Authenticating multiple devices simultaneously using a single wireless subscriber identity module

• US 20040180657A1
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telcordia Legacy Inc.
• Original Assignee: Toshiba America Research Inc (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yaqub, Raziq, McAuley, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,060,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
• 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: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/43 using shared identity modules, e.g. SIM sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/08 between user and terminal device

Abstract

A system and method for allowing mobile devices to simultaneously access a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) are disclosed. The SIM contains a wireless transceiver, and the SIM may be located within a mobile phone, or it may be a stand-alone device. The mobile devices use a wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, to retrieve identification information from the SIM. The devices then use this identification information to connect to a wireless communications network, such as a wireless local area network. Through this network the devices will be able to access the Internet. The SIM will never need to be removed and inserted from one device to another, and multiple devices can use the SIM simultaneously. Thus, the mobile phone will work regardless of whether other devices are also using the SIM.

Claims

1. A method of connecting to a network, comprising the steps of:

requesting information by a data processing device from a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), said SIM associated with a transceiver;

receiving said information at said data processing device from said SIM; and

using said information in order to connect to said network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of requesting said information comprises the steps of:

locating a SIM in the area;

inputting network authentication credentials into said data processing device;

transmitting said network authentication credentials and device authentication information to said SIM;

verifying said device authentication information; and

authenticating said data processing device using said network authentication credentials.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving said information comprises the step of:

transmitting said requested information back to said data processing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using said information in order to connect to the network comprises the steps of:

locating a network with which said data processing device can communicate;

transmitting identification information to said network;

authenticating said data processing device by said network;

authorizing use of said network by said data processing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said network is a wireless communications network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said wireless communications network is a wireless local area network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of requesting said information and receiving said information occur using a wireless protocol.

8. The method of claim 7, where said wireless protocol is Bluetooth.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said data processing device is a handheld device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said data processing device is a laptop computer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said SIM is located in a mobile phone and said mobile phone provides said transceiver.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said SIM is a stand-alone device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said SIM is a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM).

14. A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), said SIM comprising:

a microprocessor;

memory; and

a transceiver.

15. The SIM of claim 14, further comprising:

a power module.

16. The SIM of claim 14, wherein said transceiver is wireless.

17. The SIM of claim 15, wherein said SIM operates as a stand-alone device.

18. The SIM of claim 14, wherein said SIM is contained within a mobile device.

19. A system for providing simultaneous access to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), said system comprising:

a SIM with a wireless transceiver;

one or more mobile devices capable of communicating with said SIM.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said mobile devices, once identification information is received from said SIM, are capable of accessing a wireless communications network and the Internet.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said SIM automatically synchronizes data among said mobile devices.

22. A computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computer to perform the steps of:

wirelessly locating a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), either by pre-configured information, user-inputted information, or by searching the surrounding area;

receiving user input for authentication credentials;

sending said credentials to said SIM;

receiving authentication and identification information from said SIM; and

using said identification information to access a wireless communications network.

23. A method of automatically synchronizing data, comprising the steps of:

inputting said data into a device;

transmitting said data to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM);

sending said data to other devices in communication with said SIM.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the steps of transmitting and sending said data occur using a wireless protocol.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of storing said data in said SIM.

26. A system of authenticating a data processing device to a network, said system comprising:

a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) communicating with one or more data processing devices;

said data processing devices sending device authentication information to said SIM to authenticate said devices as valid devices;

said SIM transmitting identification information to said devices; and

said devices using said identification information to authenticate themselves to a network.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said network is a wireless network.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein said communication between said SIM and said data processing devices occurs using a wireless protocol.