WIFI authentication method

• US 7,548,744 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Crocker, Dwayne A., Oesterling, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah; Charles N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Karikari; Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US10/740,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20050136892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,006 Days
• Field of Search: 455/420, 455/410, 455/411, 455/555, 455/466, 455/456.1, 455/422.1, 455/435.1, 455/414
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• 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: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/16 with lock-out or secrecy provision in party-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A system and method provides secure authentication of a wireless communication channel for a vehicle telematics device that includes detecting a wireless access point within radio range of a telematics device, requesting authentication information for the access point through a first secure communication channel to a call center, receiving authentication information for the wireless access point from the call center through the first secure communication channel, and providing authentication information for the telematics device to the wireless access point through a second secure communication channel. A computer readable medium storing a computer program is described for implementing one or more steps of the method.

Claims

1. A method for providing secure authentication of a wireless communication channel, comprising the steps:

(a) detecting a wireless access point with a vehicle telematics units wherein the vehicle telematics unit is located in a vehicle that can be driven in and out of radio range of the wireless access point;

(b) requesting authentication information regarding the wireless access point from a call center, wherein the request is made by the vehicle telematics unit over a first secure communication channel established between the vehicle telematics unit and the call center;

(c) providing authentication information regarding the wireless access point to the vehicle telematics unit, wherein the information is provided by the call center over the first secure communication channel;

(d) providing authentication information regarding the vehicle telematics unit to the wireless access point, wherein the information is provided by the call center over a second secure communication channel established between the call center and the wireless access point, and;

(e) utilizing both the authentication information regarding the vehicle telematics unit and that regarding the wireless access point to establish a third secure communication channel between the vehicle telematics unit and the wireless access point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first secure communication channel is a wireless cellular channel maintained by a wireless carrier system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first secure communication channel provides for packet data connections so that the wireless cellular channel is a secure data channel when the request for authentication information in step (b) is made.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second secure communication channel is a wireline channel maintained by a land network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the third secure communication channel is a wireless radio channel maintained by a wireless network that is in compliance with IEEE 802.11 protocols.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication information of step (c) comprises a wired equivalent protocol key.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication information of step (c) is stored in a database located at the call center.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the steps:

identifying a service set identifier pertaining to the wireless access point in a database at the call center in response to the request of step (b);

requesting a media access control address from the vehicle telematics device in response to the request of step (b), and;

providing the media access control address to the wireless access point in step (d).

9. A method for providing secure authentication of a wireless communication channel, comprising the steps:

(a) detecting a wireless access point that is within radio range of a vehicle telematics unit, wherein the wireless access point is located at a vehicle dealership or a vehicle repair facility;

(b) requesting authentication information regarding the wireless access point from a call center, wherein the request is made by the vehicle telematics unit over a first secure communication channel that is already established over a cellular connection between the vehicle telematics unit and the call center;

(c) providing authentication information regarding the wireless access point to the vehicle telematics unit, wherein the information is provided by the call center over the first secure communication channel;

(d) providing authentication information regarding the vehicle telematics unit to the wireless access point, wherein the information is provided by the call center over a second secure communication channel established between the call center and the vehicle dealership or the vehicle repair facility, and;

(e) utilizing both the authentication information regarding the vehicle telematics unit and that regarding the wireless access point to establish a third secure communication channel between the vehicle telematics unit and the wireless access point.