Security for network load broadcasts over cellular networks

• US 9,877,187 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2016
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bari, Farooq, Cui, Zhi
• Primary Examiner(s): GIDDINS, NELSON S
• Application Number:
  US15/276,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20170013446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0863 involving passwords or one-time passwords network architectures or network communication protocols for using one-time keys in a packet data network H04L63/067
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/16 Performing reselection for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services

Abstract

A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for obtaining cellular network load information in a secure manner are disclosed. For example, the method receives the cellular network load information, where the cellular network load information is encrypted. The method then decrypts the cellular network load information using a decryption key and performs a task responsive to the network load information that is decrypted.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining, by a processor of a policy server of a cellular network, cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information comprises a volume of a bandwidth used for user traffic and for control traffic by the cellular network;

encrypting, by the processor, the cellular network load information;

determining, by the processor, a decryption key for decrypting the cellular network load information that is encrypted; and

sending to an endpoint device, by the processor, the decryption key for decrypting cellular network load information and a policy of the cellular network that indicates how the endpoint device is permitted to respond to the cellular network load information, wherein the endpoint device is a phone, wherein the cellular network load information is sent via a broadcast message from the cellular network, wherein the policy is sent prior to the sending the cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information that is decrypted enables the endpoint device to perform a task responsive to the cellular network load information, wherein the task is performed based on the policy, wherein the task comprises switching the endpoint device between a usage of the cellular network and a usage of a non-cellular network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the decryption key is specific to a category of subscribers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the decryption key is specific to a category of device types.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the decryption key is time dependent.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises:

switching the endpoint device from the usage of the cellular network to the usage of the non-cellular network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the switching comprises:

switching the endpoint device from the usage of the non-cellular network to the usage of the cellular network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the phone is a smartphone.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a policy server of a cellular network, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

obtaining cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information comprises a volume of a bandwidth used for user traffic and for control traffic by the cellular network;

encrypting the cellular network load information;

determining a decryption key for decrypting the cellular network load information that is encrypted; and

sending to an endpoint device the decryption key for decrypting cellular network load information and a policy of the cellular network that indicates how the endpoint device is permitted to respond to the cellular network load information, wherein the endpoint device is a phone, wherein the cellular network load information is sent via a broadcast message from the cellular network, wherein the policy is sent prior to the sending the cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information that is decrypted enables the endpoint device to perform a task responsive to the cellular network load information, wherein the task is performed based on the policy, wherein the task comprises switching the endpoint device between a usage of the cellular network and a usage of a non-cellular network.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the decryption key is specific to a category of subscribers.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the decryption key is specific to a category of device types.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the decryption key is time dependent.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the switching comprises:

switching the endpoint device from the usage of the cellular network to the usage of the non-cellular network.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the switching comprises:

switching the endpoint device from the usage of the non-cellular network to the usage of the cellular network.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the phone is a smartphone.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a hardware processor of a policy server of a cellular network; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

obtaining cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information comprises a volume of a bandwidth used for user traffic and for control traffic by the cellular network;

encrypting the cellular network load information;

determining a decryption key for decrypting the cellular network load information that is encrypted; and

sending to an endpoint device the decryption key for decrypting cellular network load information and a policy of the cellular network that indicates how the endpoint device is permitted to respond to the cellular network load information, wherein the endpoint device is a phone, wherein the cellular network load information is sent via a broadcast message from the cellular network, wherein the policy is sent prior to the sending the cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information that is decrypted enables the endpoint device to perform a task responsive to the cellular network load information, wherein the task is performed based on the policy, wherein the task comprises switching the endpoint device between a usage of the cellular network and a usage of a non-cellular network.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the decryption key is specific to a category of subscribers.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the decryption key is specific to a category of device types.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the decryption key is time dependent.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switching comprises:

switching the endpoint device from the usage of the cellular network to the usage of the non-cellular network.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switching comprises:

switching the endpoint device from the usage of the non-cellular network to the usage of the cellular network.