UNLICENSED MOBILE ACCESS

• US 20080132279A1
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgeport Networks, Inc. (Alianza, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bridgeport Networks, Inc. (Alianza, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blumenthal, Steven H.
• Application Number:
  US11/566,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132279A1
• 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: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• 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 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus, such as a removable computer device (e.g., a USB device), includes application software stored on a computer-readable medium which may be loaded to computer coupled to the device. An interface on the device is used to couple the apparatus to a computer and to pass the application software to the computer. The application software can include a “soft phone” application. An authentication module on the device provides authentication information, for example from a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) through the interface, and the application software includes instructions for using the authentication information in a communication exchange over a data network using a cellular telephone protocol with a network element coupled to a cellular telephone network. In some examples, the protocol is a GSM protocol and the network element is Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) Network Controller (NC).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

application software stored on a computer-readable medium;

an interface for coupling the apparatus to a computer and for passing the application software to the computer; and

an authentication module for providing authentication information through the interface;

wherein the application software includes instructions for using the authentication information in a communication exchange over a data network using a cellular telephone protocol with a network element coupled to a cellular telephone network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 embodied in a removable device for repeated coupling to the computer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone protocol comprises a GSM protocol.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the network element comprises an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network controller.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone protocol comprises an IS-41 protocol.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the authentication module includes an interface for a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) for accessing the authentication information.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a secure storage for information for related to interaction with the cellular telephone network.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the secure storage includes storage for at least one of cryptographic information and cryptographic software.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cryptographic information and software comprises at least one of the USIM, ISIM, CAVE, and IPsec information and software.

10. A method for providing telecommunication services comprising:

executing a telecommunication application on a general purpose computer; and

during execution of the communication application using authentication information at the computer in a communication exchange over a data network using a cellular telephone protocol with a network element coupled to a cellular telephone network.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

loading the telecommunication application from a removable device coupled to the computer; and

accessing the authentication information from the removable device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein accessing the authentication information from the removable device comprises accessing a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) coupled to the removable device.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the cellular telephone protocol comprises a GSM protocol.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the cellular telephone protocol comprises an IS-41 protocol.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the network element comprises an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) network controller.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein using the authentication information includes accessing the authentication information from a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).

17. The method of claim 10 wherein accessing the authentication information includes accessing a secure storage for information for related to interaction with the cellular telephone network.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the secure storage includes storage for at least one of cryptographic information and cryptographic software.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the cryptographic information and software comprises at least one of the USIM, ISIM, CAVE, and IPsec information and software.

20. Software stored on a computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a computer to:

accessing authentication information from a storage accessible to the computer; and

use the authentication information in a communication exchange over a data network using a cellular telephone protocol with a network element coupled to a cellular telephone network.