Data Seesion Authentication Credentials Update For A Wireless Communication Device

• US 20110165863A1
• Filed: 03/10/2011
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Lewis, Allan D., Plestid, Thomas Leonard Trevor, Patterson, Ian M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,107,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Methods and apparatus in a wireless device for use in maintaining appropriate authentication credentials for receiving a message service provided by a service network which is external to a wireless network are described. The wireless device receives, via the wireless network, a data session configuration file which includes a list of a plurality of wireless networks mapped against authentication credentials associated with each said wireless network. The list includes authentication credentials associated with the wireless network. The wireless device submits, via the wireless network, the authentication credentials for establishing a data session via the wireless network. Then, the wireless device receives, in the data session via the wireless network, the message service provided by the service network. Prior to receiving the file, the wireless device may maintain default authentication credentials associated with a default wireless network, submit via the default wireless network the default authentication credentials for establishing a data session via the default wireless network, and receive in the data session via the default wireless network the message service provided by the service network.

Claims

1. A method in a wireless portable communication device for use in maintaining appropriate authentication credentials for receiving a message service provided by a service network which is external to a wireless network, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving a data session configuration file which includes a list of a plurality of wireless networks mapped against authentication credentials associated with each said wireless network, the list including authentication credentials associated with the wireless network;

submitting, via the wireless network, the authentication credentials for establishing a data session via the wireless network; and

receiving, in the data session via the wireless network, the message service provided by the service network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to receiving the list of the plurality of wireless networks mapped against authentication credentials associated with each said wireless network;

maintaining, in memory, default authentication credentials associated with a default wireless network;

submitting, via the default wireless network, the default authentication credentials for establishing a data session via the default wireless network; and

receiving, in the data session via the default wireless network, the message service provided by the service network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of receiving the data session configuration file is responsive to change in subscription for the wireless portable communication device to the wireless network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the default wireless network comprises a default cellular network and the wireless network comprises a current cellular network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data session comprises one of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context or a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) session.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, via the wireless network, a request for receiving the data session configuration file; and

receiving, via the wireless network, the data session configuration file in response to transmitting the request.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

registering in the wireless network; and

receiving the data session configuration file upon registration in the wireless network.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

roaming from the default wireless network to the wireless network; and

receiving the data session configuration file upon roaming from the default wireless network to the wireless network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the message service comprises an e-mail message service.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

roaming on one the wireless networks; and

selecting one of the authentication credentials in the list associated with the wireless network that is being roamed on.

16. The wireless portable communication device of claim 10, further comprising:

the transmitter being further configured to transmit via the wireless network, a request for receiving the data session configuration file; and

the receiver being further configured to receive via the wireless network, the data session configuration file in response to transmitting the request.

11. A wireless portable communication device which his configured to communicate in a wireless network and maintain appropriate authentication credentials for accessing a data application maintained in a service network which is external to the wireless network, the wireless portable communication device comprising:

a receiver which is configured to receive a data session configuration file;

memory which is configured to save the data session configuration file, the data session configuration file including a list of a plurality of wireless networks mapped against authentication credentials associated with each said wireless network, the list including authentication credentials associated with the wireless network;

a transmitter which is configured to transmit, via the wireless network, the authentication credentials for establishing a data session via the wireless network; and

the receiver being further configured to receive, in the data session via the wireless network, the message service provided by the service network.

12. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, wherein prior to receiving the list of the plurality of wireless networks mapped against authentication credentials associated with each said wireless network:

the memory being further configured to maintain default authentication credentials associated with a default wireless network;

the transmitter being further configured to transmit, via the default wireless network, the first authentication credentials for establishing a data session via the default wireless network; and

the receiver being further configured to receive, in the data session via the default wireless network, the message service provided by the service network.

13. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the data session configuration file responsive to change in subscription for the wireless portable communication device to the wireless network.

14. The wireless portable communication device of claim 13, wherein the default wireless network comprises a default cellular network and the wireless network comprises a current cellular network.

15. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the data session comprises one of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context or a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) session.

17. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, which is configured to register in the wireless network, and further comprising:

the receiver being further configured to receive the data session configuration file upon registration in the wireless network.

18. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, which is configured to roam from the default wireless network to the wireless network, and further comprising:

the receiver being further configured to receive the data session configuration file upon roaming from the default wireless network to the wireless network.

19. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the message service comprises an e-mail message service.

20. The wireless portable communication device of claim 11, which is configured to roam on one of the wireless networks and select one of the authentication credentials in the list associated with the wireless network that is being roamed.