Method and apparatus for authenticating service to a wireless communications device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for operating a communications device capable of communicating with a cellular communications service provider and a wireless computer network service provider, the method comprising:
- receiving an indication of potential interfacing of the communications device with a wireless hotspot, wherein the wireless hotspot comprises an interface through which the communications device is configured to communicate with a computer network, wherein the interface is facilitated by a wireless computer network service provider;
sending a request over a cellular communications network to the cellular communications service provider for verifying the trustworthiness of the provider of the wireless computer network service that provides the interface to the computer network; and
on successful verification of the provider of the wireless computer network service, receiving a confirmation over the cellular communications network that the provider of the wireless computer network service is authenticated by the cellular communications service provider.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cellular communications service provider authenticates a provider of a location-dependent service, such as a wireless hotspot. Once the cellular communications service provider is aware of potential use of the service by the user, it authenticates the service provider and provides an authentication to the user. Users can thus avoid untrustworthy providers of local services.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for operating a communications device capable of communicating with a cellular communications service provider and a wireless computer network service provider, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication of potential interfacing of the communications device with a wireless hotspot, wherein the wireless hotspot comprises an interface through which the communications device is configured to communicate with a computer network, wherein the interface is facilitated by a wireless computer network service provider; sending a request over a cellular communications network to the cellular communications service provider for verifying the trustworthiness of the provider of the wireless computer network service that provides the interface to the computer network; and on successful verification of the provider of the wireless computer network service, receiving a confirmation over the cellular communications network that the provider of the wireless computer network service is authenticated by the cellular communications service provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer system for a cellular telecommunications provider, comprising a processor arranged for:
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receiving an indication of potential use of a specified wireless hotspot of computer network services from a user of a communications device, the communications device configured to communicate with the cellular telecommunications provider and at least one wireless computer network; receiving a request for authentication of at least one provider of the computer network services at the specified wireless hotspot from the communications device; identifying wireless computer network services available at the specified wireless hotspot; authenticating the at least one provider of the wireless computer network services available at the specified wireless hotspot responsive to the request from the communications device; and preparing authentication information for use by the communications device in communicating with the at least one wireless computer network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer-readable program code thereon, the computer-readable program code being arranged to cause a computer system of a cellular communications provider to:
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receive an indication of potential use of a specified wireless hotspot of wireless computer network services from a user of a communications device, the communications device being capable of communicating with the cellular telecommunications provider and at least one wireless computer network service provider; receive a request from the communications device for authentication of at least one provider of the computer network services at the specified wireless hotspot; identify wireless computer network services available at the specified wireless hotspot; authenticate the at least one provider of the wireless computer network services available at the specified wireless hotspot responsive to the request from the communications device; and prepare authentication information for provision to the communications device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for operating a cellular telecommunications provider to authorize a wireless communications device to interface with a location-dependent wireless computer network service, the method comprising:
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tracking the location of the wireless communications device; determining that the wireless communications device is within a vicinity of and outside of an operating range of the location-dependent wireless computer network service; authenticating a provider of the location-dependent wireless computer network service, wherein the provider of the location-dependent wireless computer network service facilitates interfacing of the wireless communications device to a computer network; and providing an identification of the authenticated provider of the location-dependent wireless computer network service to the wireless communications device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification