Boingo Wireless awarded first patent

LOS ANGELES, USA: Boingo Wireless, the world'’s largest Wi-Fi network, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,483,984, covering the method and apparatus for accessing networks by a mobile device. The patent advances the company’s client technology for detection, association and logging into wireless networks, on any device.

The methods covered by the patent include accessing wireless carrier networks by mobile computing devices, where a client software application hosted by the device accesses carrier networks using wireless access points.

For example, when a computer –- or netbook, smartphone or any other Wi-Fi-enabled device –- is in a location where there are multiple signals, the patented technology looks at each signal and alerts the user which signal will work, showing the signal as an understandable name and ID for the user.

The patent covers all wireless technologies and spectrums, as well as any mobile device that access wireless hotspots.

“This patent represents a huge addition to Boingo’s intellectual property,” said David Hagan, CEO and President, Boingo Wireless, Inc. “As the leader in Wi-Fi networks, Boingo is absolutely committed to making it easy for our customers to get online with one simple click. This patent highlights our commitment.”

“The technology covered by the patent is used in the Boingo client software for both laptop and a wide array of mobile platforms, including Android, iPhone, Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile,” said Niels Jonker, chief technology officer, Boingo Wireless, and a co-author of the patent.

“With this patent, Boingo cements its position as a leader in authentication and verification of various wireless technologies, making it easier for a user to find the right network and connect with it, in a seamless presentation and user experience.”

Currently, Boingo Wireless has other patents pending that also involve automatic network selection and authentication, as well as client technology for the detection, association and logging on to networks.