Method and apparatus for configuration of authentication center operations in a mobile telephone system

• US 6,226,511 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Campaq Computer Corporation
• Inventors: Lamb, James A., Jacobs, Pamela J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/543,836
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/422, 455/432, 455/433, 455/435, 380/247, 380/248, 380/271
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning

Abstract

A method and apparatus for allowing an Authentication Center (AC) in a cellular telephone system to order SSD update and unique challenge operations only if the receiving MSC/VLR is receptive to performing them. The AC has access to an MPCM file that indicates the circumstances under which each MSC/VLR in the system will perform SSD updates and unique challenges. Thus, whenever the AC determines that it is desirable to send either an SSD update or a unique challenge, the AC first checks the MPCM file to determine whether the message should be sent. If the database indicates that the MSC/VLR will not attempt the operation, the AC does not request the operation.

Claims

1. A method of sending an authentication message in a cellular communication system, the communication system including an Authentication Center (AC) having a processor for processing the steps of:

determining if an operation is needed for a subscriber unit, wherein the needed operation is from a group of operations comprising;

a Shared Secret Data (SSD) update and a unique challenge;

accessing a database having configuration information for at least one Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) in the mobile telephone system, the configuration information for determining if the MSC/VLR can perform the operation for the subscriber unit; and

sending an operation order to the MSC/VLR only if the subscriber unit needs the operation and the MSC/VLR can perform the operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accessing the database for the MSC/VLR includes:

determining from the configuration information if the MSC/VLR is associated with a base station that communicates with handsets via a voice channel during registration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of accessing the database for the MSC/VLR includes:

determining from the configuration information if the MSC/VLR is associated with a base station that communicates with subscriber units via a control channel.

4. A method of sending an authentication message in a cellular communication system, the communication system including an Authentication Center (AC) having a processor for processing the steps of:

determining if an operation is needed for a subscriber unit in response to a system access type, wherein the needed operation is from a group of operations comprising;

a Shared Secret Data (SSD) update and a unique challenge;

accessing a database having configuration information for at least one Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) in the mobile telephone system, the configuration information for determining if the MSC/VLR can perform the operation for the subscriber unit; and

sending an operation order to the MSC/VLR only if the subscriber unit needs the operation and the MSC/VLR can perform the operation for the system access type.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of accessing the database for the MSC/VLR includes:

determining from the configuration information if the MSC/VLR is associated with a base station that communicates with handsets via a voice channel during registration.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of accessing the database for the MSC/VLR includes:

determining from the configuration information if the MSC/VLR is associated with a base station that communicates with subscriber units via a control channel.