CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation in part of application serial number 11/673,956 entitled "Hotspot Communication Limiter" filed February 12, 2007 which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Computers and other devices are linked in a local data network (LAN) by a router. That router also enables those devices to communicate over a wide area data network (WAN) such as the internet. The LAN may be wired, wireless, or some combination of wired and wireless. The WAN connection may be wired or wireless. Examples of wireless WANs include, but are not limited to cellular data networks and IEEE 802.16 data networks. [0003] Router configuration is generally accomplished using a computer interacting with the router. The router includes an embedded web server that allows a user to access one or more configuration pages with a standard web browser. For example, the user may be able to change the security parameters, change passwords or perform any other configuration of the router's functions. These web pages may provide status information about the configuration of the router, the current network traffic patterns, the speed of the network and so forth. The pages may also allow the user to initiate or otherwise allow local network connections between the router and various client devices. If the router is configured to communicate over a wireless WAN, the user may use the pages to instruct the cellular router to initiate the wireless WAN connection with a cellular data network

[0004] A web interface serves many users well However, it would prove advantageous if certain router functions, especially those unique to capable of wiles WAN communications, could be initiated from the router itself without requiring a user interface provided through second device on the network

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figs 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary block diagrams of environments in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented

[0006] Figs 3-5 and 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, and 8A-8D are diagrams showing physical and logical components of a router device according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0007] Fig 9 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating steps taken in performance of various embodiments of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] INTRODUCTION Various embodiments described below integrate user controls in a router's enclosure Activation of each user control causes the router to instigate an action Such actions can include connecting to or or disconnecting from a wireless WAN, allowing or disallowing LAN connections, and causing the router to communicate configuration or state information to the user

[0009] ENVIRONMENT: Fig 1 illustrates exemplary environment 1 in which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented Environment 10 includes router device 10 and clients 12, 14, and 16 and LAN data link 18 Router device 10, discussed in more detail later, represents generally a device capable or routing network communications between clients 12, 14, and 16 and internet 26 via a data exchanger 20 Clients 12, 14, and 16 represent generally any computing devices capable of communicating with router device 10

[0010] LAN data link 18 interconnects router device 10 and clients 12, 14, 16 LAN data link 18 represents generally a cable, wireless, or remote link via a telecommunication link, an infrared link, a radio frequency link, or any other connector or system that provides electronic communication between devices 10, 12, 14, and 16 The path followed by link 18 between devices 10, 12, 14, and 16 in the schematic view of Fig 1 represents the logical communication path between these devices, not necessarily the physical path between the devices Devices 10, 12, 14, and 16 can be connected at any point and the appropriate communication path established logically between the devices

[0011] Environment 1 also includes data exchanger 20 and service provider 22 Data exchanger 20 represents generally any combination of hardware and programming that can be utilized by router device 10 to connect to a wide area network such as the internet While illustrated as an internet enabled cellular telephone, data exchanger 20 is not so limited For example, data exchanger 20 may be a PCMCIA card or other device capable of wireless WAN communication Such wireless WAN communication may comply with one or more of any number of protocois such as IEEE 802 16 and those employed in cellular data networks Other examples for data exchanger 20 include but are not limited to DSL modems and cable modems

[0012] Service provider 22 represents generally any infrastructure configured to provide internet related data services to subscribers such as an owner of data exchanger 20 For example, where data exchanger 20 is capable of wireless WAN communication, service provider 22 may be a telephone service provider capable of providing voice and data services to subscribers allowing access to internet 26 Wireless data communications may be accomplished using any number of possible protocols such as UMTS, GPRS, CDMA2000, GSM, CDPD, 3G, and IEEE 802 16 Where data exchanger 22 is a DSL or cable modem configured for wired WAN communication, service provider 22 may be a more traditional internet service provider (ISP) providing data access to internet 26 [0013] WAN data link 24 serves as a common communications link through which communications are routed between internet 26 and clients 12, 14, and 16 WAN data link 24 interconnects data exchanger 20 and service provider 22 and represents generally any combination of a cable, wireless, or remote connection via a telecommunication link, an infrared link, a radio frequency link, or any other connector or system that provides electronic communication between data exchanger 20 and service provider 22 [0014] In the embodiment illustrated in environment 1 , device link 28 interconnects router device 10 and data exchanger 20 Device link 28 represents generally any combination of a cable, wireless, or remote connection via a telecommunication link, an infrared link, a radio frequency link, or any other connector or system that provides electronic communication between devices 10 and 20 As examples, device link 28 may incorporate a physical USB connection or radio waves carrying Bluetooth communications

[0015] Communication between clients 12, 14, and 16 and internet 26 is dependent upon router device 10 Router device 10, as discussed below with respect to Figures 3-5, includes an integrated user interface that allows a user to directly modify a router state without being dependent upon a web interface

[0016] While Fig 1 shows router device 10 in communication with a single data exchanger 20, router device 10 may be configured to utilize multiple data exchangers of various types each capable of establishing a different WAN data link For example, router device 10 may include multiple physical and wireless ports of various types with each port being configured to link router device 10 to a different type of data exchanger For example, some data exchangers may be configured to utilize a router's USB and fire wire ports while others are configured to use a router's card slot Others can be capable of wireless interaction with router device 10 [0017] Fig 2 illustrates another exemplary environment 2 in which various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented In the example of Fig 2, data exchanger 20 (not shown) and router device 10 are incorporated within the same device Device link 32 (shown in Fig 1 ) ιs eliminated and replaced with internal connections In such a scenario, data exchanger may take the form of a card or any other device that can be inserted into a slot or otherwise coupled to router device 10 Alternatively, data exchanger 20 may be fully integrated into router device 10 [0018] ROUTER DEVICE: Fig 3 is a sample illustration of the exterior of router device 10 In this example, router device 10 includes an enclosure 27 that encases internal circuitry Enclosure 27 provides a user interface that includes one or more visual indicators 28 and user controls 30 While shown as a row of lights, visual indicator 28 represent generally any device or devices that can be used to communicate information visually to a user An LCD display screen is one such example While controls 30 are shown as buttons that can be activated when pressed by a user, controls 30 can be any component type that can provide a detectable response when activated by a user Such a response may be the opening or closing of a circuit The user interface may also include other components such as an audible indicator capable of communicating information audibly and a tactile indicator capable of communicating through touch or feel [0019] Fig 4 is a block diagram illustrating physical and logical components of router device 10 As described above, router device 10 represents generally any combination of hardware and/ programming capable of directing network communications between clients and the internet via a data exchanger such capable of wired or wireless WAN communication

[0020] In the example of Fig 4 router device 10 includes local network interface 32 and data exchanger interfaces 34 Local network interface 32 represents generally any combination of hardware and/or program instructions capable of supplying a communication interface between router device 10 and clients 12, 14, and 16 shown in Figures 1 and 2 Each data exchanger interface 34 represents any combination of hardware and/or programming enabling data to be communicated between router device 10 and a particular data exchanger such as data exchanger 20 shown in Fig 1 For example, one or more of interfaces 34 may include a transceiver operable to exchange network communications utilizing a wireless protocol such as ultrawideband (UWB), Bluetooth, or 802 11 One or more of interfaces 34 may include physical ports or other physical connection points enabling wired communication It is also noted that local network interface 32 may include both wired and wireless interfaces The wireless interface, may for example, be an interface utilizing the Bluetooth protocol or some other wireless protocol The wired interface may, for example, a series of ports physical ports such as card slots, and USB and fire wire ports [0021] Router device 10 also includes connector 36, router 38, configuration data 40, interface controller 42, and user interface 44 Connector 36 represents generally any combination of hardware and/or programming for sending a signal to selected one of any number of data exchangers available to router device 10 to establish a WAN data link For example, where a given data exchanger is a data capable cellular device, connector 36 may send a signal causing the data capable cellular device to establish a wireless WAN data link with a cellular data service provider [0022] Router 38 represents generally any combination of hardware and/or programming for routing network communication received through network interface 32 to be transmitted by data exchanger 20 to internet 26 Router 38 is also responsible for routing inbound network communications received from internet 26 and directed via network interface 32 to a specified client 12, 14, or 16 Outbound and inbound network communications, for example can be an IP (internet Protocol) packets directed to a target on internet 26 or to a particular network device 12, 14, or 16 on a local area network [0023] Configuration data 40 represents a collection of data corresponding to various state settings of router device it is noted that configuration data 40 is stored in one or more suitable memory devices provided by or accessible to router device 10 For example, configuration data 40 can include information accessible connector 36 that identifies which, if any, of a number of available data exchangers is to be used to establish a WAN data link Configuration data 40 can include information identifying users that are authenticated to access a WI-FI connection supplied by local network interface 32 Configuration data 40 can include information identifying whether that WI-FI communication is to be turned off and whether or not anonymous WI-FI users are allowed Configuration data 40 can include information available to router 38 that identifies a maximum data transfer rate Of course, configuration data 40 can include other pieces of information

[0024] Interface controller 42, described in more detail below, represents generally any combination of hardware and programming capable of monitoring various states of router device 10, detecting a user's activation of user controls 30, and utilizing indicator lights 28 to communicate various states of router device 10

[0025] User interface 44 represents generally a combination of devices integrated into router device 10 that enable a user to provide instructions and receive communications In the example of Fig 4, router device 10 includes visual indicator 28, user controls 30, audible indicator 46, and tactile indicator 48 In general, user interface 44 need only include an indicator that is capable of communicating information to a user directly from router device 10 rather than through another device coupled to router device 10 As described above, user controls 30 can be any component type that can provide a response detectable by router device 10 when activated by a user Visual indicator 28 represents generally any device or devices that can be used to communicate information visually to a user Examples include LED lights and an LCD or other type of display screen Audible indicator 46 represents generally any component capable of producing an audible signal that can be used to communicate information to a user Tactile indicator 48 represents generally any component capable of producing a tactile response that can be used to communicate information to a user [0026] Interface controller 40 is shown to include state engine 50, control engine 52, and communication engine 54 State engine 50, represents generally any combination of hardware and programming capable of communicating with local network interface 32, data exchanger interfaces 34, connector 36, router 38, configuration data 40, and data exchanger 20 (Fig 1 ) to monitor and control or otherwise modify various states of router device 10 Those states can include

• Power status - an indication of whether the router is on or off,

• WAN status - an indication of currently operating WAN data link and its signal strength and an indication of other available WAN data links,

• LAN - an indication of whether a particular physical LAN port is active,

• WI-FI - an indication of whether the router is actively supporting a wireless local network and users accessing the local wireless network,

• Modem - an indication of whether the router has a functioning connection with a data exchanger,

• Transfer rate - an indication of a rate at which data is being transferred, and

• Battery - an indication of an available power lever

[0027] To monitor a given state, state engine 50 may poll configuration data 40 State engine 50 may also poll the particular component or components responsible or otherwise affected by that state For example, to monitor signal strength, state engine 50 may poll data exchanger 20 for the information via data exchanger interface 36 To monitor the number of client devices accessing router device 10 via a wireless interface, state engine 50 may poll local network interface 32. To monitor the rate at which data is being transferred on data link 24, state engine 44 may poll router 38 and/or data exchanger 20. To monitor the power level, state engine 50 may poll power supply 42.

[0028] State engine 50 can modify the states of router device 10 in numerous manners. In some instances, state engine 50 may access and alter configuration data 40 and, thus, changing the behavior of other components accessing configuration data 40 in performance of their various tasks. In other instances, state engine 50 can provide corresponding instruction to a corresponding component of router device 10. In other words, state engine 50 can communicate instructions to a given component by communicating directly with that component. [0029] As examples, state engine 50 may be instructed to activate or deactivate a local Wi-Fi communications or a selected WAN data link. In response state engine 50 appropriately alters configuration data 40 or communicates instructions to connector 36 to activate or deactivate a WAN data link or communicates with local network interface 32 to enable or disable a local Wi-Fi communications. State engine 50 may be instructed to activate a particular one of a number of possible WAN data links. In response state engine 50 appropriately alters configuration data 40 or communicates instructions to connector 36 to activate the selected WAN data link. State engine 50 may be instructed to block a particular user or all anonymous users from accessing the local Wi-Fi link. In response, engine 50 appropriately alters configuration data 40 or communicates instructions to local network interface 32.

[0030] Control engine 52 represents generally any combination of hardware and programming capable of determining if a given user control 30 has in fact been activated 30. For example, when a user depresses a control 30, a circuit is closed or opened which is detected by control engine 46. Control engine 52 identifies the particular user control 30 by identifying the particular circuit that has been closed or opened Control engine 52 may also be responsible for determining a manner in which a control or a series of controls have been activated For example, control engine 52 may identify when a particular group of controls have been activated in a particular order or when a given control has been continuously or repeatedly activated for a predetermined time Control engine 52 may also responsible for communicating data to state engine 50 and communication engine 54 indicating which control button or buttons have been activated as well as the manner and order of activation As discussed below, communications from control engine 52 cause communication engine 54 to communicate information to a user and also cause state engine 50 to modify one or more states of router device 10

[0031] Communication engine 54 represents generally any combination of hardware and programming capable utilizing visual indicator 28, audible indicator 46, and tactile indicator to communicate information to a user The communicated information notifies the user of various states of router device 10 monitored by state engine 50 The communicated information also enables the user to make selections utilizing controls 30 that cause state engine 50 to modify a selected state or states of router device 10 [0032] As described above, router device 10 has the ability to communicate via a WAN data link The state information communicated to the user by communication engine 54can include a notification of whether or not the WAN data link is active Through user controls 30, the user can then cause state engine 50 to activate or deactivate that WAN data link Additionally, router device 10 may be capable of connecting to various types of data exchangers 20 via a number of various data exchanger interfaces 34 As a result, router device 10 has the ability to communicate via a number of different WAN data links As such the state information communicated to the user by communication engine can include a notification of the each WAN data links that can be activated or deactivate Through user controls 30, the user can then cause state engine 50 to activate or deactivate a selected WAN data link.

[0033] The state information communicated to the user by communication engine 54 can include a notification of whether or not Wi-Fi communications are enabled as well as the type of Wi-Fi communications that are allowed. For example, Wi-Fi users may be required to have an account or anonymous access may be allowed. Through user controls 30, the user can then cause state engine 50 to enable or disable Wi-Fi communications and change the type of allowed Wi-Fi communication.

[0034] The state information communicated to the user by communication engine 54 can include a notification of the number of Wi-Fi users as well as listing of current Wi-Fi users. Through user controls 30, the user can then cause state engine 50 to allow or block a particular Wi-Fi user. The state information communicated to the user by communication engine 54 can include a notification of a data transfer rate. This may include a current transfer rate as well as a maximum data transfer rate available to Wi-Fi users. Through user controls 30, the user can then cause state engine 50 to modify the available transfer rate.

[0035] Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary version of router device 10. In this example, enclosure 27 incorporates user controls 30 and 30' and visual indicators 28 and 28'. Visual indicator 28' is an LCD or other type of display screen. User controls 30 include WAN connect 30a, Wi-Fi connect 30b, and Wi-Fi Users 30c. As described below, activation of a given user control 30a, 30b, or 30c results in communication engine 54utiiizing visual indicator 28' to communicate one or more states of router device 10. Utilizing user controls 30', the user is able to provide instructions for modifying one or more of the communicated states.

[0036] In Fig 6A, user control 30a of Fig. 5 (WAN Connect) has been activated. As a result, communication engine 54 has caused visual indicator 28' to display page 56. User controls 30' are shown to include 30'a, 30'b and 30'c. User controls 30'a and 30'c are used to scroll up and down while user control 30'b is used to select highlighted information displayed in visual indicator 28' Page 56 includes information for identifying and selecting a particular WAN data link Depending upon the particular state of that WAN data link, the section may cause a connection to be made or it may cause a connection to be ended

[0037] In Fig 6A, WAN1 58, shown as connected, is highlighted In Fig 6B, a user has activated control 30'c to scroll page 56 and highlight WAN3 60 The user has also activated control 30'b to select WAN3 56 As a result, WAN3 is now shown as connected, while WAN1 has been disconnected and is shown as available Referring back to Fig 4, control engine 52 detects the activation of user controls 30'a, 30'b, and 30'c In response, state engine 50 causes the WAN1 58 connection to be dropped and the WAN3 60 connection to be established

[0038] In Fig 7A, user control 30b of Fig 5 (WI-FI Connect) has been activated As a result, communication engine 54 has caused visual indicator 28' to display page 62 Page 62 includes information for identifying and changing various states corresponding to the router's WI-FI communications In this example, through page 62 a user can enable or disable the WI-FI link and enable or disable, the ability of anonymous WI-FI users to utilize router device 10

[0039] In Fig 7A, WI-FI 64 has been highlighted Selection of WI-FI 64 using control 30'b results in WI-FI communications to toggle between disabled to enabled In Fig 7B, selection of Anonymous 66 using control 30'b toggles anonymous usage between disabled to enabled Referring back to Fig 4, control engine 52 detects the activation of user controls 30'a, 30'b and 30'c In response, state engine 50 causes enables or disables Wi- Fi communication and anonymous WI-FI access [0040] In Fig 8A, user control 30c of Fig 5 (WI-FI Users) has been activated As a result, communication engine 54 has caused visual indicator 28' to display page 68 Page 68 includes information for identifying various states corresponding to the users of a router's WI-FI communications In this example, page 68 communicates the number of current WI-FI users as well as a the current data transfer rate or bandwidth being consumed by those WI-FI users

[0041] In Fig 8A a user has activated control 30'b to select WI-FI connections 70 in page 68 As a result page 72 in Fig 8B is displayed Page 72 communicates a listing of WI-FI users as well as an indication of whether that user's WI-FI access is allowed or blocked In Fig 8B, the user has activated controls 30'a, 30'b, and 30'c to select user b 74 That selection results in blocking WI-FI access to user b [0042] In Fig 8C a user has activated control 30'b to select Transfer Rate 76 in page 68 As a result page 78 in Fig 8D is displayed Page 78 communicates a listing of selectable maximum transfer rates through which a user can set a bandwidth ceiling for WI-FI users In Fig 8D, the user has activated controls 30'a, 30'b, and 30'c to select cc MBPS 80 [0043] OPERATION: Fig 9 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating steps taken in performance of various embodiments To route data communications between a plurality of clients and the internet, a router device, if possible, establishes or causes to be established a first data link to a wide area network (WAN data link) in step 82 The router device establishes, if possible, a second data link to a local area network (LAN data link) in step 84 Step 84, for example can include establishing one or more wired and wireless LAN data links between the router device and a plurality of client devices State information regarding the first and second data links is communicated directly by the router device (step 86) Step 86 may be accomplished by interface controller 42 utilizing user interface 44 (Fig 4) For example, step 86 may involve causing an indicator light to turn on or off, it may involve emitting a beep, or it may involve causing a buzzing Step 86 may also involve causing information to be displayed in a visual indicator such as a display screen

[0044] If the first and second data links are established, data communications may then be routed between the local area network and the wide area network (step 88) It is determined if a user control on the router device has been activated (step 90) If not, the process repeats with step 86 If a user control has been activated, one or both of the first and second data links are modified in accordance with the activation of the user control (step 92) As explained above, step 90 can involve selecting a connecting to or disconnecting a WAN data link Where the router device is configured to a plurality of different data exchangers each capable of providing a different WAN data link, step 92 may include selecting a particular one of the possible WAN data links to connect to or disconnect from Where the local area network wireless, step 92 could also involve enabling or disabling a WI-FI communications, setting a bandwidth limit, enabling anonymous use, and blocking individual users

[0045] Information indicating the modification of Step 92 is then communicated by the router device (step 94) Step 94 may be accomplished by interface controller 42 utilizing user interface 44 (Fig 4) For example, step 94 may involve causing an indicator light to turn on or off, it may involve emitting a beep, or it may involve causing a buzzing Step 94 may also involve causing information to be displayed in a visual indicator such as a display screen The process then repeats with step 88 [0046] CONCLUSION: The schematic diagrams of Figs 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary environments in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented Implementation, however, is not limited to these environments Embodiments may be implemented in any device having indicator lights The diagrams of Figs 3-5, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8D show the architecture, functionality, and operation of various embodiments of the present invention A number of the blocks are defined, at least in part, as programs or programming Each of those blocks may represent in whole or in part a module, segment, or portion of code that comprises one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logical functιon(s) Each block may represent a circuit or a number of interconnected circuits to implement the specified logical functιon(s) [0047] Also, the present invention can be embodied in any computer- readable media for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system such as a computer/processor based system or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other system that can fetch or obtain the logic from computer-readable media and execute the instructions contained therein "Computer-readable media" can be any media that can contain, store, or maintain programs and data for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system Computer readable media can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media More specific examples of suitable computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, a portable magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory, or a portable compact disc [0048] Although the flow diagram of Fig 9 shows a specific order of execution, the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted For example, the order of execution of two or more blocks may be scrambled relative to the order shown Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence All such variations are within the scope of the present invention [0049] The present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary embodiments It is to be understood, however, that other forms, details and embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention that is defined in the following claims