Universal device ID registry, back-end, and self-verification architecture

• US 7,937,751 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wivity, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kantan, Inc.
• Inventors: Tom, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Pearson, David J
• Application Number:
  US11/920,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20090132746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,810 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/9
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Modular devices consist of a user-interface shell and a detachable communication cartridge. The shell and cartridge both contain unique serial numbers, user-defined passwords, and secret authentication keys, which can be communicated to cartridges and shells, and to a network. A universal wireless device registry system stores serial numbers of integrated devices, device shells, and device cartridges, and other characteristics associated with devices such as secret keys, passwords, screen size, operating system, service usage, and supply chain information. This registry system is able to track communication devices all around the world and is connected to and shares information with computer servers controlled by service providers, manufacturers, and supply chain companies. When shells and cartridges communicate their numbers to the registry system, the registry system can authenticate shells and cartridges. Service providers can also track and control shells and cartridges (as well as devices) based on information from the registry system. Market research can be done using the information associated with each device on the registry system.

Claims

1. A device shell comprising:

a detachable interface to a cartridge that contains communication components, at least one of which is selected from the set of a baseband or Radio-Frequency (RF) section for connection to at least one communication network, the cartridge storing a cartridge number that uniquely identifies the cartridge and conforms to a cartridge code registry numbering scheme, wherein the cartridge number is also stored in a cartridge identification database accessible through the at least one communication network;

a shell antenna for wireless communication using the communication components in the cartridge;

a coupling within the detachable interface for connection to an antenna connector in the cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a cartridge antenna for wireless communication using the communication components in the cartridge, and an antenna switch to select either one of the shell antenna or cartridge antenna when the cartridge is coupled to the shell;

memory storing a shell number comprising a unique serial number that identifies the device shell and conforms to a shell code registry numbering scheme, wherein the shell number is also stored in a database record as part of a shell identification database accessible through the at least one communication network, the database record also storing device characteristics and usage information of the device shell corresponding to the respective shell number and including information regarding communication using the communication components through either the shell antenna or cartridge antenna, wherein the shell identification database stores information relating to manufacturing, distribution, operation, and continuing usage of the device shell, and wherein the information is used for validation of the cartridge and device shell combination; and

a processor that obtains the shell number from the memory and the cartridge number from the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the device shell through the detachable interface, and transmits the shell number and cartridge number to a validation server that validates operation of the inserted cartridge with the device shell for communication over the at least one communication network.

2. The shell of claim 1 wherein the detachable interface is at least one electro-mechanical connector.

3. The shell of claim 1 wherein the detachable interface is at least one short-range wireless link.

4. The shell of claim 1 wherein the at least one communication network is a wireless network.

5. The shell of claim 1 wherein the shell communicates the shell number to the communication network using the communication components of the cartridge to allow an operator of the communication network to determine the characteristics of the shell and optimize any provided services for the shell.

6. The shell of claim 1 further including casing to enclose the processor and system software.

7. The shell of claim 1 wherein the shell further includes a secret key authentication number.

8. The shell of claim 1 wherein the shell further contains at least one changeable password, wherein said password is also stored on a computer connected to said at least one communication network.

9. The shell of claim 1 wherein the shell has a means to receive at least one validation number from the cartridge, validate said at least one validation number, and limit operation based on the value of the at least one validation number.

10. The shell of claim 9 wherein the means to validate said validation number consists of communicating the validation number to a validation server connected to the at least one communication network.

11. The device shell of claim 1 wherein the device characteristics stored in the database record comprise information selected from the group consisting of:

screen size, form factor, service provider, operating system, keypad, and location.

12. The device shell of claim 1 wherein the usage information stored in the database record comprise information selected from the group consisting of:

network registration statistics and usage statistics.

13. The device shell of claim 12 wherein the usage information stored in the database record comprises accumulated usage information, and wherein the database record is modified as usage of the device changes.

14. The device shell of claim 13 wherein the usage information is accessible to a network operator of the communication network to facilitate provision of customized services or software updates to the device based on the accumulated usage information.

15. The device shell of claim 1 wherein the cartridge number is stored in a separate database record as part of the cartridge identification database system on the computer, the separate database record also storing device and usage characteristics of the respective cartridge inserted in the device shell.

16. The device shell of claim 1 further comprising a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) for placement of a SIM card in the device shell.

17. A wireless cartridge comprising:

communication components, at least one of which comes from the set of baseband and RF section, for connection to at least one communication network;

memory storing a cartridge number that uniquely identifies the cartridge and conforms to a cartridge code registry numbering scheme, wherein the cartridge number is also stored in a cartridge identification database accessible through the at least one communication network;

a detachable interface for connection to a device shell, the device shell having a shell antenna for wireless communication using the communication components in the cartridge, and storing a shell number comprising a unique serial number that uniquely identifies the device shell and conforms to a shell code registry numbering scheme, wherein the shell number is also stored in a database record as part of a shell identification database accessible through the at least one communication network, wherein the shell identification database stores information relating to manufacturing, distribution, operation, and continuing usage of the device shell, and wherein the information is used for validation of the cartridge and device shell combination;

a cartridge antenna for wireless communication using the communication components in the cartridge;

an antenna switch to select either one of the shell antenna or cartridge antenna when the cartridge is coupled to the shell;

a means to receive the shell number from the device shell, and;

a means to transfer the shell number and the cartridge number to a validation server that validates operation of the cartridge with the device shell for communication over the at least one communication network.

18. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the detachable interface is at least one electro-mechanical connector.

19. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the detachable interface is at least one short-range wireless link.

20. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the at least one communication network is a wireless network.

21. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the cartridge number is stored in a separate database record as part of a cartridge identification database system on the computer, the separate database record also storing device and usage characteristics of the respective cartridge inserted in the device shell.

22. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the cartridge further includes at least one changeable password, wherein said password is also stored on a computer connected to said at least one communication network.

23. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein the cartridge has further means to receive at least one validation number from the shell, validate said at least one validation number, and limit operation based on the value of the at least one validation number.

24. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein the means to validate said validation number includes communicating the validation number to a validation server connected to the at least one communication network.

25. The wireless cartridge of claim 17 further comprising a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) for placement of a SIM card in the wireless cartridge.

26. A modular communication device comprising:

a communication cartridge with communication components, at least one of which comes from the set of baseband and RF section, for connection to at least one communication network, a cartridge antenna for wireless communication using the communication components, an antenna switch for selecting between the cartridge antenna and a shell antenna, the cartridge storing a cartridge number that uniquely identifies the cartridge and conforms to a cartridge code registry numbering scheme, wherein the cartridge number is also stored in a cartridge identification database accessible through the at least one communication network;

a device shell with non-communication components, the device shell having the shell antenna for wireless communication using the communication components of the cartridge, storing a shell number comprising a serial number that uniquely identifies the device shell and conforms to a shell code registry numbering scheme, wherein the shell number is also stored in a database record as part of a shell identification database accessible over the at least one communication network, wherein the shell identification database stores information relating to manufacturing, distribution, operation, and continuing usage of the device shell;

a detachable interface that connects the shell and cartridge;

cartridge validation means to allow the shell to validate the cartridge number when the cartridge is connected to the shell through the detachable interface; and

shell validation means to allow the cartridge to validate the shell number when the cartridge is connected to the shell through the detachable interface, and wherein the shell number and cartridge number are transmitted to the communication network using the communication components of the cartridge to allow an operator of the communication network to determine the characteristics of the shell and cartridge as indexed through the shell identification database and cartridge identification database to validate operation of the shell and cartridge combination.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein the detachable interface is at least one electro-mechanical connector.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein the detachable interface is at least one short-range wireless link.

29. The device of claim 26 wherein the at least one communication network is a wireless network.

30. The device of claim 26 wherein the shell has means to communicate the serial number to the cartridge.

31. The device of claim 26 wherein the device further contains a secret key authentication number.

32. The device of claim 26 wherein the device further contains at least one changeable password, wherein said password is also stored on a computer connected to said at least one communication network.

33. The device of claim 26 wherein the shell validation means includes means to receive at least one validation number from the cartridge, validate said at least one validation number, and limit operation based on the value of the at least one validation number.

34. The device of claim 33 wherein the validation number consists of communicating the validation number to a validation server connected to the at least one communication network.

35. The device of claim 26 wherein the cartridge has a means to receive at least one validation number from the shell, validate said at least one validation number, and limit operation based on the value of the at least one validation number.

36. The device of claim 35 wherein the means to validate said validation number consists of communicating the validation number to a validation server connected to the at least one communication network.

37. A device serial number registry system comprising:

means for storing a cartridge number for a communication cartridge with communication components, at least one of which is selected from a baseband or RF section, for connection to at least one communication network, a cartridge antenna for wireless communication using the communication components, an antenna switch for selecting between the cartridge antenna and a shell antenna, wherein the cartridge number uniquely identifies the cartridge and conforms to a cartridge code registry numbering scheme;

means for storing a shell number for a device shell with non-communication components, the device shell having the shell antenna for wireless communication using the communication components of the cartridge, the shell number comprising a serial number that uniquely identifies the device shell and conforms to a shell code registry numbering scheme,

wherein the shell number is stored in a database record as part of a shell identification database and the cartridge number is stored in another database record as part of a cartridge identification database, wherein the shell and cartridge identification databases store information relating to manufacturing, distribution, and continuing usage information for the respective shell and cartridge;

means to receive the shell number and cartridge number as transmitted to the communication network using the communication components of the cartridge; and

means to validate operation of the combined shell and cartridge combination through use of the information stored in the shell and cartridge identification databases as indexed through the shell and cartridge numbers.

38. The device serial number registry system of claim 37 wherein said server also stores at least one cartridge number that is embedded in a cartridge with communication components, at least one of which comes from the set of protocol stack software, baseband, and RF section, for connection to at least one communication network.

39. The registry system of claim 38 wherein the at least one cartridge number is a MAC address, ESN number, or IMEI number.

40. The device serial number registry system of claim 37 wherein the device characteristics stored in the database record comprise information selected from the group consisting of:

screen size, form factor, service provider, operating system, keypad, and location.

41. The registry system of claim 40 wherein the usage information stored in the database record comprise information selected from the group consisting of:

network registration statistics and usage statistics.

42. The registry system of claim 40 wherein the at least one computer-based server has a means to receive a number from a shell and authenticate said shell based on the device characteristics associated with the number.

43. The registry system of claim 40 wherein one of the characteristics is a secret key.

44. The registry system of claim 43 wherein the at least one computer-based server has a means to receive a response key from a shell and authenticate said shell based on comparing the response key to a derivation of the secret key.

45. The registry system of claim 37 wherein the shell number is a MAC address, ESN number, or IMEI number.

46. The registry system of claim 37 wherein the at least one computer-based server has a means to receive a number from a shell and authenticate said shell based on the number.

47. The registry system of claim 38 wherein the at least one computer-based server has a means to receive a number from a cartridge and authenticate said cartridge based on the number.

48. A computer-implemented method of creating a device serial number registry system, comprising:

retrieving from a shell memory, a shell number conforming to a shell code registry numbering scheme and uniquely identifying a shell detachably coupled to a cartridge, the shell having non-communication components and a shell antenna for wireless communication using the communication components of the cartridge, the cartridge containing communication components for connection at least one communication network, the cartridge storing a cartridge number uniquely identifying the cartridge and conforming to a cartridge code registry numbering scheme, the cartridge further having a cartridge antenna for wireless communication using the communication components and an antenna switch for selecting between the cartridge antenna and a shell antenna;

storing, in a shell identification database, the shell number coded in a database record that also stores device characteristic and usage information for the shell;

storing, in a cartridge identification database, the cartridge number coded in another database record; and

allowing access by an operator of a validation server to the shell number and cartridge number to determine the compatibility of the shell and cartridge as indexed through the shell identification database and cartridge database.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein such computers systems are controlled by device manufacturers.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein such computers systems are controlled by service providers.

51. The method of claim 48 wherein such computers systems are controlled by supply chain companies.

52. The method of claim 48 further including the step of obtaining market research data based on the characteristics.