Intelligent network access controller and method
An intelligent network access controller coupled to wireless communication hardware controls wireless communications in a targeted coverage area of a local wireless network overlaying an existing wireless network. The controller controls the hardware to provoke wireless devices within the targeted coverage area of the local wireless network to attempt to register with the intelligent network access controller; receives, through the hardware, registration signals and identification information from the wireless devices; locks the wireless devices to the intelligent network access controller; determines an access category for each of the wireless devices based on the received registration signals and identification information; maintains first access category wireless devices locked to the controller while the first access category wireless devices remain in the targeted coverage area of the local wireless network; and unlocks second category wireless devices by controlling the hardware to signal the second access category wireless devices to attempt access to the existing wireless network.
1. A method implemented by an intelligent network access controller coupled to wireless communication hardware for controlling wireless communications in a targeted coverage area of a local wireless network overlaying an existing wireless network, comprising the intelligent network access controller:
controlling the hardware to provoke wireless devices within the targeted coverage area of the local wireless network to attempt to register with the intelligent network access controller;
receiving, through the hardware, registration signals and identification information from the wireless devices;
locking the wireless devices to the intelligent network access controller;
determining an access category for each of the wireless devices based on the received registration signals and identification information;
maintaining first access category wireless devices locked to the intelligent network access controller while the first access category wireless devices remain in the targeted coverage area of the local wireless network; and
unlocking second category wireless devices by controlling the hardware to signal the second access category wireless devices to attempt access to the existing wireless network.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the intelligent network access controller:
allowing limited wireless communications access for the first category wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller controls the hardware to generate signals to:
direct the first access category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network for a specific communication, and
redirect the first access category wireless device to re-register with the intelligent network access controller after completion of the specific communication.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the intelligent network access controller establishing the targeted coverage area and the local wireless network.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein local wireless network overlays less than an entire coverage area of the existing wireless network.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the targeted coverage area is less than an area of the local wireless network.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent network access controller establishes multiple targeted coverage areas, the multiple targeted coverage areas corresponding to different wireless technologies.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent network access controller establishes multiple targeted coverage areas, wherein at least one of the multiple targeted coverage areas is different in geographic coverage from the other multiple targeted coverage areas.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access category wireless devices comprise known, restricted wireless devices and unknown wireless devices, and the second category wireless devices comprise known, unrestricted wireless devices.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, upon receiving a registration signal from a wireless device, providing a positive acknowledgement to the wireless device thereby creating an illusion to a user of the wireless device that the wireless device is registered with and operating on the existing wireless network.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the targeted coverage area exists in three dimensions.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardware comprises one or more base stations, switching centers, and antennae.
12. A system for controlling communications in a targeted coverage area overlaying an existing wireless network, comprising:
wireless communications distribution hardware; and
an intelligent network access controller coupled to the wireless communications distribution hardware, comprising:
an equipment identity module that receives and stores information identifying wireless devices that enter the targeted coverage area, and
access and locking modules that determine which of the wireless devices in the targeted coverage area are allowed access to the existing wireless network by:
establishing an attraction process that provokes the wireless devices within the targeted coverage area to register with the intelligent network access controller;
locking the registered wireless devices to the intelligent network access controller; and
establishing access limitations for the registered wireless devices, comprising:
preventing wireless communication access for first category wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller provides to the first category wireless devices, an appearance of operating on the wireless network, and
allowing unlimited wireless communications for second category wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller redirects the second category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network.
13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising:
allowing limited wireless communications access for the first category wireless devices, wherein the intelligent network access controller:
directs the first category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network for a specific communication; and
upon completion of the specific communication, redirects the second wireless device to re-register with the intelligent wireless network access controller.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the specific communication is an emergency communication carried over the existing wireless network.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the intelligent network access controller further comprises a private network module used to establish a private network within the targeted coverage area, and wherein the specific communication is carried over the private network.
16. A system for dynamically controlling wireless communications in a targeted coverage area overlaying a portion of an existing wireless network, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon a program of instructions that, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to:
establish an attraction process that provokes wireless devices within the targeted coverage area overlaying the portion of the existing wireless network to attempt to register with the controller,
receive a registration signal from a wireless device;
lock the wireless device to the controller;
determine an access category for the wireless device;
block wireless communication access on the existing wireless network for first category wireless devices within the targeted coverage area; and
allow unlimited wireless communications on the existing wireless network for second category wireless devices within the targeted coverage area, wherein the controller redirects the second category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network.
17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising the controller allowing limited wireless communications access for first category wireless devices, wherein the controller:
directs the first category wireless devices to attempt registration with the existing wireless network for a specific communication; and
after completion of the specific communication, redirects the first category wireless device to re-register with the controller.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the controller establishes the targeted coverage area as the overlay to the portion of the existing wireless network.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the controller provides to the first category wireless devices, an appearance of operating on the existing wireless network.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first category wireless devices are known, restricted wireless devices and the second category wireless devices are known, unrestricted wireless devices and unknown wireless devices.