Dynamic dual-mode service access control, location-based billing, and E911 mechanisms

• US 7,864,673 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wantage Technologies LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bonner, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah; Chirag G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reddivalam; Srinivasa R
• Application Number:
  US11/159,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,021 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230, 370/310, 455/67.11, 455/423
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Architecture that facilitates the validation and authentication of the physical location of the dual-mode handset in a VoWLAN solution (e.g., UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access)) system and a cellular wireless service, thereby restricting the handset from gaining access from unauthorized locations. Thus, access to dual-mode service (e.g., UMA), for example, at a particular location (e.g., in a subscriber'"'"'s home, or in a hot spot that is controlled by carrier) can now be managed to allow or deny service at a certain location. Another aspect of the invention is the capability to perform location-based billing. For example, if the subscriber is at home, the call may be free. Alternatively, if the subscriber is at a remote location (e.g., a retail establishment), it is now possible to charge for that connection at a different fee. Additionally, a location can now be assigned; for example, to assign a location for E911 compliance.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates control of network access, comprising:

an unlicensed wireless network that facilitates communications between a client and a radio network, wherein the unlicensed wireless network includes a first broadband endpoint having a unique broadband endpoint internet protocol (IP) address and associated physical location data, the physical location data identifies a geographic location of the first broadband endpoint and is utilized to control DMS (dual mode services) access, facilitate dynamic location billing and E911 (emergency

     911) location determination;

an access component of the radio network that controls access to the radio network by the client based on physical location information received from the client, the physical location information of the client is determined from the physical location data associated with the first broadband endpoint via which the client is accessing the unlicensed wireless network;

the access component further includes;

a DMS authorization database (DAD) that facilitates authorization of the client to the radio network, the DAD includes information for a second broadband endpoint identified as a home broadband endpoint, wherein the information includes a broadband endpoint IP address; and

a presence server that receives presence messages from a presence user agent and updates a corresponding subscriber record in the DAD, the presence messages include an IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) number, a broadband endpoint IP address, and location data;

wherein, access of the client to the radio network is based upon comparing information associated with the first broadband endpoint via which the client is attempting to access the unlicensed wireless network with a list of approved broadband endpoints stored in the subscriber record; and

a billing component that facilitates billing based on the IP address of the first broadband endpoint, a different rate is billed if the client accesses the unlicensed wireless network from the home broadband endpoint compared with if the client accesses from a non-home broadband endpoint.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the client is a dual-mode UMA (unlicensed mobile access) mobile handset.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the unlicensed wireless network is a broadband IP network.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the broadband IP network is a digital subscriber line (DSL) technology.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the broadband IP network is at least one of a cable television IP network, a satellite network, and a WiMax network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio network is a GSM (global system for mobile telecommunications) network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the radio network is a GPRS (general packet radio services) network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the unlicensed wireless network is associated with one or more unique IP addresses of the geographic location.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the access component includes a residential broadband gateway that uses a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) protocol to access the radio network.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the unlicensed wireless network includes a broadband endpoint associated with physical location data, and the physical location data is utilized to control DMS access, facilitate dynamic location billing and E911 location determination.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the client resides in a dual mode handset.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the DAD resides in at least one of an HLR (home location register), HSS (home subscriber server), authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server, and a carrier-specific database.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the DAD comprises a record format that includes IMSI data, a broadband endpoint IP address, broadband identity data, and location data.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the DAD comprises a record format that includes at least one of IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) data, a broadband endpoint IP address, a location billing code, broadband identity data, and location address, and location geographic coordinates data.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the access component provides correlation of the first broadband endpoint or the second broadband endpoint and their respective broadband endpoint IP address with the IMSI number.

16. The system of claim 1, the rate billed for the home broadband endpoint is free of charge.

17. The system of claim 1, the rate billed for the first broadband endpoint not identified as the home broadband endpoint is greater than zero.

18. A system that facilitates management of network access, comprising:

an unlicensed wireless network that includes a broadband endpoint which facilitates communications between a handset and a broadband network, the broadband endpoint includes associated physical location data, the physical location data identifies a geographic location of the broadband endpoint and is utilized to control DMS (dual mode services) access, facilitate dynamic location billing and E911 (emergency

     911) location determination;

a RADIUS (remote authentication dial-in user service) server, including a plurality of internet protocol (IP) addresses, assigns a unique IP address to the broadband endpoint;

a DMS (dual mode services) authorization database (DAD) that facilitates authorization of the handset to the broadband network;

a presence component that processes presence information;

wherein the presence component includes a presence server that receives presence messages from a presence user agent and updates a subscriber record, the presence messages include an IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) number, a broadband endpoint IP address, and physical location data; and

a network controller component that facilitates validation of the broadband endpoint by comparing the IP address associated with the broadband endpoint via which the handset is attempting to access the broadband network with a list of IP addresses for access approved broadband endpoints stored in the DAD subscriber record.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the broadband endpoint is a broadband modem.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the DMS authorization database is an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) database.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the unlicensed network is one of WiFi or Bluetooth.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the presence component includes a presence user agent that notifies a radio network of one or more physical attributes of the broadband endpoint.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more physical attributes include at least one of broadband identity data, broadband endpoint IP address data, and physical location data.

24. The system of claim 18, further comprising a database that associates the broadband endpoint identity and the broadband endpoint IP address with the IMSI number.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the network controller component queries a subscriber database to validate the broadband endpoint during a registration procedure.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the handset is a UMA (unlicensed mobile access) handset.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the geographic location of the broadband endpoint is utilized to control DMS access to the network, provide dynamic location-based billing, and provide a location of the handset in accordance with E911 requirements.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the handset includes an analog terminal adapter (ATA).

29. The system of claim 28, wherein a second ATA interfaces to the handset and is external to the handset.