Outernet (definition): Electronic data LAN or WLAN (WiFi, WIMAX,
Bluetooth, etc . . . ), where specific access is limited to, and
e-content is specifically tailored for that particular geographical or
physical location. The invention is the next evolution of Internet based
e-commerce platforms. It is simply a client-server proxy that allows
limited (physical and geographical) access to multiple websites,
client-server software applications, or e-commerce platforms via WLAN (or
LAN) communication (see Outernet definition) using the Community Domain
and/or ODIPA system/protocol. That means applications, websites, and
wapsites that can only be accessed through a proxy server using the
Community Domain and/or ODIPA system/protocol within a definitive,
limited physical and geographical area (i.e. within 300 to 2500 feet of
WLAN access points, within 30 to 100 miles of WIMAX Broadcast Towers, or
within the Local LAN of the Proxy Server). The e-content would ideally be
tailored for that particular location. The primary devices that would
utilize this access are Cell Phones, Smart Phones, PDAs, laptop
computers, and non-portable desktops computers. This can provide a
portable kiosk type presentation to consumers who are on the go. Some of
the industries that would benefit from its use are the restaurant
industry, retail outlets, shopping malls, or any industry that can use
kiosks, menu driven, web, client-server, or e-commerce applications to
present (any type of) electronic content to the consumer or end-user. For
example, fast food restaurants could use the Invention to present their
local menu via WiFi (or WIMAX) to consumers within the city or
neighborhood, allowing the consumers to place on or off premise orders
and purchases while making a secure credit card transactions right from
their cell phone! Retail outlets could broadcast advertisements, sales
and specials to local consumers who are close by the store, enticing the
consumers to visit or enter. The ideal usage for the invention platform
would be for shopping malls and retail outlets. A shopping mall could
deploy the invention to provide on-site or Internet based electronic
content to consumers tailored for that particular physical or
geographical location. Consumers could then use their cell phones, PDAs,
or even home PCs to access local or city-wide e-content (through the CD
(Community Domain) or ODIPA (See ODIPA Defined below) based proxy server)
and do things like, check inventory (to see if an item is in stock at
that particular location) or make purchases. This Invention facilitates
access to e-commerce sites and computer applications and making them
available to portable electronic devices via wireless means (using a
specialized type of DHCP called ODIPA) based on their physical location
and geographical area as opposed to the availability of logical locations
of the Internet. This has never been produced before because it is
difficult to assign Independent DHCP Internet Protocol Addresses over
wireless in a public area because one DHCP Server may assign addresses to
clients that overlap another (wirelessly broadcasted) DHCP Server's
address space (ranges that the other DHCP Server is using to give out IP
addresses). This Invention solves that problem by using ODIPA (Outernet
Dynamic IP Allocation). ODIPA allocates IP addresses in a two stage
approach; where first stage uses standard DHCP to allocate a Random IP
Address in a large Private Address Space for a very short period of time
(after which they are released and available for use). It is in this
short time period that it uses the temporarily assigned (short term) IP
address to communicate with the client to establish a more long term
assigned IP Address. It does this by using client and server-side
databases. The database tables keep track of what IP Addresses the Client
and Server are using to communicate with other Servers and Clients. After
it has established which IP Addresses are in use it then assigns a long
term address to the client in a second separate exchange (using a
secondary private address space) and uses dynamic routing (with Virtual
Network Adapters) to facilitate access from the client to subscribed
e-commerce platforms. ODIPA also uses something called DHCP Scope
Rotation to help avoid or minimize the chance of IP address conflicts.
Scope Rotation is basically a timed and/or database initiated rotation of
randomly selection subnets configured for allocating private IP address.
One other reason no one has done this before is because there does not
exist an established structure or network topology for the Internet and
World Wide Web where access is limited to and content is specifically
based on the physical or geographical location of the end-user
(especially using wireless means). In most physical shopping centers and
businesses you may have a landlord that owns the property and multiple
businesses that are leasing out of the property. Having everyone do their
own independent broadcasting would create chaos and interference within
the WLAN broadcasters (Separate independent WiFi Access Points for
example must be on different channels if in close proximity to one
another). This Invention lays the framework for the property owner,
management, or service provider to provide the means for all the tenants
to independently broadcast in harmony with each other. The Invention
Platform lays the foundation for a whole new type of Internet, called the
Outernet. An Internet that is based on geographical and physical
location. Because this invention is based on a two tier Client Server
model it can facilitate access to any type of electronic content
(e-content) that can be specifically tailored for that particular area or
location. The e-Content can be accessed using any type of Personal or
Portable Computer or hand held computer device (i.e. Palmtop, PDA, or
Cell Phone).