Method and system for using an integrated subscriber identity module in a network interface unit
First Claim
1. A system for providing portability of subscription services associated with a particular user among a plurality of devices at a plurality of locations in a network comprising:
- a plurality of network interface units corresponding to, and located at, the plurality of locations for interfacing user devices with the network;
a SIM means for storing user-associated authentication, authorization and policy control information corresponding to services subscribed to by a subscriber;
an interface means for transferring information from the SIM means to the network interface unit; and
wherein one or more of the devices that are directly coupled to the network interface unit are granted access to the services subscribed to by the subscriber based on the subscriber-associated information stored in the SIM.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Subscriber-associated authentication, authorization and policy control information is stored on a SIM (preprogrammed or user programmed) to facilitate an NIU at a location granting or denying access to a plurality of services when the programmed SIM or virtual SIM resides in the NIU. A provider stores a message in the SIM based on a payment, which determines the level and period of services to be provided. The SIM can be removed and transported among a plurality of NIUs so that paid-for services follow the SIM
Each NIU may receive data from a single source and distribute appropriate telephony, data and video services to telephones, computers and televisions, respectively, based on the level and duration of the services requested by a user/subscriber. Thus, services access and billing are user-associated and location-independent. The SIM can be renewable or disposable, and can be programmed before or after purchase by a subscriber.
38 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for providing portability of subscription services associated with a particular user among a plurality of devices at a plurality of locations in a network comprising:
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a plurality of network interface units corresponding to, and located at, the plurality of locations for interfacing user devices with the network; a SIM means for storing user-associated authentication, authorization and policy control information corresponding to services subscribed to by a subscriber; an interface means for transferring information from the SIM means to the network interface unit; and wherein one or more of the devices that are directly coupled to the network interface unit are granted access to the services subscribed to by the subscriber based on the subscriber-associated information stored in the SIM. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for facilitating portability of subscription services among a plurality of devices at a plurality of locations in a network comprising:
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a plurality of network interface units corresponding to, and located at, the plurality of locations for interfacing user devices with the network; a virtual SIM means for authorizing access to the services, the virtual SIM means providing authentication, authorization, policy control information and gatekeeping functionality in any of the plurality of network interface units so that the subscription services of a given user can be accessed at any of the plurality of devices directly coupled to any of the plurality of network interface units with which the virtual SIM associated with the given user is being used. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for accessing a suite of subscription services using one or more devices that are directly coupled to one of a plurality of network interface units that are located at a corresponding plurality of locations, comprising:
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requesting the services; providing information for payment for the suite of services; receiving a credit message containing information that credit for the suite of services has been granted; storing the message that credit for the suite of services has been granted to a SIM means; using the SIM means and the credit message stored therein with the network interface unit to grant access to the requested services; and accessing services from among the suite of services using one of the one or more devices that are directly coupled to the one of the plurality of network interface units based on information stored in the SIM. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method accessing a suite of subscription services using one or more devices that are directly coupled to one of a plurality of network interface units that are located at a corresponding plurality of locations, comprising:
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receiving a request for the services; receiving account and billing information to be used for payment of the services; and downloading to a SIM means a message that credit for the suite of services has been granted, the message being capable of authorizing a particular network interface unit to grant access to any of the requested services at a device that is coupled to the particular network interface unit when the SIM means is used in the particular network interface unit. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification