GB2540337A

GB2540337A - System and method for distributing content data to user devices

Info

Publication number: GB2540337A
Application number: GB1508381.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sutton Prakashan; Hilsum William
Original assignee: Wi-5 Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Wi-5 Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-15
Filing date: 2015-05-15
Publication date: 2017-01-18
Also published as: GB201508381D0

Abstract

A server sends content data to at least one wireless access point wherein the wireless access point stores the content data. The wireless access point establishes a wireless connection with at least one user device when the user device moves into range of the wireless access point. A page request process is invoked on the user device thereby causing the user device to send a page request to the wireless access point. The wireless access point sends the content data to the user device in response to the page request from the user device. The page request process may be captive portal process. The content data may be sent from the wireless access point to the user device whilst the wireless access point is disconnected from the server. The content may include video content data of a first format and the video content data may be transcoded, at the wireless access point, to generate a video content data of a second format. The content data may be a web page.

Description

System and Method For Distributing Content Data to User Devices Technical Field

The present invention relates to systems for distributing content data, for example web content data, to user devices, via wireless access points.

Background

User devices, such as smartphones, tablets and so on, are well known and widely used. Such user devices are equipped with web browsing software and wireless data transceivers that allow users to upload and download data to and from the internet.

Third parties often advertise goods and services by public information displays such as signs, posters, billboards, advertising screens and so on. Often, such public information displays include information indicating how users can gain access to further information about the advertised goods and services using a user device (e.g. links to websites, QR codes etc.). Even if a user happens to be interested in the advertised goods and services, the fact that a user is required to perform a number of additional steps to gain access to the further information (e.g. open a browser on their user device and manually enter a URL or open up a QR code reading app on their user device and take a photo with their user device of a QR code), and the fact they may have to be pay for a data connection to access the further information, means that many users do not attempt to gain access to further information that may be available.

It would be desirable to provide a mechanism that allows users of user devices to access additional content data in a manner that is convenient for the user and can be readily implemented by third party providers of content data associated with advertised products and services.

Statement of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of distributing content data to user devices. The method comprises sending content data from a server to at least one wireless access point; storing the content data at the wireless access point; establishing a wireless connection between the wireless access point and at least one user device when the user device moves into range of the wireless access point; invoking a page request process on the user device thereby causing the user device to send a page request to the wireless access point; and sending the content data from the wireless access point to the user device in response to the page request from the user device.

Optionally, the page request process is a captive portal process.

Optionally, establishing the wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device includes sending a network identifier from the wireless access point to the user device, and the captive portal process is invoked responsive to a selection on the user device of the network identifier.

Optionally, the content data is sent from the wireless access point to the user device whilst the wireless access point is disconnected from the server.

Optionally, the method further comprises determining a user device type of the user device by extracting user device type information from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device.

Optionally, the content data comprises different pieces of content data, and sending the content data from the wireless access point to the user device comprises selectively sending one or more of the pieces of content data from the wireless access point to the user device based on the user device type information.

Optionally, the method further comprises determining a unique identifier associated with the user device by extracting unique user device identifier information from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device whilst establishing the wireless connection.

Optionally, the content data includes video content data of a first format, and the method further comprises transcoding, at the wireless access point, the video content data of the first format to generate video content data of a second format.

Optionally, the content data sent from the wireless access point to the user device comprises a link to further content data, the method further comprising detecting, by the wireless access point, selection of the link to the further content data by a user of the user device, and responsive to selection of the link, suspending the wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device.

Optionally, the wireless connection is suspended for a predetermined period of time.

Optionally, the content data is a web page data, such that responsive to receipt of the web page data, the user device displays a corresponding web page on a captive portal browser.

Optionally, the method further comprises responsive to user data input to the user device via the web page displayed on the captive portal browser, receiving the user data from the user device at the wireless access point.

Optionally, the web page displayed on the captive portal browser comprises a web form, the method further comprising responsive to receiving the user data, storing the user data on the wireless access point.

Optionally, the method further comprises controlling a peripheral device connected to the wireless access point in accordance with the user data.

Optionally, the wireless connection in is accordance with the IEEE 802 family of standards such as the 802.11 standards.

Optionally, the method further comprises storing usage data at the wireless access point relating to the sending of content data to one or more user devices, and periodically sending the usage data from the wireless access point to the server.

Optionally, the usage data indicates one or more of a number of times the content data has been sent to user devices, chronological times at which content data has been sent to user devices, and an identity of user devices to which the content data has been sent.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a server and at least one wireless access point, said server being operable to send content data to the at least one wireless access point via a network connection, the wireless access point being operable to store the content data, wherein the wireless access point is further operable to establish a wireless connection with at least one user device when the user device moves into range of the wireless access point such that a page request process can be invoked on the user device thereby causing the user device to send a page request to the wireless access point; said wireless access point being further operable to send the content data to the user device in response to the page request from the user device.

Optionally, the page request process is a captive portal process.

Optionally, establishing the wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device includes sending a network identifier from the wireless access point to the user device, and the captive portal process is invoked at the user device in response to a selection on the user device of the network identifier.

Optionally, the wireless access point content data is sent from the wireless access point to the user device whilst the wireless access point is disconnected from the server.

Optionally, the wireless access point is operable to extract user device type information, corresponding to a type of the user device, from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device.

Optionally, the content data comprises different pieces of content data, and the wireless access point is operable to control the transceiver to selectively send one or more of the pieces of content data from the wireless access point to the user device based on the user device type information.

Optionally, the wireless access point is operable to extract unique user device identifier information from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device whilst establishing the wireless connection, thereby determining a unique identifier associated with the user device.

Optionally, the wireless access point includes video transcoding software and the content data includes video content data of a first format, wherein the wireless access point is operable to run the video transcoding software and thereby transcode the video content data of the first format to generate video content data of a second format.

Optionally, the content data sent from the wireless access point to the user device comprises a link to further content data, wherein the wireless access point is arranged to detect selection of the link to the further content data by a user of the user device, and responsive to selection of the link, suspend the wireless connection between the wireless transceiver and the user device.

Optionally, the wireless access point is arranged to suspend the wireless connection for a predetermined period of time.

Optionally, the wireless access point is arranged to receive user data from the user device, said user data received from the user device responsive to the user data being input to the user device via the web page displayed on the captive portal browser.

Optionally, the web page displayed on the captive portal browser comprises a web form, and the wireless access point is arranged to store the user data on a memory.

Optionally, the system further comprises a peripheral device connected to the wireless access point, and the wireless access point is arranged to control the peripheral device in accordance with the user data.

Optionally, the wireless connection in is accordance with the IEEE 802 family of standards such as 802.11 standards.

Optionally, the wireless access point is arranged to store usage data relating to the sending of content data to the one or more user devices, and to periodically send the usage data from the wireless access point to the server.

In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, a technique is provided whereby content data, for example web content data, is distributed to user devices by using an adapted version of a conventional technique for establishing a wireless connection between wireless access points and user devices, for example the conventional process for connecting a user device to a network via a WiFi hotspot. In contrast to conventional techniques, the content data is stored on the wireless access point itself.

To be sent the content data, the process requires a user to perform a minimised number of steps (because user device operating system software is typically optimised to enable rapid connection to wireless access points) and typically requires no modification to the user device itself. Further, content data can be sent to users even if the wireless access point is disconnected from other network components such as network switches, routers or any onward connections providing network links to remote servers.

Accordingly, in contrast with conventional techniques, content data can be received by user devices even if an onward connection to the internet is unavailable. Moreover, rather than having to develop and deploy an entirely new process to enable this, advantageously, an existing technique, conventionally used for a different purpose (i.e. establishing a wireless connection) is adapted to facilitate the technique in accordance with examples of the invention.

The content data can be periodically downloaded on to the wireless access point. For example, a wireless access point can be equipped with a cellular mobile telephone network data transceiver (e.g. a “3G” or “4G” data card). If the content data on the wireless access point is to be updated (e.g. replaced by more up to date content data), then a data connection can be established between the server and the wireless access and the content data downloaded onto the wireless access point. In arrangements in which multiple wireless access points are deployed, this provides a convenient mechanism by which content data can be distributed from a central location (e.g. the server). Further, specific content data can be sent to specific wireless access points, depending, for example, on their location.

Certain examples of the invention take advantage of the fact that, conventionally, during the establishment of a wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device, information about the user device type can be extracted. This information can be used for analytic purposes e.g. identifying what types of user devices most commonly get sent content data, or inferring how successful a particular location is for placing an advertising poster.

In certain examples in which the user device type information is extracted, the operation of the wireless access device can be controlled differently depending on the detected user device type, for example sending different pieces of content data to user devices of different types.

Certain examples of the invention take advantage of the fact that, conventionally, during the establishment of a wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device, information uniquely identifying the user device can be extracted (e.g. a MAC address). This information can be used for analytic purposes (e.g. identifying specific user devices being sent content data).

In certain examples, content data sent to the user device includes video content data. Typically, different user devices require video data in different video data formats (dictated, for example, by the type of browser software running on a user device). Rather than downloading multiple different versions (i.e. different formats) of the same video content data, in certain examples, the wireless access point is provided with video data transcoding functionality which enables video data to be transcoded from one format to another. In this way, video content data of one type need only be downloaded to a wireless access point.

In certain examples in which the content data includes a link (e.g. a URL) to further content data (e.g. another web page), the wireless access point is arranged to detect selection of such a link by a user of the user device (e.g. by intercepting a corresponding page request message), and in response, suspend (i.e. deactivate) the wireless connection. In certain examples, the wireless access point cannot provide a link to the further content data (e.g. if the wireless access point is disconnected from the internet). This deactivation of the wireless connection is detected at the user device which then, typically, attempts to establish a communication link via another means, e.g. via a cellular mobile network. This can then allow the user device to gain access to the further content data.

Various further aspects and features of the invention are defined in the claims.

Brief Description of Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 provides a schematic diagram of a conventional system for performing a wireless connection process establishing a wireless connection between a wireless access point and a user device enabling the user device to connect to a network;

Figure 2 provides a schematic of an arrangement in accordance with certain examples of the present invention;

Figure 3 provides schematic diagram showing an example deployment of a modified wireless access point in accordance with certain examples of the invention;

Figure 4 provides a schematic diagram of a system arranged in accordance with certain examples of the invention, and

Figure 5 provides a schematic diagram of a modified wireless access point in accordance with certain examples of the invention connected to a peripheral device.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 provides a schematic diagram of a conventional system 101 for performing a wireless connection process establishing a wireless connection between a wireless access point and a user device enabling the user device to connect to a network, such as the internet, via a wireless connection provided by a wireless access point. As is known, the term “wireless access point” used throughout refers to a device capable of converting a wired connection to a wireless connection for sending and receiving data. The system depicted in Figure 1, illustrates an example of how a user of a user device, such as smartphone, can gain access to the internet via wireless access points, commonly referred to as “WiFi hotspots”. Such systems are widely deployed in locations such as airports, train stations, retail establishments and so on.

The system 101 includes a wireless access point 103, a network switch 104 and a gateway/router/firewall 105.

As is known, the wireless access point includes a wireless transceiver arranged to transmit data to and from user devices such as smartphones, laptops and so on, in accordance with a wireless standard such as the IEEE 802.11 standards, commonly referred to as “WiFi”.

The wireless access point 103 also includes a physical data connection, such as an Ethernet connection connecting it via the network switch 104 to the gateway/router/firewall 105 and providing connection onwards to the internet 106.

In use, a user device 102 receives an identifier signal (e.g. an SSID) broadcast from the wireless access point 103 indicating that the wireless access point 103 is available and can provide a network connection. Typically the SSID includes network name data (i.e. a network identifier) that indicates a network name associated with the wireless access point 103.

Typically user interfaces of user devices provide a user with a list of available networks, that is, a list of network names extracted from SSIDs received from wireless access points that are within wireless communication range. A user can then select one of the network names which begins a wireless connection process with the wireless access point in question.

Thus, in the event that a user of the user device 102 selects the network name extracted from the SSID received from the wireless access point 103, a wireless connection process between the user device 102 and the wireless access point 103 commences.

As part of this process, the user device 102 sends a network configuration request message to the wireless access point 103 requesting various network settings, for example an IP address. This message is routed via a network switch 104 to a gateway/router/firewall 105. The gateway/router/firewall 105 sends a network configuration settings message back to the user device 102, via the network switch 104 and the wireless access point 103, which includes an allocated IP address.

The user device 102 will then typically perform a captive portal test.

As is known, a “captive portal” is a web page served to a user device in the event that a user has to log in to a network before being authorised to access other network resources (e.g. gain access to the internet).

The captive portal test typically includes the user device sending a page request to a predefined URL (e.g. http://captive.apple.com). A web page accessible via this URL typically comprises a success message such as “Success” in the event that the network to which the user device has connected provides immediate access, the success message will be returned and the user device will operate on the basis that it has an established network connection (e.g. that it can communicate data to and from remote servers 108 via the internet.

However, in the event that the success message is not received, this is indicative that access to the network has not yet been established and a page request process, namely a captive portal process is invoked on the user device. The captive portal process comprises steps whereby an action occurs such as a user device’s captive portal browser is launched (for example a specifically adapted browser with reduced functionality, or a default browser provided on the user device) or the user is prompted that they are required to perform additional steps to continue. As a result an initial page request is sent by the captive portal browser to the network.

As is known, a “captive portal browser” can be a specific browser that includes reduced functionality (for example no session data persists after the browser is closed). Alternatively, the captive portal browser can be the default browser installed on a user’s device.

With reference to the system shown in Figure 1, in the event that the user device 102 does not receive a captive portal success message, the user device 102 launches the captive portal browser and sends an initial page request to the gateway/router 104. In examples in which a user of the user device 102 has to pay for access to the network, this initial page request is then forwarded by the gateway/router/firewall 105, via the internet 106, to an external authorisation server 107, with access, for example to payment authorisation networks (not shown). In response to the receipt of the authorisation request message, the authorisation server 107 may then send an authorisation page to the user device 102, via the gateway/router/firewall 105 and the wireless access point 103, requesting log in details, and, for example, payment details. On the provision of the requisite details by the user, the user device 102 is granted access to the internet 106, allowing the user device to access the internet, e.g. enabling data to be sent to and received from remote servers 108.

Figure 2 provides a schematic of an arrangement in accordance with certain examples of the present invention.

The system includes a modified wireless access point 201 and a conventional user device 202 corresponding, for example, to the user device 102 described with reference to Figure 1. The modified wireless access point 201 includes a transceiver 203 for transmitting data to and from user devices in accordance with a wireless standard such as the IEEE 802.11 standards, a processor unit 204 and a memory unit 205. The modified wireless access point 201 also includes a data connection means such as a network connection unit 206 enabling the modified wireless access point 201 to be connected to other network components.

In use, the modified wireless access point 201 is arranged to perform a modified version of the wireless connection process described above with respect to the conventional system shown in Figure 1. In particular, the modified version of the wireless connection process is arranged to invoke the captive portal process on a user device and then send content data, such as a web page, pre-stored on the modified wireless access point itself, to the user device. This process can be performed whilst the wireless access point is disconnected from any other network elements.

Moreover, the content data can be accessed by the user in such a way that they only need to perform a minimal number of steps associated with selecting a wireless network to connect to. This process is of low complexity as it is typically very familiar to users.

Moreover, user device operating systems are typically arranged such that the availability of a network to connect to is prominently displayed to a user on their user device and the process for selecting a wireless network to connect to is straightforward and requires a minimal number of steps by the user.

The processor 204 is arranged to control the transceiver 203 to broadcast an SSID.

Typically, the SSID includes name data relating to content data stored on the memory 205.

On receipt of the SSID, a notification that a wireless network is available to connect to is displayed on a user interface of the user device 202. On selection of the SSID by a user of the user device, the user device begins the wireless connection process with the modified wireless access point 201.

The user device 202 sends a network configuration request message to the modified wireless access point 201. This message is received and processed by the processor unit 204 which sends a network configuration settings message via the transceiver 203 which includes various messages including network setting data including, for example, an allocated IP address.

In keeping with conventional operation, the user device 202 then performs a captive portal test including sending a captive portal page request addressed to one of the various predefined URLs (e.g. http://captive.apple.com).

The captive portal page request is processed by the processor unit 204 which then responds in such a way that the success message is not received (for example sending a return page including a HTTP response code such as “307”).

This invokes the captive portal process on the user device whereby an action occurs such as user device’s captive portal browser being launched (for example a specifically adapted browser with reduced functionality, or a default browser provided on the user device) or the user is prompted that they are required to perform additional steps to continue. As a result, the user device sends an initial page request to the modified wireless access point 201.

The processor unit 204 processes the initial page request, and in response, sends content data stored in the memory 205 of the modified wireless access point 201 to the user device 202. This can be achieved by ensuring that all page requests from the user device are redirected to access the content data stored on the memory 205 (using for example, a NAT rule redirect, or a DNS based redirect technique).

Accordingly, in certain examples, the user device 202 launches a captive portal browser which is intended, in conventional use, to display the authentication page normally received, from an authentication server, in response to the initial page request. Instead, the content data stored on the memory 205 is displayed to a user on the captive portal browser.

The content data can be can be any data that can be distributed via the internet and received by the user device. Typically it is data that is displayable via a user device browser.

During operation (e.g. interaction with user devices, invoking the captive portal process on the user devices and sending web content data to user devices), the modified wireless access point 201 can be completely disconnected from any other network element.

However, as described above, the modified wireless access point 201 includes a network connection unit 206. The network connection unit 206 can be connected (e.g. temporarily) to other network components in order to enable content data to be received and stored on the memory unit 205.

In certain examples, the modified wireless access point 201 can be deployed in close proximity to a public information display, advertising information about a product or service. An example of this is described with reference to Figure 3.

Figure 3 provides schematic diagram showing an example deployment of a modified wireless access point as described above. A modified wireless access point 301 is positioned in close proximity to a public information display 302 such as a poster. The poster 302 is advertising a movie “Super heroes 5”. A user 303 may view the poster 302 and wish to find out more information about the movie. The user has with them a user device 304, as described above, for example a conventional smartphone.

As the user 303 is viewing the poster 302 they will typically be in range of the modified wireless access point 301. That is, the modified wireless access point will be positioned relative to the poster 302 such that user devices of users viewing the poster 302 will be able to communicate data to and from the modified wireless access point 301.

As discussed above, the modified wireless access point 301 broadcasts an SSID. The SSID includes name data (i.e. a network identifier) relating to the product advertised on the poster 302, for example the name of the movie “Super heroes 5”.

In some examples, a specially selected prefix is used, e.g. a “#” symbol, thus in the example above, the name data might be “#Super heroes 5”. Typically, on user devices, network names are presented in a list in (amongst other things) alphabetical order. The prefix is selected in order to ensure that it is likely to be at the top of this list.

In accordance with the conventional operation of the user device 304, a notification will appear on the user interface of the user device 304 indicating that a wireless network is available. For example, the user interface of the user device 304 will enable the user 303 to select an option to view the available wireless networks. As described above, this is typically presented in the form of the list, and in the example shown in Figure 3, the name data (i.e. “Super heroes 5”) will be presented to the user 303 on this list. The user will be able to correlate the information on the poster with the name of the network appearing on the list of available wireless networks. In some examples, the poster 302 may include information (e.g. text or a logo) indicating that further information is available by connecting with the modified wireless access point 301.

The user 303 will see the name data (“Super heroes 5”) and understand that this is associated with the information shown on the poster 302.

The user 303 then selects on the user interface of the user device 304 the “Super heroes 5” network, and the process described above is performed whereby content data stored on a modified wireless access point 301 is presented to the user 303 on the user device 304 via a captive portal browser launched on the user device 304. The content data relates to the movie “Super heroes 5”.

Figure 4 provides a schematic diagram of a system arranged in accordance with certain examples of the invention. A user device 401 and a modified wireless access point 402, as described previously, are shown. The modified wireless access point 402 is provided with a cellular mobile network transceiver unit (for example a so-called 3G or 4G data card) which enables the modified wireless access point 402 to wirelessly communicate data to and from a cellular mobile telephone network.

Specifically, the cellular mobile network connection unit communicates data to and from a base station 403 of the cellular mobile telephone network which is connected to a core network 404 of the cellular mobile telephone network. The core network 404 is connected via a data gateway to the internet 405 which enables data to be exchanged between the modified wireless access point 402 and an application server 406 also connected to the internet 405. The application server 406 is connected to an operator terminal 407, for example a personal computer or similar.

The modified wireless access point 402 has running thereon software which enables the modified wireless access point 402 to receive and process data from the application server 406. This data includes instruction data for controlling aspects of the operation of the modified wireless access point 402 and content data for storing in the memory unit of the modified wireless access point 402 and sending to user devices as described above. The software running on the modified wireless access point 402 is also arranged to send data to the application server. This data includes usage data relating to aspects of the operation of the modified wireless access point 402.

In use, the system shown in Figure 4 enables an operator to periodically download content data to the modified wireless access point 402. The content data can be uploaded to the application server 406 via the operator terminal 407.

In certain examples in which multiple modified wireless access points are deployed and connected to the application server, e.g. via a cellular mobile network connection, an operator of the application server can download different content data to different modified wireless access points. This can be enabled by providing each modified wireless access point with a cellular mobile network transceiver unit as described above which enables specific data to be transmitted to specific devices.

As mentioned above, in certain examples, the modified wireless access point 402 is arranged to generate and store usage data relating to the use of the modified wireless access point by various user devices. The usage data can relate to aspects of sending the content data to user devices for example, a summary report indicating the times (i.e. chronological times during the day) at which content data has been sent to user devices over a given period of time.

The modified wireless access point 402 is arranged to periodically send the usage data to the application server 406. This usage data can then be presented to an operator, for example via the operator terminal 407, enabling the operator to analyse use of the modified wireless access point to determine useful information, such as the number of different user devices that have been sent the content data and the number of times the content data has been sent.

By virtue of the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the functionality of certain examples of the invention can be extended as detailed below.

As is known, during the wireless connection process when a user device sends a network configuration message, typically included in this message is user device identifying data, i.e. a unique identifier, (e.g. a MAC address) that uniquely identifies the user device. In certain examples, the modified wireless access point is arranged to extract and store this user device identifying data. This data can be stored as part of the usage data.

In certain examples, the content data sent to a user device from a modified wireless access point may comprise web page data which when displayed on the user device provides a web form, that is a web page including fields allowing a user to enter user data. Such a displayed web form may include a data submission control, which when selected by the user, controls the captive portal browser to send a web form return message including the user data entered by the user. This is received by the modified wireless access point. In certain examples, the modified wireless access point is arranged to detect the receipt of such messages (e.g. web form return message) and extract and store the user data entered by a user in the memory unit of the modified wireless access point. This user data can then be periodically transmitted to the application server.

During the exchange of web page data (for example in page requests sent from the user device) in accordance with conventional techniques, data including user device type data indicating the type of user device is included. In certain examples this can be extracted by the modified wireless access point. For example, typically FITTP headers from web messages from the user device include user device manufacturer, operating system software version, browser version, display screen dimensions and so on.

The user device type data typically includes the make and model of the user device and the operating system software running on the user device. In certain examples, the modified wireless access point has stored in the memory unit more than one piece of content data. In certain examples, the software running on the modified wireless access point is arranged to selectively send different pieces of content data to a user device based on user device type data received from the user device during the wireless connection process. In this way, content data optimised for specific user devices, or intended for users of specific types of user devices, can be selected and sent to those user device types.

As is known, web pages can include content data such as a playable video using, for example, browser “plugins” to enable play back of the video content data on the browser or native functionality which is part of the browser. However, different user devices have different browser software installed thereon and can only play back video data of a certain format. In certain examples, the modified wireless access point has stored and executable thereon video transcoding software. That is, software (for example based on “FFmpeg”) that is arranged to convert video data of a certain format to another format. For example converting from video content encoded using one of webm codec, mp4 codec, OGV codec or mp4 codec rotated into landscape mode, into any one other of these formats.

In use, the modified wireless access point may receive content data from an application server as described above including video data of a certain format (for example, this could be as a complete file or streamed from the application server). The video transcoding software can then be run on the modified wireless access point in order to convert this video data into video data of different formats. This transcoded video data can then be stored in the memory unit of the modified wireless access point.

On detection of a particular type of user device as described above, in certain examples, the modified wireless access point is arranged to determine what type of video data can be played back on the user device, and on this basis, send content data including the relevant version of the transcoded video data to the user device.

As will be understood, this technique means that it is not necessary to send multiple different types of video data content data relating to the same video content data to the modified wireless access point, therefore reducing an amount of data transmitted to the modified wireless access point.

In certain examples, the content data sent from the modified wireless access point to the user device might include links (URLs) to other websites. On selection of such a link on the user device, the captive portal browser running on the user device will attempt to send a page request to the corresponding website. However, typically the modified wireless access point does not provide any further network connection and therefore such a page request cannot be served. Further, conventionally, when a user device connects to a wireless network, its operating system is arranged to disconnect or disable any other data connections, such as data connections provided by a cellular mobile telephone network.

In the event that the data content data includes a link to another website (or “deep link” into another application) which a user of the user device selects, initially the correspondingly generated page request will be received by the modified wireless access point.

In certain examples, the software running on the modified wireless access point is arranged to detect the receipt of such a page request and suspend, for a predetermined period, for example five minutes, the wireless connection between the user device and the modified wireless access point. As is known this suspension of the wireless connection will be detected by the operating system of the user device which, in accordance with conventional operation, will then re-establish other network connections, typically a network connection provided by a cellular mobile telephone network. In accordance with conventional operation, the generated page request will then be transmitted via the re-established network connection, allowing the webpage in question to be served to the user device.

The predetermined period is typically selected in order to allow enough time for the requested web page to be served. After the predetermined period is elapsed, the wireless connection is re-established.

Figure 5 provides a schematic diagram of a modified wireless access point 501 in accordance with certain examples of the invention. The modified wireless access point 501 corresponds to the modified wireless access point described with reference to Figure 2, however it further includes a peripheral device controller 502 arranged to control peripheral devices such as a display 503.

In such examples, the modified wireless access point 501 can send data content data to a user device 504 which comprises a web page that allows a user of the user device 504 to enter control input data. Such a web page, when displayed on the captive portal browser of the user device can enable a user of the user device 504 to generate and send this control input data which when received by the processor unit 204 is processed to generate peripheral device control data which is sent to the peripheral device controller 502. The peripheral device controller 502 is then responsive to send control signals to the peripheral device, such as the display 503. In this way, the user can control the operation of a peripheral device, via control input data entered using from the web page displayed on the captive portal browser.

For example, the peripheral device controller 502 might control the display 503 to display a menu showing a list of three videos.

For example, the content data sent from the modified wireless access point 501 to the user device 504 may provide a web page that corresponds with the display menu shown on the display 503. The web page may allow the user of the user device 504 to select one of the three videos. On selection of one of the videos on the web page, control input data is generated and sent from the user device 504 to the processor unit 204 of the modified wireless access point 501. The processor unit 204 then generates corresponding peripheral control data which is sent to the peripheral device controller 502. The peripheral device controller 502 then controls the display 503 to show a sequence indicating that the video selected by the user on the user device 504 has been selected. The peripheral device controller 502 can then be arranged to play the selected video.

The various embodiments described above, have been described mainly in terms of arrangements in which the user devices are smartphones. Flowever, it will be understood that examples of the invention can be used with any suitable user device, for example, any user device including a wireless transceiver and suitable operating system software for enabling a wireless network connection to be established with a wireless access point as described above.

As will be understood, the operation and functions of the modified wireless access point described above, are typically implemented by virtue of suitably programmed software running on the processor of the modified wireless access point. Typically this software is stored on the memory of the modified wireless access point and loaded on to the processor as is known in the art. As will be understood, the Figures described above are schematic and, where appropriate, designate logical functionality which can be implemented in any suitable way. It will be understood that the processor unit 204 can be implemented in any suitable way and can include multiple physical components mounted, for example, on a motherboard. Similarly the memory 205 can be implemented using any suitable memory storage implementation that can be accessed by the processor unit 204.

This software can be stored on a suitable computer program product such as a memory device (e.g. a solid state memory storage unit) or on suitable media such as a CD ROM.

As will be understood, typically, the system shown in Figure 4 will include multiple modified wireless access points. That is, multiple modified wireless access points can communicate data to and from the application server 406. In this way, the application server 406 can send content data to multiple modified wireless access points distributed throughout multiple different locations. In some examples, the modified wireless access points might be distributed throughout a specific location such as a sports stadium.

In certain examples described above, the content data can be downloaded on to the modified wireless access point by virtue of a data connection provided by a network connection. However, the data connection can be provided by any suitable means for receiving the content data, for example a port for receiving the insertion of a solid state memory stick and so on. The network connection can also be a suitable “fixed” line connection such as an Ethernet port.

In certain examples described above, the peripheral device is described in terms of a display. However, the peripheral device can be any suitable device that can be controlled by the control input data described above, for example a video camera, an LED (or series of LEDs forming a lighting display), a suitable electronic musical instrument or any other device for outputting audio sounds.

In certain examples, the peripheral device can be arranged to generate and send content data back to the user device via the modified wireless access point. For example, if the peripheral device was a camera, a user could control operation of the camera as described above to take a photograph. The photograph could then be sent via the wireless access portal to the user device via a suitably adapted web interface provided by the content originally sent to the user device.

In the examples described above, the process for invoking the page request process on the user device causing the user device to send the initial page request has been described mainly in terms of the captive portal process whereby, typically, a captive portal browser is automatically launched on failure to receive the captive portal test success message.

However, in certain examples, for example where the captive portal process has been disabled on a user device, the content can still be sent to the user device once a user device connected to a modified wireless access point (by a user selecting the network ID from the list displayed on the user), by the user invoking the page request process by manually launching a browser. Once the browser is manually launched, it will send an initial page request to the wireless access point which can respond by sending the content as discussed above.

In the examples described above, the modified wireless access points have been discussed mainly in terms of wireless access point providing a network connection via the IEEE 802 standard family (e.g. 802.11,802.15.1,802.15.2 and 802.16). However, it will be understood that the principles of the invention can be applied to wireless access points providing an access interface using any appropriate radio access protocol.

In certain examples, each modified wireless access point can include full disk encryption built in using a pre stored key that is generated when the unit is built, or programmatically change later from a control panel (e.g.an operator terminal as described above). The key can typically be stored in a TPM (trusted platform module) chip forming part of the processor. This is so that if a modified wireless access point is stolen or compromised, any user submitted data is encoded and thus protected.

Features, integers, characteristics or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to any details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader’s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of distributing content data to user devices comprising: sending content data from a server to at least one wireless access point; storing the content data at the wireless access point; establishing a wireless connection between the wireless access point and at least one user device when the user device moves into range of the wireless access point; invoking a page request process on the user device thereby causing the user device to send a page request to the wireless access point; and sending the content data from the wireless access point to the user device in response to the page request from the user device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the page request process is a captive portal process.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein establishing the wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device includes sending a network identifier from the wireless access point to the user device, and the captive portal process is invoked responsive to a selection on the user device of the network identifier.

4. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the content data is sent from the wireless access point to the user device whilst the wireless access point is disconnected from the server.

5. A method according to any previous claim, further comprising determining a user device type of the user device by extracting user device type information from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the content data comprises different pieces of content data, and sending the content data from the wireless access point to the user device comprises selectively sending one or more of the pieces of content data from the wireless access point to the user device based on the user device type information.

7. A method according to any previous claim, further comprising determining a unique identifier associated with the user device by extracting unique user device identifier information from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device whilst establishing the wireless connection.

8. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the content data includes video content data of a first format, and the method further comprises transcoding, at the wireless access point, the video content data of the first format to generate video content data of a second format.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the content data sent from the wireless access point to the user device comprises a link to further content data, the method further comprising detecting, by the wireless access point, selection of the link to the further content data by a user of the user device, and responsive to selection of the link, suspending the wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the wireless connection is suspended for a predetermined period of time.

11. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the content data is a web page data, such that responsive to receipt of the web page data, the user device displays a corresponding web page on a captive portal browser.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising responsive to user data input to the user device via the web page displayed on the captive portal browser, receiving the user data from the user device at the wireless access point.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the web page displayed on the captive portal browser comprises a web form, the method further comprising responsive to receiving the user data, storing the user data on the wireless access point.

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising controlling a peripheral device connected to the wireless access point in accordance with the user data.

15. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the wireless connection in is accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standards.

16. A method according to any previous claim comprising, storing usage data at the wireless access point relating to the sending of content data to one or more user devices, and periodically sending the usage data from the wireless access point to the server.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the usage data indicates one or more of a number of times the content data has been sent to user devices, chronological times at which content data has been sent to user devices, and an identity of user devices to which the content data has been sent.

18. A system for distributing content to one or more user devices, said system comprising: a server and at least one wireless access point, said server being operable to send content data to the at least one wireless access point via a network connection, the wireless access point being operable to store the content data, wherein the wireless access point is further operable to establish a wireless connection with at least one user device when the user device moves into range of the wireless access point such that a page request process can be invoked on the user device thereby causing the user device to send a page request to the wireless access point; said wireless access point being further operable to send the content data to the user device in response to the page request from the user device.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the page request process is a captive portal process.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein establishing the wireless connection between the wireless access point and the user device includes sending a network identifier from the wireless access point to the user device, and the captive portal process is invoked at the user device in response to a selection on the user device of the network identifier.

21. A system according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the wireless access point content data is sent from the wireless access point to the user device whilst the wireless access point is disconnected from the server.

22. A system according to any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the wireless access point is operable to extract user device type information, corresponding to a type of the user device, from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the content data comprises different pieces of content data, and the wireless access point is operable to control the transceiver to selectively send one or more of the pieces of content data from the wireless access point to the user device based on the user device type information.

24. A system according to any previous claim, wherein the wireless access point is operable to extract unique user device identifier information from messages exchanged between the wireless access point and the user device whilst establishing the wireless connection, thereby determining a unique identifier associated with the user device.

25. A system according to any of claims 18 to 24, wherein the wireless access point includes video transcoding software and the content data includes video content data of a first format, wherein the wireless access point is operable to run the video transcoding software and thereby transcode the video content data of the first format to generate video content data of a second format.

26. A system according to any of claims 18 to 25, wherein the content data sent from the wireless access point to the user device comprises a link to further content data, wherein the wireless access point is arranged to detect selection of the link to the further content data by a user of the user device, and responsive to selection of the link, suspend the wireless connection between the wireless transceiver and the user device.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the wireless access point is arranged to suspend the wireless connection for a predetermined period of time.

28. A system according to any of claims 18 to 27, wherein the content data is a web page data, such that responsive to receipt of the web page data, the user device displays a corresponding web page on a captive portal browser.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein the wireless access point is arranged to receive user data from the user device, said user data received from the user device responsive to the user data being input to the user device via the web page displayed on the captive portal browser.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein the web page displayed on the captive portal browser comprises a web form, and the wireless access point is arranged to store the user data on a memory.

31. A system according to claim 30, further comprising a peripheral device connected to the wireless access point, and the wireless access point is arranged to control the peripheral device in accordance with the user data.

32. A system according to any of claims 18 to 31, wherein the wireless connection in is accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standards.

33. A system according to any of claims 18 to 32, wherein the wireless access point is arranged to store usage data relating to the sending of content data to the one or more user devices, and to periodically send the usage data from the wireless access point to the server.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the usage data indicates one or more of a number of times the content data has been sent to user devices, chronological times at which content data has been sent to user devices, and an identity of user devices to which the content data has been sent.

35. A method or system as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 5.