Use of internet web technology to register wireless access customers

• US 8,117,291 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2000
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wireless Technology Solutions LLC
• Inventors: Jones, William John, Bowring, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): TODD, GREGORY G
• Application Number:
  US09/626,699
• Time in Patent Office: 4,219 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/222, 709/225, 709/227, 709/228, 370/335, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455/418, 455/419
• US Class Current: 709/222
• 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 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/75 Temporary identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

Internet web technology is used to register wireless access customers without the need of a programmable smart card or SIM (subscriber identity module) or a fixed line wired connection by providing an anonymous session connection between a special registration web server and the user equipment.

Claims

1. A method for a registration server of a wireless network comprising a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network, the method comprising:

establishing an anonymous communication session between a user equipment UE and the registration server via the UMTS access network, in response to authentication by an authentication server of a temporary ID and a temporary password identifying the UE as unregistered, wherein the anonymous communication session uses a tunneling communications protocol;

transmitting to the UE, via the anonymous communication session with the UE, a reply message comprising a request for registration information;

receiving, from the UE, in response to the request for registration information, a permanent ID and a permanent password; and

completing registration for the user equipment (UE) for subsequent access to the Internet through the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network using the permanent ID and permanent password.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the requested registration information further comprises indicia of a preferred service provider, and

receiving, from the UE, in response to the request for registration information, includes receiving the indicia of a preferred service provider from the user equipment.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the requested registration information further comprises indicia of a requested type of service, and

receiving includes receiving the indicia of a requested type of service from the user equipment.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein

the requested registration information further comprises a preferred user name.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein

the reply message further comprises at least one protocol filter to restrict an access to the wireless network by the user equipment.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein

the reply message further comprises at least one designation for an Internet service provider that the user equipment may access via the wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein

the reply message further comprises registration web page information.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein

the reply message further comprises at least one registration software program for execution by the user equipment.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio access network comprises a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), a tunneling protocol access concentrator, a Radio Network Controller (RNC), and a RADIUS client.

10. A method for a user equipment (UE) for registering with a registration server of a wireless network comprising a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network, comprising:

the UE transmitting a temporary ID and a temporary password identifying the UE as unregistered, for authentication by an authentication server;

receiving, at the UE, via an anonymous communication session between the UE and the registration server via the UMTS access network, a reply message comprising a request for registration information, the requested registration information comprising a permanent ID and a permanent password, wherein the anonymous communication session is established using a tunneling communications protocol with the UMTS access network;

transmitting, from the UE, the requested registration information via the anonymous communication session with the registration server; and

completing registration for subsequent access to the Internet through the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network using the permanent ID and permanent password.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein

the requested registration information further comprises indicia of a preferred service provider.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein

the requested registration information further comprises indicia of a requested type of service.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein

the requested registration information further comprises a preferred user name.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein

the reply message further comprises at least one protocol filter to restrict an access to the wireless network by the user equipment.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein

the reply message further comprises at least one Internet service provider designation to which the user equipment has access via the wireless network.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein

the reply message further comprises registration web page information.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein

the reply message further comprises at least one registration software program for execution by the user equipment.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions operable for a registration server of a wireless network comprising a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network, the instructions for:

establishing an anonymous communication session between a user equipment UE and the registration server via the UMTS access network, in response to authentication by an authentication server of a temporary ID and a temporary password identifying the UE as unregistered, wherein the anonymous communication session uses a tunneling communications protocol;

transmitting to the UE, via the anonymous communication session with the UE, a reply message comprising a request for registration information;

receiving, from the UE, in response to the request for registration information, a permanent ID and a permanent password; and

completing registration for the user equipment (UE) for subsequent access to the Internet through the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network using the permanent ID and permanent password.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for a user equipment (UE) to register with a registration server of a wireless network comprising a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network, the instructions for:

the UE transmitting a temporary ID and a temporary password identifying the UE as unregistered for authentication by an authentication server;

receiving, at the UE, via an anonymous communication session between the UE and the registration server via the UMTS access network, a reply message comprising a request for registration information, the requested registration information comprising a permanent ID and a permanent password, wherein the anonymous communication session is established using a tunneling communications protocol with the radio access network and the core network;

transmitting, from the (UE), the requested registration information via the anonymous communication session with the registration server; and

completing registration for subsequent access to the Internet through the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network using the permanent ID and permanent password.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions operable for an Integrated Network Controller (INC) for registering a User Equipment (UE) with a registration server of a wireless network comprising a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network, the instructions for:

transmitting a temporary ID and a temporary password from the UE to the registration server;

obtaining authentication, from an authentication server, of the temporary ID and the temporary password for identifying the UE as unregistered;

establishing an anonymous communication session, using a tunneling communications protocol, between the UE and the registration server in response to the authentication from the authentication server;

relaying to the UE, via the anonymous communication session, a reply message comprising a request for registration information from the registration server;

relaying to the registration server, a permanent ID and a permanent password from the UE in response to the request for registration information; and

completing registration for the user equipment (UE) for subsequent access to the Internet through the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network using the permanent ID and permanent password.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the INC comprises a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), a tunneling protocol access concentrator, a Radio Network Controller (RNC), and a RADIUS client.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the anonymous communication session is a Layer 2 protocol link.

23. A user equipment (UE) configured and arranged to register with a registration server of a wireless network comprising a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network, the user equipment (UE) configured and arranged to:

transmit a temporary ID and a temporary password identifying the UE as unregistered, for authentication by an authentication server;

receive, at the UE, via an anonymous communication session between the UE and the registration server via the UMTS access network, a reply message comprising a request for registration information, the requested registration information comprising a permanent ID and a permanent password, wherein the anonymous communication session is established using a tunneling communications protocol with the UMTS access network;

transmit, from the UE, the requested registration information via the anonymous communication session with the registration server; and

completing registration for subsequent access to the Internet through the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) access network using the permanent ID and permanent password.