ACCESS CONTROL BASED ON RECEIPT OF MESSAGE FROM ACCESS TERMINAL

• US 20110223912A1
• Filed: 09/14/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Shirota, Masakazu, Wang, Jun, Tinnakornsrisuphap, Peerapol, Sundarraman, Chandrasekhar Therazhandur, Nasielski, John Wallace
• Granted Patent: US 9,392,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

Access control techniques enable an access terminal to obtain service through an access point. In some aspects, access control techniques may be used to enable a user (e.g., an owner) of an access point to control whether an access terminal obtains service through the access point. For example, a user may temporarily disable access control at an access point to enable access points that register with the access point while access control is disabled to thereafter be allowed to obtain service through the access point. As another example, a shared secret may be provided to an access terminal whereby, upon presenting the shared secret to an access point, the access terminal is allowed to obtain service through the access point.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

disabling access control for an access point;

receiving a message when the access control is disabled, wherein the message indicates that an access terminal is attempting to register with the access point; and

allowing the access terminal to obtain service through the access point as a result of receiving the message when the access control is disabled.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the access terminal to obtain service comprises adding an identifier of the access terminal to an access control list for the access point.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising maintaining the access control list at the access point.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising maintaining the access control list at an access point gateway for the access point.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the disabling of the access control comprises temporarily enabling access for access terminals that are not listed in the access control list.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the access control is disabled for a defined period of time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed at the access point.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed at an access point gateway for the access point.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication from a user input device, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication from the access terminal, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication via a network interface, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication from the access point at an access point gateway for the access point, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a confirmation message to the access terminal to confirm that the access terminal is allowed to obtain service through the access point.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein an enforcement point for the access point sends the confirmation message to the access terminal by triggering a call to the access terminal.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the access terminal to obtain service comprises allowing the access terminal obtain service for a defined period of time.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the access point comprises a femto cell.

17. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

an access controller configured to disable access control for an access point; and

a receiver configured to receive a message when the access control is disabled, wherein the message indicates that an access terminal is attempting to register with the access point, and

wherein the access controller is further configured to allow the access terminal to obtain service through the access point as a result of receiving the message when the access control is disabled.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein allowing the access terminal to obtain service comprises adding an identifier of the access terminal to an access control list for the access point.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the access controller is further configured to maintain the access control list at the access point.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the access controller is further configured to maintain the access control list at an access point gateway for the access point.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the disabling of the access control comprises temporarily enabling access for access terminals that are not listed in the access control list.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the access control is disabled for a defined period of time.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is the access point.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is an access point gateway for the access point.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a user input device, wherein:

the access controller is further configured to receive an indication from the user input device; and

the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the receiver is further configured to receive an indication from the access terminal; and

the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a network interface configured to receive an indication, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

28. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a transmitter configured to send a confirmation message to the access terminal to confirm that the access terminal is allowed to obtain service through the access point.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the confirmation message is sent by triggering a call to the access terminal.

30. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein allowing the access terminal to obtain service comprises allowing the access terminal obtain service for a defined period of time.

31. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the access point comprises a femto cell.

32. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for disabling access control for an access point;

means for receiving a message when the access control is disabled, wherein the message indicates that an access terminal is attempting to register with the access point; and

means for allowing the access terminal to obtain service through the access point as a result of receiving the message when the access control is disabled.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein allowing the access terminal to obtain service comprises adding an identifier of the access terminal to an access control list for the access point.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for maintaining the access control list at the access point.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for maintaining the access control list at an access point gateway for the access point.

36. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising user input means, wherein:

the means for disabling access control is configured to receive an indication from the user input means; and

the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for receiving an indication from the access terminal, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

38. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising network interface means for receiving an indication, wherein the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising means for sending a confirmation message to the access terminal to confirm that the access terminal is allowed to obtain service through the access point, wherein the confirmation message is sent by triggering a call to the access terminal.

40. A computer-program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to;

disable access control for an access point;

receive a message when the access control is disabled, wherein the message indicates that an access terminal is attempting to register with the access point; and

allow the access terminal to obtain service through the access point as a result of receiving the message when the access control is disabled.

41. The computer-program product of claim 40, wherein allowing the access terminal to obtain service comprises adding an identifier of the access terminal to an access control list for the access point.

42. The computer-program product of claim 41, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to maintain the access control list at the access point.

43. The computer-program product of claim 41, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to maintain the access control list at an access point gateway for the access point.

44. The computer-program product of claim 40, wherein:

the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to receive an indication from a user input device; and

the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

45. The computer-program product of claim 40, wherein:

the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to receive an indication from the access terminal; and

the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

46. The computer-program product of claim 40, wherein:

the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to receive an indication via a network interface; and

the access control is disabled as a result of the receipt of the indication.

47. The computer-program product of claim 40, wherein:

the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to send a confirmation message to the access terminal to confirm that the access terminal is allowed to obtain service through the access point; and

the confirmation message is sent by triggering a call to the access terminal.