Method and apparatus for providing preauthorization for a mobile receiving device to access wireless networks
View Patent ↗A mobile wireless system ( 10 ) includes a transmitter such as a satellite ( 18 ) that broadcasts wireless signals such as boundaries for wireless networks to a mobile receiving device ( 22 ). Mobile receiving device ( 22 ) may include an antenna ( 26 ). A locating receiver ( 50 ) is used to generate locating signals so that a determination may be made to the location of the mobile receiving device. Preauthorizations may be obtained to allow the mobile receiving device ( 22 ) to communicate back to business controller ( 11 ) to enable functions such as pay-per-view or on-demand, interactive television, gaming, and the like. The preauthorizations enable access to various wireless networks as the mobile receiving device ( 22 ) moves.
1. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:
determining a location of the mobile device;
accessing a first wireless network at the location using a first wireless network access signal having a first key;
determining a predicted location based on movement of the mobile device and the location; and
obtaining a second wireless network access signal having a second key different than the first key for a second wireless network different than the first wireless network from a business center in response to the predicted location.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising storing the wireless network access signal within the mobile receiving device.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising communicating to a business controller through the wireless network using the second wireless network access signal.
4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein communicating comprises communicating an authorization request.
5. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein communicating comprises communicating a query signal for missing packets of a satellite signal.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a location comprises determining a location in response to a global positioning system.
7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a location comprises determining the location in response to a cellular phone system.
8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a personal electronic device.
10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein obtaining a second wireless network access signal comprises obtaining the second wireless network access signal from a business controller through a satellite.
11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein obtaining a second wireless network access signal comprises requesting the second wireless network access signal from a business controller through a cellular network.
12. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:
communicating boundaries from a business center for wireless networks to a mobile device;
communicating wireless network access signals to the mobile device from the business center;
receiving the boundaries for the wireless networks and wireless network access signals at the mobile device;
storing the boundaries for the wireless networks in a memory of the mobile device;
determining a location of the mobile device;
determining a first wireless network in response to the location and the boundaries in the memory;
receiving satellite signals at the mobile device from a business controller through a satellite; and
communicating request signals to the business controller through the first wireless network.
13. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the request signals comprise a request for missing packet signal.
14. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the request signals comprise a pay-per-view request.
15. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the request signals comprise an on-demand request.