Ad hoc networking of terminals aided by a cellular network

• US 6,904,055 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pichna, Roman, Mustonen, Kai, Lähetkangas, Keijo
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mills, Donald L
• Application Number:
  US10/179,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20030235174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 370/313, 370/352, 370/400, 370/401, 370/465, 370/467
• US Class Current: 370/467
• 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 63/104 Grouping of entities
• 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: H04W 12/0431 Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A fast and secure ad hoc communication system is established between terminals with the aid of a network. Terminals equipped with a non-cellular interface may establish a high data rate peer-to-peer or multi-hop ad hoc connection with the support of a cellular network. The cellular network may provide signaling for user authentication, peer identification, key distribution for a secure non-cellular connection set-up, radio resources management messages, routing assistance information, as well as charging and billing for the service. A non-cellular link may be used for fast and secure ad hoc communication between the terminals. Signaling may be transported either over a non-cellular access network or, using dual-mode terminals, over the cellular RAN. A combination of the signaling transports is also possible.

Claims

1. A method for ad hoc networking of terminals over a non-cellular interface aided by a cellular network, comprising:

determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link;

determining a network associated with the terminals;

choosing a signaling transport for the terminals;

establishing a secure connection between the terminals with the aid of the cellular network;

receiving update information relating to the terminals; and

forming a description of an ad hoc network in response to receiving the update information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising enforcing rules relating to the ad hoc link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link further comprises using a cellular infrastructure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link further comprises receiving an identifier from the terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the network associated with the terminals, further comprises determining when a terminal is coupled to a non-cellular network and determining when the terminal is coupled to a cellular network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cellular network associated with the terminal is contacted over multi-hop signaling.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein choosing the signaling transport media for the terminals, further comprises choosing a non-cellular access network to carry the signaling for non-cellular-only terminals.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the signaling for the terminals may be carried across a cellular radio access network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining when a terminal desires to communicate, and when:

the terminal asking assistance from a central register; and

providing the terminal with an answer optimized for the terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein providing the terminal with the answer optimized for the terminal, further comprises providing a route to the terminal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the route may be a single hop connection route or a multi-hop connection route or a recommendation to use the cellular network.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising charging for the aid of the cellular network.

13. A method for ad hoc networking of terminals over a non-cellular interface aided by a cellular network, comprising:

determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link;

determining a network associated with the terminals including determining when a terminal is coupled to a non-cellular network and determining when the terminal is coupled to a cellular network;

choosing a signaling transport for the terminals including allowing a combination of signaling transport media to be used for the terminals; and

establishing a secure connection between the terminals with the aid of the cellular network.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising enforcing rules relating to the ad hoc link.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link further comprises using a cellular infrastructure.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link further comprises receiving an identifier from the terminal.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving update information relating to the terminals.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming a description of an ad hoc network in response to receiving the update information.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the cellular network associated with the terminal is contacted over multi-hop signaling.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein choosing the signaling transport media for the terminals, further comprises choosing a non-cellular access network to carry the signaling for non-cellular-only terminals.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the signaling for the terminals may be carried across a cellular radio access network.

22. A system for ad hoc networking of terminals aided by a cellular network, comprising:

terminals, wherein the terminals include an interface unit arranged to communicate with a cellular network, wherein the cellular network is configured to;

communicate with terminals;

determine the identity of the terminals that desire to establish an ad hoc link;

determine a network associated with the terminals;

choose a signaling transport for the terminals; and

establish a secure link with the terminals; and

a central register that is configured to receive update information relating to the terminals and is further configured to form a description of an ad hoc network in response to receiving the update information.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein communication with terminals may be selected from a direct communication link and an indirect communication link.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a means operative to enforce rules associated with the secure link.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the central register is further configured to charge for the aid of the cellular network.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the signaling transport may be over a noncellular access network and a cellular radio access network.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the cellular network is configured to determine the identity of the terminals that desire to establish an ad hoc link further comprises receiving an identifier from the terminals.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the identifier may be selected from a group including a user name, a user address, an IMSI code, an ISDN telephone number and an NAL.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the identifier is communicated over a written note, a verbal communication, an RF tag, and a bar code.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the cellular network is further configured to authenticate the terminal and deliver at least one encryption key for a secure link establishment.

31. The system of claim 22, wherein the cellular network is further configured to deliver at least one security association token.

32. The system of claim 22, wherein the cellular network is further configured to charge for services provided.

33. The system of claim 22, wherein the central register is further configured to determine when a terminal desires to communicate by receiving a request from a terminal, and when:

the terminal configured to ask assistance from the central register; and

the central register configured to provide the terminal with an answer optimized for the terminal relating to the communication.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein providing the terminal with the answer, further comprises the central register configured to provide route information to the terminal.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the route information may be a single hop connection route or a multi-hop connection route or a recommendation to use the cellular network.

36. A system for ad hoc networking of terminals over a non-cellular interface aided by a cellular network, comprising:

means for determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link;

means for determining a network associated with the terminals;

means for choosing a signaling transport for the terminals;

means for establishing a secure connection between the terminals with the aid of the cellular network;

means for enforcing rules relating to the ad hoc networking;

means for receiving update information relating to the terminals; and

means for forming a description of an ad hoc network in response to receiving the update information.

37. A system for ad hoc networking of terminals over a non-cellular interface aided by a cellular network, comprising:

means for determining the identities of the terminals desiring to establish an ad hoc link;

means for determining a network associated with the terminals comprising means for determining when a terminal is coupled to a non-cellular network and determining when the terminal is coupled to a cellular network;

means for choosing a signaling transport for the terminals comprising means for allowing a combination of signaling transport media to be used for the terminals;

means for establishing a secure connection between the terminals with the aid of the cellular network; and

means for enforcing rules relating to the ad hoc networking.