Mobile Subscriber Device Network Access

• US 20110105080A1
• Filed: 11/05/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility (AT&T, Inc.), AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Flynn, Jusdon, Lewis, John, Haughn, Erick
• Granted Patent: US 9,060,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/335 for accessing specific resources, e.g. using Kerberos tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

In one or more embodiments, one or more methods and/or systems described can perform receiving, from a first access point coupled to a first network and operated by a first network provider, an access code from a subscriber mobile device (MSD), associated with a second network provider, that accesses a uniform resource locator (URL) that includes the access code. The access code can be usable by the first network provider to determine whether or not to permit the MSD access of a second network coupled to the first network. In one or more embodiments, the URL is received by the MSD in a text message and/or from a short message service (SMS). In one or more embodiments, the MSD is operable to use telecommunications services of and provided by the second network provider. In one or more embodiments, the first network provider is the second network provider.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, through a first access point coupled to a first network and operated by a first network provider, first identification information of a mobile subscriber device associated with a second network provider;

sending the first identification information to the second network provider;

receiving a response from the second network provider indicating that the mobile subscriber device is permitted network access to a second network coupled to the first network;

sending, via a telephony network, a uniform resource locator (URL) that includes an access code to the mobile subscriber device, wherein the access code is associated with the first identification information;

receiving the access code from the mobile subscriber device;

determining that the access code is valid; and

permitting the mobile subscriber device access to the second network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network provider is the second network provider.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the URL to the mobile subscriber device includes sending the URL to the mobile subscriber device in a text message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the URL to the mobile subscriber device includes using a short message service (SMS) to send the URL to the subscriber device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first access point and the mobile subscriber device communicate using wireless Ethernet.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the URL to the mobile subscriber device includes addressing a text message to the mobile subscriber device using the first identification information, wherein the text message includes the URL.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after permitting the mobile subscriber device access to the second network, sending an accounting start message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile subscriber device is operable to use telecommunications services of and provided by the second network provider.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first identification information includes at least a portion of one of a mobile identification number (MIN), a mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (MSISDN), and a international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number.

10. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a memory medium coupled to the processor; and

a network interface coupled to the processor;

wherein the network interface is operable to be coupled to a first network; and

wherein the memory medium includes instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform;

receiving, from a first access point coupled to the first network and operated by a first network provider, first identification information of a mobile subscriber device associated with a second network provider;

sending the first identification information to the second network provider;

receiving a response from the second network provider indicating that the mobile subscriber device is permitted access to a second network coupled to the first network;

receiving, via the first access point, an access code from the mobile subscriber device that accesses a uniform resource locator (URL) that includes the access code;

determining that the access code is valid; and

permitting the mobile subscriber device access to the second network.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first network provider is the second network provider.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the URL is received by the mobile subscriber device in a text message.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the URL is received by the mobile subscriber device from a short message service (SMS).

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first access point and the mobile subscriber device communicate using wireless Ethernet.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the mobile subscriber device is operable to use telecommunications services of and provided by the second network provider.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first identification information includes at least a portion of one of a mobile identification number (MIN), a mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (MSISDN), and a international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number.

17. A computer readable memory medium comprising instructions, which when executed on a processing system, cause the processing system to perform:

receiving, from a first access point coupled to a first network and operated by a first network provider, first identification information of a mobile subscriber device associated with a second network provider;

sending the first identification information to the second network provider;

receiving a response from the second network provider indicating that the mobile subscriber device is permitted access to a second network coupled to the first network;

receiving, through the first network, an access code from the mobile subscriber device that accesses a uniform resource locator (URL) that includes the access code;

determining that the access code is valid; and

permitting the mobile subscriber device access to the second network.

18. The computer readable memory medium of claim 17, wherein the first network provider is the second network provider.

19. The computer readable memory medium of claim 17, wherein the URL is received by the mobile subscriber device in a text message.

20. The computer readable memory medium of claim 17, wherein the first identification information includes at least a portion of one of a mobile identification number (MIN), a mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (MSISDN), and a international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number.