Ad hoc networking of terminals aided by a cellular network

• US 7,573,904 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Pichna, Roman, Mustonen, Kai, Lahetkangas, Keijo
• Primary Examiner(s): Mills; Donald L
• Application Number:
  US11/036,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20050152396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,670 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, comprising:

sending an identifier of a first terminal to a cellular network;

sending a request to the cellular network for communication link information for establishing a communication link between the first terminal and a second terminal in an ad hoc network, wherein the first terminal includes a first interface configured to communicate with the cellular network and the first and second terminals include a second interface configured to communicate over the ad hoc network;

receiving the communication link information from the cellular network on the basis of the identifier of first terminal; and

establishing a communication link in an ad hoc manner over the second interface directly between the first terminal and the second terminal on the basis of the received communication link information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the communication link with the second terminal further comprises utilizing security and authentication information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the security and authentication information is received from the cellular network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein establishing the communication link further comprises establishing an ad hoc link.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular network interface configured to communicate with a cellular network;

an ad hoc interface configured to communicate with an ad hoc network; and

a processor configured to;

send an identifier of the apparatus to the cellular network;

send a request to the cellular network for communication link information for establishing a communication link between the apparatus and another terminal in the ad hoc network;

receive the communication link information from the cellular network on the basis of the identifier of the apparatus; and

establish the communication link in an ad hoc manner over the ad hoc interface directly between the terminal and the another terminal on the basis of the received communication link information.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to utilize security and authentication information received from the cellular network to establish the communication link.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cellular network interface is configured to make a direct communication link or an indirect communication link with the cellular network.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cellular network is configured to provide route information to the terminal with the optimized answer in response to a request for assistance from the terminal.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the identifier may be selected from a group including a user name, a user address, an international mobile station identity code, an integrated services digital networks telephone number and an network access identifier.

7. A computer program product embodied within on a computer-readable storage medium configured to control a processor to perform:

sending an identifier of a first terminal to a cellular network;

sending a request to the cellular network for communication link information for establishing a communication link between the first terminal and a second terminal in an ad hoc network, wherein the first terminals includes a first interface configured to communicate with the cellular network and the first and second terminals include a second interface configured to communicate over the ad hoc network;

receiving communication link information from the cellular network on the basis of the identifier of the first terminal; and

establishing a communication link in an ad hoc manner over the second interface directly between the first terminal and the second terminal on the basis of the received communication link information.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a cellular network interface configured to communicate with a cellular network;

an ad hoc interface configured to communicate with an ad hoc network; and

a processor means for;

sending an identifier of the apparatus to the cellular network;

sending a request to the cellular network for communication link information for establishing a communication link between the apparatus and another terminal in the ad hoc network;

receiving the communication link information from the cellular network on the basis of the identifier of the apparatus; and

establishing the communication link in an ad hoc manner over the ad hoc interface directly between the terminal and the another terminal on the basis of the received communication link information.