Mobile communication terminal device and server device

• US 7,639,816 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakagomi, Hisashi, Takami, Tadao
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kimyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAN, PEILIANG
• Application Number:
  US10/098,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20020172365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,843 Days
• Field of Search: 380/270, 380/200, 380/201, 380/255, 380/277, 713/200, 713/201, 713/1, 713/2, 713/188, 713/194, 713/166, 176/2, 726/2, 726/14
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/67 Risk-dependent, e.g. selecting a security level depending on risk profiles

Abstract

The mobile communication terminal device has a security communication function, and includes a detection unit for detecting the security level of the destination of connection, and an announcing unit for announcing the detected security level. The user is able to confirm whether security is ensured at the connectee.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal device configured to perform encrypted communication with a communication system over a wireless connection, comprising:

a detection unit configured to establish a communication activation procedure with the communication system, and configured to detect a security level that is used during the communication activation procedure with the communication system;

an announcing unit configured to inform a user of the mobile communication terminal device about a strength of encryption of the detected security level from the communication activation procedure;

a user interface operable by the user, configured to allow the user accept an incoming communication from the communication system, or is configured to allow the user to terminate the communication with the communication system, based on the detected security level;

a data security setting unit allowing the user to set and store a reference security level for the mobile communication terminal device; and

a comparison unit configured to compare the reference security level with the detected security level, and to either establish a communication with the communication system or accept an incoming communication from the communication system, if the reference security level is met,

wherein the announcing unit is further configured to inform the user during the communication that has been established by said comparison unit that an actual security level of the communication has dropped below the reference security level.

2. The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a data security setting unit allowing the user to set and store a threshold security level for the mobile communication terminal device; and

a comparison unit configured to compare the threshold security level with the detected security level, and to deny a communication with the communication system, if the threshold security level is not met.

3. The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1,

wherein the announcing unit is further configured to request the user whether the communication should be established or terminated, if the reference security level is not met.

4. The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1,

wherein said wireless connection includes a connection over more than one network to a base station, and

wherein the detection unit is further configured to detect a security level of an entire path from the mobile communication terminal device to the base station over the more than one network.

9. The mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1,

wherein the announcing unit is further configured to request the user whether the communication that has been established by said comparison unit should be terminated, after it has been determined that the actual security level of the communication has dropped below the reference security level.

5. A method of encrypted communication between a mobile communication terminal device and a communication system over a wireless connection, the method comprising:

establishing a communication activation procedure with the communication system by the terminal device;

detecting at the terminal device a security level that is used during the communication activation procedure with the communication system;

informing a user of the terminal device about a strength of encryption of the detected security level from the communication activation procedure;

operating a user interface of the terminal device by a user to accept an incoming communication from the communication system, or to terminate the communication with the communication system, based on the detected security level;

setting and storing at the terminal device a reference security level for the terminal device;

comparing the reference security level with the detected security level at the terminal device;

establishing a communication with the communication system or accepting an incoming communication from the communication system, if the reference security level is met based on said comparing; and

informing the user of the terminal device during the communication that has been established by said step of establishing that an actual security level of the communication has dropped below the reference security level.

6. The method of encrypted communication according to claim 5, further comprising:

setting and storing at the terminal device a threshold security level for the mobile communication terminal device;

comparing the threshold security level with the detected security level at the terminal device; and

denying a communication with the communication system, if the threshold security level is not met based on said comparing.

7. The method of encrypted communication according to claim 5, further comprising:

requesting the user of the terminal device whether the communication should be established or terminated, if the reference security level is not met.

8. The method of encrypted communication according to claim 5, wherein said wireless connection includes a connection over more than one network to a base station, said method further comprising:

detecting a security level of an entire path from the terminal device to the base station over the more than one network.

10. The method of encrypted communication according to claim 5, further comprising:

requesting the user of the terminal device whether the communication that has been established by said step of establishing should be terminated, after said step of informing has informed the user that the actual security level of the communication has dropped below the reference security level.