Smartwatch Wireless Network Access Without SIM
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Solution Overview
Problem
User client wireless communication devices, such as smart watches, cannot operate on a wireless wide area network independently due to the absence of a subscriber identity module, requiring a connected smartphone for authentication, which limits their use without a smartphone and increases complexity with multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a communication link with a user wireless wide area network device to receive a temporary security key, allowing the client device to operate independently on the network through authentication and key agreement procedures, even when not physically connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a subscriber identity module is added to the smart watch to enable independent network access, then the smart watch can operate independently on the wireless wide area network, but the device size increases and the user must manage multiple subscriber identity modules with different phone numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the authentication function from the physical subscriber identity module hardware and implements it through software-based authentication mechanisms. The smart watch uses the smartphone's subscriber identity module credentials remotely, eliminating the need to physically embed a second subscriber identity module in the smart watch, thus avoiding the volume increase while maintaining independent network access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone's subscriber identity module serves multiple functions: it authenticates both the smartphone itself and the smart watch for network access. The single subscriber identity module in the smartphone is universally used across multiple devices, eliminating the need for separate subscriber identity modules in each device and simplifying phone number management
2Adaptability or versatility
If a subscriber identity module is added to the smart watch to enable independent network access, then the smart watch can operate independently on the wireless wide area network, but the user must register and pay for additional subscriber identity modules with the service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone's subscriber identity module serves multiple functions: it authenticates both the smartphone itself and the smart watch for network access. The single subscriber identity module in the smartphone is universally used across multiple devices, eliminating the need for separate subscriber identity modules in each device and simplifying phone number management
3Reliability
If the smart watch uses the smartphone's subscriber identity module through Bluetooth connection, then network access is authenticated, but the smart watch cannot operate independently when separated from the smartphone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary authentication actions by having the smart watch establish initial credentials and authentication tokens while connected to the smartphone. These pre-established credentials enable the smart watch to independently authenticate with the network later without requiring continuous connection to the smartphone, thus providing both security and independent operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism where the network authentication system acts as a mediator between the smart watch and the subscriber identity module. The smart watch communicates authentication requests to the network, which then validates credentials through the smartphone's subscriber identity module, enabling indirect but independent access without requiring direct Bluetooth connection
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus operate a user client wireless communication device on a wireless wide area network. A communication link can be established at the user client wireless communication device with a user wireless wide area network communication device. At least one temporary wireless wide area network communication security key for a wireless wide area network can be requested from the user wireless wide area network communication device. The at least one temporary wireless wide area network communication security key can be received from the user wireless wide area network communication device. At least one count of a number of uplink non access stratum messages transmitted by the user wireless wide area network communication device can be received. The user client wireless communication device can operate on the wireless wide area network using the at least one temporary wireless wide area network communication security key from the user wireless wide area network communication device independent from the user wireless wide area network communication device.