Method for authenticating access to an unlicensed wireless communications system using a licensed wireless communications system authentication process

• US 20050207395A1
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ribbon Communications Operating Company, Inc. (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kineto Wireless Incorporated (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mohammed, Jahangir
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• 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: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/12 between location registers or mobility servers

Abstract

A method of authenticating a user seeking access to an unlicensed wireless communication system includes delivering to an unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device licensed wireless communication system security information. An authentication result produced by the subscriber device is processed in response to the licensed wireless communication system security information. The authentication result is compared with an authentication value to selectively produce an authentication command. Unlicensed wireless communication between the subscriber device and an unlicensed wireless communication system base station is enabled in response to the authentication command.

Claims

1. (canceled)

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising utilizing said authentication result when said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device returns to an unlicensed wireless communication service region.

2. A method of authenticating an unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device, comprising:

delivering licensed wireless communication system security information to an unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device;

processing an authentication result produced by said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device;

comparing said authentication result with an authentication value to selectively produce an authentication command; and

enabling unlicensed wireless communications between said subscriber device and an unlicensed wireless communication system in response to said authentication command.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising, prior to delivering, directing a licensed wireless authentication request from said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device to a base station.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising routing said licensed wireless authentication request from said base station to a networked computer operative to emulate a mobile switch center.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein routing includes routing said licensed wireless authentication request as an Internet Protocol packet.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising routing said licensed wireless authentication request from said networked computer to an adjacent mobile switch center.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising receiving at said base station said licensed wireless communication system security information routed from said adjacent mobile switch center and said networked computer.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said licensed wireless communication system security information includes a random number.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising passing said licensed wireless communication system security information from said base station to said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device prior to said processing operation.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said authentication result is processed at said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device using said licensed wireless communication system security information and a stored key.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said comparing is performed at said networked computer.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said comparing produces said authentication command when an authentication value stored at said networked computer matches said authentication result produced by said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device.

14. A method of authenticating an unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device, comprising:

identifying when an unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device is within a service region of an unlicensed wireless communication base station;

emulating the operation of a licensed wireless communication system mobile switching center in response to said identifying;

securing an authentication result from said unlicensed wireless communication base station in response to said emulating; and

processing said authentication result to selectively enable unlicensed wireless communication between said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device and said unlicensed wireless communication base station.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein identifying includes directing a licensed wireless authentication request from said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device to said unlicensed wireless communication base station.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said emulating includes routing said licensed wireless authentication request from said unlicensed wireless communication base station to a networked computer operative to emulate a mobile switch center.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein routing includes routing said licensed wireless authentication request as an Internet Protocol packet.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising routing said licensed wireless authentication request from said networked computer to an adjacent mobile switch center.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving at said unlicensed wireless communication base station licensed wireless communication system security information routed from said adjacent mobile switch center and said networked computer.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said licensed wireless communication system security information includes a random number.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising passing said licensed wireless communication system security information from said unlicensed wireless communication base station to said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said authentication result is processed at said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device using said licensed wireless communication system security information and a stored key.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein said processing is performed at a networked computer.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein an authentication command is produced when an authentication value stored at said networked computer matches said authentication result produced by said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device.

25. The method of claim 14 further comprising utilizing said authentication result when said unlicensed wireless communication subscriber device returns to said service region.