Method of providing multiple data paths using a mobile terminal and related devices

• US 7,532,907 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2005
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Findikli, Nadi S., Louks, Ronald A., Hayes, Gerard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thanh C
• Application Number:
  US11/199,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20060135206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• 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 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/24 Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

A mobile terminal may include a wireless modem, a wireless network interface, and an application (such as a browser application). A method of operating the mobile terminal may include providing a first data path between a data network and the application of the mobile terminal through the wireless modem. In addition, a second data path may be provided between the data network and second mobile terminal through the wireless modem and the wireless network interface of the first mobile terminal. Related devices are also discussed.

Claims

1. A method of operating a first mobile terminal including a wireless modern, a wireless network interface, and an application, the method comprising:

providing a first data path between a data network and the application of the first mobile terminal through the wireless modem; and

providing a second data path between the data network and a second mobile terminal through the wireless modem and the wireless network interface of the first mobile terminal wherein providing the second data path comprises,

providing a list of permitted authentication code at the first mobile terminal,

receiving authentication information from the second mobile terminal, and

providing the second data path between the data network and the second mobile terminal if an authentication based on the list of permitted authentication code and the authentication information received from the second mobile terminal is successful.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

providing a third data path between the data network and a third mobile terminal through the wireless modem and the wireless network interface of the first mobile terminal.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

blocking the second data path between the data network and the second mobile terminal if the authentication is unsuccessful.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein providing a list of permitted authentication code comprises accepting user entry of a permitted authentication code through a user interface of the first mobile terminal.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein providing a list of permitted authentication code comprises storing the list of at least one permitted authentication code in memory of the first mobile terminal.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the data network comprises the Internet.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the wireless network interface comprises a wireless local network interface.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the wireless local network interface operates according to at least one of a WiFi standard, a Bluetooth standard, a radio frequency identification (RFID) standard, a ZigBee standard, and/or a WiMax standard.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the wireless modem provides a data connection with the data network using a public land mobile network (PLMN).

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the wireless modem provides the data connection using the public land mobile network according to at least one of a Global System for Communications (GSM) standard, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) standard, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) standard, a Universal Mobile (UMTS) standard, a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) standard, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard, a 1x Evolution Data Optimized (1xEVDO) standard, a WiFi standard, an Ultra Wide-Band standard, a WiMax standard, and/or a Wide-Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standard.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the wireless modem provides the data connection using the public land mobile network using a packet switched connection.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the wireless modem provides the data connection using the public land mobile network using a circuit switched connection.

13. A method according to claim 9 further comprising:

providing a voice radiotelephone communication using the public land mobile network (PLMN).

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second data paths are provided at the same time.

15. A mobile terminal comprising:

a wireless modem configured to provide a wireless data connection with a data network;

a wireless network interface configured to provide a wireless network data connection with at least one other mobile terminal;

a processor coupled to the wireless modem and to the wireless network interface, the processor being configured to provide a first data path between the data network and an application running on the processor through the wireless modem, and to provide a second data path between the data network and a second mobile terminal through the wireless modem and the wireless network interface; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including a list of permitted authentication code, wherein the processor is further configured to receive authentication information from the second mobile terminal through the wireless network interface, and to provide the second data path between the data network and the second mobile terminal if an authentication based on the list of permitted authentication code and the authentication information received from the second mobile terminal is successful.

16. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to provide a third data path between the data network and a third mobile terminal through the wireless modem and the wireless network interface.

17. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to block the second data path between the data network and the second mobile terminal if the authentication is unsuccessful.

18. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 further comprising:

a user interface including at least one user input device; and

wherein the processor is further configured to accept a permitted authentication code provided through the user interface and to store the permitted authentication code in the memory.

19. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 wherein the data network comprises the Internet.

20. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 wherein the wireless network interface comprises a wireless local network interface.

21. A mobile terminal according to claim 20 wherein the wireless local network interface operates according to at least one of a WiFi standard, a Bluetooth standard, a radio frequency identification (RFID) standard, a ZigBee standard, and/or a WiMax standard.

22. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 wherein the wireless modem provides a data connection with the data network using a public land mobile network (PLMN).

23. A mobile terminal according to claim 22 wherein the wireless modem provides the data connection using the public land mobile network according to at least one of a Global System for Communications (GSM) standard, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) standard, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) standard, a Universal Mobile (UMTS) standard, a High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) standard, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard, a 1x Evolution Data Optimized (1xEVDO) standard, a WiFi standard, an Ultra Wide-Band standard, a WiMax standard, and/or a Wide-Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standard.

24. A mobile terminal according to claim 22 wherein the wireless modem provides the data connection using the public land mobile network using a packet switched connection.

25. A mobile terminal according to claim 22 wherein the wireless modem provides the data connection using the public land mobile network using a circuit switched connection.

26. A mobile terminal according to claim 22 wherein the processor is further configured to provide a voice radiotelephone communication using the public land mobile network (PLMN).

27. A mobile terminal according to claim 15 wherein the first and second data paths are provided at the same time.