IoT-connected devices and equipment automated login system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11044601-B2
Application number	US-202016865026-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 1, 2020
Priority date	Feb 23, 2017
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

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 user identifier captured by the UE, wherein the user identifier corresponds to a user, and wherein the UE lacks an interface for inputting text;
querying a data store using the received user identifier;
determining that no user account is associated with the received user identifier; 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 user identifier, wherein a communication request intended for the user cannot be routed to 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 a second user identifier;
receiving the second user identifier; and
storing the second user identifier 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 user identifier captured by the UE; and
activating the UE in response to reception of the second user identifier 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 user identifier from the UE;
determining that a second user account is associated with the received third user identifier; 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 user identifier comprises one of biometric information, 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 user identifier captured by the UE, wherein the user identifier corresponds to a user, and wherein the UE lacks an interface for inputting text;
query a data store using the received user identifier;
determine that no user account is associated with the received user identifier; 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 user identifier, wherein a communication request intended for the user cannot be routed to 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 a second user identifier;
receive the second user identifier; and
store the second user identifier 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 user identifier captured by the UE; and
activate the UE in response to reception of the second user identifier 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 user identifier from the UE;
determine that a second user account is associated with the received third user identifier; 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 user identifier comprises one of biometric information, a personal identification number (PIN), or a voice command.

17. A system comprising:
a data store configured to store user identifiers; 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 user identifier captured by the UE, wherein the first user identifier corresponds to a user, and wherein the UE lacks an interface for inputting text;
query a data store using the received first user identifier;
determine that no user account is associated with the received first user identifier; 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 user identifier, wherein a communication request intended for the user cannot be routed to 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 a second user identifier;
receive the second user identifier; and
store the second user identifier 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 user identifier captured by the UE; and
activate the UE in response to reception of the second user identifier such that a second communication request directed to the user account can be routed to the UE.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the second UE is configured to connect to a tel

Assignees

• T Mobile Usa Inc

Inventors

• Karimli Yasmin
• Nimbavikar Gunjan

Classifications

• H04W8/265 Primary

  for initial activation of new user · CPC title

• H04M15/751

  Card based account, e.g. smart card, SIM card or USIM · CPC title

• H04M3/42272

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

• H04M2203/6054

  Biometric subscriber identification · CPC title

• H04M15/765

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