Method of authentication via a secure wireless communication system

• US 20050163319A1
• Filed: 10/26/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Hancock, Robert, McCann, Stephen, Hepworth, Eleanor
• Granted Patent: US 7,743,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/062 Pre-authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method of authentication via a secure wireless communication system; the method comprising sensing that a mobile device has come within range of a secure network; initiating a program (5) within the mobile device offering the user a plurality of authentication options; processing the chosen authentication option and providing requested user data to a service provider for the secure network (9), only if the chosen authentication option within the mobile device permits provision of the requested user data.

Claims

1. A method of authentication via a secure wireless communication system;

the method comprising sensing that a mobile device has come within range of a secure network;

initiating a program within the mobile device offering the user a plurality of authentication options;

processing the chosen authentication option and providing requested user data to a service provider for the secure network, only if the chosen authentication option within the mobile device permits provision of the requested user data.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user data comprises user name and password.

3. A method according to claim 1, or the method further comprising exchanging authentication credentials via link layer specific protocols.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is one of a laptop, personal digital assistant or mobile phone.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless local area network.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the offer of authentication options to the user is carried out by a local proxy on the user'"'"'s mobile device.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the local proxy encapsulates or decapsulates user data.