain a code that matches the serial number of the transceiver in which it operates. The batteries are recharged at a special recharge station. Payment for the continued operation of the system is collected at the recharge station or in association with the recharge activity. This method of collecting payments is undesirable since it does not operate on a per-call or per-packet basis. Further, it is inconvenient to the user of the transceiver because a special recharge station must be used. Further still, it fails to provide any credit for intermediate transceivers that may be used for providing network links and/or communications.[0005]
• Accordingly, what is needed is an improved wireless communication system. Further, what is needed is a wireless communication system and method that provides a credit to a network access node. Further still, what is needed is a wireless communication system and method that provides a debit to a network user node. Further yet, what is needed is a wireless communication system for use with a public telephone.[0006]
• The teachings hereinbelow extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned needs.[0007]
SUMMARY
• According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of crediting an account of a network access node includes receiving a data signal at the network access node and forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node. The method further includes providing account crediting information to an accounting system. The account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the network access node.[0008]
• According to another exemplary embodiment, a portable device is configured as a repeater and includes a means for receiving a data signal wirelessly and a means for forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network access node. The portable device further includes a means for providing account crediting information to an accounting system. The account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the portable device.[0009]
• According to yet another exemplary embodiment, an accounting method for crediting an account associated with a network access node includes receiving a communication event message and crediting an account associated with the network access node. The communication event message includes identification data representing a network access node. The communication event message is received in response to the network access node receiving and forwarding a data signal on behalf of a network user node. The account is credited based on the communication event message.[0010]
• According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of crediting an account associated with an access point includes receiving a data signal at the access point and forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node using a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication standard. The method further includes providing account crediting information to an accounting system. The account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the access point.[0011]
• According to yet another exemplary embodiment, an access point includes a receive circuit, a transmit circuit, and an accounting circuit. The receive circuit is configured to receive a data signal. The transmit circuit is configured to transmit the data signal over a wireless local area network (WLAN) to a network user node. The accounting circuit is configured to provide account crediting information. The account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the access point.[0012]
• According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a system for crediting an account associated with a network access node includes a network access node, a network user node, and an accounting system. The network access node is configured to provide a communication link with a network. The network user node is configured to provide a wireless communication link with the network access node. The accounting system is configured to credit an account associated with the network access node based on a communication between the network user node and the network.[0013]
• According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication module for a public telephone coupled to a public switched telephone network includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver circuit configured to provide a wireless communication link between the public switched telephone network and a network user node.[0014]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:[0015]
• FIG. 1 is a system-level block diagram of a communication system illustrating several exemplary embodiments;[0016]
• FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of crediting and/or debiting an account, according to an exemplary embodiment; and[0017]
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an accounting method, according to an exemplary embodiment.[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• Referring first to FIG. 1, a system-level block diagram of an improved[0019]communication network10 is illustrated, according to several exemplary embodiments.Communication system10 includes an adhoc network12, aninfrastructure network14, and a public switched telephone network (PSTN)16. Adhoc network12 includes two or more nodes which communicate without the use of fixed points. In this exemplary embodiment,ad hoc network12 is a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g., a network communicating via the IEEE 802.11 standard protocol) made up of more than one portable device utilizing a radio frequency (RF) transceiver or infrared (IR) transceivers, such as, but not limited to,portable devices20,22, and24.Infrastructure network14 is also a WLAN network in this exemplary embodiment, and includes a fixed node with which portable nodes can communicate. The WLANs used in this exemplary embodiment have a typical signal coverage of from 50 feet of coverage area to less than 1,000 feet of coverage area, and may operate in excess of one Megabit per second. WLANs do not include cellular radio systems. The transmission may be radiated light (typically around 800 nanometer (nm) to 900 nm wavelengths) or radio frequency. Other exemplary WLAN protocols include the IEEE 802.5 token ring operation, carrier sense multiple access (CSMA), carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD), IEEE 802.11A and B, IEEE 802.15, 802.16, Home RF, mesh networks, and personal area networks (PAN), such as, infrared and Bluetooth networks, and other ad hoc and/or unlicensed networks which may be developed in the future. PSTN16 may alternatively be any type of network, such as, a cable TV network, digital subscriber line (DSL), etc. Various embodiments may utilize one or more of ad hocnetwork12,infrastructure network14, and public switchedtelephone network16.
• [0020]Communication system10 includes a plurality of nodes which may perform different roles in different embodiments and may perform multiple roles over time. The nodes includeportable devices20,22,24 andaccess point18. In particular, any ofnodes18,20,22 and24 may act as network access nodes (e.g. repeaters, access points) or network user nodes, as will be described hereinbelow.
• [0021]Portable devices20,22,24 are computerized devices capable of communicating on one or more ofnetworks12,14,16.Portable devices20,22,24 may include laptop computers, personal digital assistants, connected organizers, pagers, wireless phones, portable digital systems, or other portable devices. Thus,portable devices20,22,24 can be handheld devices and can include a display, input device, (e.g., buttons, keyboard, mouse, voice-activation, etc.), audio output device (e.g., a speaker), etc. Further,portable devices20,22,24 may be representative of personal area networks (PANs) in which devices within the PAN communicate with a portable device capable of accessingnetwork12,14, or16. Each device in the PAN includes a short range wireless transceiver such as Bluetooth or IR transceivers.Portable devices20,22,24 may be configured to act as repeaters or access points. Repeaters receive a data signal wirelessly and forward the data signal to another node, typically wirelessly. Access points receive a data signal via a wired connection to a network, such as public switchedtelephone network16, or another network (e.g., wide area network (WAN), intranet, Ethernet, DSL, cable, etc.), and forward the data signal to another node, typically wirelessly.Access point18 may be coupled directly to an Internal service provider (ISP)30.Access point18 may also be a portable device. Thus, each ofportable devices20,22,24, andaccess point18 includes one or more antennas for transmitting and/or receiving wireless data signals.
• [0022]Access point18 includes awireless communication module26 in this exemplary embodiment and is illustrated as an add-on structure for a public telephone. Public telephones may include any type of coin-operated phone, pay phone, or other phone accessible to or for the use of the public. Public telephones are located at various indoor and outdoor locations throughout the country and provide advantageous sites for a wireless communication module. Public telephones advantageously include a receive circuit having a connection toPSTN16, power, billing or accounting structure, and, typically, some degree of security.Wireless communication module26 is configured to be coupled to accesspoint18 and includes a WLAN transceiver circuit configured to provide a wireless communication link betweenPSTN16 andportable device20, which is a remote wireless device. Advantageously,wireless communication module26 further includes a tamper-resistant casing surrounding the WLAN transceiver circuit which may include metal, plastic, or other materials which provide additional security tocommunication module26 without unduly interfering with the wireless communication link. According to a further advantageous feature,access point18 orwireless communication module26 may include a high-speed connection toPSTN16, such as, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a T1 line, etc., to improve the speed of communication betweenPSTN16 andmodule26. Alternatively, a communication link having a higher or lower bandwidth (e.g., a 56 kilobits per second modem, a T1 line, etc.) may be utilized.
• [0023]Access point18, acting as a network access mode providing access toPSTN16 and/or Internet (or intranet)28, is configured to provide data signals toportable device20 based on data received fromPSTN16. Such data may include data fromInternet28 which is received via a data source, such as, Internet service provider (ISP)30. In this manner,portable device20, as a network user node, communicates withInternet28 to send and receive data, including textual data, electronic mail, voice data, video data, and other types of data.
• In an exemplary embodiment wherein[0024]access point18 is coupled to a public telephone, many advantages are attendant. For example, because public telephones are ubiquitous in public and private areas of the United States, wide-ranging accessibility to a WLAN network is provided for network user nodes, such as, portable devices. Also, network user nodes may access content fromInternet28 or other internet protocol networks via a data source, such as,Internet service provider30 viaPSTN16.
• According to a further advantageous aspect,[0025]module26 may be configured for handing offportable device20 from one access point to another neighboring access point asportable device20 travels from a range associated withaccess point18 to a range associated with another nearby access point.
• According to a further advantage, an[0026]accounting system32 is provided which monitors use ofaccess point18 byportable device20 and charges an account associated withportable device20 or the user thereof, in exchange for the service provided. Thus, the user ofportable device20 may enjoy a wide coverage area accessible via WLAN protocols, and charges for use thereof (for example, on a flat-fee basis, per-usage basis, airtime basis, per-packet basis, or based on the time of day) would appear on a periodic phone bill, such as a monthly phone bill, for the use ofportable device20.
• Where[0027]accounting system32 is coupled toPSTN16, the charges for use ofaccess point18 appears on a monthly telephone bill (e.g., from a local home telephone service provider) associated with the user ofportable device20. Alternatively, the charges could appear on a separate bill tied to the usage ofportable device20,ISP30, or another billing system. Furthermore, where high-speed access is available, higher charges may be applied to such a bill when high-speed access is used compared with situations in which the access speed is slower.
• As mentioned,[0028]accounting system32 is configured to debit an account associated withportable device20, which is a destination node of a data signal.Accounting system32 may include software and/or hardware circuitry configured to monitor usage ofaccess point18 on a per-packet basis, on an airtime basis, a flat fee basis, or other debiting methods. Various parties involved in the transmission of the data signal toportable device20 may be involved in the accounting process. As shown in FIG. 1,accounting system32 may be resident ataccess point18, and/orPSTN16 and/orISP30 and/orInternet28. Furthermore, various parts of the accounting system may be located in one or more of these locations, or other locations. For example, a company may provide an Internet-based accounting system which communicates throughISP30 and throughPSTN16 to accesspoint18 in order to monitor communications betweenaccess point18 and network user nodes and to record debit information relating to the communications.Accounting system32 then generates billing data and sends the billing data, either via electronic mail, paper mail, or in conjunction with an existing local home telephone bill provided by a telephone company to the user ofportable device20. Alternatively,ISP30 may provide this accounting function or some portion thereof.
• According to another advantageous aspect of this exemplary embodiment, a credit is provided to an account associated with[0029]access point18 in compensation foraccess point18 acting as a network access node by providing a communication link betweenportable device20 andPSTN16. For example,access point18 is provided at a commercial or residential establishment, either inside or outside of the establishment. The owner of the establishment is credited for use by one or moreportable devices20 ofaccess point18. The credit is calculated based on the data signal transmitted, and may be charged on a per-packet basis, based on usage time, on a flat fee schedule, on the time of day of the usage, or other crediting methods. The flat fee schedule may include a standard credit per call, per month, etc. The credit may be a monetary credit or non-monetary credit (e.g., frequent-flyer miles, etc.). In this way, the owner of the establishment associated withaccess point18 is provided with an incentive to establish and maintain an access point and to encourage users of portable devices to communicate with the owner's access point. Other parties may also be entitled to a credit, such as, a phone company, wherein the phone company owns and operatesaccess point18,Internet service provider30, whereinISP30 provides the data signal fromInternet28 or from another network source to accesspoint18, or another third party who maintains theaccounting system32. In an exemplary embodiment, for a single packet of data thatportable device20 receives fromInternet28 viaaccess point18 or transmits thereto,accounting system32 debits the account ofportable device20 by one unit, and credits the one unit based on any number of crediting methods to accounts associated withaccess point18,PSTN16,ISP30, andaccounting system32.
• Depending upon the payment model,[0030]access point18 may generate its own revenue, which may pay for the hardware and high-speed network connection. If additional credit is available due to a high usage ofaccess point18 by manyportable devices20, a revenue stream over and above that necessary to pay for the hardware and network connection is available for the owner ofaccess point18,PSTN16,ISP30, or other third parties. Advantageously, no one party need pay the cost of a high-speed network connection, such as DSL, but rather the cost is distributed among a number of users ofportable devices20 and/or the owner ofaccess point18. The owner ofaccess point18 may choose the amount of credit thataccess point18 receives, thereby providing more or less of an incentive for wireless users ofportable devices20 to useaccess point18. Network user nodes (e.g., portable device20) can include a user interface to allow a user to view costs and the speed of different network access nodes (e.g., access point18) within WLAN range and to select one of the network access nodes for use.
• One exemplary method of utilizing such a system will now be described. An owner of a commercial or residential establishment first decides that a high-speed network connection is desired for such things as Internet access. The owner contacts an access point provider who sells, leases, or gives an access point to the owner to be located on the owner's property. The access point provider may be a telephone company, an Internet service provider, or another party. The owner then promotes the availability of high-speed Internet access and other network access to potential users having portable devices in the nearby area (since[0031]access point18 operates via WLAN technology, the range ofaccess point18 is limited to the range of the WLAN protocol).Accounting system32 then monitors usage ofaccess point18, and provides credits to an account associated withaccess point18, and potentially other accounts. The credits may be provided on a per-packet basis, or based on another payment method.Accounting system32 can also debit an account associated withportable device20 equal to the total credits provided to accesspoint18 the other parties receiving credits. For example,ISP30 may receive a credit sufficient to cover the line charge of the high-speed Internet access. Thus, the cost of the service to the owner ofaccess point18 may be reduced or eliminated. In the event that a party other than the owner provides power to accesspoint18, this party may also be provided with a credit inaccounting system32.
• This exemplary accounting system provides credits and debits for actual usage to the owner of[0032]access point18, which encourages owners to maintain access points and to advertise the availability of access. According to a further alternative embodiment, one or more ofnodes18 and20-24 may be configured to queryaccounting system32 before operating as an access point or repeater to transmit data signals to determine whether the node requesting access has a sufficient account balance, credit line, or established account.
• In some situations, the portable device will not be within range of[0033]access point18. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, amaximum range line34 indicates the maximum range within whichaccess point18 can communicate viawireless communication module26 in a reliable manner with portable devices.Maximum range line34 may be approximately 200 feet, approximately 400 feet, or other ranges, typically less than 1,000 feet in a WLAN environment.Portable device22 andportable device24 are illustrated as being outside ofmaximum range line34. In this situation,portable device20 acts as a repeater to provide data signals fromaccess point18 toportable devices22,24. Thus, in this embodiment,portable device20 is a network access node andportable device22,24 are network user nodes.Portable device20 includes a receive circuit and a transmit circuit for communicating withportable devices22,24 and withaccess point18. In response to a request fromportable device22,portable device20 sends a return message indicatingportable device20 is available to act as a repeater and is in range of an access point or another repeater which is in range of an access point, and so forth.Portable device22 then makes a determination based upon received signals fromportable device20 or other portable devices or access points which portable device or access point to communicate with. As mentioned,portable device22 may include an operator interface to display charges and network speeds associated with each network access node within range and to receive a user selection of one of the network access nodes for use. In this example,portable device22 selectsportable device20 to act as a repeater for data transmitted and/or received to/fromaccess point18.
• [0034]Portable device20 and/orportable device22 further includes the function of providing account crediting information toaccounting system32 and/or providing account debiting information toaccounting system32. A communication event message is provided by one or more ofnodes18,20,22,24 toaccounting system32 based on the communication of data among the nodes. A communication event message is a message including information regarding one or more communication events among the nodes. For example,portable device22 can provide a communication event message having an identification message toportable device20, either at the time of initiating communication, at the beginning and end of a communication, during a lengthy communication, or periodically. The identification message identifiesportable device22 uniquely and allowsaccounting system32 to identify an account associated withportable device22 for debiting.Portable device20 may additionally provide account information in the form of an identification message uniquely representingportable device20, whereinaccounting system32 receives the identification data forportable device20 and recognizes this identification as associated with an account which is to receive a credit based onportable device20 acting as a repeater. As discussed hereinabove,accounting system32 may further provide a credit to accesspoint18,PSTN16,ISP30, a power supplier foraccess point18 and/or other third parties.
• The transceiver circuitry resident on[0035]portable device20 andportable device22 may include any type of WLAN communication circuitry.Portable device22 may further be configured to operate in ad hocnetwork12 in addition to communicating withinfrastructure network14.
• Account information, including account debiting information and account crediting information, can be provided in a number of ways among[0036]portable devices20,22,24,access point18, andaccounting system32. In one exemplary embodiment,portable device22 provides a first part of a communication event message having an identification message uniquely identifyingportable device22 toportable device20.Portable device20 provides the first part of the communication event message along with a second part of the communication event message including an identification message uniquely identifyingportable device20 to accesspoint18.Access point18 provides a third part of the communication event message representing an identification message uniquely identifyingaccess point18 along with the identification messages ofportable devices20,22 toaccounting system32.Accounting system32 reads the communication event message, determines which identification messages correspond to accounts to be credited and which identification messages correspond to accounts to be debited and is configured to make the necessary debits and credits to the respective accounts. The communication event message can include other accounting information, such as, information regarding the number of packets transmitted, the duration of the transmission, billing information (e.g., whether billing is on a per-packet basis, on a flat-fee basis, is to be provided on a calling card, or other account information, etc.), or other necessary billing information.
• [0037]Portable device20 will consume power in acting as a repeater. Accordingly,portable device20 may include additional batteries, or may include a power cord plugged into a conventional power outlet. Thus,portable device20 may be a handheld device having a rechargeable battery, the device being left in a “sleep” mode while plugged into a power outlet, and being awakened by a request fromportable device22 forportable device20 to act as a repeater. Advantageously,portable device20 may be a laptop computer, which includes a rechargeable battery having greater power than smaller portable devices.
• By allowing[0038]portable device20 to receive credits while not being used for other purposes, an incentive is provided to useportable device20 as a repeater for the benefit of other portable devices, such asportable devices22,24. Payment is provided in order to compensateportable device20 for power drain, for usage time, etc.
• Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary method of crediting and/or debiting an account of a network access node will now be described. The method may be operable on a software and/or hardware system resident at one or more locations in[0039]communication system10. For example, the method may be an application program operable onaccess point18 orportable device20 orportable devices22,24. At step50, a data signal is received at the network access node. As mentioned, the network access node may be an access point or a repeater, and may be any ofaccess point18 orportable devices20,22,24. The data signal may be digital information, voice, video, or other data signals received from a data signal source, such asISP30,Internet28, or other signal sources. A data signal may be received wirelessly via ad hocnetwork12 orinfrastructure network14, or may be received via a wired connection, such as, viaPSTN16.
• At[0040]step52, the data signal is forwarded wirelessly to a network user node. The network user node can be a portable device, such as,portable device22, or can be another access point or other device. The data signal may be converted to another communication protocol, or can be communicated in a similar communication protocol to that received. The data signal can be forwarded in a wireless communication protocol, such as a WLAN protocol.
• At[0041]step54, account crediting and/or debiting information is provided toaccounting system32. As discussed, account crediting information may include a node identification message, packet information, usage time information, or other information useful toaccounting system32 in providing a credit and/or debit to the nodes ofcommunication system10. The account crediting and/or debiting information may be provided toaccounting system32 wirelessly, either in a separate message or along with a message containing a data signal, or may be provided periodically via a wired connection (e.g., a synchronization step), or by other steps. The account crediting information may further include a credit toISP30 in exchange for providing the data signal, or in exchange for the cost of a high-speed Internet connection (e.g., DSL, T1, etc.), or for other reasons.
• After account crediting information has been provided to[0042]accounting system32,accounting system32 provides credits to network access node accounts associated withportable device20,access point18, and other accounts, which may be based on the forwarded data signal (e.g., based on airtime usage, per-packet charges, etc.).Accounting system32 also provides debits to network user node accounts.
• Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary accounting method operable in[0043]accounting system32 will now be described. As mentioned,accounting system32 may be a software program operable on one or more of the nodes incommunication system10.
• At step[0044]56,accounting system32 receives a communication event message. The communication event message preferably includes identification data for each node which requires a credit or a debit. The communication event message is transmitted in response to a network access node receiving and forwarding a data signal on behalf of a network user node in this exemplary embodiment. The communication event message may be sent at the same time as the repeater function or the communication event message may be sent at the end of a period of time, such as a day, week, month, etc.
• At[0045]step58,accounting system32 is configured to credit or debit accounts associated with the communication event message. The communication event message may further include the number of packets in the forwarded data signal, the duration of the communication event between the wireless signal provider node and the destination node, or other data useful toaccounting system32 in providing necessary credits and debits to accounts associated with the communication event.
• As mentioned, the exemplary debiting and crediting methods described above may be configured to provide account adjustments (e.g., credits, debits, etc.) to accounts associated with one or more of[0046]nodes18,20,22, and24, or may be configured to provide account adjustments to accounts associated with persons (e.g., users, owners, business associations, etc.). In many cases, both a person and a node will be associated with an account. In other cases, a person may have one account associated with several nodes (or several accounts associated with one node). For example, a person owns several nodes including a portable device, a personal computer, and a vehicle, all of which include transceiver circuitry configured to communicate over one or more ofnetworks12,14, and16.Accounting system32 can be configured to provide account adjustments to a single account associated with the person based on the use of the person's nodes. Thus, the account associated with the person is credited where any one of the person's nodes is used as a network access node and the account associated with the person is debited where any one of the person's nodes is used as a network user node. The person then may variously use one or more of the person's nodes, wherein all debits are provided to the person's single account.
• While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. and described above are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims.[0047]

Claims (69)

What is claimed is:

1. A method of crediting an account of a network access node, comprising:

receiving a data signal at the network access node;

forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node; and

providing account crediting information to an accounting system, wherein the account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the network access node.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the network access node is a repeater.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the network access node is further part of an ad hoc network.

4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the network access node is an access point.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the data signal is received from a public telephone.

6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing account debiting information to the accounting system, wherein the account debiting information represents a debit to be recorded for an account associated with the network user node.

7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing second account crediting information to the accounting system, wherein the second account crediting information represents a second credit to be recorded to an account associated with the Internet service provider and the data signal is provided by an Internet service provider.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the network user node is a portable, handheld device having a display.

9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the credit is based on the forwarded data signal.

10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the credit is based on at least one of the time of day and airtime usage of the data signal.

11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the credit is calculated on at least one of a per-packet basis and a flat rate basis.

12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of forwarding includes transmitting the data signal using a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol.

13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the WLAN protocol is the IEEE 802.11 protocol.

14. A portable device configured as a repeater, comprising:

means for receiving a data signal wirelessly;

means for forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node; and

means for providing account crediting information to an accounting system, wherein the account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the portable device.

15. The portable device ofclaim 14, wherein the portable device is configured to operate in an ad hoc network.

16. The portable device ofclaim 14, further comprising means for providing account debiting information to the accounting system, wherein the account debiting information represents a debit to be recorded for an account associated with the network user node.

17. The portable device ofclaim 14, further comprising means for providing second account crediting information to the accounting system, wherein the data signal is provided by an Internet service provider, wherein the second account crediting information represents a second credit to be recorded to an account associated with an Internet service provider.

18. The portable device ofclaim 14, wherein the credit is based on the forwarded data signal.

19. The portable device ofclaim 18, wherein the credit is based on airtime usage of the data signal.

20. The portable device ofclaim 18, wherein the credit is calculated on a per-packet basis of the data signal.

21. The portable device ofclaim 14, wherein the means for forwarding includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) transmitter.

22. The portable device ofclaim 21, wherein the network user node is a portable device.

23. An accounting method for crediting an account associated with a network access node, comprising:

receiving a communication event message, wherein the communication event message includes identification data representing a network access node, wherein the communication event message is received in response to the network access node receiving and forwarding a data signal on behalf of a network user node; and

crediting an account associated with the network access node based on the communication event message.

24. The accounting method ofclaim 23, wherein the communication event message further includes the number of packets in the forwarded data signal.

25. The accounting method ofclaim 23, wherein the communication event message further includes the duration of a communication between the network access node and the network user node.

26. The accounting method ofclaim 23, wherein the communication event message is received in response to the network access node repeating the data signal in an ad hoc network.

27. The accounting method ofclaim 23, wherein the communication event message is received in response to the network access node acting as an access point.

28. The accounting method ofclaim 23, wherein the communication event message includes second identification data representing the network user node, further comprising debiting an account associated with the network user node.

29. The accounting method ofclaim 23, further comprising crediting an account associated with an Internet service provider, wherein the data signal is provided by the Internet service provider, wherein the communication event message includes third identification data representing the Internet service provider.

30. The accounting method ofclaim 23, wherein the network access node receives and forwards the data signal via a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol.

31. A method of crediting an account associated with an access point, comprising:

receiving a data signal at the access point;

forwarding the data signal wirelessly to a network user node using a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication standard; and

providing account crediting information to an accounting system, wherein the account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the access point.

32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the data signal is received from a public telephone.

33. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the data signal is received from the Internet.

34. The method ofclaim 31, further comprising providing account debiting information to the accounting system, wherein the account debiting information represents a debit to be recorded for an account associated with the network user node.

35. The method ofclaim 31, further comprising providing second account crediting information to the accounting system, wherein the data signal is provided by a data source, wherein the second account crediting information represents a second credit to be recorded to an account associated with the data source.

36. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the network user node is a portable, handheld device having a display.

37. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the credit is based on the forwarded data signal.

38. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the credit is based on airtime usage of the data signal.

39. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the credit is calculated on a per-packet basis.

40. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the wireless local area network protocol is the IEEE 802.11 protocol.

41. An access point, comprising:

a receive circuit configured to receive a data signal;

a transmit circuit configured to transmit the data signal over a wireless local area network (WLAN) to a network user node; and

an accounting circuit configured to provide account crediting information, wherein the account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the access point.

42. The access point ofclaim 41, wherein the receive circuit is coupled to a public switched telephone network.

43. The access point ofclaim 42, wherein the data signal is received from an Internet service provider.

44. The access point ofclaim 43, wherein the account crediting information represents a credit to be recorded for an account associated with the Internet service provider.

45. The access point ofclaim 41, wherein the wireless local area network operates according to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

46. The access point ofclaim 41, wherein the credit is based on the transmitted data signal.

47. The access point ofclaim 41, wherein the credit is based on airtime usage of the data signal.

48. The access point ofclaim 41, wherein the credit is calculated on a per-packet basis.

49. The access point ofclaim 41, wherein the accounting circuit is further configured to provide account debiting information, wherein the account debiting information represents a debit to be recorded for an account associated with the network user node.

50. A system for crediting an account associated with a network access node, comprising:

a network access node configured to provide a communication link with a network;

a network user node configured to provide a wireless communication link with the network access node; and

an accounting system configured to credit an account associated with the network access node based on a communication between the network user node and the network.

51. The system ofclaim 50, wherein the network access node is a repeater configured to provide a wireless communication link with an access point coupled to the network.

52. The system ofclaim 50, wherein the network access node is an access point coupled to a network, wherein the network includes a public switched telephone network.

53. The system ofclaim 50, wherein the accounting system is further configured to debit an account associated with the remote node based on the communication between the network user node and the network.

54. The system ofclaim 50, wherein the network user node is a portable handheld device having a display.

55. A wireless communication module for a public telephone coupled to a public switched telephone network, comprising a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver circuit configured to provide a wireless communication link between the public switched telephone network and a network user node.

56. The wireless communication module ofclaim 55, further comprising a tamper-resistant casing surrounding the transceiver circuit.

57. The wireless communication module ofclaim 55, further comprising a digital subscriber line (DSL) circuit configured to communicate between the public switched telephone network and the transceiver circuit.

58. The wireless communication module ofclaim 57, wherein the transceiver circuit is configured to communicate with the network user node pursuant to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

59. A method of adjusting at least one of an account of a first person associated with a network access node and an account of a second person associated with a network user node, comprising:

receiving a data signal at the network access node;

forwarding the data signal wirelessly to the network user node; and

providing account adjustment information to an accounting system, wherein the account adjustment information represents at least one of a credit to be recorded to the first person's account and a debit to be recorded to the second person's account.

60. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the network access node is a repeater.

61. The method ofclaim 60, wherein the network access node is further part of an ad hoc network.

62. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the network access node is an access point.

63. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the account information represents a credit to be recorded to the first person's account.

64. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the account information represents a debit to be recorded to the second person's account.

65. The method ofclaim 59, further comprising providing second account information to the accounting system, wherein the second account information represents a second credit to be recorded to an account associated with the Internet service provider and the data signal is provided by an Internet service provider.

66. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the network user node is a portable, handheld device having a display.

67. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the credit is based on the forwarded data signal.

68. The method ofclaim 59, wherein the step of forwarding includes transmitting the data signal using a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol.

69. The method ofclaim 68, wherein the WLAN protocol is the IEEE 802.11 protocol

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