Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
  • H04W12/08—Access security
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
  • H04B7/24—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts
  • H04B7/26—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts at least one of which is mobile
  • H04B7/2603—Arrangements for wireless physical layer control
  • H04B7/2606—Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
  • H04W12/06—Authentication
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
  • H04W12/06—Authentication
  • H04W12/068—Authentication using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W84/00—Network topologies
  • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
  • H04W84/04—Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
  • H04W84/042—Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
  • H04W84/045—Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W84/00—Network topologies
  • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
  • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
  • H04W84/16—WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to radio or wireless communications and, more particularly, to a personal or private base station that supports exclusivity.
• Exclusivity is the ability to grant or deny selected mobile phones access to services from a specific (designated) base station.
• Background of the Invention [0003] In conventional wireless communication networks, it is unnecessary to provide exclusivity or deny selected mobile phones access to services from any specific (designated) base stations within carrier owned or roaming enabled networks.
• the carrier may deny service to the mobile phone for various reasons, such as late subscription payment, lack of roaming privileges, and numerous other reasons.
• the elements employed within a conventional telecom wireless network architecture serving many mobile phones is illustrated in FIG. 1, and the conventional service permission/denial procedure is described below.
• a mobile phone [1] when switched on or changing locations, initiates a location update procedure to find a control channel within a (previous or new) cell location that it is allowed to monitor (camp on).
• the mobile [1] begins the procedure by sending a Location Updating Request (LUR) to the Base Station (BS) [2], which is then forwarded to the Base Station Controller (BSC) [3].
• BSC Base Station Controller
• the BSC then sends the LUR to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) [4].
• the MSC [4] checks the status and privileges with the Home Location Register (HLR) [5].
• the HLR [5] initiates a positive Acknowledgement message (ACK-message), which is sent to the mobile [1], allowing the mobile [1] to camp on the local BS [2] cell and receive services.
• ACK-message positive Acknowledgement message
• the HLR [5] refuses mobile service in this cell, it will generate a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK-message).
• NACK-message Negative Acknowledgement
• the mobile [1] still remains camped on this BS [2] cell, but will either: a) refuse to generate a service request for E911 or b) try to find another BS [2] cell were it does receive a positive Acknowledgement message.
• the PBS unlike the conventional base station, is assigned specifically to and/or owned by an individual or organization.
• the PBS is placed in a location of the owner's choice, such as their home, office, campus, apartment, or airport. It is connected to the Internet through a broadband connection.
• owners may want to restrict the use of their Private Base Station(s) to selected mobile subscribers of their choice. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a system, apparatus, and method that provides the ability to grant or deny selected mobile phones access to services from a specific (designated) base station.
• the present invention provides a mechanism to provide such Private Base Station Exclusivity.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism by which individual Private Base Stations (PBS) may be configured within wireless carrier networks, either electively (voluntarily) or non-electively (involuntarily), to grant services to selected (authorized) mobile phones and/or deny services to other (unauthorized) mobile phones within the PBS cell.
• PBS Private Base Stations
• One embodiment of the present invention can be viewed as providing one or more of the following elements: a) an Exclusivity Database (EDB) that is located in one of the network devices and stores all or a subset of information about Private Base Stations and the mobile phones selected (authorized) to receive services from specific (designated) Private Base Stations, b) a Grant/Deny Process (GDP) that checks the EDB for and informs selected (authorized) mobile phones that access to services from a specific Private Base Station has been granted or denied, c) an Update/Maintenance Process (UMP) that updates and maintains the Private Base Station EDB by adding or deleting selected (authorized) mobile phones, and d) an Enable Disable Process (EDP) that enables or disables Exclusivity for a specific Private Base Station.
• EDB Exclusivity Database
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• UMP Update/Maintenance Process
• UMP Update/Maintenance Process
• EDP Enable Disable Process
• EDB Exclusivity Data Base
• IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
• PBSI Private Base Station Identity
• PBSOAC Private Base Station Owner Authorization Code
• the EDB would be configured to reside in one of the existing carrier network devices, such as the Private Base Station, the Base Station Controller, the Mobile Switching Center, or the Home Location Register.
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• LUR Location Update Request
• IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
• BSC Internet Base Station Controller
• PBS Private Base Station
• the HLR translates the IMSI to the mobile telephone number, generates an ACK for this mobile and updates its location in the HLR.
• the EDB finds the mobile is unauthorized, the EDB sends a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) to either the iBSC or the iBS that will be translated into a Location Updating Reject (LUiR) message with cause #15 or #12.
• NACK Negative Acknowledgement
• LID Location Updating Reject
• the mobile then leaves the control channel, marks the Private Base Station cell id as blocked, and tries to find another control channel.
• the BSC will not send a LUiR to the MSC. Therefore the remaining network will not be aware that this particular mobile phone has been denied access to services.
• One exemplary embodiment of the EDP Update/Maintenance Process (UMP) configuration is to add to or delete authorized mobile phones from the EDB through the Internet.
• An authorized owner (or representative) of the Private Base Station connects to a carrier web site using an Internet connection.
• the carrier web site provides a data entry screen that directs (prompts) the owner for their Private Base Station id as well as a pre-established identification code that allows them to update the EDB authorized user mobile phone list.
• the owner then follows a sequence of written or verbal instructions to complete the data entry screen, entering mobile phone numbers (or other ids such as the IMST) that are to be added or deleted from the PBS authorized user database.
• EDP Exclusivity Enable/Disable Process
• a Private Base Station owner toggles a switch located on the Private Base Station. The PBS than contacts the EDB. If the switch on the Private Base Station is toggled to position 1, the base station instructs the carrier to enable the EDB. This causes the Private Base Station to operate in the Exclusive mode, restricting mobile phone service only to authorized users.
• the Private Base Station instructs the carrier to temporarily disable or deactivate the Private Base Station EDB. This causes the PBS to operate in the non-Exclusive mode, allowing unrestricted access to mobile phone service by all users, as long as the mobile phones are registered or authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the devices employed within a conventional wireless carrier network.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of devices and processes required to implement Exclusivity in a wireless carrier network with a Private Base Station. Figure 2 identifies devices with numbers and processes with alphabetical letters.
• the base station may be referred to as a "personal” or “private” base station (“PBS"), and is configured to connect to the Internet at a user-selected location and establishes a small area of wireless coverage within a greater macrocell network. The user sets the operating parameters of the base station.
• PBS personal or “private” base station
• United States application no. 10/280,733 is incorporated by reference, and its subject matter has been published in corresponding International Publication No. WO 2004/040938.
• 1.0 Implementing Exclusivity [0023] FIG.
• FIG. 2 is a high level diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless communications network according to the present invention.
• the diagram illustrates the relationship between the Private Base Station (PBS) [2] and other elements (devices, and processes) within the network that are needed in order to provide Exclusivity.
• FIG. 2 identifies devices with numbers and processes with alphabetical letters.
• Exclusivity requires one or more of the following elements: a) an Exclusivity Database (EDB) [6] that is located in one of the network devices and stores all or a subset of information about Private Base Stations [2] and the mobile phones [1] selected (authorized) to receive services from specific (designated) Private Base Stations, b) a Grant/Deny Process (GDP) [b] that checks the EDB for and informs selected (authorized) mobile phones that access to services from a specific Private Base Station has been granted or denied, c) an Update/Maintenance Process (UMP) [c] that updates and maintains the Private Base Station EDB by adding or deleting selected (authorized) mobile phones, and d) an Enable/Disable Process (EDP) [d] that enables or disables Exclusivity for a specific Private Base Station.
• EDB Exclusivity Database
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• the present invention requires an Exclusivity Database (EDB) [6] that is located in one of the network devices and stores all or a subset of information about Private Base Stations, about mobile phones selected (authorized) to receive services from designated (specific) Private Base Stations, and about individuals (PBS owners or designated representatives) authorized to change the EDB list of authorized users (mobile phones) for a specific Private Base Station.
• EDB Exclusivity Database
• One exemplary embodiment of the Exclusivity Data Base is to store cross referenced mobile phone and Private Base Station identification information, such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) that identifies mobile phones authorized to receive services from specific PBS, a Private Base Station Identity (PBST) that identifies Private Base Stations (and their registered owners), and a Private Base Station Owner Authorization Code (PBSOAC) that allows the carrier to validate whether individuals logging into the EDB have authority to update the list of authorized users for a specific Private Base Station.
• IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
• PBST Private Base Station Identity
• PBSOAC Private Base Station Owner Authorization Code
• Another embodiment is to store within the EDB the names, social security numbers, and other identifying features such as mother's maiden name that allows the carrier to validate whether individuals logging into the EDB have authority to update the list of EDB authorized users for a specific Private Base Station.
• Another embodiment is to store within the EDB the PBS owners name and an associated password that allows the carrier to verify whether individuals logging into the EDB have authority to update the list of EDB authorized users for a specific PBS.
• Another embodiment is to store within the EDB enabling authorization codes assigned to specific Private Base Stations that allows the carrier to validate whether individuals logging into the EDB have authority to update the list of EDB authorized users for a specific PBS.
• the EDB may be configured to reside in one of the existing carrier network devices or some other network device:
• An exemplary embodiment configures the EDB to reside in the PBS [2].
• Another embodiment configures the EDB to reside in the Base Station Controller (BSC)
• BSC Base Station Controller
• EDB Electronic Datagrams
• MSC Mobile Switching Center
• HLR Home Location Register
• PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• EDB Electronic Mobile Subscriber Identity
• IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
• One exemplary embodiment of the Grant/Deny Process (GDP) configuration is to have each mobile phone send a Location Update Request (LUR) containing the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) whenever it is tries to roam or login to a specific Private Base Station. The LUR is sent to the EDB. The EDB checks the IMSI to determine if a particular mobile phone is authorized to receive services from the specific Private Base Station.
• LUR Location Update Request
• IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
• the EDB sends a Positive Acknowledgement (ACK) to either the Internet Base Station Controller (BSC) [3] or the Private Base Station (PBS) [2], initiating "normal operation".
• Normal operation means the iBSC sends the LUR to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) [4] and Home Location Register (HLR) [5].
• the HLR translates the IMSI to the mobile telephone number, generates an ACK for this mobile and updates its location in the HLR.
• the EDB finds the mobile is unauthorized, the EDB sends a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) to either the BSC or the PBS that will be translated into a Location Updating Reject (LUiR) message with cause #15 or #12.
• NACK Negative Acknowledgement
• the mobile then leaves the control channel, marks the Private Base Station cell id as blocked, and tries to find another control channel.
• the BSC will not send a LUiR to the MSC. Therefore the remaining network will not be aware that this particular mobile phone has been denied access to services.
• LAI Location Area Identity
• the mobile will receive a LUiR because the mobile is not authorized to receive services in this new PBS cell.
• the current GSM system instructs the mobile to store the LAI (in this case the LAI for its own home PBS cell) in the SIM card as "Location Area not allowed", when the LUiR message with cause #15 is received.
• one embodiment of this invention is to define a new NACK reason message that instructs the mobile to look for another cell instead of storing its home PBS cell LAI as "not allowed”.
• another embodiment of the invention enables the network (pBS, iBSC or SIM) to use either the SIM tool kit or the OTA (Over The Air) function for the purpose of deleting the original home PBS ell in case the mobile is authorized in another cell with the same LAI.
• the network After the mobile has received the LUiR message and stores it in its SIM card, the network then sends either an SMS or other data to the mobile, instructing the SIM to delete this cell from its memory. Therefore, when the mobile returns (moves back) to its home PBS cell, the mobile will start a LUP, and allowing it to be accepted in its original home cell.
• SIM Tool kit One embodiment for avoiding this inter-cell movement problem uses the SIM Tool kit.
• the SIM Tool technology enables easy access to value added services on GSM mobile phones.
• the SIM card can be programmed with applications that can be heard or seen on the mobile. These applications can be entirely defined by the operator to function autonomously, and/or additional menus can be installed by the SIM on the handset for remote control by the wireless carrier. In the case of remote control by the carrier, the operator can either download or remove applications from the SIM. Alternately the SIM can be programmed to function autonomously. In either case, the SIM can be activated by data sent from the network to the handset. Through SMS data messages, all mobiles in particular cell area, or on a card by card basis, can receive data for updating applications or files on their SIM card in order to correct the inter-cell movement problem.
• OTA Over-the-Air technology
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• the NACK-message is generated in the BSC [3].
• Another embodiment of the Grant/Deny Process (GDP) configuration is similar to the one described above. However, instead of generating the NACK-message in thePBS, the NACK-message is generated in the MSC [4].
• Another embodiment of the Grant Deny Process (GDP) configuration is similar to the one described above. However, instead of generating the NACK-message in the MSC, the NACK-message is generated in the HLR [5].
• GDP Grant/Deny Process
• SIM Subscriber Identify Card
• PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
• GDP Grant Deny Process
• SIM Subscriber Identify Card
• the present invention requires an Update/Maintenance Process (UMP) [c] that updates and maintains the EDB [6] by adding selected (authorized) or deleting selected (unauthorized) mobile phones [1] from the database. It is anticipated that the carriers will prefer Private Base Station [2] owner and individual mobile subscribers be responsible for updating and maintaining the EDB.
• UMP Update/Maintenance Process
• UMP Update/Maintenance Process
• An authorized owner of the PBS contacts an automated call center using either a fixed line or mobile phone. If the contact is made through the PBS, the automated call center identifies the PBS and the mobile phone. If the contact is not made through the Private base station, the automated call center prompts the caller for their PBS id and a pre-established identification code that allows the owner to update the EDB of authorized users database for their PBS.
• the owner then follows a sequence of written or verbally prompted instructions enabling the entry of mobile phone numbers (or other ids) that are to be added or deleted from the EDB of authorized users.
• the automated call center then issues instructions to carrier system to update the EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• the call center could allow the owner to: delete one or more mobile numbers, add one or more a mobile numbers in long-term mode (perhaps for household members), add one or more mobile numbers in visitor- mode (e.g. for the next 24 hours or timeout after e.g.24 hours), add one or more mobile numbers in friends-mode (timeout after e.g. 3 months).
• Another embodiment of the UMP is similar to the manual data entry via a fixed or mobile handset described above. However, instead of contacting an automated call center, live operators are contacted.
• Another similar embodiment of the UMP is manual data entry via a mobile handset and subsequent SMS transmission. However, instead of contacting an authorized call center, the user follows a set of hardcopy written instructions, or follows a set of instructions displayed on their mobile handset screen (if available). The instructions direct (prompt) the user to enter their mobile handset phone number (or the handset may identify the phone number automatically), then direct (prompts) the user to enter a pre-established activation code for a particular PBS.
• SMS Short Message Service
• the carrier After entering this data, the information is stored in the handset and then forwarded to the carrier via a Short Message Service (SMS) communication. After receiving the SMS communication, the carrier then issues instructions to update EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• SMS Short Message Service
• the carrier then issues instructions to update EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• Another embodiment of the UMP is manual data entry through the Internet, or a data link to the PBS, BSC [3] or EDB.
• An authorized owner of the PBS connects to a carrier web site using an Internet connection, or the data link to the BSC or PBS.
• the carrier web site provides a data entry screen that directs (prompts) the caller for their Private base station id as well as the owners a pre-established identification code that allows the owner to update the authorized user, database for the designated base station.
• the owner then follows a sequence of written or verbal instructions to complete the data entry screen entering mobile phone numbers (or other ids) that are to be added or deleted from authorized user database.
• the carrier website then issues instructions to update the EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• Another embodiment of the UMP is manual data entry of an activation code using a fixed line or mobile phone. A user contacts an automated call center using either a fixed line or their mobile phone.
• the automated call center identifies the mobile phone number and maybe no activation code is needed. If the contact is not made through the users mobile phone, the automated call center prompts the caller for their mobile phone number and a base station identification, which the user enters. The mobile owner is then prompted for a pre-established activation code, which, when entered, causes the automated call center to issue instructions to the carrier system to update the EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• Another similar embodiment of the UMP is manual entry of an activation code via a mobile handset and subsequent SMS or other data transmission.
• the user instead of contacting an authorized call center, the user follows a set of hardcopy written instructions, or follows a set of instructions displayed on their mobile handset screen (if available).
• the instructions direct (prompt) the user to enter their mobile handset phone number (or the handset may identify the phone number automatically), then direct (prompts) the user to enter a pre-established activation code for a particular PBS. After entering this data, the information is stored in the handset and then forwarded to the carrier via a Short Message Service (SMS) communication.
• SMS Short Message Service
• the carrier After receiving the SMS communications, the carrier then issues instructions to update the EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• Another embodiment of the UMP is simultaneous (synchronized) base station trigger activation and mobile handset activation.
• a PBS owner activates a trigger button located on the Private Base Station.
• a mobile user activates (turns on) their mobile handset within the cell of the designated Private base station. The mobile then will automatically try to register to the network through the PBS.
• the mobile number or the IMSI will be stored.
• the carrier After receiving the communication from the Private Base Station, the carrier then issues instructions to update the EDB of authorized users for the designated PBS, assuming the new mobile number is a registered carrier subscriber or is authorized to roam on the carrier network.
• EDP Enable/Disable Process
• An optional element to enhance Exclusivity usability is to provide an Enable/Disable Process (EDP) [d] that enables or disables Exclusivity for a specific Private Base Station.
• EDP Enable/Disable Process
• One exemplary embodiment of Enable/Disable Process (EDP) is an automatic method for activating or deactivating pre-existing (previously entered) authorized user database lists using a manual override switch.
• a Private Base Station (PBS) [2] owner toggles a switch located on the PBS. The PBS than contacts the EDB. If the switch on the PBS is in the "private" position, the base station instructs the carrier to maintain or activate the base station authorized user database. This causes the PBS to operate in an exclusive mode, excluding mobile phone use by non-authorized users.
• the base station instructs the carrier to disable or deactivate the EDB authorized user database. This causes the base station to operate in a nonexclusive mode, allowing mobile phone use by all users, as long as the mobile phones belong to registered carrier subscribers.
• EDP Enable/Disable Process
• Another embodiment of the invention is to use the switch information in the PBS without sending a message to the EDB.
• the EDB for this PBS is simply ignored as long as the switch is in the "public" position.
• Another embodiment of the invention is to use the internet, or direct data link to the PBS [2], BSC [3] , or EDB [6] to communicate the Enable/Disable Process.
• PBS Packet Control
• BSC BSC
• EDB EDB
• Communications by the base station with carrier network my be accomplished using a number of technologies.
• the Internet as a backhaul is one embodiment, but other embodiments apply as well, including dedicated lines such as Tl and analog lines.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
• Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-12-17 CN CN2004800419772A patent/CN101422065B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-12-17 DE DE112004002372T patent/DE112004002372B4/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-12-17 KR KR1020067012310A patent/KR100824486B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2004-12-17 GB GB0610524A patent/GB2424555B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-12-17 JP JP2006545490A patent/JP4729502B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-12-17 WO PCT/US2004/042507 patent/WO2005065214A2/en active Application Filing

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