Methods and apparatus to authenticate requests for network capabilities for connecting to an access network

• US 8,467,359 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: McCann, Stephen, Montemurro, Michael, Steer, David, Kennedy, Richard Howard, Dwyer, Johanna Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, CLEMENCE S
• Application Number:
  US12/779,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20110280180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/004 in the uplink, i.e. towards network
• 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

Example methods and apparatus to authenticate requests for network capabilities for connecting to an access network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a request at a first access network. The request requests network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network. The example method also involves encapsulating the request in an authentication frame. The authentication frame indicates the request as a white space protocol frame. The authentication frame is sent to a database addressed in the request.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a request at a first access network, the request requesting network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network;

encapsulating the request in an authentication frame, the authentication frame indicating the request as a white space protocol frame; and

sending the authentication frame to a database addressed in the request.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the request is received from the wireless terminal while the wireless terminal is in a non-associated state relative to the first access network.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the database is in an external network separate from the first access network.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first access network is a first network type different from a second network type of the second access network.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising sending a response from the database to the wireless terminal via the first access network, the response including the network connectivity information for connecting the wireless terminal to the second access network.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication frame is a Remote Authentication Dial In User Services (RADIUS) frame or a Diameter service frame.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first access network is one of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, or a white space network, and wherein the second access network is a white space network.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor configured to at least;

receive a request at a first access network, the request requesting network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network;

encapsulate the request in an authentication frame, the authentication frame indicating the request as a white space protocol frame; and

send the authentication frame to a database addressed in the request.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to receive the request from the wireless terminal while the wireless terminal is in a non-associated state relative to the first access network.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the database is in an external network separate from the first access network.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first access network is a first network type different from a second network type of the second access network.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to send a response from the database to the wireless terminal via the first access network, the response including the network connectivity information for connecting the wireless terminal to the second access network.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the authentication frame is a Remote Authentication Dial In User Services (RADIUS) frame or a Diameter service frame.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first access network is one of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, or a white space network, and wherein the second access network is a white space network.

15. A tangible machine readable storage device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

receive a request at a first access network, the request requesting network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network;

encapsulate the request in an authentication frame, the authentication frame indicating the request as a white space protocol frame; and

send the authentication frame to a database addressed in the request.

16. A machine readable device as defined in claim 15, wherein the request is received from the wireless terminal while the wireless terminal is in a non-associated state relative to the first access network.

17. A machine readable device as defined in claim 15, wherein the database is in an external network separate from the first access network.

18. A machine readable device as defined in claim 15, wherein the first access network is a first network type different from a second network type of the second access network.

19. A machine readable device as defined in claim 15 having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a machine to send a response from the database to the wireless terminal via the first access network, the response including the network connectivity information for connecting the wireless terminal to the second access network.

20. A machine readable device as defined in claim 15, wherein the authentication frame is a Remote Authentication Dial In User Services (RADIUS) frame or a Diameter service frame.

21. A machine readable device as defined in claim 15, wherein the first access network is one of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, or a white space network, and wherein the second access network is a white space network.