Mobile, seamless, temporary, wireless network access apparatus and method

Abstract

A software and hardware “kit” provides users the ability to seamlessly connect to local area networks at temporary accommodations and remote locations. The “kit” provides the end user with the ability to install wireless network interface cards on a computer, while bypassing the standard “Plug and Play” process, and provides the system configuration necessary to enable the hardware functionality. This will also allow the end user to immediately connect to the local area network, such as a wireless local area network, provided that the user's system is physically located within signal range. This process may be accomplished without the requirement that hardware actually be present and without rebooting the computer system, thus providing a novel improvement over the standard “Plug and Play” process.

1 . A system for providing network access to a computer of a user temporarily located at a: use site remote from and uncontrolled by the business location of the user, the kit comprising: 
 a network interface card controlled by a network access provider at the use site to interface between a computer of a user and a local area network controlled by the network access provider to provide access to the internet;    computer-readable media containing data structures executable on a computer of a user to support hot insert of the network interface card to a computer of a user, to connect to the local area network, and to bypass a detection system detecting new hardware introduced into a computer of a user; and    instructions effective to support loading of the data structures and installation of the network interface card in a computer of a user.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are printed separately from the network interface card and computer-readable medium.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are printed on at least one of the network interface card, the computer-readable media, and a hard copy medium distinct from the network interface card and computer-readable media.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are in embodied in the computer-readable media.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are readable by a user directly in the native language of a user.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions are provided orally by a representative of the network access provider.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network access provider is a management entity responsible for a business site selected from the group consisting of a hotel, a convention center, conference center, business center, a school, a government office, a business office, and a trade show.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the network interface card is selected from the group consisting of a wireless network interface card and a hard-wired network interface card.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a case to couple the network interface card and software into a unitary structure.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions are printed on the case.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the case includes a sheath receptive to an instruction insert.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the network interface card is compliant with a local area network technology selected from the group consisting of ethernet, token ring, and appletalk.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the case includes clasps to engage at least one of the network interface card and the computer readable medium.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer readable medium is selected from the group consisting of a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, flash memory, a hard disk, and a DVD.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network interface card is selected from the group consisting of a wireless network interface card and a hard-wired network interface card.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a case to couple the network interface card and software into a unitary structure.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the instructions are printed on the case.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the case includes a sheath receptive to an instruction insert.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the case includes clasps to engage at least one of the network interface card and the computer readable medium.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network interface card is compliant with a local area network technology selected from the group consisting of ethernet, token ring, and appletalk.