Wireless communications apparatus and method

• US 20050159184A1
• Filed: 08/16/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Thermoelectric Consortium
• Original Assignee: United States Thermoelectric Consortium
• Inventors: Kerner, James M., Parker, Chad
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/558
• 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: H04M 1/675 the user being required to insert a coded card, e.g. a smart card carrying an integrated circuit chip
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless communication method and apparatus are described for increasing security for communication devices utilizing identification chips for accessing wireless networks and the associated billing for services. One aspect of the invention is an enhanced phone chip and a communications device adapted to engage the enhanced phone chip, which then cannot be installed or removed from the wireless communications device by unauthorized users. In one embodiment a security key mates to the identification chip and is utilized for installing and removing the enhanced phone chip. The security key preferably has a display upon which information about the communication device is displayed prior to removing the security key after installing the enhanced phone chip. Other aspects of the invention include wireless base station communication devices which support wired (dedicated and non-dedicated), and more preferably wireless extensions, while providing sharing of wireless network resources and interconnectivity between base station and extensions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing wireless network connectivity, comprising:

an electronic communications device configured for wirelessly communicating with a wireless network;

a receptacle on said electronic communications device for receiving and establishing electrical connections with an identification chip configured for gaining access to said wireless network; and

means for preventing the unauthorized removal of an identification chip received in said receptacle.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a security key configured for providing authorization to said communications device for insertion or removal of an identification chip.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for preventing unauthorized removal of an identification chip comprises:

an electro-mechanical lock mechanism responsive to electrical signals; and

a circuit configured for generating said electrical signals for controlling said electromechanical lock in response to the presence of a security key associated with the phone.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for preventing unauthorized removal of an identification chip comprises:

an electromechanical lock mechanism responsive to electrical signals; and

a circuit configured for generating said electrical signals for controlling said electromechanical lock in response to verification of a personal identification code or biometric identifier by the communications device.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic communications device comprises a personal wireless communications device, or a wireless base station communications device.

6. An apparatus for providing wireless network connectivity, comprising:

an electronic communications device configured for providing wireless connectivity through a wireless network;

an identification chip configured for retaining identification information for use in accessing said wireless network by said electronic communications device;

a receptacle in said electronic communications device for receiving and establishing electrical connections with said identification chip; and

an electromechanical lock configured for selectively retaining said identification chip within said receptacle to prevent unauthorized removal.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said electronic communications device is configured for accessing a cellular or satellite based wireless communications network in response to identification information retained in said identification chip.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said electronic communications device is selected from the group of wireless devices consisting essentially of telephones, modems, personal digital assistants, smart watches, smart wallets, personal transaction devices, general purpose computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, tablet computers, electronic books, audio players, game players, video and audio capture devices, communication base stations configured for receiving multiple identification cards, and communication modules for attachment to electronic equipment.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 6:

wherein said identification information retained in said identification chip must be valid in order to access said network; and

wherein said identification information is utilized for billing accesses made through said network.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising rewritable memory within said identification chip which is configured for retaining user parameters.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said receptacle is configured to receive said identification chip without the need to remove access panels and/or batteries from said electronic communications device.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said receptacle comprises a slot configured for slidably receiving said identification chip.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said electromechanical lock is configured to remain in a locked position when no power is applied and to release said identification chip for removal in response to the receipt of a proper electrical signal.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising means for generating the proper electrical signals for releasing said identification chip in response to verifying user authority.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said user authority is verified by said means for generating the proper electrical signals in response to checking for the entry of a proper personal identification code or receipt of a proper biometric identification.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprising a security key configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said electronic communications device.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising a security key configured for retrieving said identification card from said receptacle.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said security key is configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said electronic communications device.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising programming executable on said electronic communications device for validating that a match exists between said security key and said identification chip prior to disengagement of said electromechanical lock from said identification card in response to receipt of prop.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein said identification chip cannot be retrieved from said electronic device without said security key being utilized in a retrieval process.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising a dynamic display on said security key configured for displaying a user readable identification for the electronic communications device in which said identification chip was recently received.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for locking comprises an electromechanical lock which selectively retains said identification chip in response to the receipt of electrical signals.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said electromechanical lock is retained in the locked position when no power is applied.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said identification chip is configured to sustain sufficient damage, in response to forced removal of said identifier chip from said electromechanical lock, preventing further use of said identification chip.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said identification chip is configured as mechanically frangible, electrically frangible, or erasable.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein said identification chip is configured with a fusible link through which a destructive level of current is passed in response to forced removal of the device.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said identification chip is configured with read-writable memory for storing parameters associated with a communications device or a user.

28. In a wireless communications device for retaining an identification chip utilized for gaining access to a wireless network, the improvement comprising:

at least one receptacle for receiving and establishing electrical connections with at least one identification chip containing information necessary for accessing a wireless network; and

an electromechanical lock configured for selectively retaining an identification chip within said receptacle to prevent unauthorized removal.

29. The improvement as recited in claim 28, further comprising a security key configured for controlling the activity of said electromechanical lock when installing or removing the identification chip.

30. The improvement as recited in claim 29, wherein said security key is configured for mechanically joining with an identification chip when installing or removing the identification chip.

31. The improvement as recited in claim 29, further comprising a display on said security key which is configured for displaying identifying information about communicator devices into which the identification chip has been installed.

32. The improvement as recited in claim 29, wherein said security key is configured for establishing an electrical connection with a communications device into which an identification chip is to be installed or removed.

33. An apparatus for sharing wireless network connectivity between a plurality of extensions, comprising:

a base station configured for providing wireless connectivity through a wireless network;

a plurality of receptacles in said base station configured for receiving and establishing electrical connections with identification chips that provide access to a wireless network;

a plurality of electromechanical locks configured for preventing unauthorized removal of identification chips from said plurality of receptacles;

means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions; and

means for sharing wireless connectivity of said base station, within whose receptacles have been received at least one identification chip, with one or more of said plurality of extensions.

34. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said base station is configured for deployment in a home, office, or mobile environment.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said electronic device comprises a cellular or satellite based communications device.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said electronic device is configured for accessing a cellular or satellite based network communications system.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said electronic device is selected from the group of wireless devices consisting essentially of telephones, modems, personal digital assistants, smart watches, smart wallets, personal transaction devices, general purpose computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, tablet computers, electronic books, audio players, game players, video and audio capture devices, communication base stations configured for receiving multiple identification cards, and communications modules for attachment to electronic equipment.

38. An apparatus as recited in claim 33:

wherein said identification information retained in said identification chip must be valid in order to access said network; and

wherein said identification information is utilized for billing accesses made through said network.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, further comprising rewritable memory within said identification chip which is configured for retaining user parameters.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said receptacle is configured to receive said identification chip without the need to remove access panels or batteries from said base station.

41. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said receptacle comprises a slot configured for slidably receiving said identification chip.

42. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said electromechanical lock is configured to remain in a locked position when no power is applied and to release said identification chip for removal in response to the receipt of a proper electrical signal.

43. An apparatus as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for generating the proper electrical signals for releasing said identification chip in response to verifying user authority.

44. An apparatus as recited in claim 43, wherein said user authority is verified by said means for generating the proper electrical signals in response to checking for the entry of a proper personal identification code or receipt of a proper biometric identification.

45. An apparatus as recited in claim 43, further comprising a security key configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said electronic device.

46. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, further comprising a security key configured for retrieving said identification card from said receptacle.

47. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said security key is configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said base station.

48. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, further comprising programming executable on said base station for validating that a match exists between said security key and said identification chip prior to disengagement of said electro-mechanical lock from said identification card in response to receipt of prop.

49. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein said identification chip cannot be retrieved from said electronic device without said security key being utilized in a retrieval process.

50. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, further comprising a dynamic display on said security key configured for displaying a user readable identification for the electronic device in which said identification chip was recently received.

51. An apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said means for locking comprises an electromechanical lock which selectively retains said identification chip in response to the receipt of electrical signals.

52. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said electromechanical lock is retained in the locked position when no power is applied.

53. An apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said identification chip is configured to sustain sufficient damage, in response to forced removal of said identifier chip from said electro-mechanical lock, preventing further use of said identification chip.

54. An apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein identification chip is configured as mechanically frangible or electrically frangible or erasable.

55. An apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein said identification chip is configured with a fusible link through which a destructive level of current is passed in response to forced removal of the device.

56. An apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein said means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions, comprises local wireless connectivity.

57. An apparatus as recited in claim 56, wherein transmissions on said local wireless connectivity are encrypted for security.

58. An apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein said means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions, comprises superposing communication signals over a power-line distribution network.

59. An apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein said means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions, comprises dedicated wired connectivity.

60. An identification chip for a wireless communications device, comprising:

a readable data memory containing information required for accessing a wireless network;

a housing into which said data memory is retained;

electrical connections on said readable data memory through which information in said data memory may be read by a wireless communications device into which the identification chip has been installed; and

means for being mechanically engaged by an electromechanical retention element within a wireless communications device to prevent unauthorized removal.

61. An identification chip as recited in claim 60, further comprising means for securely inserting and removing said identification chip from a communications device.

62. An identification chip as recited in claim 60, wherein said identification chip is configured for being installed or removed from a wireless communications device by a security key configured for electrically communicating identification information which matches the identification chip to be installed or removed.

63. An identification chip as recited in claim 60, wherein said means for being mechanical engaged comprises a recessed structure or aperture in said housing configured to prevent unauthorized removal from a wireless communications device.

64. An identification chip as recited in claim 60, wherein said housing and/or said readable data memory are frangible when subjected to unauthorized extraction from a wireless communications device.

65. A method of activating a wireless communication device for accessing a wireless network, comprising:

inserting the combination of phone chip and security key into a receptacle on a wireless communications device configured for accessing a wireless network based on identification information retained in said phone chip;

generating an alert and preventing engagement and use of said phone chip if it is not registered on the wireless communications device; and

engaging an electromechanical lock to prevent unauthorized removal of the phone chip.

66. A method as recited in claim 65, further comprising verifying the correspondence between said phone chip and said security key prior to engagement or use of the phone chip.

67. A method as recited in claim 65, further comprising removing the security key after said phone chip has been locked into the communications device.

68. A method as recited in claim 65, further comprising communicating information to the security key about the communications device into which the phone chip has been installed.

69. A method as recited in claim 65, further comprising establishing communications settings or group connectivity within the communications device in response to information extracted from the phone chip.