Cryptography – Communication system using cryptography – Wireless communication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-26
2001-07-10
Barron, Jr., Gilberto (Department: 2131)
Cryptography
Communication system using cryptography
Wireless communication
C380S277000, C455S552100, C455S419000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259791
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus in a wireless messaging system for controlling a hierarchical provision of service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current practice in wireless messaging systems makes the loading of addresses, including information services (IS) addresses, into a wireless messaging device such as a pager, the domain of the wireless service provider. These addresses can be loaded at manufacture, or later by fairly restricted means, and only with the participation in one form or another of the wireless service provider.
In the context of information services, it is desirable to provide a means of authorizing an IS provider to modify attributes of the IS subscription in the subscriber unit. It is also required, however, that the IS provider ONLY be able to modify attributes within the authorized areas of the IS provider and nowhere else. In addition, because the wireless service provider “owns” the subscriber, the wireless service provider preferably should control the finite resources in the subscriber unit that are allocated to storing addresses and associated information, IS topic subscription information, and encryption keys.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus in a wireless messaging system for controlling a hierarchical provision of service, as between, for example, the wireless service provider and an IS provider. The method and apparatus preferably will allow each provider to control selected attributes within areas appropriate to each provider.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention is a method in a wireless messaging system for a hierarchical provision of service, comprising the steps of initially programming, by a first service provider having a highest security of access, a plurality of tables in a subscriber unit, the plurality of tables comprising: an address table having entries comprising addresses to which the subscriber unit is responsive; a sub-address table comprising a sub-address identifier and a corresponding first pointer to a first decryption key for an algorithm required to decrypt a sub-message associated with the sub-address identifier; and a key table comprising the first decryption key. The method further comprises the step of reprogramming, by a second service provider having a security of access less than that of the first service provider, an attribute of at least one of the sub-address table and the key table. The second service provider obtains reprogramming access by encrypting a first reprogramming message such that it can be properly decrypted using the first decryption key.
Another aspect of the present invention is a subscriber unit in a wireless messaging system for a hierarchical provision of service, comprising a receiver for receiving a message, a processing system coupled to the receiver for processing the message, and a user interface coupled to the processing system for interfacing with a user. The processing system comprises a memory for storing a plurality of tables initially programmed by a first service provider having a highest security of access, the plurality of tables comprising: an address table having entries comprising addresses to which the subscriber unit is responsive; a sub-address table comprising a sub-address identifier and a corresponding first pointer to a first decryption key for an algorithm required to decrypt a sub-message associated with the sub-address identifier; and a key table comprising the first decryption key. The processing system is programmed to allow a second service provider having a security of access less than that of the first service provider to reprogram an attribute of at least one of the sub-address table and the key table by encrypting a first reprogramming message such that it can be properly decrypted using the first decryption key.
Another aspect of the present invention is a controller in a wireless messaging system operated by a first service provider having a highest security of access, the controller for a hierarchical provision of service. The controller comprises a network interface for receiving a message from a message originator, and a processing system coupled to the network interface for processing the message. The controller further comprises a base station interface coupled to the processing system for controlling a base station to transmit the message, and a second service provider interface coupled to the processing system for accepting information from a second service provider. The processing system is programmed to initially download a plurality of tables to a subscriber unit, the plurality of tables comprising: an address table having entries comprising addresses to which the subscriber unit is responsive; a sub-address table comprising a sub-address identifier and a corresponding first pointer to a first decryption key for an algorithm required to decrypt a sub-message associated with the sub-address identifier; and a key table comprising the first decryption key. The processing system is further programmed to allow the second service provider, having a security of access less than that of the first service provider, to reprogram an attribute of at least one of the sub-address table and the key table by sending a first reprogramming message to the subscriber unit, the first reprogramming message encrypted such that it can be properly decrypted using the first decryption key.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4839628 (1989-06-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5012234 (1991-04-01), Dulaney et al.
patent: 5247519 (1993-09-01), Snowden et al.
patent: 5381138 (1995-01-01), Stair et al.
patent: 5432839 (1995-07-01), DeLuca
patent: 5555446 (1996-09-01), Jasinski
Bruce Schneier, Applied Cryptology, 2e, pp. 1-3, Oct. 1995.
Barron Jr. Gilberto
Breeden R. Louis
Motorola Inc.
Seal James
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