Method of testing the availability of a connection to a home authentication server prior to associating with a WLAN access point

• US 7,903,567 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: McCann, Stephen, Hepworth, Eleanor, Hancock, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Mills; Donald L
• Application Number:
  US11/662,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20080259881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,008 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/243
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks

Abstract

A method of determining availability of a connection between a wireless local area network and a home network of a mobile user device prior to initiating connection or authentication comprises selecting a network device; and sending a probe signaling message comprising a user device to the selected network device. The network device uses this home identifier data to formulate a signaling message that it sends towards the appropriate home network to contract a home authentication server. An indication to the user device of the result of the attempt is returned.

Claims

1. A method of determining availability of a network connection between a public wireless local area network and a home network of a mobile user device, the method comprising:

sending a signaling message in parallel from the user device to a plurality of network devices, each network device being associated with a public wireless local area network, the signaling message including a home identifier that identifies the home network of the user device;

formulating a protocol signaling message at each network device using the home identifier;

for each protocol signaling message, attempting to send the protocol signaling message from the network device to the home network to test availability of a relationship between the network device and the home network; and

if a network connection is available between the public wireless local area network and the home network, returning an indication of availability to the user device, the indication of availability being returned before the user device attempts to initiate or authenticate the connection.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the home identifier contains information regarding at least one of a home realm of a user device, with which the user expects to authenticate;

and a home user subscription.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein service information is provided with the indication of availability.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein each network device is a base station or an access point.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the access point is a public wireless local area network hotspot.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the message is an authentication, authorization and accounting protocol signaling message.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the home identifier comprises a network access identifier.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the user device comprises one of a laptop, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant and a multimedia entertainment terminal.

9. A method according to claim 2, wherein service information is provided with the indication of availability.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein each network device is a base station or an access point.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the access point is a public wireless local area network hotspot.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the message is an authentication, authorization and accounting protocol signaling message.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the home identifier comprises a network access identifier.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the user device comprises one of a laptop, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant and a multimedia entertainment terminal.