(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0101848 A1
`
` Lee et al. (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 1, 2002
`
`
`US 20020101848A1
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
`ON-LOCATION, WIRELESS ACCESS 0F
`WEB CONTENT
`
`(51)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ........................... .. H04J 3/24; II04L 12/66;
`H04L 12/56
`......................... .. 370/349; 370/352; 370/401
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Ivan Lee, San Jose, CA (US); Li
`Cheng Zai, Los Gatos, CA (US); Max
`Rible, Sunnyvale, CA (US); William
`G. Pabst, Sunnyvale, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address;
`SKJERVEN MORRILL MACPHERSON LLP
`25 Metro Drive, suite 700
`San Jose, CA 95110 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/731,240
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 5, 2000
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wireless network provides one or more local wireless
`service area where wireless clients are able to access web
`
`content from an IP network that includes the Internet. A
`wireless network that includes wireless gateways, secure
`link to a WAP gateway via an access server and location-
`based content offers an infrastructure for providing valued-
`added features to wireless clients. The valued-added features
`
`include providing web content in multiple application pro-
`tocols and include automatically presenting location-based
`content when a wireless client attempts to access web
`content.
`
`20
`_____________ _ _ [_ _ _
`
`Security
`Encoder/
`Decoder
`
`Security
`Encoder/
`
`Decoder
`
`____________
`
`Wireless
`
`. Gateway
`
`
`
`f
`-->l
`
`110
`
`Network
`Interface
`
`VPN
`
`
`.
`
`W'reless
`Gateway
`
`
`40
`
`MI",
`
`“x.
`
`.‘
`
`_____“
`fa.“
`’ 10 ‘
`
`Wireless
`
`130
`
`
`J._____
`L______
`
`Gateway .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless
`Network
`Support
`Server
`
`
`
`WAP
`Gateway
`
`60
`
`Page 1 of 25
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1014
`
`Page 1 of 25
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`LAN
`
`Notebook
`
`Computer
`
`PDA
`
`\/
`
`
`
`
`
`Networked
`N
`k
`
`Wireless
`
`PC or
`etwor
`
`I nterface
`Gateway
`Peripheral
`
`
`
`
`Other
`
`
`
`TCP/IP
`
`Other
`Wireless
`
`
`Device WEB Server
`
`HTML/XML APP
`
`HT“:
`
`FIG. 1
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Internet/Intranet
`
`
`
`HTTP TCP
`
`
`
`_requ_est EQU—>
`
`
`response (content)
`‘_ _ _ _
`
`
`
`Browser
`
`
`Client
`
`Web Server
`
`FIG. 2
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Page 2 of 25
`
`Page 2 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Mobile Switching
`Center (MSC)
`
`_ _ — — — ‘ ‘ ‘
`
`Access
`
`WAP
`
` Cellular Switch
`
`Server Gateway
`
`HTML <->
`WML
`
`Mobile Switching
`Center (MSC)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cellular Switch
`
`Access
`
`WAP
`
`Server Gateway
`
`HTML <->
`WML
`
`Circuit-Switched
`
`TCP/IP
`Network/SS7
`
`WMU
`
`HTI'P
`
`WML APP
`
`
`
`
`HTML/XML APP
`
`HTTP
`
`FIG. 3
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Page 3 of 25
`
`Page 3 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Internet/Intranet
`
`HTTP/TOP
`
`
`
`
`WAP/UDP
`
`Wireless
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Encoded Request
`— — —>
`
`
`Re
`est URL
`.99 4 4
`Response (content)
`
`Encoded Response
`{— — _
`
`Wireless
`Client
`
`WAP
`Gateway
`
`Web Server
`
`FIG. 4
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Page 4 of 25
`
`Page 4 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Wireless
`
`Security
`Encoder/
`Decoder
`
`
`Security
`Encoder/
`Decoder
`
`Gateway
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless
`
`Gateway
`'
`
`Wireless
`
`
`Gateway
`
`Network
`
`Interface
`
`“-........."
`
`140
`
`150
`
`
`
`
`WML APP
`
`HTM XMLAPP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless
`
`
` Network
`
`
`Server
` 130
`
`Page 5 of 25
`
`Page 5 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`IP Packets
`
`Parse packet
`
`
`
`172
`
`174
`
`Parsed value matches that of Security
`Rule Table?
`
`No
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`176
`
` Apply
`Encryption/
`Decryption
`
`
`
`"3 PaCketS
`
`Encrypted
`IP Packets
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 6 of 25
`
`Page 6 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Wireless
`Device
`
`Device A 3
`
`
`XML
` E
`ML
`
`_|O 'U—-———_—_'
`
`
`
`
`Wireless Gateway
`
`Access Point Applications
`
`HTTP/WAP Redir
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`l
`
`| Ethernet
`| MAC
`
`I I
`
`Public or
`IDrivate Net
`
`I V
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless MAC
`
`Wireless
`PHY
`
`VPN
`
`to the
`INTERNET
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`I.4_| '0
`
`_.|I—Q (SSL)
`
`EE(D>'Um
`
`2-l 'U
`
`C U “U
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 7 of 25
`
`Page 7 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 7 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`WAP Gateway
`
`Gateway/ Proxy
`Applications
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Access Server
`
`WAP Redir I
`
`
`
`Access Server
`Applications
`
`
`
`Public or
`'
`. Private Net
`
`
`
`VPN
`to the
`INTERNET
`
`HTTP
`to the
`'NTEF‘NET
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`Page 8 of 25
`
`Page 8 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 8 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`WIRELESS GATEWAY
`
`42
`
`(
`
`MOTHER MODULE
`
`402
`
`408
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Main m Mass
`Processor
`Storage
`
`l/O
`Interface
`
`Bus
`Network
`Interface
`
`404
`
`406
`
`DAUGHTER MODULE
`
`44
`
`46
`
`RF Enhan-
`cement
`I. Module
`
`Radio
`
`H 420
`Wireless
`Baseband
`Processor
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Page 9 of 25
`
`Page 9 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 9 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`456
`
`460
`
`470
`
`
`
`
`“ac: _ Service Discovery
`Telephony Control
`(SDP)
`Specification
`E g
`
`% E
`
`g 0
`
`Logic Link Control & Adaptation (I2CAP)
`g “'5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Host Controller interface
`
`500
`
` Bluetooth Baseband Controller
`
`520
`
` Link Manager (LMP)
`
`Bluetooth Baseband 450
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Page 10 of 25
`
`Page 10 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 10 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
` 12
`HTTP
`
`
`Wireless
`Device
`
`
`
` WAP
`Wireless
`
`Device
`
`40
`
`Wireless
`
`Gateway
`
`
` 20
`
`
`
`
`
`
` | nte rface
`
`Network
`
`Packet
`
`
`
`Modifier
`
`
`
` Optional
`
`Secondary
`Packet
`Modifier
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 11 0f 25
`
`Page 11 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 11 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`IP Packet In
`
` RULE-BASED REDIRECTION
`If a packet matches a redirection rule,
`modify the packet to the specification of the rule.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RULE-BASED ENCRYPTION
`
`IP Packet Out
`
`FIG. 11
`
`0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IHL
`
`
`Size of datagram
`(header + data)
`16-bit identification —
`Transport Protocol
`header checksum
`
`32-bit source IP address
`
`32-bit destination IP address
`
`TCP or UDP header
`
`31
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`data (may include URL path info)
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Page 12 0f 25
`
`Page 12 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 12 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Packet IP Rewriter
`
`IP
`PaCkEtS
`
`Field
`
`destination
`P&P”W'
`
`destination
`
`Modifier
`
`Mmmw
`IP
`Packets
`
`
`
` destination
`
`Modified
`
`
`
`Packets
`
`
`
`
`header
`Checksum
`
`Packets
`
`Data
`
`datagram
`size
`
`.
`F'e'd
`Modifier
`
`232
`
`234
`
`Page 13 of 25
`
`Page 13 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 13 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`PROTOCOL = HTTP/TCP
`
`CLIENT
`
`
`- GATEWAY
`
`WIRELESS
`
`REDIRECT SERVER
`
`(Rsemr) 1P,
`
`
`
`WEB SERVER 1P2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`URL -> URL(IPZ/
`URL(IPll
`
`
`Pach) and pass on
`Pathl)
`
`(After lst time, pass
`requested URL onto its
`
`Wireless Gateway TCP Intercept
`
`2)(lsttimeonly) -4)Serverediredtedpage
`1)Request
`
` associated web server)
`
`
`
`
`of URL(IP2/Path2)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Note: URL(IPl/Pathl) points to the page a wireless client wishes to retrieve.
`URL(IPZ/Pach) points to the portal page the Wireless Service Area Provider would like the
`wireless client to initially retrieve.
`
`FIG. 14A
`
`PROTOCOL = WAP/UDP
`
`CLIENT
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`GATEWAY
`
`REDIRECT SERVER
`(RServer) IP’
`
`WEB SERVER
`IP"
`
`Wireless Gateway UDP Intercept
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`URL —> URL(IPZ/
`URL(IPl/
`
`
`Pach) and pass on
`Pathl)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to WAP Gateway
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 14B
`
`Page 14 of 25
`
`1)Request
`
`
`
`page of URL(IPZ/
`Pach) via the WAP
`Gateway
`
`(After lst time, pass
`requested URL onto
`its associated web
`
`server)
`
`2)(lsttimeonly) .3)Returnredirected
`
`
`Page 14 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 14 0f 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`PROTOCOL = HTTP/TCP
`
`CLIENT
`
`- GATEWAY
`
`WIRELESS
`
`REDIRECT SERVER
`
`(RServer) 1P,
`
`WEB SERVER 1P2
`
`(a)
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless Gateway HTTP Redirect, Redirect server TCP Redirect
`
`
`
`
`3) Return to Client an
`1) Request
`6) Serve rediredted page
`2) (lst time only)
`HTTP 302 Redirect
`URL(IP1/
`of URL(IP2/Path2)
`Redirect packet to
`
`
`
`
`code providing the
`Pathl)
`RServer.
`
`
`
`URL(]P2/Path2) of the
`1P1 —> IP’ (RServer)
`
`
`
`
`redirected page
`4) Request
`
`
`
`
`URL(IP2/
`
`
`Path2)
`
`
`
`
`5) (after 1st time) Pass
`the reqested URL to its
`web server
`
`
`
`(b)
`
`Wireless Gateway HTTP Redirect, Redirect server TCP Intercept
`
`
`(Web Server = RServer,
`i.e. IP’ = IP2)
`
`
`4) Serve rediredted page
`
`of URL(IP2/Path2)
`
`
`
`
`
`Wireless Gateway HTTP Redirect, Redirect server as router
`
`3) If Path] not available
`2) (lst time only)
`
`on 1P2, then
`Redirect packet to
`
`URL(Path1) —>
`RServer.
`
`URL(Path2) and pass
`IP -> IP’(RServer)
`
`
`onto the Web server,
`(After 1st time, pass
`
`requested URL onto its which is the same as the
`
`associated web server)
`RServer
`
`1) Request
`
`URL(IP1/
`
`Pathl)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(c)
`
`2) (lst time only)
`1) Request
`4) Serve rediredted page
`3) URL -> URL(IP2/
`
`
`
`
`
`Redirect packet to
`URL(IP1/
`Path2) and pass onto the of URL(IP2/Path2) back
`
`
`
`
`
`Pathl)
`RServer.
`Web server
`to the Client
`
`
`
`
`1P1 —> IP’(RServer)
`
`(After lst time, pass
`
`requested URL onto its
`
`associated web server)
`
`
`
`
`
`((1)
`
`Wireless Gateway HTTP Redirect, Redirect server TCP Proxy
`
`
`4) Serve rediredted page
`3) URL —> URL(IP2/
`2) (lst time only)
`1) Request
`
`
`Path2) and pass onto the of URL(IP2/Path2) back
`Redirect packet to
`URL(IP1/
`
`
`RServer.
`Web server
`to the RServer
`Pathl)
`
`
`1P1 -> IP’(RServer)
`
`
`5) Forward returned
`(After lst time, pass
`
`
`redirected page to Client
`requested URL onto its
`
`
`
`associated web server)
`
`Note: URL(IP1/Pathl) points to the page a wireless client wishes to retrieve.
`URL(IP2/Path2) points to the portal page the Wireless Service Area Provider would like the
`wireless client to initially retrieve.
`
`
`
`FIG. 15A
`
`Page 15 of 25
`
`Page 15 of 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 1, 2002 Sheet 15 of 15
`
`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`PROTOCOL = WAP/UDP
`
`
`
`CLIENT
`
`WIRELESS
`GATEWAY
`
`REDIRECT SERVER
`(RServer) IP’
`
`WEB SERVER
`IP"
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(21) Wireless Gateway WAP Redirect, Redirect Server UDP Redirect
`
`5) Serve redirected
`
`page of URL(1P2/
`
`
`Path2)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1) Request
`2) If not pointing to
`
`
`
`URL(IP1/
`WAP Gateway
`
`
`Pathl)
`1P -> IP’(WAP
`
`
`
`Gateway)
`
`
`4) Request
`
`
`URL(IP2/
`(WAP Gateway
`
`
`includes RServer)
`Path2)
`
`
`
`3) (lst time only)
`Return to Client an HTTP 302
`Redirect code providing the
`URL(IP2/Path2) of the
`redirected page
`(After lst time, pass requested
`URL onto its associated web
`server)
`
`(b)
`
`Wireless Gateway WAP Redirect, Redirect Server UDP Intercept
`
`
`
`(c)
`
`
`1) Request
`URL(lPl/
`
`
`
`Pathl)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4) Serve rediredted page
`3) URL -> URL(IP2/
`1) Request
`2) (1st time only)
`
`
`
`Path2) and pass onto the of URL(IP2/Path2) back
`URL(IP1/
`Redirect packet to
`
`
`
`
`
`Web server
`to the Client
`Pathl)
`RServer.
`
`1P1 -> IP’(RServer)
`(After lst time, pass
`
`requested URL onto its
`
`associated web server)
`
`
`1) Request
`2) If not pointing to
`4) Return redirected
`3) (1st time only)
`
`
`
`URL(IP1/
`WAP Gateway
`page of URL(IP2/
`URL -> URL(IP2/ Path2) and
`
`
`
`Pathl)
`I? -> IP’(WAP
`Path2) via the WAP
`pass onto the Web server via
`
`
`
`
`
`Gateway)
`Gateway
`the WAP Gateway
`
`
`(After lst time, pass the
`
`
`(WAP Gateway
`reqested URL to its web server
`
`
`via the WAP Gateway)
`includes RServer)
`
`
`5) Forward returned redirected
`
`page to Client
`
`FIG. 153
`
`
`
`2) If not pointing to
`WAP Gateway
`IP -> IP’(WAP
`Gateway)
`
`(WAP Gateway
`includes RServer)
`
`(Web Server 2
`
`RServer, i.e., IP’ =
`
`
`1P2)
`
`
`4) Serve redirected
`
`
`page of URL(IP2/
`
`
`Path2)
`
`
`Wireless Gateway WAP Redirect, Redirect server as router
`
`3) (1st time only)
`URL -> URL(IP2/Path2) and
`pass onto the internal Web
`server
`(After lst time, pass requested
`URL onto its associated web
`server)
`
`
`
`
`(d) Wireless Gateway WAP Redirect, Redirect Server UDP Proxy
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 16 of 25
`
`Page 16 of 25
`
`

`

`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ON-LOCATION,
`WIRELESS ACCESS OF WEB CONTENT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to systems and meth-
`ods for local wireless telecommunication, and in particular
`to an infrastructure including one or more local wireless
`service area where wireless client devices in a service area
`are presented with associated local content when accessing
`content from the Intranet/Internet
`
`ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS
`
`It is customary for the telecommunication industry
`[0002]
`to use acronyms when referring to established components
`and services. The ones that are used in this disclosure are
`listed as follow:
`
`HTML
`
`HTP
`I/O
`ID
`IP
`IPSec
`LAN
`LLC
`LMP
`MAC
`MSC
`NAT
`PDA
`PHY
`PKI
`POTS
`PPP
`PSTN
`RF
`RAM
`ROM
`SSL
`TCP
`UART
`URL
`USB
`UTP
`VPN
`XML
`WAP
`WAE
`WDP
`WML
`WSP
`WTLS
`WTP
`WWW
`
`HyperText Markup Language
`HyperText Transfer Protocol
`Input/Output
`Identity Number
`Internet Protocol
`IP security Protocol
`Local Area Network
`
`Link Management Protocol
`Media Access Control
`Mobile Switching Center
`Network Address Translation
`Personal Digital Assistant
`Physical Layer of a protocol stack
`Public Key Infrastructure
`Plain Old Telephone Service
`Point-to-Point Protocol
`Public Switched Telephone Network
`Radio Frequency
`Random Access Memory
`Read Only Memory
`Secure Socket Layer
`Transmission Control Protocol
`Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter
`Uniform Resource Locator
`Universal Serial Bus
`User Datagram Protocol
`Virtual Private Network
`Extensible MarkUp Language
`Wireless Application Protocol
`Wireless Application Environment
`Wireless Datagram Protocol
`Wireless MarkUp Language
`Wireless Session Protocol
`Wireless Transport Layer Security
`Wireless Transaction Protocol
`World-Wide Web
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`has
`In recent years, the World—Wide Web
`[0003]
`become a universal platform for information dissemination
`on the Internet. Web applications in general and content in
`the form of web pages in particular are written in HTML
`(HyperText Markup Language) and are hosted by web
`servers on private IP (Internet Protocol) networks such as
`Intranets and public IP networks such as the Internet.
`
`[0004] One reason for the widespread acceptance of the
`WWW is the relative ease with which web applications can
`be created and deployed, and the existence of standardized
`web browsers. HTML, with its tag-coding scheme, is now
`
`Page 17 of 25
`
`well known to everyone from the professional developer to
`the savvy end user. More recently, XML (Extensible Markup
`Language) has been introduced to extend HTML with
`enhanced features including customizable tags, which allow
`for more structural specification of data.
`
`[0005] The clients for accessing web type of content has
`extended from desktop computers to increasingly portable
`devices including notebook computers, palm-top informa-
`tion appliances and mobile phones. There is a constant quest
`for greater bandwidth and mobility for accessing the content
`available on the public or private IP networks.
`
`[0006] The Internet is a worldwide interconnection of IP
`networks, with interconnecting computers communicating
`with each other using TCP/1P (Transmission Control Proto-
`col/Internet Protocol). Some of the computers may also be
`interconnected by a private segment of the IP network with
`restricted access. On an IP network, data from a source node
`is cast into a number of packets that may individually be
`ransported via multiple paths on the network to be reas-
`sembled at a destination node. The transmission on the IP
`
`letwork is packet-switched and asynchronous.
`
`_0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional wireless local-
`area network system With connection to the Internet. Wire-
`less-enabled equipment and devices such as wireless-en-
`abled personal computers and mobile devices such as
`lotebooks or personal digital assistants (PDAs) can establish
`wireless communication with a local area network via a
`
`can in turn
`wireless gateway. The local area network
`3rovide access to the Internet via an Internet interface. In
`his way the Wireless-enabled equipment is able to establish
`connectivity to computers and peripherals on the LAN as
`well as to resources on the Internet such as a web server
`
`10sting a HTML/XML application.
`
`
`
`technologies
`_0008] For personal Wireless connectivity,
`employing infrared or radio frequency (RF) carrier have
`emerged as viable solutions. Various industrial working
`groups are in the process of establishing standards for higher
`3erf0rmance systems. These include IEEE 802.11 (Wireless
`LAN), HomeRF, Bluetooth, and standard wireless access
`3rot0col
`
`the Bluetooth Special Interest Group
`:0009] Currently,
`(http://bluetooth.com), comprising a consortium of telecom-
`nunication, computing and networking industries, is in the
`3rocess of establishing various versions of the Bluetooth
`specification.
`It
`is a specification for small form-factor,
`low-cost
`radio solution to provide short-distance (e.g.,
`10-100 m) link between mobile computers, mobile phones
`and other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the
`Internet.
`
`[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a client retrieving
`a resource such as the content of a web page from a web
`server. Each web page can be called up by its URL (Uniform
`Resource Locator), which comprises an IP address and a
`path. The IP address points to a host (e.g., a web server) on
`the Internet and the path points to a file (e.g., a web page)
`on the host. Aweb page may be requested and processed by
`a web browser running on a client computer connected to the
`Internet. The web browser requests a web page from a web
`server by its URL and the web server returns the web page
`to the web browser. The web browser retrieves the web page
`under HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and parses the
`
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`
`

`

`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`HTML codes on the web page to execute it. Typically, the
`execution of HTML codes on a web page results in render-
`ing it into a display page on the browser of the client
`computer. In other instances, it may result in the execution
`of some backend functions on the client and/or server
`computers.
`
`[0011] Cellular phone service is another wireless telecom-
`munication system that is growing rapidly in the consumer
`market. The proliferation of cell phones as personal com—
`munication devices has provided impetus for developing
`standards and protocols to enable these highly mobile wire-
`less clients to access web applications hosted on Intranet/
`internet IP networks.
`
`is being
`[0012] The Wireless Application Protocol
`developed as an application environment and set of com-
`munication protocols for enabling wireless mobile devices
`to access the Internet and telephony services. WAP is being
`specified and developed by WAP Forum Ltd. (http://wva-
`.wapforum.org/), which is a consortium of Internet and
`telecom companies.
`
`[0013] WAP is based on the standards and protocols
`established for the web environment, such as HT , HTTP and
`TCP. However, these standards and protocols are inefficient
`over mobile networks. Furthermore, standard HTML con-
`tent cannot be effectively be displayed on the small-size
`screens of handheld mobile phones and pagers.
`
`[0014] Mobile networks typically operate under more
`restricted conditions, such as low bandwidth, high latency,
`and less connection stability. To address these consider-
`ations, WAP compresses the data to be transmitted to alle-
`viate the bandwidth and latency restrictions. Furthermore,
`the content is created with WML (Wireless Markup Lan-
`guage) and WMLScript, which are optimized for a micro-
`browser running on a mobile client having a small form-
`factor display and simple navigation controls.
`
`[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional cellular phone
`telecommunication network with connection to the Internet
`
`for accessing WML applications. Essentially wireless ser-
`vices are provided in areas covered by one or more cells
`serviced by a wireless gateway such as a Mobile Switching
`Center (’MSC). The MSC primarily allows each wireless
`mobile unit (e.g., mobile phone) to connect to other tele-
`phones and equipment on the Public Switched Telephone
`Network (PSTN) via a circuit-switched SS7 network.
`
`[0016] To provide cell phone users access to web or HTTP
`content on the Internet, a WAP gateway is typically installed,
`co-located at the MSC. The WAP gateway provides trans-
`lation between IITTP packets on the Internet and the WAP
`packets on the wireless network. In this way, content on the
`Internet coded in WML is translated from HTTP to WAP
`across the WAP gateway to be served to a mobile client. In
`some implementation, the WAP gateway may also include
`functionalities to translate, HTML coded content to WML
`coded content. This will enable a mobile client to access a
`
`web page (i.e. HTML coded content) directly. However, this
`type of on-the-fly translation is usually successful on HTML
`content that has been designed with this application in mind.
`
`[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a wireless client
`retrieving a resource such as the content of a WAP deck from
`a web server. (In WAP parlance, a “deck” and a “card” is
`used instead of a “page” in view of the smaller display.) The
`
`Page 18 of 25
`
`scheme is similar to that for a HTTP client shown in FIG.
`
`2, except with the addition of a WAP gateway. Content in the
`form of a WML application can be called up by its URL
`(Uniform Resource Locator), which comprises an IP address
`and a path. The IP address points to a host (e.g., a web
`server) on the Internet and the path points to a file (e.g., a
`WML deck) on the host.
`
`:0018] The WAP gateway is intermediary between the
`wireless clients and the web server hosting the WML deck.
`When a microbrowser running on a wireless client requests
`he WML deck by its URL, the application protocol used is
`WAP and the transport protocol is UDP (User Datagram
`Protocol). The request is made through the WAP gateway
`acting as a proxy. The WAP gateway translates the applica-
`ion protocol of the request from WAP to HTTP and the
`ransport protocol from UDP to TCP before requesting the
`deck from the web server. The web server returns the
`
`equested deck to the WAP gateway, whereupon it is trans-
`lated from HTTP to WAP and TCP to UDP. The returned
`
`deck, now in WAP is then returned by the WAP gateway to
`he requesting wireless client. The microbrowser in the
`wireless client interprets the WML codes on the WAP deck
`0 execute it. Similar to the HTTP case, the execution of
`WML codes on a WAP deck results in rendering it into a
`display deck on the microbrowser of the client device. In
`other instances,
`it may result
`in the execution of some
`3ackend functions on the client devices and/or server com—
`Juters.
`
`
`
`:0019] AWAP-enablcd wireless network enables a user to
`access web content with a mobile device readily. At the same
`ime, by virtue of the context of a user operating in a locality
`or neighborhood, the possibility exists for providing to the
`user local content and services associated with that locality.
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0020] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present
`invention to provide a wireless network infrastructure that is
`able to provide Internet connectivity and also to serve local
`content to mobile risers economically and efficiently.
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide a
`[0021]
`wireless network infrastructure that is able to efficiently and
`economically serve local content under a plurality of appli-
`cation protocols so as to support a plurality of mobile clients.
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide a
`[0022]
`wireless network infrastructure as stated above that is able to
`efficiently support additional value-added features
`for
`mobile clients.
`
`It is another object of the invention to provide a
`[0023]
`wireless network infrastructure as stated above that is eco-
`nomical and efficient to install, maintain and administer.
`
`[0024] One aspect of the invention provides a wireless
`network architecture that avoids having to assign a WAP
`gateway to be co-located with every wireless gateway or
`every piconet, while providing alternative and enhanced
`security features. This is accomplished by assigning one or
`a limited number of WAP gateway to service the whole
`wireless network. The WAP gateway can be located any-
`where as long as it is accessible to the wireless network.
`
`In one embodiment, the WAP gateway is connected
`[0025]
`to the private IP network via a leased telecommunication
`line so that no part of it is accessible to the public.
`
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`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`In the preferred embodiment, a more economical
`[0026]
`and flexible arrangement is to connect the WAP gateway to
`the private IP network using the public Internet 30. Security
`is accomplished by establishing a VPN (Virtual Private
`Network) employing IPsec (IP Security Protocol) for the
`packets of the IP network to tunnel through the Internet 30.
`A rule-based a security encoder/decoder is employed.
`
`[0027] Using a secured connection across the Internet to
`share a WAP gateway among the wireless gateways provides
`a wireless network that
`is economical, and efficient
`to
`manage, maintain and administer. Since the encryption
`process is off-loaded from the client device to the network
`infrastructure, performance degradation incurred from
`secure transactions is reduced. Furthermore, implementing a
`rule-based secured transport avoids incurring overheads on
`those applications that do not require security.
`
`[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, a
`system and method of serving local content enable the local
`content to be actively presented to a mobile wireless user
`operating in a wireless service area. The local content is
`information that may be of interest to a mobile user when in
`the localities or neighborhood covered by the given wireless
`service area. Alternatively, the local content is information
`that vendors and businesses in the localities or neighborhood
`would like to the mobile user to know about. For example,
`when in an airport terminal, the local content of interest may
`be the flight schedules of the airlines operating in the
`terminal, or it may be about the shops and facilities in the
`terminal. When in a shopping mall, the local content of
`interest may be about the resident shops and services.
`
`[0029] When a mobile user is operating in a wireless
`service area, the local content is actively presented to the
`mobile user as an option. In one implementation, when a
`mobile user initially attempts to access a resource on the
`Internet/Intranet, the mobile user is automatically redirected
`to the local content or presented with an option to access the
`local content. In a prcfcrred implcmcntation, the mobile user
`can easily navigate between accessing content from the
`Internet/Intranet and accessing local content. In contrast,
`conventional methods of serving content of interest to a
`particular locality require the mobile user to identify the
`location before the content server can return the relevant
`local content.
`
`[0030] Local content is actively served to a wireless client
`when the client attempts to request content from the Internet/
`Intranet. This is accomplished by employ a rule-based
`packet modifier, in a one-stage process, that either mutates
`the packets of the requesting client to cause local content to
`be returned to the client instead, or mutates the packets of the
`returned content to have the requested content include added
`local content.
`
`In an alternative embodiment, a two-stage process
`[0031]
`employs two packet modifiers in tandem. The first packet
`modificr is positioncd in thc network to intcrccpt thc rcl-
`evant packets and to modify the IP address of the intercepted
`packets in order to redirect the packets to the second packet
`modifier. The second packet modifier then completes the
`task as stated in the one-stage process.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0032] The invention will now be described by way of
`example with reference to the drawings in which:
`
`Page 19 of 25
`
`:0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional wireless local-
`area network system with connection to the Internet.
`
`:0034] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a client retrieving
`a resource such as the content of a web page from a web
`server.
`
`_0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional cellular phone
`elecommunication network with connection to the Internet
`for accessing WML applications.
`
`[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a wireless client
`retrieving a resource such as the content of a WAP deck from
`a web server.
`
`_0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless network system that
`arovides wireless devices in a wireless service area access to
`
`content hosted on the Intranet/Internet, according to a pre-
`ferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`:0038] FIG. 6 illustrates the process of the security
`encoder/decoder of FIG. 5 implemented as a rule-based
`encryption-decryption engine.
`
`:0039] FIG. 7A illustrates the path and protocol stacks
`from a wireless device through a wireless gateway and then
`unneling through the Internet.
`
`:0040] FIG. 7B illustrates the tunneling path from FIG.
`7A through the Internet to the access server and then to the
`WAP gateway before connecting to the Internet again.
`
`:0041] FIG. 8 is a schematic hardware functional block
`diagram of the wireless gateway shown in FIG. 5.
`
`_0042] FIG. 9 illustrates the Bluetooth protocol stack
`running on the Bluetooth main processor on the mother—
`Doard and on the processor on the daughterboard according
`o the Bluetooth specification.
`
`[0043] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a general
`system architecture where the wireless network system of
`FIG. 5 is adaptcd to scrvc local contcnt, according to a
`areferred embodiment of the invention.
`
`:0044] FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred scheme for process-
`ing packets to implement packet modifications such as
`3acket mutation and packet encryption.
`
`_0045] FIG. 12 illustrates the information carried in an IP
`Jacket.
`
`_0046] FIG. 13A illustrates schematically a packet IP
`_nodifier in which the destination IP address and port number
`are mutated.
`
`
`
`0047] FIG. 13B illustrates scaematically a packet URL
`modifier in which thc URL information carricd in thc packct
`is mutated to a new one.
`
`:0048] FIG. I4A shows the in eractions between various
`components of the wireless ne work system in order to
`enable local content to be served where packets from a
`HTTP wireless client are modified in a one-stage process.
`
`[0049] FIG. 14B shows the in eractions between various
`components of the wireless ne work system in order to
`enable local content to be served where packets from a WAP
`wireless client are modified in a one-stage process.
`
`[0050] FIG. 15A shows the in eractions between various
`components of the wireless ne work system in order to
`
`
`
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`

`US 2002/0101848 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`[0058] One type of client is a HTTP client. This would
`include a wireless-enabled desktop or notebook computer
`running a standard browser for browsing HTML content
`retrieved from the IP network. As described in connection
`
`the application protocol over the transport
`with FIG. 2,
`protocol used is HTTP/TCP. Content coded in HTML is one
`form of a HTML/XML application 120 that is typically
`hosted by a web server 130 on the IP network. IITML coded
`content is designed to be accessed by a HTTP client directly
`from the IP network. In that case, the network interface 110
`simply needs to route the packets between the intranet 20
`and the Internet 30.
`
`[0059] The second type of client is a WAP client. This
`would include a WAP-enabled cell phone or pager or palm-
`top PDA running a WAP compatible microbrowser. In this
`case, the WAP gateway 60 is required to translate between
`WML/HTTP and WAP/UDP as described in connection with
`FIG. 4. The WAP gateway introduces WAP capabilities into
`the IP network, and allows the wireless service provider to
`introduce new, differentiated and advanced features as
`value-added services, such as local and Internet content and
`advanced data services to the end-user.
`
`enable local content to be served where packets from a
`HTTP wireless client are modified in a two-stage process.
`
`[0051] FIG. 15B shows the interactions between various
`components of the wireless network system in order to
`enable local content to be served where packets from a WAP
`wireless client are modified in a two-stage process.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`[0052] Local Wireless Service Area Network
`
`[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless network system that
`provides wireless devices in a wireless service area access to
`content hosted on the Intranet/Internet, according to a pre-
`ferred embodiment of the invention. The wireless network
`
`system enables connectivity between a wireless device 10
`and an IP network that is part of an intranet 20 and the
`Internet 30. In the preferred embodiment, the connectivity is
`enabled by a collection of wireless gateways 40, an access
`server 50, and a WAP gateway 60.
`
`[0054] The wireless device 10 is