Security code(s) of apparatus having at least one SIM

• US 9,247,425 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2013
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UROS Technology S.A.R.L.
• Original Assignee: UROS Technology S.A.R.L.
• Inventors: Nousiainen, Marko, Rahikainen, Ilkka, Uhari, Tommi, Kokkonen, Jari A.
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US13/886,496
• Publication Number:
  US 20130303123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/423, 455/558, 455/432.1, 455/411, 455/413, 455/417, 455/408, 455/418, 455/550.1, 455/419, 726/9, 726/7, 370/338
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• 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: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 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 12/45 using multiple identity modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits

Abstract

An apparatus includes one or more processors, one or more memories. The apparatus is portable and it includes or is coupled with at least one subscriber identification module capable of storing one or more security codes which are used in a security code check for controlling usability of the at least one subscriber identification module with the apparatus. The apparatus obtains a request from the at least one subscriber identification module for at least one security code. The apparatus controls providing an automatic response to the request with at least one security code available to the apparatus for enabling or disabling the use of the at least one subscriber identification module. The apparatus transmits a request for a security code to a server wirelessly. The server transmits wirelessly a code stored in the database to the at least one apparatus as a response to the request.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for providing an automatic response to a subscriber identification module (SIM) security check request for an authenticating password or numerical code for enabling or disabling use of the portable apparatus, the portable apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory;

wherein

the portable apparatus;

includes and/or is coupled with at least one, and

is wirelessly coupled with at least one server, the at least one server configured to store one or more authenticating passwords and/or numerical codes,

the one or more authenticating passwords and/or numerical codes;

configured to be used in a SIM-initiated security check for enabling or disabling usability of the portable apparatus, and

the one or more memories are configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the portable apparatus to;

when a request for an authenticating password or numerical code is received from the SIM during a SIM-initiated security check;

(i) automatically wirelessly transmit to the server a request for the server to transmit the SIM-requested authenticating password or numerical code associated with the at least one SIM to the portable apparatus, and

(ii) when the server determines that the requested password or numerical code is a stored password or numerical code that is stored as indicated as currently available to the portable apparatus from among the stored one or more passwords and/or numerical codes;

(a) wirelessly receive, from the server, the indicated as currently available password or numerical code, and (b) automatically respond to the received request for the authenticating password or numerical code from the SIM with the received server-transmitted currently available password or numerical code.

2. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the one or more memories are further configured to store at least one password or numerical code for the at least one SIM pre-saved therein by a service provider;

and

the stored instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the portable apparatus to;

automatically transmit the response to the request with the at least one pre-saved password or numerical code, for enabling the use of the at least one SIM via the security check.

3. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the portable apparatus further comprises or is operably coupled with a wireless transceiver configured to operate on radio frequency signals of a radio system, and

the stored instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the portable apparatus to wirelessly:

automatically perform the wireless transmitting and receiving functions of the portable apparatus via the wireless transceiver.

4. The portable apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the request transmitted to the server for the authenticating password or numerical passcode includes a unique serial number associated with the requesting SIM, and

the response from the server further includes the unique serial number.

5. The portable apparatus of claim 3, wherein the stored instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the portable apparatus to:

store each security code received from the server in the one or more memories and in the at least one SIM, on the basis of the request.

6. The portable apparatus of claim 3, wherein the stored instructions further cause the portable apparatus to:

receive, through the wireless transceiver, at least one new password or numerical code of the at least one SIM transmitted by the service provider, and

change the at least one password or numerical code by storing the at least one new security code in the one or more memories and in the at least one SIM.

7. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the portable apparatus further comprises or is operably coupled with a wireless receiver configured to operate on radio frequency signals of a radio system, and

the stored instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the portable apparatus to;

receive, through the wireless receiver, a service provider'"'"'s lock command associated with at least one SIM, and

in response to receiving the lock command, prevent transmission of one or more passwords and/or numerical codes associated with the at least one SIM of the service provider'"'"'s lock command.

8. The portable apparatus of claim 7, wherein

the portable apparatus further comprises or is operably coupled with a user interface, and

the stored instructions further cause, in response to receiving the service provider'"'"'s lock command, the portable apparatus to require at least one personal identification number (PIN) unlock code of at least one SIM associated with the lock command through the user interface.

9. The portable apparatus of claim 7, wherein the service provider'"'"'s lock command comprises at least one incorrect security code of at least one SIM for causing a failure in the security code check.

10. The portable apparatus of claim 7, wherein after the lock command has been received, and the service provider subsequently has identified the user, the stored instructions further cause the portable apparatus to:

receive, through the wireless receiver, an unlock command, and

in response to receiving the unlock command, allow transmission of a response with at least one security code indicated as currently available to the portable apparatus, for enabling the use of the at least one SIM, if the at least one provided password or numerical code passes the SIM-initiated security check.

11. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the authenticating password or numerical code is one of:

a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and a PIN Unlock Code or Key (PUC or PUK).

12. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SIM is configured to, during the security check, determine if two passwords or numerical codes match, and, if the codes match, indicate the portable apparatus as currently available.

13. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SIM is configured to initiate a security check when the portable apparatus is switched on and/or one or more new SIMs have been set in or replaced in the portable apparatus.

14. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the request from the SIM is determined by the server based on a unique serial number of the SIM, and the server transmitted password or numerical code may be fed to the correct SIM on the basis of the unique serial number of the SIM which is included in the request.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the SIM is determined by the server based on a unique serial number of the SIM, and the server transmitted password or numerical code may be fed to the correct SIM on the basis of the unique serial number of the SIM which is included in the request.

16. A method for providing an automatic response to a SIM-requested security code check request for an authenticating password or numerical code for enabling or disabling use of the portable apparatus, the method comprising:

when a request for an authenticating password or numerical code is received by a portable apparatus from a subscriber identification module (SIM) during a SIM-initiated security check;

(i) automatically wirelessly transmitting by the portable apparatus, to a server, a request for the server to transmit a password or numerical code that is associated with SIM to the portable apparatus; and

(ii) when the server determines that the requested password or numerical code is a stored password or numerical code that is stored as indicated as currently available to the portable apparatus from among the stored one or more passwords and/or numerical codes;

(a) automatically wirelessly receive, from the server, the indicated as currently available password or numerical code, and (b) automatically respond to the received request for the authenticating password or numerical code from the SIM with the received server-transmitted currently available password or numerical code.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the authenticating password or numerical code is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or a PIN Unlock Code or Key (PUC or PUK).

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the SIM is configured to, during the security check, determine if two passwords or numerical codes match, and, if the codes match, indicate the portable apparatus as currently available.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the SIM is configured to initiate a security check when the portable apparatus is switched on and/or one or more new SIMs have been set in or replaced in the portable apparatus.