IOT-connected devices and equipment automated login system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10645574-B2
Application number	US-201916359669-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2019
Priority date	Feb 23, 2017
Publication date	May 5, 2020
Grant date	May 5, 2020

Abstract

A modified telecommunications system is provided herein in which UEs can be associated with a user account using information other than SIM card data or a username and password combination. For example, when a subscriber activates a user account, the subscriber may be requested to provide a signature. A signature can include a unique PIN, a sample voice command, a fingerprint, a retinal scan, and/or the like. The signature may be stored in a data store in an entry corresponding to the user account. To associate a UE with a user account, the subscriber can provide a signature via the UE. The UE can then transmit the provided signature and a UE address to a management system. The management system can then store the UE address in the data store in an entry associated with the user account that corresponds with the provided signature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a signature captured by the UE, wherein the signature corresponds to a user, and wherein the UE lacks an interface for inputting text;
querying a data store using the received signature;
determining that no user account is associated with the received signature; and
transmitting a message to the UE indicating that the UE cannot be activated in response to determining that no user account is associated with the received signature, wherein a communication request intended for a telephone number associated with the user can be routed to the UE in response to reception of a second signature that results in an activation of the UE.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving subscriber identification module (SIM) card data from a second UE;
querying the data store using the SIM card data;
determining that a user account of the user is associated with the SIM card data;
transmitting, to the second UE, a request for the second signature;
receiving the second signature; and
storing the second signature in the data store in an entry associated with the user account.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising:
receiving, from the UE, the second signature captured by the UE; and
activating the UE in response to reception of the second signature such that a second communication request directed to the user account can be routed to the UE.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising:
receiving a third signature from the UE;
determining that a second user account is associated with the received third signature; and
associating the UE with the second user account such that a third communication request directed to the second user account can be routed to the UE.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein associating the UE with the second user account further comprises associating one of an Internet protocol (IP) address of the UE or a media access control (MAC) address of the UE with the second user account.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the second UE is configured to connect to a telecommunications network via a radio access network (RAN).

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the UE is configured to connect to the telecommunications network via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and not the RAN when activated.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the signature comprises one of a fingerprint scan, a retinal scan, a personal identification number (PIN), or a voice command.

9. Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to:
receive, from a user equipment (UE), a signature captured by the UE, wherein the signature corresponds to a user, and wherein the UE lacks an interface for inputting text;
query a data store using the received signature;
determine that no user account is associated with the received signature; and
transmit a message to the UE indicating that the UE cannot be activated in response to the determination that no user account is associated with the received signature, wherein a communication request intended for a telephone number associated with the user can be routed to the UE in response to reception of a second signature that results in an activation of the UE.

10. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 9 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer system to:
receive subscriber identification module (SIM) card data from a second UE;
query the data store using the SIM card data;
determine that a user account is associated with the SIM card data;
transmit, to the second UE, a request for second signature;
receive the second signature; and
store the second signature in the data store in an entry associated with the user account.

11. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 10 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer system to:
receive, from the UE, the second signature captured by the UE; and
activate the UE in response to reception of the second signature such that a second communication request directed to the user account can be routed to the UE.

12. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 11 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer system to:
receive a third signature from the UE;
determine that a second user account is associated with the received third signature; and
associate the UE with the second user account such that a third communication request directed to the second user account can be routed to the UE.

13. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 12 , wherein associating the UE with the second user account further comprises associating one of an Internet protocol (IP) address of the UE or a media access control (MAC) address of the UE with the second user account.

14. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 10 , wherein the second UE is configured to connect to a telecommunications network via a radio access network (RAN).

15. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 14 , wherein the UE is configured to connect to the telecommunications network via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and not the RAN when activated.

16. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 9 , wherein the signature comprises one of a fingerprint scan, a retinal scan, a personal identification number (PIN), or a voice command.

17. A system comprising:
a data store configured to store signatures; and
a management system comprising a processor in communication with the data store and configured with specific computer-executable instructions to:
receive, from a user equipment (UE), a first signature captured by the UE, wherein the signature corresponds to a user, and wherein the UE lacks an interface for inputting text;
query the data store using the received first signature;
determine that no user account is associated with the received first signature; and
transmit a message to the UE indicating that the UE cannot be activated in response to the determination that no user account is associated with the received first signature, wherein a communication request intended for a telephone number associated with the user can be routed to the UE in response to the UE receiving a second signature that results in an activation of the UE.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the management system is further configured with specific computer-executable instructions to:
receive subscriber identification module (SIM) card data from a second UE;
query the data store using the SIM card data;
determine that a user account of the user is associated with the SIM card data;
transmit, to the second UE, a request for the second signature;
receive the second signature; and
store the second signature in the data store in an entry associated with the user account.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the management system is further configured with specific computer-executable instructions to:
receive, from the UE, the second signature captured by the UE; and
activate the UE in response to reception of the second signature such that a second communication reques

Assignees

• T Mobile Usa Inc

Inventors

• Karimli Yasmin
• Nimbavikar Gunjan

Classifications

• H04M2203/6054

  Biometric subscriber identification · CPC title

• H04W4/24

  Accounting or billing · CPC title

• H04M15/765

  Linked or grouped accounts, e.g. of users or devices · CPC title

• H04W8/265 Primary

  for initial activation of new user · CPC title

• H04M3/42272

  whereby the subscriber registers to the terminals for personalised service provision · CPC title