US Patent 10206102 Network access control methods and apparatus

Methods and apparatus that provide user access control within wireless networks such as those having both fixed and portable nodes. In one embodiment, the network comprises a 3G cellular network or Interworking WLAN (iWLAN), and the portable nodes comprise Home Node B (HNB) base stations. The HNB is configured to authenticate new users, and provide network access while still maintaining user privacy. The portable nodes also may operate in a number of different operating modes which provide different functional control over user access. In one variant, an easy-to-use owner-assigned ID based access control mechanism with a reliable unambiguous user ID is utilized. Methods for providing access control across differing network architectures and protocols, such the aforementioned iWLAN, and business methods, are also described.