Authenticating a user of a communication device to a wireless network to which the user is not associated with
First Claim
1. A method for authentication of a user, the method comprising:
- detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to a first wireless network through an access point associated with said first wireless network;
in response to said authentication event, obtaining a credential from a second wireless network; and
authenticating said user based on said credential to establish a connection between said wireless communication device and said first wireless network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for automating authentication of a user. In one embodiment, a method calls for detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to a first wireless network through an access point associated with the first wireless network, automatically obtaining a credential from a second wireless network in response to the authentication event, and authenticating the user based on the credential to establish a connection between the wireless communication device and the first wireless network. A client-server based communication system includes a client module at a wireless communication device for user authentication of a Wi-Fi device to a Wi-Fi network through an access point associated therewith. For the purposes of authentication, the client-server based communication system further includes a server module with which the client module may automatically exchange signaling messages, such as short message service messages over a wide area network. Such a Wi-Fi user authentication process may, for example, substantially simplify access at a Wi-Fi hotspot in a wireless local area network, reducing manual actions or steps. As a result, a wireless user may be authenticated relatively fast. By offering a desired user experience, user-acceptance of a wireless communication device and/or service may be increased.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for authentication of a user, the method comprising:
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detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to a first wireless network through an access point associated with said first wireless network;
in response to said authentication event, obtaining a credential from a second wireless network; and
authenticating said user based on said credential to establish a connection between said wireless communication device and said first wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A client-server based communication system to automate authentication of a user to a first wireless network, said client-server based communication system associated with a second wireless network comprising:
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a client including a storage storing instructions for detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to said first wireless network through an access point associated with said first wireless network, in response to said authentication event, automatically obtaining a credential from said second wireless network, and authenticating said user based on said credential to establish a connection between said wireless communication device and said first wireless network; and
a server adapted to communicate with said client for an operator, said server including a storage storing instructions to automatically authenticate said user to said first wireless network in response to said authentication event by providing said credential in a signaling session with said client over said second wireless network for connecting said wireless communication device to said first wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A client in a client-server based communication system to automate authentication of a user to a first wireless network, said client associated with a second wireless network comprising:
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a controller; and
a storage coupled to said controller, said storage storing instructions for detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to said first wireless network through an access point associated with said first wireless network, in response to said authentication event, automatically obtain a credential from said second wireless network, and authenticate said user based on said credential to establish a connection between said wireless communication device and said first wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A server in a client-server based communication system to automate authentication of a user to a first wireless network, said server associated with a second wireless network comprising:
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a controller; and
a storage coupled to said controller, said storage storing instructions to automatically authenticate said user of a client to said first wireless network associated with an access point for an operator in response to an authentication event at a wireless communication device by providing a credential in a signaling session with said client over said second wireless network for connecting said wireless communication device to said first wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, to automate authentication of a user, cause a client-server based communication system to:
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detect an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to a first wireless network through an access point associated with said first wireless network;
in response to said authentication event, automatically obtain a credential from a second wireless network; and
authenticate said user based on said credential to establish a connection between said wireless communication device and said first wireless network.
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24. An apparatus for automating authentication of a user, the apparatus comprising:
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means for detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to a first wireless network through an access point associated with said first wireless network;
means for automatically obtaining a credential from a second wireless network in response to said authentication event; and
means for authenticating said user based on said credential to establish a connection between said wireless communication device and said first wireless network.
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Specification