Ad hoc networking of terminals aided by a cellular network

• US 20030235174A1
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pichna, Roman, Mustonen, Kai, Lahetkangas, Keijo
• Granted Patent: US 6,904,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A fast and secure ad hoc communication system is established between terminals with the aid of a network. Terminals equipped with a non-cellular interface may establish a high data rate peer-to-peer or multi-hop ad hoc connection with the support of a cellular network. The cellular network may provide signaling for user authentication, peer identification, key distribution for a secure non-cellular connection set-up, radio resources management messages, routing assistance information, as well as charging and billing for the service. A non-cellular link may be used for fast and secure ad hoc communication between the terminals. Signaling may be transported either over a non-cellular access network or, using dual-mode terminals, over the cellular RAN. A combination of the signaling transports is also possible.

Claims

1. A method for ad hoc networking of terminals over a non-cellular interface aided by a cellular network, comprising:

determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link;

determining a network associated with the terminals;

choosing a signaling transport for the terminals; and

establishing a secure connection between the terminals with the aid of the cellular network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising enforcing rules relating to the ad hoc link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link further comprises using a cellular infrastructure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link further comprises receiving an identifier from the terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the network associated with the terminals, further comprises determining when a terminal is coupled to a non-cellular network and determining when the terminal is coupled to a cellular network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving update information relating to the terminals.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising forming a description of an ad hoc network in response to receiving the update information.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining when a terminal desires to communicate, and when:

the terminal asking assistance from a central register; and

providing the terminal with an answer optimized for the terminal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the terminal with the answer optimized for the terminal, further comprises providing a route to the terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the route may be a single hop connection route or a multi-hop connection route or a recommendation to use the cellular network.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising charging for the aid of the cellular network.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the cellular network associated with the terminal is contacted over multi-hop signaling.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein choosing the signaling transport media for the terminals, further comprises choosing a non-cellular access network to carry the signaling for non-cellular-only terminals.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein the signaling for the terminals may be carried across a cellular radio access network.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein choosing the signaling transport media for the terminals, further comprises allowing a combination of signaling transport media to be used for the terminals.

16. A system for ad hoc networking of terminals aided by a cellular network, comprising:

terminals, wherein the terminals include an interface unit arranged to communicate with a cellular network, wherein the cellular network is configured to;

communicate with terminals;

determine the identity of the terminals that desire to establish an ad hoc link;

determine a network associated with the terminals;

choose a signaling transport for the terminals; and

establish a secure link with the terminals.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein communication with terminals may be selected from a direct communication link and an indirect communication link.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a means operative to enforce rules associated with the secure link.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a central register that is configured to receive update information relating to the terminals.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the central register is further configured to form a description of an ad hoc network in response to receiving the update information.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the central register is further configured to determine when a terminal desires to communicate by receiving a request from a terminal, and when:

the terminal configured to ask assistance from the central register; and

the central register configured to provide the terminal with an answer optimized for the terminal relating to the communication.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein providing the terminal with the answer, further comprises the central register configured to provide route information to the terminal.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the route information may be a single hop connection route or a multi-hop connection route or a recommendation to use the cellular network.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the central register is further configured to charge for the aid of the cellular network.

25. The system of claim 16, wherein the signaling transport may be over a non-cellular access network and a cellular radio access network.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the cellular network is configured to determine the identity of the terminals that desire to establish an ad hoc link further comprises receiving an identifier from the terminals.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the identifier may be selected from a group including a user name, a user address, an IMSI code, an ISDN telephone number and an NAI.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the identifier is communicated over a written note, a verbal communication, an RF tag, and a bar code.

29. The system of claim 16, wherein the cellular network is further configured to authenticate the terminal and deliver at least one encryption key for a secure link establishment.

30. The system of claim 16, wherein the cellular network is further configured to deliver at least one security association token.

31. The system of claim 16, wherein the cellular network is further configured to charge for services provided.

32. A system for ad hoc networking of terminals over a non-cellular interface aided by a cellular network, comprising:

a means for determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link;

a means for determining a network associated with the terminals;

a means for choosing a signaling transport for the terminals;

a means for establishing a secure connection between the terminals with the aid of the cellular network; and

a means for enforcing rules relating to the ad hoc networking.

33. A method for ad hoc networking of terminals aided by a cellular network, wherein the terminals include an interface unit arranged to communicate with a cellular network, and an interface unit arranged to communicate with an ad hoc network, wherein the terminal is arranged to

sending an identifier to the cellular network;

asking assistance from the cellular network for establishing a communication link;

receiving an answer from the cellular network optimized for the terminal relating to the communication; and

establishing a communication link with the other terminal based on the received answer.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein establishing a communication link with the other terminal further comprises utilizing security and authentication information.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the security and authentication information is received from the cellular network.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein establishing the communication link further comprises establishing an ad hoc link.

37. A terminal enabled for ad hoc networking aided by a cellular network, comprising:

a cellular network interface unit arranged to communicate with a cellular network; and

an ad hoc interface unit arranged to communicate with an ad hoc network;

wherein the terminal is arranged to;

send an identifier to the cellular network;

ask assistance from the cellular network for establishing a communication link;

receive an answer from the cellular network optimized for the terminal relating to the communication link; and

establish the communication link with another terminal based on the received answer.

38. The terminal of claim 37, wherein the terminal is further arranged to utilize security and authentication information received from the cellular network to establish the communication link.

39. A network node associated with a cellular network for providing services associated with an ad hoc network, the network node comprising:

a means for forming a description of an ad hoc network

a means for receiving from a terminal a request for assistance in relation to establishing a communication over an ad hoc network; and

a means for providing an optimized answer to the terminal in response to the request for assistance.

40. The network node of claim 39, wherein the means for forming the description of the ad hoc network further comprises receiving information regarding status updates from terminals associated with ad hoc networking.

41. The network node of claim 40, wherein providing the terminal with the optimized answer to the terminal, further comprises providing a route to the terminal.

42. The network node of claim 41, wherein the route may be a single hop connection route or a multi-hop connection route.

43. The network node of claim 42, wherein the route may be a recommendation to use the cellular network.

44. The network node of claim 40, wherein the optimized answer further comprises authentication and security information for a secure link establishment.

45. An apparatus associated with a cellular network for providing services associated with an ad hoc network, the apparatus comprising:

a means for forming a description of an ad hoc network for terminals associated with an ad hoc network;

a means for receiving from a terminal a request for assistance in relation to establishing a communication over the ad hoc network; and

a means for providing an optimized answer to the terminal in response to the request for assistance.