Wireless communications apparatus and method

• US 7,146,191 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2004
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Thermoelectric Consortium
• Original Assignee: United States Thermoelectric Consortium
• Inventors: Kerner, James M., Parker, Chad
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHAI MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/919,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20050159184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/435.1, 455/411, 455/558, 455/41.2, 455/422.1, 455/557, 455/550.1, 455/410, 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 235/488, 235/487, 235/492
• 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: H04M 1/675 the user being required to insert a coded card, e.g. a smart card carrying an integrated circuit chip
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless communication method and apparatus are described for increasing security for communication devices utilizing identification chips for accessing wireless networks and the associated billing for services. One aspect of the invention is an enhanced phone chip and a communications device adapted to engage the enhanced phone chip, which then cannot be installed or removed from the wireless communications device by unauthorized users. In one embodiment a security key mates to the identification chip and is utilized for installing and removing the enhanced phone chip. The security key preferably has a display upon which information about the communication device is displayed prior to removing the security key after installing the enhanced phone chip. Other aspects of the invention include wireless base station communication devices which support wired (dedicated and non-dedicated), and more preferably wireless extensions, while providing sharing of wireless network resources and interconnectivity between base station and extensions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing wireless network connectivity, comprising:

an electronic communications device configured for providing wireless connectivity through a wireless network;

an identification chip configured for retaining identification information for use in accessing said wireless network by said electronic communications device;

a receptacle in said electronic communications device for receiving and establishing electrical connections with said identification chip;

an electro-mechanical lock configured for selectively retaining said identification chip within said receptacle to prevent unauthorized removal;

a security key configured for retrieving said identification card from said receptacle; and

a dynamic display on said security key configured for displaying a user readable identification for the electronic communications device in which said identification chip was recently received.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic communications device is configured for accessing a cellular or satellite based wireless communications network in response to identification information retained in said identification chip.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1:

wherein said identification information retained in said identification chip must be valid in order to access said network; and

wherein said identification information is utilized for billing accesses made through said network.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising rewritable memory within said identification chip which is configured for retaining user parameters.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle is configured to receive said identification chip without the need to remove access panels and/or batteries from said electronic communications device.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a slot configured for slidably receiving said identification chip.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electro-mechanical lock is configured to remain in a locked position when no power is applied and to release said identification chip for removal in response to the receipt of a proper electrical signal.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for generating the proper electrical signals for releasing said identification chip in response to verifying user authority.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said user authority is verified by said means for generating the proper electrical signals in response to checking for the entry of a proper personal identification code or receipt of a proper biometric identification.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising a security key configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said electronic communications device.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a security key configured for retrieving said identification card from said receptacle.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said security key is configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said electronic communications device.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising programming executable on said electronic communications device for validating that a match exists between said security key and said identification chip prior to disengagement of said electro-mechanical lock from said identification card in response to receipt of a proper electrical signal.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said identification chip cannot be retrieved from said electronic device without said security key being utilized in a retrieval process.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electro-mechanical lock is retained in a locked position when no power is applied.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said identification chip is configured to sustain sufficient damage, in response to forced removal of said identification chip from said electro-mechanical lock, preventing further use of said identification chip.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said identification chip is configured as mechanically frangible, electrically frangible, or erasable.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said identification chip is configured with read-writable memory for storing parameters associated with a communications device or a user.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein said base station is configured for deployment in a home, office, or mobile environment.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein said base station comprises a cellular or satellite based communications device.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein said base station is configured for accessing a cellular or satellite based network communications system.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20:

wherein identification information retained in a said identification chip must be valid in order to access said wireless network; and

wherein said identification information is utilized for billing accesses made through said wireless network.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, further comprising rewritable memory within a said identification chip which is configured for retaining user parameters.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein a said receptacle is configured to receive a said identification chip without the need to remove access panels or batteries from said base station.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein a said receptacle comprises a slot configured for slidably receiving a said identification chip.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein a said electro-mechanical lock is configured to remain in a locked position when no power is applied and to release a said identification chip for removal in response to the receipt of a proper electrical signal.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 28, further comprising means for generating the proper electrical signals for releasing said identification chip in response to verifying user authority.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said user authority is verified by said means for generating the proper electrical signals in response to checking for the entry of a proper personal identification code or receipt of a proper biometric identification.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 29, further comprising a security key configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said electronic device.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, further comprising a security key configured for retrieving a said identification chip from said receptacle.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 32, wherein said security key is configured for verifying user authority when coupled to said base station.

34. An apparatus as recited in claim 32, further comprising programming executable on said base station for validating that a match exists between said security key and said identification chip prior to disengagement of said electro-mechanical lock from said identification card in response to receipt of a proper electrical signal.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 32, wherein said identification chip cannot be retrieved from said electronic device without said security key being utilized in a retrieval process.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein a said electro-mechanical lock is retained in the locked position when no power is applied.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein a said identification chip is configured to sustain sufficient damage, in response to forced removal of said identification chip from a said electro-mechanical lock, preventing further use of said identification chip.

38. An apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein said identification chip is configured as mechanically frangible or electrically frangible or erasable.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein said means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions, comprises local wireless connectivity.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein transmissions on said local wireless connectivity are encrypted for security.

41. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein said means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions comprises superposing communication signals over a power-line distribution network.

42. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 or 20, wherein said means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions comprises dedicated wired connectivity.

19. An apparatus for sharing wireless network connectivity between a plurality of extensions, comprising:

a base station configured for providing wireless connectivity through a wireless network;

a plurality of receptacles in said base station configured for receiving and establishing electrical connections with identification chips that provide access to a wireless network;

a plurality of electra-mechanical locks configured for preventing unauthorized removal of said identification chips from said plurality of receptacles;

means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions;

means for sharing wireless connectivity of said base station, within whose receptacles have been received at least one identification chip, with one or more of said plurality of extensions;

a security key configured for retrieving a said identification chip from a said receptacle; and

a dynamic display on said security key configured for displaying a user readable identification for the electronic device in which a said identification chip was recently received.

20. An apparatus for sharing wireless network connectivity between a plurality of extensions, comprising:

a base station configured for providing wireless connectivity through a wireless network;

a plurality of receptacles in said base station configured for receiving and establishing electrical connections with identification chips that provide access to a wireless network;

a plurality of electro-mechanical locks configured for preventing unauthorized removal of identification chips from said plurality of receptacles;

means for communicating between said base station and a plurality of extensions; and

means for sharing wireless connectivity of said base station, within whose receptacles have been received at least one identification chip, with one or more of said plurality of extensions;

wherein said electra-mechanical locks selectively retain said identification chips in response to the receipt of electrical signals;

wherein a said identification chip is configured to sustain sufficient damage, in response to forced removal of said identification chip from said electro-mechanical lock, preventing further use of said identification chip;

wherein said identification chip is configured as mechanically frangible or electrically frangible or erasable; and

wherein said identification chip is configured with a fusible link through which a destructive level of current is passed in response to forced removal of the device.