Use of internet WEB technology for wireless internet access

• US 6,873,609 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
• Original Assignee: IPWireless Inc. (NVIDIA Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowring, Michael, Jones, William J., Williams, Andrew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Application Number:
  US09/715,558
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/329, 370/252, 370/437, 370/401, 370/230, 370/254, 370/336, 370/343, 370/411, 370/439, 709/217, 709/224, 709/218, 709/219, 709/220, 709/223, 709/225, 379/118, 379/120, 379/121.06, 455/303, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/435.1, 455/461, 455/551
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

Internet web technology is used to allow a wireless Internet customer to acquire a virtual subscriber identity module (VSIM) in an anonymous session connection and then transfer the VSIM to any other desired PC (personal computer).

Claims

1. A method of operating a cellular wireless Internet access system as part of an Internet Network where users have personal computers (PCs) and each user utilizes a portable user equipment (UE) typically with a directly attached antenna for communicating in a wireless manner on a cellular network with an integrated network controller, the UE being connected to a PC, said network having a registration web server and an access operator authentication server, the method comprising the following steps:

using said PC and UE to register with said registration web server on said Internet Network via an open connection to said network including downloading subscriber identity information from said registration web server to said PC via said UE for storage in said PC, said subscriber identity information including, at least, a user identification (user ID) and a password, such stored information constituting a virtual subscriber identity module (VSIM);

updating said access operator authentication server with said user ID and password;

connecting on said PC to an allowable Internet service provider (ISP) using said VSIM; and

transferring electronically said user ID and password to another PC, via a temporary transfer to a portable magnetic storage means, a local area network (LAN), an e-mail attachment, or an electronic transferable file to enable said another PC to connect to the allowable ISP.

2. A method as in claim 1 where said UE has an ID and is included as part of said subscriber identity information whereby the UE is connected to said another PC to enable an Internet session.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said transferred user ID and password forms the VSIM on said another PC.