Method and apparatus for network personalization of subscriber devices

• US 8,473,002 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2011
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Escott, Adrian Edward, Palanigounder, Anand, Rosenberg, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MIZRAHI, DIANE D
• Application Number:
  US13/091,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20110263225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/411, 455/450, 455/456.2, 375/222, 375/260, 709/223
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for a subsidizing service provider entity to personalize a subscriber device to ensure the subscriber device cannot be used in a network of a different service provider entity. As the service provider entity subsidizes the subscriber device, it desires to ensure that subscriber device is personalized such that the subscriber device may operate only in its network and not a network of a different service provider entity. The subscriber device is pre-configured with a plurality of provider-specific and/or unassociated root certificates by the manufacturer of the subscriber device. A communication service is established between the service provider entity and the subscriber device allowing for the mutual authentication of the subscriber device and the service provider entity. After mutual authentication, the service provider entity sends a command to the subscriber device to disable/delete some/all root certificates that are unassociated with the service provider entity.

Claims

1. A subscriber device, comprising:

a memory device;

a network communication interface coupled to the memory device, the network communication interface for providing connectivity to a service provider entity; and

a processing circuit coupled to the memory device and the network communication interface, the processing circuit configured to;

establish a communication service with the service provider entity;

receive a command from the service provider entity to disqualify specified root certificates stored in the subscriber device, the specified root certificates unassociated with the service provider entity; and

disqualify the specified root certificates.

2. The subscriber device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:

authenticate the subscriber device with the service provider entity; and

authenticate the service provider entity with the subscriber device.

3. The subscriber device of claim 2, wherein the service provider entity is authenticated using a root certificate from among a plurality of pre-configured root certificates in the subscriber device.

4. The subscriber device of claim 1, wherein disqualifying the specified root certificates disables the specified root certificates.

5. The subscriber device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:

receive a second command from the service provider entity to enable the specified root certificates previously disabled.

6. The subscriber device of claim 5, wherein a determination to send the second command to the subscriber device is made by the service provider entity.

7. The subscriber device of claim 6, wherein the determination is based upon a pre-determined event.

8. The subscriber device of claim 7, wherein the pre-determined event is the termination of a service contract between the subscriber device and the service provider entity.

9. The subscriber device of claim 1, wherein disqualifying the specified root certificates deletes the specified root certificates from the subscriber device.

10. The subscriber device of claim 9, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:

receive a second command from the service provider entity to replace the specified root certificates previously deleted.

11. A subscriber device, comprising:

means for establishing a communication service with a service provider entity;

means for receiving a command from the service provider entity to disqualify specified root certificates stored in the subscriber device, the specified root certificates unassociated with the service provider entity; and

means for disqualifying the specified root certificates.