Security for wireless communication

• US 9,014,758 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vodafone IP Licensing Limited (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Vodafone IP Licensing Limited (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Waters, Patrick, Manning, Stephanie
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Yuwen
• Assistant Examiner(s): AYOTUNDE, AYODEJI O
• Application Number:
  US14/065,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20140066019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455418-420, 455/550.1, 455/558
• US Class Current: 455/558
• 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 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile terminal is disclosed which includes a near field or RF ID tag. The mobile terminal communicates with the mobile telecommunications network and is authenticated with that network using the SIM. The mobile terminal is operable to obtain security data from the user thereof, such as a PIN or biometric data, or the mobile terminal incorporates a sensor such as a light sensor, pressure sensor, heat sensor, skin resistant sensor or inertial sensor. The input device or sensor is used to confirm the identity of the user or to evaluate whether the user wishes to use the near field tag to make a payment or obtain entry to a building. Data from the sensor is passed to the SIM, which issues a command enabling the near field tag, via link. The near field tag may then be read by a reader. The near field tag may be automatically disabled after being read by the reader, after a predetermined time, or when the stimulus to the sensor is no longer present.

Claims

1. A smart card comprising:

a near field communication device able to transmit over a near field,

the smart card being associable with a mobile telecommunications network and configured to authenticate with the network, wherein when in use, the near field communication device can be enabled and disabled in response to data received by the smart card from the mobile telecommunications network.

2. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the near field communication device is selectively enabled to be read by a reader.

3. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the near filed communication device is automatically disabled after being read by a reader.

4. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data received by the smart card from the mobile telecommunications network comprises location data and the near field communication device is enabled and disabled by the smart card in dependence upon the location data.

5. The smart card of claim 4, wherein the location data is specific to a first cell such that the smart card enables the near field communication device upon entering the first cell and disables the near field communication device upon leaving the first cell and entering a second cell.

6. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the near field communication device is enabled and disabled by the smart card in dependence upon authentication of the smart card with the mobile telecommunications network.

7. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data received by the smart card from the mobile telecommunications network represent time values and the near field communication device is enabled and disabled by the smart card in dependence upon the time values.

8. The smart card of claim 7, wherein the time values specify a predetermined time period of the day, the near field communication device being enabled at the beginning of the predetermined time period and being disabled at the end of the predetermined time period.

9. The smart card of claim 8, wherein the time values are set by a user of the user of the smart card.

10. The smart card of claim 9, wherein the user initiates a communication session with the mobile telecommunications network to set the time values.

11. The smart card of claim 9, wherein the user sets the time values by providing verbal instructions to an operator of the mobile telecommunications network or by visiting a website of the operator of the mobile telecommunications network.

12. The smart card of claim 1, wherein predetermined authentication information respective to a user is stored on the smart card, the smart card being registered with the mobile telecommunications network, which includes means for authenticating.

13. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data received by the smart card from the mobile telecommunications network represent authentication data and the near field communication device is enabled and disabled by the smart card in dependence upon the authentication data.

14. The smart card of claim 13, wherein the near field communication device is enabled as long as the smart card is authenticated by the mobile telecommunications network and is disabled when the smart card is no longer authenticated by the mobile telecommunications network.

15. The smart card of claim 13, wherein the authentication data comprises an authentication process and an authentication key.

16. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the smart card is associated with means for comparing an entered Personal Identification Number (PIN) with a stored PIN and the transmission ability of the near field communication device is selectively enabled by the smart card only when the respective PINs match.

17. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the smart card comprises a SIM.

18. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data is for programming the smart card.

19. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data comprise over-the-air updating messages.

20. The smart card of claim 1, wherein the data comprise SMS messages.