Motorola Mobility, Inc. v. Apple, Inc.
Filing
94
NOTICE by Motorola Mobility, Inc. of Filing Brief on Claim Construction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit, # 19 Exhibit, # 20 Exhibit, # 21 Exhibit, # 22 Exhibit, # 23 Exhibit, # 24 Exhibit, # 25 Exhibit, # 26 Exhibit, # 27 Exhibit, # 28 Exhibit, # 29 Exhibit, # 30 Exhibit, # 31 Affidavit)(Giuliano, Douglas)
Exhibit 23
to Motorola’s Opening Claim Construction Brief
July 28, 2011
[11]
United States Patent [19]
Patent Number:
Date of Patent:
[45]
Deluca et al.
[54] APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING
UTILIZATION OF SOFTWARE ADDED TO A
PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
[21] Appl. No.: 08/672,004
[22]
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1996
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/452,785, May
30, 1995, Pat. No. 5,612,682.
[51]
[52]
Int. C1. 6
U.S. Cl.
GO7D 7/00
340/825.34; 340/825.34;
340/825.44; 455/408; 379/121; 705/32
[58] Field of Search
340/825.34, 825.44,
340/825.33, 825.35, 825.22; 455/426, 405,
406, 408; 395/200.01, 200.05, 230, 232,
228, 229; 379/114, 121
References Cited
[56]
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,875,038 10/1989 Siwiak et al.
5,155,680 10/1992 Wiedemer
5,325,418 6/1994 McGregor et al.
340/825.44
395/232
455/406
[57]
ABSTRACT
An apparatus at a fixed portion (102) of a communication
system controls utilization of software (398) in a portable
communication device (122) that includes a transceiver
(302) for communicating with the fixed portion. The portable communication device receives (604) a request for
utilization of the software. In response, the portable communication device seeks (612) a usage authorization for
utilizing the software by generating (614) an external authorization request (428) that includes at least one of a size
(396) of the software, a software name (394), a secure
checksum, and an address (313) identifying the portable
communication device, and by communicating (616) the
external authorization request to the fixed portion. The
secure checksum is a secure cyclic redundancy check of the
software for which the portable communication device is
requesting usage authorization, and is generated (624) by the
portable communication device from a secure polynomial
(311) stored in the portable communication device and
separately by the apparatus from a same secure polynomial
(230) stored in the apparatus. The portable communication
device disallows (640) the utilization of the software, in
response to the usage authorization being unobtainable.
9 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
SEND TO TRANSMITTER
ENCRYPTED AUTHORIZATION
REQUEST, ADDRESS, PROCESS
„NAME AND SIZE, AND SECURE CRC,
ENCRYPTED
AUTHORIZATION
REQUEST TRANSMITTED
618
V
CHOOSE RANDOM
BYTES FOR
POLYNOMIAL
GENERATOR
ENERATE CRC FO
PROCESS USING
RANDOM CRC
GENERATOR
632
626
6TORE ADDRESS POINTERS'
PROCESS NAME AND SIZE,
RANDOM CRC AND
EXPIRATION TIME
ENCRYPTED WITH SECURE
340/825.34
340/825.33
385/232
455/406
395/232
340/825.44
340/825.34
340/825.34
455/405
Primary Examiner—Edwin C. Holloway, III
Assistant Examiner Anthony A. Asongwed
6 `!
616
*Dec. 28, 1999
5,335,278 8/1994 Matchett et al.
5,371,493 12/1994 Sharpe et al.
5,493,492 2/1996 Cramer et al.
5,577,100 11/1996 McGregor et al.
5,606,497 2/1997 Cramer et al.
5,612,682 3/1997 De Luca et al.
5,633,932 5/1997 Davis et al.
5,652,793 7/1997 Priem et al.
5,664,006 9/1997 Monte et al.
[75] Inventors: Michael J. Deluca, Boca Raton; Doug
Kraul; Walter L. Davis, both of
Parkland, all of Fla.
[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
Notice:
This patent issued on a continued pros[*
ecution application filed under 37 CFR
1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
154(a)(2).
6,008,737
PROCESS
EXECUTION
DENIED; USER
„ ALERTED
„POLYNOMIAL GENERATOR,
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 1
600
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
6,008,737
Sheet 1 of 7
z--- 104
---' 122
122
I---122
1PORT.
PORT.
COMM.
DEV.
DEV.
r
116
L
110
---- 101
PUBLIC
SWITCHED
TELEPHONE
NETWORK
FIG. 1
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 2
102 -7
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
6,008,737
Sheet 2 of 7
214 I
L.._
RAM
216
218 "---- PORTABLE DEVICE RECORDS
PORTABLE DEVICE ADDRESS
220
PROCESS RECORD I
220
.
PROCESS RECORD
218
:
PORTABLE DEVICE ADDRESS
220
PROCESS RECORD I
220
PROCESS RECORD
226
1
LIST OF PROCESSES
120
(--- 202
t
1
1
XMTR
INFC
TRANSMITTER I 411 I
101
PROCESSOR
T EL
INFC
210
J
212
r
11'
206
STATION
230
1
I
112 I
200
FIG. 2
r
228
ROM
.,,_
SECURE POLYNOMIAL
231
___
SECURE ENCRYPTION KEY
232
CALL PROCESSING
234...._.
PROCESS LISTER
236
\._
REQUEST RECEIVER
238
LIST CHECKER
24k..._
EXTERNAL AUTHORIZATION
242
_ AUTHORIZATION DENIAL
CONTROLLER
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 3
I
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
378
6,008,737
Sheet 3 of 7
RAM
INFORMATION STORAGE
LOCATIONS
AUTHORIZATION RECORDS
INTERNAL AUTHORIZATION
ADDRESS POINTERS
PROCESS NAME
PROCESS SIZE
RANDOM CRC
EXPIRATION TIME
.
t
379
/
380
382
384
386
387
388
390
122
FIG. 3
375
r
i AUTHORIZATION
382
384 L MEDIUM
386
387
r 373
388
390 r
HW MODULE
INTERNAL AUTHORIZATION
ADDRESS POINTERS
PROCESS NAME
PROCESS SIZE
RANDOM CRC
EXPIRATION TIME
SOFTWARE MODULE
e
--PROCESS NAME
--PROCESS SIZE
PROCESS EXECUTABLE .---
PROCESS
392
EXECUTABLE
394
396 398
398
SOFTWARE MODULE
--PROCESS NAME
PROCESS SIZE
PROCESS EXECUTABLE ---
392
394
396
398
r 374
376
4
PROGRAM
INTERFACE
.441
309
EEPROM
313
ADDRESS
306
USER
CONTROLS
310
POWER
SWITCH
ROM
311
v
SECURE ENCRYPTION KEY
312
TRANSCEIVER
SECURITY
302 --
I
364—\
PROCESSOR
SECURE POLYNOMIAL
fril
303
308
31
CALL PROCESSING
REAL-TIME I
CLOCK
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 4
314
315
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
6,008,737
Sheet 4 of 7
SECURITY
..----- 315
AUTHORIZATION
FIRST ALLOWER
SECOND ALLOWER
1 HARDWARE PERFORMER ■•___
SOFTWARE PERFORMER ...____
k
INTERNAL AUTHORIZER
EXTERNAL AUTHORIZER
DETERMINATION
RADIO AUTHORIZER
TRANSMITTER CONTROLLER
SECURE CHECKSUM
CALCULATOR
SENDER
F
316
318
320
322
324
328
330
332
334
336
338
340
CREATOR
GENERATOR
CHOOSER
CHECKSUM CALCULATOR
344
346
348
STORER
PLACER
352
354
k-----____
DISALLOWER
FIRST DISABLER
SECOND DISABLER
THIRD DISABLER
FIG. 4
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 5
350
356
358
360
362
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
416
AUTH.
CMD
418
2
OUTBOUND SEL. CALL
ADDRESS
SYNC
406 --)
2
... 420
PROCESS NAME EXPIRATION TIME
414
408-2
ENCRYPTED
MESSAGE
1
K
MESSAGE ?
OUTBOUND
VEC TOR
MESSAGE
-..........
41
6,008,737
Sheet 5 of 7
0-2
_
412 --I
■
404
_..
426
SYNC MESSAGE
/
ENCRYPTED
430 MESSAGE
432
434
PROCESS NAME PROCESS SIZE CRC
436
438
400
FIG. 5
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 6
428
INBOUND INBOUND
402 --I
AUTH.
REQUEST ADDRESS
■
403
440
/
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
Sheet 6 of 7
CONTROLLER RECEIVES ENCRYPTE D
(
EXTERNAL AUTHORIZATION
REQUEST MESSAGE
(CONTROLLER DECIPHERS ENCRYPTED
MESSAGE FROM THE PORTABLE
COMMUNICATION DEVICE
t
[ CONTROLLER IDENTIFIES THE PORTABLE
COMMUNICATION DEVICE BY SELECTIVE CALL
ADDRESS, AND PROCESS IS IDENTIFIED BY
PROCESS NAME, SIZE AND CRC
6,008,737
502
504
506
Y
510
CONTROLLER SENDS
ENCRYPTED PROCESS
AUTHORIZATION INCLUDING
PROCESS NAME AND SIZE TO
BASE TRANSMITTER
( CONTROLLER SENDS NOT
AUTHORIZED COMMAND TO
TRANSMITTER
[
( BASE TRANSMITTER
TRANSMITS AUTHORIZATION
MESSAGE
Y
500
FIG. 6
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 7
U.S. Patent
Dec. 28, 1999
6,008,737
Sheet 7 of 7
602
604
•
USER INSTALLS N
HARDWARE OR
SOFTWARE MODULE
AND SENDS
‘.. REGISTRATION
USER
RECEIVES OTA
PROGRAM
USER REQUESTS
EXECUTION OF A
PROCESS
TO TRANSMITTER
ENCRYPTED AUTHORIZATION
REQUEST, ADDRESS, PROCESS
NAME AND SIZE, AND SECURE CRC
NAME
616
iv
ENCRYPTED
AUTHORIZATION
REQUEST TRANSMITTED
642p
PROCESS
DISCARDED
FROM MEMORY
AND ALERT
\.,
[CHOOSE RANDOM
BYTES FOR
POLYNOMIAL
GENERATOR
CGENERATE CRC FOR
PROCESS USING
RANDOM CRC
GENERATOR
632
626
J
N.)
'TORE ADDRESS POINTERS
PROCESS NAME AND SIZE,
RANDOM CRC AND
EXPIRATION TIME
ENCRYPTED WITH SECURE
\ POLYNOMIAL GENERATOR/
I PROCESS
EXECUTION
DENIED; USER
\.. ALERTED
.
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 8
600
FIG. 7
6,008,737
1
2
APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING
UTILIZATION OF SOFTWARE ADDED TO A
PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 08/452,785 filed May 30, 1995, by Deluca et al.,
entitled "Method and Apparatus for Controlling Utilization
of a Process Added to a Portable Communication Device",
now U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,682, issued Mar. 18, 1997.
5
10
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to communication
systems, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for
controlling utilization of a process added to a portable
communication device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, paging devices were limited to alpha-numeric
and voice paging. With technology improvements in circuit
integration and more efficient communication protocols that
provide two-way communication, paging devices have
grown in sophistication and services provided. With today's
technology improvements, paging devices are expected to
acquire more sophisticated functions such as electronic
mailing services, spread sheet applications, investment
finance services such as stock market charts, quotation
requests, purchase and sale transactions, etc. These services
require sophisticated software applications and/or hardware
modules to be operated in the paging device. Paging devices
using sophisticated services such as these will require a
means for registration and licensing to prevent unauthorized
use of processes, including software applications and hardware modules. In prior art devices registration has been
accomplished by mailing a signed certificate with a purchase
receipt of a software application or hardware module. This
form of registration, however, does not prevent an unscrupulous user from using pirated software applications and/or
unauthorized hardware modules.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for
controlling utilization of a process added to a portable
communication device. Preferably, the method and apparatus should serve as a mechanism to prevent unauthorized use
of software applications and hardware modules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a communication
system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of elements of a fixed
portion of the communication system in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are elements of an electrical block diagram
of a portable communication device in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a timing diagram of elements of an outbound
protocol and an inbound protocol of the fixed and portable
portions of the communication system in accordance with
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting an authorization operation
of the fixed portion in response to a message originated by
the portable communication device in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting an authorization operation
of the portable communication device as it attempts to
obtain authorization to use a process in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical block diagram of a
communication system in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixed
portion 102 and a portable portion 104. The fixed portion
102 includes a plurality of base stations 116, for communicating with the portable portion 104, utilizing conventional
techniques well known in the art, and coupled by communication links 114 to a controller 112 which controls the base
stations 116. The hardware of the controller 112 is preferably
a combination of the Wireless Messaging Gateway
(WMGTM) Administrator ! Tm paging terminal and the
RF-Conductor!® message distributor manufactured by
Motorola, Inc. The hardware of the base stations 116 is
preferably a combination of the Nucleus® RF-Orchestra! TM
transmitter and RF-Audience! TM receivers manufactured by
Motorola, Inc. It will be appreciated that other similar
hardware can be utilized as well for the controller 112 and
base stations 116.
Each of the base stations 116 transmits radio signals to the
portable portion 104 comprising a plurality of portable
communication devices 122 via a transmitting antenna 120.
The base stations 116 each receive radio signals from the
plurality of portable communication devices 122 via a
receiving antenna 118. The radio signals comprise selective
call addresses and messages transmitted to the portable
communication devices 122 and acknowledgments received
from the portable communication devices 122. It will be
appreciated that the portable communication devices 122
can also originate messages other than acknowledgments, as
will be described below. The controller 112 preferably is
coupled by telephone links 101 to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110 for receiving selective call
originations therefrom. Selective call originations comprising voice and data messages from the PSTN 110 can be
generated, for example, from a conventional telephone 124
coupled to the PSTN 110 in a manner that is well known in
the art.
Data and control transmissions between the base stations
116 and the portable communication devices 122 preferably
utilize a protocol similar to Motorola's well-known FLEX TM
digital selective call signaling protocol. This protocol utilizes well-known error detection and error correction techniques and is therefore tolerant to bit errors occurring during
transmission, provided that the bit errors are not too numerous in any one code word.
Outbound channel transmissions comprising data and
control signals from the base stations 116 preferably utilize
two and four-level frequency shift keyed (FSK) modulation,
operating at sixteen-hundred or thirty-twohundred symbolsper-second (sps), depending on traffic requirements and
system transmission gain. Inbound channel transmissions
from the portable communication devices 122 to the base
stations 116 preferably utilize four-level FSK modulation at
a rate of ninety-six-hundred bits per second (bps). Inbound
channel transmissions preferably occur during predetermined data packet time slots synchronized with the outbound channel transmissions. It will be appreciated that,
alternatively, other signaling protocols, modulation
schemes, and transmission rates can be utilized as well for
either or both transmission directions. The outbound and
inbound channels preferably operate on a single carrier
frequency utilizing well-known time division duplex (TDD)
techniques for sharing the frequency. It will be further
appreciated that, alternatively, the outbound and inbound
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 9
6,008,737
4
3
channels can operate on two different carrier frequencies
memory, e.g., electrically erasable programmable ROM
(EEPROM) or magnetic disk memory, can be utilized for the
using frequency division multiplexing (FDM) without
ROM 228, as well as the RAM 214. It will be further
requiring the use of TDD techniques.
appreciated that the RAM 214 and the ROM 228, singly or
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,038 to Siwiak et al., which describes
5 in combination, can be integrated as a contiguous portion of
a prior art acknowledge-back radio communication system,
the processor 210. Preferably, the processor 210 is similar to
is hereby incorporated herein by reference. For further
the DSP56100 digital signal processor (DSP) manufactured
information on the operation and structure of an
by Motorola, Inc. It will be appreciated that other similar
acknowledge-back radio communication system, please
processors can be utilized for the processor 210, and that
refer to the Siwiak et al., patent.
10 additional processors of the same or alternate type can be
Referring to FIG. 2, an electrical block diagram of eleadded as required to handle the processing requirements of
ments 200 of the fixed portion 102 in accordance with the
the controller 112.
preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises
The first two elements in the ROM 228 include a secure
portions of the controller 112 and the base stations 116. The
polynomial 230 and a secure encryption key 231. The secure
controller 112 comprises a processor 210 for directing
polynomial 230 is used as a secure polynomial generator for
operation of the controller 112. The processor 210 preferably is
CRC verification of process executables requested by exteris coupled through a transmitter interface 208 to a transmitnal authorization request messages transmitted by portable
ter 202 via the communication links 114. The communicacommunication devices 122. The portable communication
tion links 114 use conventional means well known in the art,
devices 122 use the same secure polynomial generator for
such as a direct wire line (telephone) link, a data commu20 CRC generation. Using the same secure polynomial generanication link, or any number of radio frequency links, such
tor for both the fixed portion 102 and portable portion 104
as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver link, a microwave
of the communication system provides a means for verifying
transceiver link, or a satellite link, just to mention a few. The
authenticity of software and hardware processes requested
transmitter 202 transmits two and four-level FSK data
by the portable communication devices 122. The secure
messages to the portable communication devices 122. The
25 encryption key 231 is used for encryption and decryption of
processor 210 is also coupled to at least one receiver 204
authorization messages transmitted between the portable
through a receiver interface 206 via the communication links
communication devices 122 and the base stations 116.
114. The receiver 204 demodulates four level FSK and can
Similarly, the portable communication devices 122 use the
be collocated with the base stations 116, as implied in FIG.
same secure encryption key for external authorization mes2, but preferably is positioned remote from the base stations
30 sage transactions. Using secure encryption between the fixed
116 to avoid interference from the transmitter 202. The
portion 102 and the portable portion 104 of the communireceiver 204 is for receiving one or more acknowledgments
cation system provides a method for transmitting secure
and/or messages from the portable communication devices
two-way messages which are unlikely to be breached. The
122.
encryption process converts an unscrambled sequence to a
The processor 210 is coupled to a telephone interface 212 35 pseudo-random sequence coded by a scrambler and decoded
for communicating with the PSTN 110 through the teleby a descrambler. The scrambler and descrambler use prefphone links 101 for receiving selective call originations. The
erably polynomial generators with feedback paths which use
processor 210 is also coupled to a random access memory
modulo 2 (Exclusive Or) addition on the feedback taps. The
(RAM) 214 comprising a database of portable device
descrambler uses the same architecture as the scrambler for
records 216 and a database of processes 226. The database 40 descrambling the message. Using a nonlinear feedback shift
of portable device records 216 contains, as a minimum, a list
register (NFSR) architecture provides a secure approach for
of process records 220 for each portable communication
message encryption which makes it difficult, if not compudevice 122. To access the list of process records 220 of a
tationally intractable for a person to decipher the encryption
portable communication device 122, a portable device
key. The present invention preferably uses a conventional
address 218 corresponding to the address of a portable 45 self-synchronizing stream encryption system which utilizes
communication device 122 is used to search the database of
a NFSR architecture, as is well known by one of ordinary
portable device records 216. The list of process records 220
skill in the art. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, other
specifies the software and hardware processes which are
methods which provide suitably secure encryption can be
authorized for use by a portable communication device 122
used. It will be further appreciated that, alternatively, meshaving the portable device address 218. Each process record so sage transactions between the base stations 116 and the
220 contains a list of process verification elements used for
portable communication devices 122 can be non-encrypted.
process authorization of external authorization requests
To protect against unauthorized access, the secure polytransmitted by the portable communication devices 122, as
nomial 230 and the secure encryption key 231 preferably are
will be described below. The verification elements contained
stored in a secure portion of the ROM 228 which can only
in the process record 220 for both hardware and software 55 be accessed by the processor 210. Preferably, this portion of
processes include a process name, a process size and a
the ROM 228 is integrated with the processor 210 as a
secure cyclic redundancy check (CRC).
protected mask read only memory (MROM), and is proThe database of processes 226 preferably comprises
grammed during the manufacturing process of the processor
binary executables (machine code) of many of the autho210. As is well known by one of ordinary skill in the art,
rized software processes available for use by the portable 60 once a protected MROM has been programmed the procommunication devices 122. The software processes stored
tected portion of the MROM is only accessible by the
in the RAM 214 of the controller preferably can be delivered
processor 210 and cannot be accessed by external hardware
to portable communication devices 122 by way of over-thecoupled to the processor 210. Alternatively, the secure
air (OTA) programming utilizing techniques well known in
polynomial 230 and the secure encryption key 231 can be
the art.
65 included in a re-programmable non-volatile memory such as
a FLASH memory, an EEPROM memory or magnetic disk
The processor 210 also is coupled to a read-only memory
memory, but accessibility of the secure polynomial 230 and
(ROM) 228. It will be appreciated that other types of
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 10
6,008,737
5
6
secure encryption key 231 are preferably restricted by the
service provider to authorized personnel only. Using
re-programmable non-volatile memories provides flexibility
of adding more polynomial elements and encryption keys
for system and subscriber unit expansion.
The ROM 228 of the processor 210 also includes firmware elements for use by the processor 210. The firmware
elements include a call processing element 232, a process
lister element 234, a request receiver element 236, a list
checker element 238, an external authorization element 240
and an authorization denial element 242. The call processing
element 232 handles the processing of an incoming call for
a called party and for controlling the transmitter 202 to send
a selective call message to the portable communication
device 122 corresponding to the called party, utilizing techniques well known in the art. The process lister element 234
manages the database of portable device records 216 stored
in the RAM 214 for each portable communication device
122 utilizing database management techniques well known
in the art. The request receiver element 236 processes
encrypted external authorization request messages received
by the receiver 204 of the base station 116 and originating
from the portable communication devices 122. The
encrypted external authorization request message is
decrypted with the secure encryption key 231 described
above. The external authorization request for hardware and
software processes comprises at least a process name and a
process size corresponding to the process, along with a
secure checksum and an address identifying the portable
communication device 122. Optionally, an authorization
request command can accompany the external authorization
request message. Preferably, the authorization request command is included in the address portion of the portable
communication device 122 address. Alternatively, the authorization request command can be in a separate element in the
external authorization request message. The secure checksum is preferably a secure CRC of the software process for
which the portable communication device 122 is requesting
authorization. The CRC is generated by the portable communication device 122 by using a polynomial generator
stored in its memory, which is the same as the secure
polynomial 230 used by the controller 112, as described
above. The secure checksum provides a means for verifying
that the process being used by the portable communication
device 122 is an authorized version. The list checker element
238 uses the address, corresponding to the portable communication device 122, received in the external authorization request message as a portable device address 218. The
processor 210, as described above, searches through the
database of portable device records 216 to find the list of
process records 220 corresponding to the portable device
address 218 matching the address of the portable communication device 122. The list checker element 238 then
checks each process record 220 for a match to the process
name, process size and secure CRC received in the external
authorization request message. If a match is found, then
authorization is given to the portable communication device
122 for using the requested software or hardware process. If
a match is not found, then authorization is denied. When the
list checker element 238 authorizes a process requested by
the portable communication device 122, the processor 210
calls on the external authorization element 240 to process
the external authorization response message to be transmitted to the portable communication device 122. The external
authorization response message preferably comprises an
authorization command, the process name of the authorized
process and an expiration time for the process. It will be
appreciated that, alternatively, the external authorization
response message can include a plurality of process names
and expiration times authorizing a plurality of processes
requested by the portable communication device 122.
5 Before the external authorization element 240 sends the
external authorization response message to the transmitter
202 of the base station 116, the external authorization
response message is encrypted, using the method described
above, to secure the RF transmission of the message. When
10 the list checker element 238 denies authorization of a
process to a portable communication device 122, the processor 210 calls on the authorization denial element 242 to
process the external authorization denial response message
to be transmitted to the portable communication device 122.
is The external authorization denial response message comprises an authorization command which includes a "not
authorized" signal denying authorization, and a process
name of the process being denied. It will be appreciated that
the external authorization denial response message can
20 include a plurality of process names denying authorization
to a plurality of processes requested by the portable communication device 122. As is done with the external authorization response message, the external authorization denial
response message is encrypted before it is transmitted to the
25 portable communication device 122 by the base stations 116.
According to an auditing operation of the fixed portion
102, the processor 210 is programmed by way of the ROM
228 to periodically audit the portable communication device
122 through a radio channel of the communication system to
30 determine a catalog of internal authorizations 382 (FIG. 3)
stored in the portable communication device 122. In
addition, the processor 210 is programmed to periodically
audit the portable communication device 122 through a
radio channel of the communication system to determine a
35 quantitative usage of each of the processes 398 (FIG. 3) used
by the portable communication device 122, and to bill a user
of the portable communication device 122 in response to the
quantitative usage determined. The processor 210 is also
programmed by way of the ROM 228 to maintain a list of
40 authorized processes 398 in the process records 220 corresponding to the portable communication device 122, and to
compare the catalog of internal authorizations 382 with the
list of authorized processes 398 corresponding to the portable communication device to determine whether any of the
45 internal authorizations 382 stored in the portable communication device 122 are invalid. The processor 210 is further
programmed by way of the ROM 228 to store an indication
in a user database entry (not shown) in the RAM 214
corresponding to the portable communication device 122
so that an invalid internal authorization 382 has been found
therein, in response to determining that at least one of the
internal authorizations 382 stored in the portable communication device 122 is invalid. The processor 210 is also
programmed to transmit a command to the portable com55 munication device 122 to delete at least one of the internal
authorizations 382, in response to determining that the at
least one of the internal authorizations 382 stored in the
portable communication device 122 is invalid. These operational features will be described further herein below.
60 According to a message sending operation of the fixed
portion 102, the processor 210 is programmed by way of the
ROM 228 to queue a message for transmission to the
portable communication device 122, the message requiring
a predetermined process 398 in the portable communication
65 device 122 in order to process the message. In addition, the
processor 210 is programmed to determine that the portable
communication device 122 does not have a predetermined
EXHIBIT 23
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8
usage authorization 382 for utilizing the predetermined
above. The internal authorization record 382 for hardware
process 398; and in response, to grant the predetermined
and software processes comprises address pointers 384, a
usage authorization 382 to the portable communication
process name 386, a process size 387, a random CRC 388 of
device 122 through the radio channel of the communication
the authorized hardware or software process executable 398
system (after verifying, for example, that the account of the 5 and an expiration time 390. The address pointers 384
user of the portable communication device 122 is in good
preferably include two address pointers which point to two
standing). Preferably, the processor 210 determines that the
byte locations within the process executable 398 of the
portable communication device 122 does not have the
authorized hardware or software process. The two bytes are
predetermined usage authorization 382 by auditing the porchosen by a random process which preferably uses a realtable communication device 122 over the radio channel. It 10 time clock 399 for generating random address pointers. The
will be appreciated that, alternatively, the processor 210 can
real-time clock 399 determines time (in hours, minutes and
determine from its own internal process records 220 that the
seconds) and calendar date, which is also used for deterportable communication device 122 has not been previously
mining the expiration time of a process, as will be described
authorized for utilizing the predetermined process 398.
below. To determine the two random address pointers the
If the predetermined process 398 is a software process, the is real-time clock 399 is used in conjunction with the random
processor 210 is further programmed to determine that the
event of the user requesting use of a process through the user
portable communication device 122 does not have the
controls 364. When the user depresses a button on the user
software process, e.g., by receiving from the portable comcontrols 364 requesting execution of a process, the processor
munication device 122 a request for the software process;
308 reads the time specified by the real-time clock 399. The
and in response, to download the software process to the 20 real-time clock 399 reading is in binary format and is
portable communication device 122 through the radio chansufficiently long to cover a wide address spectrum. Dependnel. Preferably, before downloading the software process,
ing on the number of bytes contained in the process executthe processor 210 is further programmed to transmit terms of
able 398 the user is requesting, a limited number of bits are
a licensing agreement to the portable communication device
chosen in the real-time clock reading to cover the size of the
122, to receive from the portable communication device 122 25 process executable 398. The limited real-time clock reading
a reply indicating whether the user of the portable commuis then used as an address pointer to a first random byte in
nication device 122 agrees to the terms, and to omit downthe requested process executable 398. The second random
loading of the software process in response to the reply
address pointer points to a second random byte location. The
indicating that the user does not agree to the terms of the
two bytes together represent a 16 bit polynomial generator
licensing agreement. These operational features will be 30 seed for generating the random CRC 388 of the hardware or
described further herein below.
software process executable 398. As is well known by one
Referring to FIG. 3, an electrical block diagram of the
of ordinary skill in the art, a polynomial generator must
portable communication device 122 in accordance with the
follow certain guidelines such as, for example, the polynopreferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a
mial generator must not contain all zeros or all ones. When
transceiver antenna 303 for transmitting radio signals to the 35 the two bytes chosen violate any polynomial generator rules,
base stations 116 and for intercepting radio signals from the
the address pointers are moved to a next higher location in
base stations 116. The transceiver antenna 303 is coupled to
the process executable 398. If the end of the process
a transceiver 302 utilizing conventional techniques well
executable 398 is reached then the random address pointers
known in the art. The radio signals received from the base
wrap around to the beginning of the process executable 398.
stations 116 use conventional two and four-level FSK. The 40 This process continues until a valid set of bytes are chosen
radio signals transmitted by the portable communication
which meet the polynomial generator rules. It will be
device 122 to the base stations 116 use fourlevel FSK.
appreciated that, alternatively, more than two bytes can be
Radio signals received by the transceiver 302 produce
used for the random polynomial generator. The expiration
demodulated information at the output. The demodulated
time 390 includes a date, and optionally a time when the
information is coupled to the input of a processor 308, which 45 authorization of the hardware or software process expires.
processes the information in a manner well known in the art.
Whenever a process execution is requested by the user, the
Similarly, inbound response messages are processed by the
expiration time 390 is compared to the real-time clock 399
processor 308 and delivered to the transceiver 302 which is
to determine if authorization of the hardware or software
coupled to the processor 308. The response messages transprocess has expired. It will be appreciated that reprogrammitted by the transceiver 302 are preferably modulated using so mable non-volatile memory devices, such as, for example,
four-level FSK.
EEPROM or FLASH memories, can be used to prevent loss
of the authorization records 380 stored in the RAM 378
A conventional power switch 306, coupled to the procesduring a power outage.
sor 308, is used to control the supply of power to the
transceiver 302, thereby providing a battery saving function.
The processor 308 is also coupled to a programming
The processor 308 is coupled to a random access memory 55 interface 374 and a hardware module interface 370. The
(RAM) 378 for storing messages in information storage
programming interface 374 allows for external software
locations 379. The RAM 378 further comprises authorizamodule download into the RAM 378. The programming
tion records 380 and software modules 392. The authorizainterface 374 preferably uses a serial communication intertion records 380 include internal authorization records 382
face 376 for communication with the processor 308. The
of processes, either software or hardware, which have been 60 serial interface preferably uses a conventional universal
authorized for use by the portable communication device
asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) well known in
122. The software modules 392 include a process name 394,
the art. The physical means for the interface preferably uses
a process size 396 and a process executable 398. The internal
metal contacts. It will be appreciated that, alternatively,
authorization record 382 is encrypted using a secure encrypother physical means can be used, such as infrared, inductive
tion key 312 stored in a read only memory (ROM) 310 of the 65 coupling, etc. The hardware module interface 370 allows for
portable communication device 122. The encryption key
attachments of hardware modules to the portable commuused is the same as that used by the controller 112 described
nication device 122. The hardware module interface 370
EXHIBIT 23
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10
preferably uses a hardware interface 372, well known in the
communication device 122 performed by the system proart, such as the Personal Computer Memory Card Internavider. The processor 308 follows by invoking a determinational Association (PCMCIA) interface. With this interface
tion element 332 which is used for making a determination
any type of hardware module 373 conforming to the PCMof whether an internal authorization record 382 exists for
CIA standard can be attached to the portable communication 5 utilizing the hardware or software process. The determinadevice 122. The function of the hardware module 373 can
tion of a valid internal authorization record 382 is made by
include any number of functions such as a software module
searching through the authorization records 380 for a prohardware accelerator, video graphics card, expanded
cess name 386 which matches the module name of the
memory card, etc. It will be appreciated that the programhardware or software process requested by the user. If a
ming interface 374 and the hardware module interface 370 10 match is determined, then an internal authorizer element 328
can use other interfaces for software download and hardware
is called on by the processor 308 to read the address pointers
attachments, well known in the art.
384 to determine the random polynomial generator to be
The ROM 310 coupled to the processor 308 comprises a
used for random CRC generation over the process executsecure polynomial 311, a secure encryption key 312 and
able 398 of the hardware or software module. The internal
firmware elements for use by the processor 308. It will be is authorizer element 328 uses the process size 387 correappreciated that other types of memory, e.g., EEPROM, can
sponding to the module size of the hardware or software
be utilized as well for the ROM 310. The secure polynomial
process executable 398 to calculate a random CRC over the
311 includes a secure polynomial generator for CRC genprocess executable 398 of the hardware or software process.
eration of hardware and software process executables 398.
If the CRC generated matches the random CRC 388 stored
The secure polynomial 311 used by the portable communi- 20 in the internal authorization record 382, then the processor
cation device 122 matches the secure polynomial 230 used
308 invokes the second allower element 320 to check the
by the controller 112 described above. The secure encryption
expiration time 390 against the real-time clock 399. If the
key 312 is used for scrambling and descrambling external
expiration time has not expired, then the processor 308
authorization messages transmitted between the portable
allows the utilization of the process, in response to the usage
communication device 122 and the base stations 116. The 25 authorization being obtained. However, if the expiration
secure encryption key 312 used by the portable communitime has expired then the processor 308 calls on the third
cation device 122 matches the secure encryption key 231
disabler element 362 for disabling further utilization of the
used by the controller 112. The secure polynomial 311 and
process in response to an expiration of the usage authorizasecure encryption key 312 are stored in a protected portion
tion.
of the ROM 310 utilizing the techniques described for the 30 If the determination element 332 does not find an internal
controller 112.
authorization record 382 for the hardware or software proThe firmware elements comprise a call processing elecess requested by the user, then a radio authorizer element
ment 314 which handles incoming messages on the outor authorizer element 334 is called on for communicating
bound channel using techniques well known in the art. When
with the fixed portion 102 by sending a signal indicative of
an address is received by the processor 308, the call pro- 35 the hardware or software module to obtain the usage authocessing element 314 compares one or more addresses 313
rization as an external authorization, in response to the
stored in an EEPROM 309, and when a match is detected,
internal authorization being absent from the authorization
a call alerting signal is generated to alert a user that a
records 380. The radio authorizer element 334 attempts to
message has been received. The call alerting signal is
obtain the usage authorization through a first radio channel
directed to a conventional audible or tactile alerting device 40 (the inbound channel) of the communication system. If the
366 for generating an audible or tactile call alerting signal.
external authorization request is denied, then the processor
In addition, the call processing element 314 processes the
308 calls on a first disabler element 358 to disable further
message which is received in a digitized conventional manutilization of the process, in response to receiving a "not
ner and then stores the message in one of the information
authorized" signal through a second radio channel (the
storage locations 379 in the RAM 378. The message can be 45 outbound channel) of the communication system. If the
accessed by the user through user controls 364, which
external authorization request is not received within a preprovide functions such as lock, unlock, delete, read, etc.
determined time interval, then the processor 308 invokes a
More specifically, by the use of appropriate functions prosecond disabler element 360 to disable utilization of the
vided by the user controls 364, the message is recovered
process requested by the user. To create the external authofrom the RAM 378, and then displayed on a display 368, 50 rization request message, the radio authorizer element 334
e.g., a conventional liquid crystal display (LCD).
invokes a transmitter controller element 336. The transmitter
The firmware elements further comprise a security elecontroller element 336 calls on a secure checksum calculator
element 338 which uses the secure polynomial 311 stored in
ment 315 for processing authorization of software modules
the ROM 310 to calculate a secure CRC over the process
392 and hardware modules 373. The elements contained in
the security element 315 are shown in FIG. 4. The security 55 executable 398 of the hardware or software process
requested by the user. Once the secure CRC is determined,
element 315 includes an authorization element 316, a second
the processor 308 prepares an external authorization request
allower element 320, a creator element 344, a storer element
352, a disallower element 356 and a third disabler element
message comprising an authorization request command, the
address of the portable communication device 122, the
362. When a user requests utilization of a hardware or
software process by the use of appropriate functions pro- 60 process name, the size of the hardware or software process
vided by the user controls 364, the processor 308 calls on the
executable 398, and the secure CRC calculated by the secure
checksum calculator element 338. Once the external authoauthorization element 316 to process the request. The prorization request message has been determined the transmitter
cessor 308 begins the authorization process by invoking a
first allower element 318 which, optionally, allows immecontroller element 336 encrypts the message with the secure
diate utilization of the process requested. Whether or not the 65 encryption key 312. The processor 308 then invokes a
sender element 340 and sends the message to the transceiver
first allower element 318 allows immediate utilization of a
process is determined by programming of the portable
302, which thereafter transmits the encrypted external
EXHIBIT 23
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11
12
authorization request message to the base stations 116. If an
internal authorizations 382 present within the portable comencrypted external authorization response message is
munication device 122 for utilizing the processes 398, and
received from the base stations 116 indicating the hardware
to report the internal authorizations 382 present, in response
or software process is authorized, then the processor 308
to receiving an internal authorization audit command from
accesses a second allower element 320 to process the 5 the fixed portion 102 of the communication system. The
processor 308 is also programmed to delete an internal
message. If the external authorization response message was
authorization 382, in response to receiving a delete authofor a hardware module 373 authorizing utilization of the
rization command directed at the internal authorization 382
process, then the second allower element 320 invokes a
from the fixed portion 102 of the communication system.
hardware performer element 322 for performing the process
in accordance with circuits of the hardware module 373. If 10 These operational features will be described further herein
below.
the external authorization response message was for a software module 392 authorizing utilization of the process, then
For cooperation with the message sending operation of
the second allower element 320 invokes a software perthe fixed portion 102, the processor 308 is programmed by
former element 324 for performing the process in accorway of the ROM 310 to control the transceiver 302 to
dance with instructions of the software module 392.
is request a download of a predetermined software process 398
in response to receiving from the fixed portion 102 a
For software modules 392 or hardware modules 373
message that requires the predetermined software process
which are user-installed, an authorization medium 375
398 for processing the message. In addition, the processor
(preferably a registration form with proof of purchase) is
308 is programmed by way of the ROM 310 to control the
physically sent to the service provider to obtain authorization. When the user requests execution of the installed 20 display 368 to display the terms of a software license
agreement, in response to receiving the terms of the software
process, the process is optionally executed and the processor
license agreement from the fixed portion 102 through the
308 invokes the external authorizer element 330 to request
radio channel.
an external authorization from the controller 112. The external authorizer element 330 obtains usage authorization by
Referring to FIG. 5, a timing diagram 400 depicts elereceiving an external authorization from the service provider 25 meats of an outbound protocol and an inbound protocol of
through a radio channel (the outbound channel) of the
the fixed portion 102 and portable portion 104 of the
communication system. The external authorization request
communication system in accordance with the preferred
message sent to the base stations 116, as described above,
embodiment of the present invention. The signaling format
comprises an authorization request command, the portable
on the outbound and inbound channels preferably operates
communication device 122 address, the process name and 30 on a single carrier frequency utilizing well-known time
size, and a secure CRC of the hardware or software process
division duplex (TDD) techniques for sharing the frequency.
executable 398. When the controller 112 sends an authoriIt will be appreciated that the outbound and inbound chanzation message granting authorization of the hardware or
nels can use separate frequency channels utilizing frequency
software process, the second allower element 320 allows the
division multiplexing (FDM) techniques well known in the
utilization of the process, in response to the usage authori- 35 art. Using TDD transmission the outbound RF channel
transmission is depicted during an outbound transmission
zation being obtained. In response to obtaining an external
time interval 402, while the inbound RF channel transmisauthorization allowing utilization of a process, the processor
sion is depicted during an inbound transmission time inter308 accesses the creator element 344 to create an internal
val 404. The outbound transmission time interval 402 and
authorization record 382. To create the internal authorization
record the processor 308 invokes a generator element 346 40 the inbound transmission time interval 404 are subdivided
by a time boundary 403. The time boundary 403 depicts a
which first calls on a chooser element 348 to select preferpoint in time when the outbound transmissions cease and the
ably two random bytes of the hardware or software process
inbound transmissions commence.
executable 398. The random bytes are preferably chosen
using the real-time clock 399 and user invocation of the user
The elements of the outbound protocol comprise an
controls 364 as described above. Once the random bytes 45 outbound sync 406, a selective call address 408, a message
have been determined, and satisfy the polynomial generator
vector 410 and an outbound message 412, while the inbound
rules, a checksum calculator element 350 is invoked to
protocol comprises an inbound sync 426 and an inbound
perform a CRC generation on the process executable 398 of
message 428. The outbound sync 406 provides the portable
the hardware or software module. Once the random CRC
communication device 122 a means for synchronization
388 has been calculated, the storer element 352 collects the so utilizing techniques well known in the art. The selective call
verification elements used for the internal authorization
address 408 identifies the portable communication device
record 382. The verification elements comprise the address
122 for which the outbound message 412 is intended. The
pointers 384 for the random polynomial generator, the
message vector 410 points in time within the TDD signal
process name 386, the random CRC 388 calculated by the
format to the position of the outbound message 412 to be
checksum calculator element 350 and the expiration time 55 received by the portable communication device 122. The
390 received in the external authorization message from the
outbound message 412 can be either a well known selective
controller 112. The processor 308 then calls on a placer
call message, or an external authorization response message
element 354 which uses the secure encryption key 312 to
in accordance with the present invention. When the outencrypt the verification elements and then stores the result in
bound message 412 is an external authorization response
the authorization records 380 in the RAM 378.
60 message, the message received by the portable communication device 122 is an encrypted message 414. The
For cooperation with the auditing operation of the fixed
encrypted message 414 comprises an authorization comportion 102, the processor 308 is programmed by way of the
mand 416, a process name 418 and, optionally, an expiration
ROM 310 to maintain in the RAM 378 a record (not shown)
time 420. When the authorization command 416 is an
of usage of the process 398, and to report the usage in
response to receiving a usage audit command from the fixed 65 authorization command denying authorization for utilization
portion 102 of the communication system. In addition, the
of a requested process, then the expiration time 420 is not
included in the encrypted external authorization response
processor 308 is programmed to maintain the record of
EXHIBIT 23
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13
message. It will be appreciated that the outbound external
authorization response message can be extended to include
multiple authorizations and/or denials by sending a plurality
of authorization commands 416, associated process names
418 and, optionally, expiration times 420.
Similarly, the inbound sync 426 provides the base stations
116 a means for synchronization utilizing techniques well
known in the art. The inbound message 428 can be either a
well known acknowledge-back response message, or an
external authorization request message in accordance with
the present invention. When the inbound message 428 is an
external authorization request message, the message transmitted by the portable communication device 122 is an
encrypted message 430. The encrypted message 430 comprises an authorization request command 432, an address
434 corresponding to the portable communication device
122, a process name 436, a process size 438 and a secure
CRC 440. The secure CRC is determined, as described
above, using the secure polynomial 311 over the hardware or
software module's process executable 398. It will be appreciated that the authorization request command 432 can be
included as part of the field of the address 434. It will also
be appreciated that multiple authorization requests can be
included within the same inbound message by sending a
plurality of process names 436 and process sizes 438 with
their associated secure CRCs 440.
During selective call messaging between the base stations
116 and the portable communication devices 122, the communication system protocol described above begins with an
outbound message which delivers a message to a portable
communication device 122. The portable communication
device 122 can, optionally, acknowledge reception of the
message on the inbound channel. Acknowledgment messages from the portable communication device 122 are
transmitted on the inbound channel during a scheduled
period which is referenced to the time boundary 403
described above. Scheduled inbound messages are preferably reserved for acknowledgment messaging from the
portable communication devices 122. However, when a user
invokes a process which requires transmitting an external
authorization request message to the base stations 116, the
portable communication device 122 uses an unscheduled
time period (slot) referenced to the time boundary 403 for
unscheduled messaging to the base stations 116. Note that
during inbound messaging, a time period referenced to the
time boundary 403 is reserved for both scheduled and
unscheduled inbound messages. Therefore, there is no contention between scheduled and unscheduled inbound messages. Since the number of unscheduled time slots is limited,
it is possible for contention to exist among a plurality of
portable communication devices 122 transmitting unscheduled inbound messages. To resolve contention with unscheduled inbound messages, the present invention preferably
utilizes ALOHA protocol as is well known by one of
ordinary skill in the art.
When the preferred embodiment of the present invention
is acquiring authorization of hardware and software modules
remotely as just described, it will be appreciated that message transactions originate first from the portable communication device 122 as unscheduled inbound messages.
Subsequent responses from the fixed portion 102 of the
communication system are received on the outbound channel. When the preferred embodiment of the present invention is performing auditing and message sending operations
of the fixed portion 102, it will be appreciated that the
message transactions originate first from the fixed portion
102 as outbound messages, with subsequent responses from
the portable communication device 122 received on the
inbound channel, as described further herein below. It will
be further appreciated that, alternatively, other communication protocols which support two-way communication can
5 be used.
Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart 500 depicting an authorization operation of the fixed portion 102 in response to a
message originated by the portable communication device
122 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
10 present invention begins with step 502 where the controller
112 receives an encrypted external authorization request
message. In step 504 the controller 112 deciphers the
encrypted message using the secure encryption key 231
stored in the ROM 228. In step 506 the controller 112
is identifies the portable communication device 122 requesting
the authorization by the address 434 received. Additionally,
the controller 112 reads the process verification elements
included in the external authorization request message. In
step 508 the controller 112 checks for a match between the
20 process verification elements received and the list of process
records 220 corresponding to the portable communication
device 122. If a match is found, then in step 510 an external
authorization response message is constructed authorizing
utilization of the process. The external authorization
25 response message comprising the authorization command
416 allowing utilization of the process, the process name
418 of the process authorized and an expiration time 420 for
the process. Before sending the message to the base stations
116 for transmission, the external authorization response
30 message is encrypted using the secure encryption key 231 as
described above. When a match is not found, then in step
512 an external authorization response message with an
"authorization denied" command is constructed. The external authorization response message then comprises the
35 authorization command 416 for denying authorization to the
requested process, and the associated process name 418. The
denial message, as described above, is encrypted by the
controller 112 using the secure encryption key 231. Once
either type of the external authorization response message is
40 constructed, then in step 514 the message is sent to the
transmitter 202 of the base station 116 where it is transmitted
to the portable communication device 122. In step 516 the
controller 112 checks for a message acknowledgment
response from the portable communication device 122
45 acknowledging reception of the external authorization
response message. If no acknowledgment is received, then
the controller 112 resends the message in step 514. The
controller 112, preferably, has an option to limit the number
of re-transmissions by using, for example, a maximum
so resend count programmed by the system provider. Once an
acknowledgment is received, the controller 112 returns to
step 502 where it processes subsequent external authorization request messages from the portable communication
devices 122.
55 Referring to FIG. 7, a flow chart 600 depicting an authorization operation of the portable communication device 122
as it attempts to obtain authorization to use a process in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention begins with any one of steps 602, 604 and 606. In
60 step 602 the user installs a hardware or software module and
registers the hardware or software module by sending preferably an authorization medium 375 comprising a registration form and proof of purchase receipt. In step 606 the user
can receive over-the-air (OTA) programming of a software
65 process. The request for an OTA software download can be
performed by the user by way of a conventional telephone
124 call to the system provider. It will be appreciated that
EXHIBIT 23
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15
16
other ways can be used for requesting OTA programming of
a software process, such as by the use of appropriate
functions provided by the user controls 364, in the portable
communication device 122 for requesting software processes. Once a software or hardware module has been added
to the portable communication device 122 by way of OTA
programming or userinstallation, the user can request execution of the process in step 604. In step 610 the process is
immediately executed without initial authorization. It will be
appreciated that the portable communication device 122,
optionally, can be programmed by the system provider to
skip step 610. In step 612 the processor 308 of the portable
communication device 122 checks for the presence of an
internal authorization record 382 in the authorization records
380 stored in the RAM 378. Each internal authorization
record 382 is decrypted using the secure encryption key 312
stored in the ROM 310. A match is checked between the
process name 386 of the internal authorization record 382
and the process name of the requested process. If a match is
not found, the processor 308 proceeds to step 614 where an
encrypted external authorization request message is constructed comprising the authorization request command 432,
the address 434 of the portable communication device 122,
the process name 436, the process size 438, and the secure
CRC 440 of the process executable 398 requested. In step
616 the encrypted external authorization request is transmitted to the base stations 116. In step 618 the processor 308
waits for an external authorization response message from
the base stations 116. If no external authorization response
message has been received, then in step 628 a time-out
(TMO) indicator is checked. If the TMO indicator has
expired, then in step 630 a resend counter is checked for
re-transmission requests. If re-transmission requests of the
encrypted external authorization request message have been
exceeded, then in step 632 the process execution is denied
and the user is alerted by the alerting device 366 and display
368 of the portable communication device 122. If the resend
counter has not been exceeded, then the processor 308
resends the encrypted external authorization message in step
614. If in step 628 the TMO indicator has not expired, then
the processor 308 continues to wait for an external authorization response message from the base stations 116. If an
external authorization response message is received, then
step 620 checks if the requested process has been authorized
for execution. If the requested process has been denied
authorization, then step 640 is invoked, where the process is
denied execution, and subsequently discarded in step 642
alerting the user to authorization denial. If the requested
process has been authorized for execution, then in step 622
preferably two bytes are chosen from within the process
executable 398 of the hardware or software module to create
a 16 bit random polynomial generator. The random bytes are
chosen using the real-time clock 399 and user controls 364
as described above. In step 624, the processor 308 generates
a random CRC over the process executable 398 of the
authorized hardware or software module. In step 626, an
internal authorization record 382 is created comprising the
random address pointers 384, the process name 386, the
process size 387, the random CRC 388, and the expiration
time 390 of the authorized process. The internal authorization record 382 is encrypted with the secure encryption key
312 stored in the ROM 310. Once the internal authorization
record 382 has been created, the processor 308 continues to
step 638 where process execution is invoked if it has not
already been invoked by step 610.
In the case where in step 612 an internal authorization
record 382 is found, the processor 308 continues to step 636
where the process verification elements are decrypted and
then checked against the requested process executable 398.
If the process verification elements are determined to be
valid, then in step 638 process execution is invoked if it has
5 not already been invoked by step 610. Validation of the
process verification elements consists of matching the random CRC generated over the process executable 398 of the
requested hardware or software module with the random
CRC found in the internal authorization record. If the
process verification elements are determined to be invalid,
10
then in step 640 process execution is denied, and in step 642
the process is discarded from memory (for a software
module) and an alert signal is created. The alert signal is
preferably an audible and visual alert signal using the
alerting device 366 and display 368 of the portable cornis munication device 122. Optionally, an alert signal can be
sent to the controller 112 alerting the communication system
that an attempt to use an invalid hardware or software
module has been detected.
Thus, it should be apparent by now that the present
20
invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling
utilization of a hardware or software process added to a
portable communication device 122. In particular, the
present invention provides a novel method and apparatus for
remotely authorizing software and hardware modules added
25
to a portable communication device 122. With the present
invention, the authenticity of process executables 398 used
by software and hardware modules can advantageously be
validated by the fixed portion 102 of the communication
system. In addition, the fixed portion 102 of the communi30
cation system can keep track of unauthorized installations
and can act upon unauthorized additions of software and
hardware modules to the portable communication devices
122 by disabling operation of a portable communication
device 122 using OTA techniques. Another advantage of the
35
present invention is the option for the system provider to
program the portable communication device 122 to execute
a hardware or software process without receiving immediate
authorization. This option provides a user immediate access
to a hardware or software process without burdening the
40
user with the delay of receiving authorization for the process. The present invention also provides an authorization
method which is secure for both inbound and outbound
messaging by using a message encryption technique
described above.
45
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus at a fixed portion of a communication
system for authorizing utilization of software in a portable
portion of the communication system, the apparatus comprising:
5
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor for maintaining a list
of authorized software corresponding to the portable
portion;
55 a request receiver element coupled to the processor for
receiving a request from the portable portion, the
request including an address identifying the portable
portion, and a software name;
a list checker element coupled to the processor for check60 ing the list of authorized software corresponding to the
portable portion identified by the address, to determine
whether the software corresponding to the software
name is authorized; and
an external authorization element coupled to the processor
65 for transmitting the external authorization to the portable portion in response to the software being authorized for the portable portion.
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 16
6,008,737
18
17
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the request includes
a secure checksum.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the secure checksum
is a secure cyclic redundancy check of the software for
which the portable portion is requesting authorization.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the apparatus uses a
secure polynomial stored in the memory of the apparatus to
calculate the secure cyclic redundancy check.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the request includes
a software size.
6. A portable communication device in a communication
system having a fixed portion, the portable communication
device comprising:
a processor;
an authorization element coupled to the processor for
obtaining usage authorization for utilizing software in
the portable communication device, in which the authorization element generates an external authorization
request, and in which the authorization element communicates with the fixed portion to obtain the usage
authorization in response to the external authorization
request, and in which the external authorization request
includes a secure checksum; and
a second authorization element coupled to the processor
for allowing utilization of the software, in response to
usage authorization being obtained from the fixed portion.
7. The portable communication device of claim 6 in which
the secure checksum is a secure cyclic redundancy check of
the software for which the portable communication device is
requesting authorization.
8. The portable communication device of claim 7 in which
the secure cyclic redundancy check is generated by the
5
portable communication device by using a secure polynomial stored in the portable communication device.
9. A portable communication device in a communication
system having a fixed portion, the portable communication
10 device comprising:
a processor;
an authorization element coupled to the processor for
obtaining usage authorization for utilizing software in
the portable communication device, in which the autho15
rization element generates an external authorization
request, and in which the authorization element communicates with the fixed portion to obtain the usage
authorization in response to the external authorization
20
request, and in which the external authorization request
includes at least one of: an address identifying the
portable communication device, a software name and a
size of the software; and
a second authorization element coupled to the processor
25
for allowing utilization of the software, in response to
usage authorization being obtained from the fixed portion.
EXHIBIT 23
PAGE 17
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