US Patent 9935956 Devices and methods configured to control network access time

A computer-implemented method of limiting access time to a computer network for client computing devices may comprise disposing an access controlling device such as router between the computer network and the client computing devices such that the client computing devices can only access the network through the access controlling device, at least while within an area of coverage thereof. A unique identifier may be stored for client computing devices whose access to the network is to be limited and a selectable allowable cumulative network access time period may be stored for at least some of these client computing devices. Using at least the unique identifiers, the cumulative network usage time may be tracked for each of the client computing devices. The access controlling device may then prevent further network access to those client computing devices whose tracked cumulative network usage time exceeds the selectable allowable cumulative network access time period.