Authenticating multiple devices simultaneously over a wireless link using a single subscriber identity module

• US 8,706,035 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2011
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telcordia Legacy Inc.
• Original Assignee: Telcordia Technologies Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson), Toshiba Corporation
• Inventors: Yaqub, Raziq, McAuley, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Magloire, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US13/290,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20120052914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/410, 455/411, 455418-420, 455/432.1, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455436-444, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/558, 370/310, 370/310.2, 370/324, 370/328, 370/331, 370/338, 370/350, 370/352
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
• 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: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/43 using shared identity modules, e.g. SIM sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/205 Transfer to or from user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/08 between user and terminal device

Abstract

A system and method for allowing mobile devices to simultaneously access a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) are disclosed. The SIM contains a wireless transceiver, and the SIM may be located within a mobile phone, or it may be a stand-alone device. The mobile devices use a wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, to retrieve identification information from the SIM. The devices then use this identification information to connect to a wireless communications network, such as a wireless local area network. Through this network the devices will be able to access the Internet. The SIM will never need to be removed and inserted from one device to another, and multiple devices can use the SIM simultaneously. Thus, the mobile phone will work regardless of whether other devices are also using the SIM.

Claims

1. A method of automatically synchronizing data between multiple devices accessing multiple networks, comprising the steps of:

inputting user credentials into one of said devices, said one of said devices having network access based on authentication information;

transmitting said user credentials to a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), said SIM having said authentication information; and

sending from the SIM said authentication information to a second of said devices in communication with said SIM,

wherein said authentication information permits said second of said devices to have network access simultaneously as the network access of said one of said devices,

wherein the network access of said one of said devices and the network access of said second of said devices are accessing different networks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of transmitting said user credentials and sending said authentication information occur using a wireless protocol.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing said user credentials in said SIM.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network access of said one of said devices and the network access of said second of said devices is accessing the same network.

5. A method of establishing a wireless communication path from a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) to a first wireless communication device, the method comprising:

receiving an access request at the SIM from the first wireless communication device;

sending an alert from the SIM to a second wireless communication device; and

receiving a message from the second wireless communication device at the SIM,

wherein the first wireless communication device and second wireless communication device are physically independent,

wherein, when the message gives permission for the first wireless communication device to access the SIM, the SIM grants access to the first wireless communication device, and

wherein, when the message denies permission for the first wireless communication device to access the SIM, the SIM denies access to the first wireless communication device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

wherein the SIM communicates with the second wireless communication device via a wireless transceiver of the SIM.

7. A system for establishing a wireless communication path, the system comprising:

a first wireless communication device having a first wireless interface and a second wireless interface, the first wireless communication device configured to output an access request over the first wireless interface to receive credentials to connect to a network over the second wireless interface;

a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) configured to receive the access request from the first wireless communication device and, in response, to send an identification request to second wireless communication device associated with a user and receive a response from the second wireless communication device,

wherein, if the response in indicates the access request has been authorized by the user, the Subscriber Identity Module outputs credentials to the first wireless communication device to access the network,

wherein, if the response in indicates the access request has not been authorized by the user, the Subscriber Identity Module does not output credentials to the first wireless communication device to access the network, and

wherein the first wireless communication device and SIM are physically independent.