WO2016027000A1

WO2016027000A1 - Use of device subscription

Info

Publication number: WO2016027000A1
Application number: PCT/FI2014/050637
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jari Mutikainen; Sami Kekki
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2014-08-19
Filing date: 2014-08-19
Publication date: 2016-02-25

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one receiver configured to receive a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible, and at least one processing core configured to obtain a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and to cause transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station.

Description

USE OF DEVICE SUBSCRIPTION

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to the field of telecommunications and management of subscription information therein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] A wireless local area network, WLAN, or other kind of base station in a home may be connected to a network, and be configured to provide network connectivity to further devices over a WLAN air interface. A subscription may enable access of a subscriber device to a network, to enable use of services of the network and/or access to further networks via the network. Cellular networks comprising cells may provide network access to subscribers, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one receiver configured to receive a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible, and at least one processing core configured to obtain a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and to cause transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station.

[0004] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list: • the information is received from the mobile device via a short-range interface

• the apparatus further comprises at least one transmitter configured to cause forwarding, via the short-range interface, of the subscription-related message to the mobile device

• the short-range interface is comprised in the following list: a near-field communication interface, a Bluetooth interface and a wireless local area network interface

• the information from the mobile device is received via an encrypted short-range interface

• the subscription-related message comprises a cellular network registration message

• the network registration message is comprised in an attachment process between the apparatus and the cellular base station

• the information received from the mobile device comprises subscription-related information

• the subscription-related message comprises a security mode command and the information received from the mobile device comprises a security mode complete message

• the apparatus is configured to cause transmission, to the cellular base station, of a subscriber identity of the mobile device as a subscriber identity of the apparatus.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one receiver configured to receive, from a device external to the apparatus, a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus, at least one processing core configured to decide whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and at least one transmitter configured to transmit a response to the request, to the device.

[0006] Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list: • the apparatus is configured to transmit the response to the request via a short-range interface

• the request comprises a subscription-related message relating to a cellular procedure and the response comprises a response to the subscription-related message

• the short-range interface is not a cellular interface

• the at least one processing core is configured to decide whether to provide the indication based at least in part on a response, received from a user, to a query concerning whether to provide the cellular subscription of the apparatus to the device

• the subscription-related message comprises security mode command and the response comprises a security mode complete message

• the at least one processing core is configure to obtain the response to the subscription-related message at least in part from a secure computing element comprised in, or at least in part controlled by, the apparatus

• the secure computing element comprises a universal integrated circuit board

• the at least one processing core is configured to, responsive to a decision to provide the cellular subscription of the apparatus to the device, cause the apparatus to detach from a cellular network

• the at least one processing core is configured to cause the apparatus to re-attach to the cellular network after the device no longer needs the cellular subscription.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising receiving, in an apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible, obtaining a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and causing transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station. [0008] Various embodiments of the third aspect may comprise at least one feature from the preceding bulleted list laid out in connection with the first aspect.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising receiving, from a device external to an apparatus performing the method, a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus, deciding whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and transmitting a response to the request to the device.

[0010] Various embodiments of the fourth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the preceding bulleted list laid out in connection with the second aspect. [0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving, in the apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible, means for obtaining a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and means for causing transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving, from a device external to the apparatus, a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus, means for deciding whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and means for transmitting a response to the request, to the device.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least receive, in an apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible, obtain a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and cause transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station. [0014] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least receive, from a device, a request to use a cellular subscription of an apparatus, decide whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and transmit a response to the request to the device.

Industrial Applicability

[0015] At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in management of subscriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIGURE 1 illustrates a system capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0017] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example use case of at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] FIGURE 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] FIGURE 4 is a signalling diagram illustrating signalling in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] FIGURE 5 is a first flow graph of a first method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, and

[0021] FIGURE 6 is a second flow graph of a second method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS [0022] By employing a subscription of a user equipment, a home box or similar device can access information via a cellular network without a cellular subscription of its own.

[0023] FIGURE 1 illustrates a system capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention. Illustrated is device 110, which may comprise a home box, such as a digital set top box and/or home router, for example. Device 110 may be communicatively coupled, via connection 116, to television 160. In some embodiments, device 110 is comprised in television 160 and connection 116 is internal to television 160. In some embodiments, device 110 is not connected to a television 160. [0024] Device 110 is furnished with a cellular communication capability. In embodiments where device 110 is comprised in television 160, television 160 may be alternatively furnished with cellular communication capability. Device 110 may use the cellular communication capability to communicate, via link 113, with base station 130 to obtain and/or transmit information. For example, device 110 may obtain software updates from base station 130 via link 113. Link 113 may be arranged to operate in accordance with a same cellular communication standard as device 110 and base station 130 are configured to support. Examples of cellular communications standards include global system for mobile, GSM, wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, long term evolution, LTE, and interim standard 95, IS-95. While discussed herein as a cellular communication capability, or cellular transceiver, of device 110, it is to be understood that in embodiments where device 110 is comprised in television 160 the cellular communication capability, or cellular transceiver, may be of television 160 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] Base station 130 may be communicatively coupled, via connection 134, to a core network node 140. Examples of core network nodes include switches and mobility management entities. Core network node 140 is communicatively linked to gateway 150 via connection 145. Connection 145 may be internal to the core network. Gateway 150 may be arranged to provide communications to further networks, such as the Internet, via connection 151. In some embodiments, connection 134 may traverse at least one node not illustrated in FIGURE 1. Examples of such nodes include base station controllers and radio network controllers. Connections 134, 145 and 151 may be wire-line connections, for example. [0026] Device 110 may thus obtain data from the Internet, for example from a pay- to-view or video-on-demand server disposed in the Internet, by signalling with the server via link 113, base station 130, link 134, core network node 140, link 145, gateway 150 and link 151. [0027] Mobile device 120 may comprise, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, a phablet device, a laptop computer or other movable device with a cellular connectivity capability. The cellular communication capability of mobile device 120 may pertain to the same cellular communication standard as the cellular communication capability of device 110. [0028] Mobile device 120 may have a second communication capability, wherein the second communication capability is capable of participating in short-range communication link 121. Link 121 may comprise a non-cellular link. Link 121 may be arranged in accordance with Bluetooth, Bluetooth low-energy, near-field communication, NFC, a cable, such as for example a universal serial port, USB, cable, or another suitable communications arrangement. Device 110 may be furnished with a corresponding capability, enabling short-range communication between device 110 and mobile device 120. Link 121 may be wireless, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, or alternatively it may be wireline. In some embodiments, there is at least one node disposed along link 121, although such node is not illustrated in FIGURE 1. In some embodiments device 110, comprises a section that mobile device 120 may be physically placed on to enable short-range link 121. This section may be a dock, a pad, or something else where the user may place device 120.

[0029] Some cellular communication standards require a device communicating with a base station to comprise a user identification element comprising subscription-related information, for example to authenticate the user account to be charged for any communication. For example the GSM standard requires a subscriber identity module, SIM. Later standards use a universal subscriber identity module, USIM, application on universal integrated circuit card, UICC, cards. Some code division multiple access, CDMA, based standards use removable user identity module, R-UIM, or CDMA subscriber identity module, CSIM, modules. [0030] Where a user owns both mobile device 120 and device 110, he may obtain user identification elements separately for mobile device 120 and device 110. For example, where the cellular communication standard in use in his area is WCDMA, he may obtain universal integrated circuit card, UICC, user identification elements comprising information related to a subscription for both mobile device 120 and device 110. In this case, the UICC in mobile device 120 would comprise information relating to a subscription for mobile device 120, and the UICC in device 110 would comprise information relating to a subscription for device 110. In this case, the user would need two separate subscriptions. Subscription-related information may comprise, for example, an international mobile subscriber identity, IMSI, of the subscription. Where separate subscriptions are used, mobile 120 would thus have its own IMSI and device 110 its own, separate, IMSI. Subscription-related information may comprise subscription-specific cryptographic information usable in producing a response to a cryptographic challenge.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally to using separate subscriptions, a user may prefer to use the subscription of mobile device 120 with device 110. This may provide the benefit that the user only needs to manage and pay for one subscription, and a subscription space of a cellular operator is conserved as fewer subscriptions are used up. [0032] To enable use of a subscription of mobile device 120 by device 110, device 110 may detect presence of mobile device 120 within communication range of link 121. Where link 121 is a wire-line link, detecting presence of mobile device 120 within communication range may comprise detecting that mobile device 120 is plugged into the wire-line link. Responsive to determining presence of mobile device 120 within communication range of link 121 , device 110 may inquire from mobile device 120 whether mobile device 120 is capable and willing to provide its subscription to device 1 10. Mobile device 110 may be configured to query from the user whether this is allowable, and only in case the user allows it, does mobile device 120 provide to device 110 an indication that a cellular subscription of mobile device 120 is accessible to device 110. In some embodiments, the query is performed only once, and on subsequent occurrence mobile device 120 automatically provides its subscription to device 110. Alternatively, mobile device 120 may be pre-configured with at least one condition enabling it to decide without user input whether to indicate its subscription is accessible to device 110. Although described here as initiated by device 110, in some embodiments mobile device 120 is configured to, responsive to a determination device 110 is in range, offer its subscription to device 110 by signalling an offer message via link 121. For example, mobile device 120 may be configured to, responsive to being placed on a NFC pad associated with device 110, automatically provide its subscription to device 110. [0033] In case device 110 detects more than one mobile device 120 within range of link 121 , it may consult a pre-defined precedence order configured in device 110 to decide, which one of the mobile devices in range to signal to. Even after connecting to a first mobile device, device 110 may release the connection to the first mobile device in case a second mobile device of higher precedence enters into range of link 121.

[0034] Responsive at least in part to the indication that the cellular subscription of mobile device 120 is accessible to device 110, device 110 may initiate access to a cellular system, such as for example the one in which base station 130 is comprised, by signalling to the cellular system using a cellular transceiver. During attachment proceedings, the cellular system may request device 110 to identify itself using a cellular subscription. Device 110 may responsive ly use subscription-related information of mobile device 120 to identify itself. Identifying itself may comprise authentication, wherein the cellular system may send a challenge to device 110 and expect a response to the challenge from device 110, such that the response is difficult to produce without subscription-related information. Device 110 may obtain the response to the challenge based on the subscription-related information of mobile device 120, and then provide the response to the cellular system via the cellular transceiver. In particular, device 110 may be configured to indicate to the cellular system an identity of mobile device 120 as an identity of device 110. An example of such an identity is an IMSI. Another example is an international mobile station equipment identity, IMEI, although in some embodiments device 110 may indicate its own IMEI to the cellular network.

[0035] Device 110 may obtain the response to the challenge based on the subscription-related information of mobile device 120 by forwarding the challenge, via link 121, to mobile device 120. Mobile device 120 may produce the response to the challenge, for example by employing the subscription-related information, which may be stored on a user identification element comprised in mobile device 120. Mobile device 120 may provide the produced response to device 1 10, to thereby enable device 110 to transmit the correct response to the cellular system. Device 110 may be enabled to remotely use a USIM application residing on a user identification element of mobile device 120 by forwarding subscription-related messages to mobile device 120, and receiving responses to the subscription-related messages from mobile device 120, via link 121. [0036] Another way device 110 may obtain the response to the challenge based on the subscription-related information of mobile device 120 is for device 110 to copy at least part, and possibly all, of the subscription-related information of mobile device 120 to a memory internal to device 110. For example, in case mobile device 120 is capable, it may provide at least part of the contents of the user identification element comprised in mobile device 120 to device 110. When device 110 has the subscription-related information, it can produce the correct response itself, and then transmit it to the cellular system using the cellular transceiver. Device 110 may have a USIM application, which may be provisioned with the subscription-related information from mobile device 120. [0037] When device 110 is first attaching, and then attached, to the cellular system using the subscription of mobile device 120, it may behave as a user equipment toward the cellular system. In other words, it may act as specified in the technical specifications of the cellular technology that the cellular system uses, in the role of a user equipment or mobile station, using the subscription-related information of mobile device 120. Thus, while discussed above in connection with a challenge, device 110 may use the subscription- related information of mobile device 120 also more generally to perform in the role of a user equipment to complete and maintain the attachment to the cellular system.

[0038] To enable access for device 110 to the subscription-related information of mobile device 120, an internet protocol, IP, connection may be established between device 110 and a user identification element, such as for example a UICC, comprised in mobile device 120. The IP connection may comprise a transmission control protocol IP connection, which is known as a TCP/IP connection. To enable such a connection, the user identification element may comprise a TCP/IP client and/or server functionality. Alternatively to terminating the IP connection in the user identification element, the IP connection may be terminated in mobile device 120 outside of the user identification element, at a processor of mobile device 120, after which the processor may interact with the user identification element and provide results of the interaction to device 110 via the IP connection.

[0039] As subscription-related information may be sensitive in nature, link 121 may be furnished with a suitable encryption function to protect the confidentiality of the transferred information. The encryption function may comprise public-key encryption, for example. The encryption function may be initialized using, at least in part, a diffie-hellman exchange, for example.

[0040] Before allowing device 110 to use the subscription of mobile device 120, mobile device 120 may be configured to detach itself from the cellular system to avoid a situation where two apparatuses are attached, or attempt attachment, to the cellular system at the same time with the same subscription. While device 110 uses the subscription of mobile device 120, a user interface of mobile device 120 and/or device 110 may display an indication of this. Once the use of the subscription of mobile device 120 by device 1 10 ends, mobile device 120 may re-attach to the cellular system. In case device 110 has a subscription of its own, it may be configured to de-attach its own subscription from the cellular system before attaching to the cellular system using the subscription of mobile device 120. In some embodiments, the user of the mobile device 120 may terminate the use of the subscription by device 110 whenever he wants, resulting is detach by device 1 10 with this subscription, and re-attach by mobile device 120. [0041] Device 110 and mobile device 120 may be configured to monitor the quality of link 121. In case, while device 110 is attached to the cellular system using the subscription of mobile device 120, device 110 determines link 121 is broken, in other words that mobile device 120 is no longer within its range or plugged into it, device 110 may responsively de-attach itself from the cellular system so as to enable mobile device 120 to resume using its own subscription. Likewise, mobile device 120 may be configured to re-attach to the cellular system using its own subscription responsive to determining link 121 with device 110 is broken.

[0042] In some embodiments, detection of mobile device 120 within range of link 121 uses a first short-range interface, and actual transfer of subscription-related information takes place between device 110 and mobile device 120 over a second short- range interface. This may allow initiation of the provision of the subscription of mobile device 120 to device 110 by a shorter-range interface, such as NFC and provision of the subscription-related information over a longer-range short-range interface, such as WLAN. Thus a user may be enabled to move mobile device 120 with him around the house while the provision of the subscription continues uninterrupted, but the provision of the subscription does not start accidentally. [0043] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example use case of at least some embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numbers in FIGURE 2 correspond to like structure as in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 2 illustrates a situation where device 110 has successfully used the subscription of mobile device 120 to attach to the cellular network. In this case, mobile device 120 can continue to access resources of the cellular network, via link 121 and device 110. Likewise, device 110 may provide cellular connectivity to further devices in the vicinity, such as for example device 170, which may comprise, for example, a laptop or desktop computer. Device 170 may access the cellular connectivity of device 110 via link 171, which may be of a similar or a different type as link 121. In particular, link 121 and 171 may both be short-range interfaces. For example, they may both be WLAN links wherein device 110 may act as a WLAN base station and provide Internet connectivity via link 113 and the cellular system comprising base station 130, core network node 140 and gateway 150. WLAN may alternatively be known as Wi-Fi. Device 110 may act as an internet router of the home network or as an Ethernet hub, offering internet access via the cellular backhaul to devices in the network attached to device 110.

[0044] In some embodiments, device 110 and mobile device 120 communicate over an interface that is not a short-range interface, for example the interface may comprise a wire-line remote connection. This may be useful in case device 110 has a network connection that is of inferior quality to a cellular connection, and device 110 can benefit from a higher bitrate or more secure connection using a cellular connection, with the subscription of mobile device 120. In these embodiments, mobile device 120 may use WLAN to access the Internet while device 110 uses the cellular subscription of mobile device 120, so that mobile device 120 is not completely without connectivity while device 110 uses its cellular subscription. In these embodiments, mobile device 120 needn't be on the same premises as device 110.

[0045] FIGURE 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention. Illustrated is device 300, which may comprise, for example, device 110 or mobile device 120 of FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2. Comprised in device 300 is processor 310, which may comprise, for example, a single- or multi-core processor wherein a single-core processor comprises one processing core and a multi-core processor comprises more than one processing core. Processor 310 may comprise a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, for example. Processor 310 may comprise more than one processor. A processing core may comprise, for example, a Cortex-A8 processing core manufactured by Intel Corporation or a Brisbane processing core produced by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. Processor 310 may comprise at least one application- specific integrated circuit, ASIC. Processor 310 may comprise at least one field-programmable gate array, FPGA. Processor 310 may be means for performing method steps in device 300. Processor 310 may be means for performing method steps in device 300. Processor 310 may be configured, at least in part by computer instructions, to perform actions.

[0046] Device 300 may comprise memory 320. Memory 320 may comprise random- access memory and/or permanent memory. Memory 320 may comprise at least one RAM chip. Memory 320 may comprise magnetic, optical and/or holographic memory, for example. Memory 320 may be at least in part accessible to processor 310. Memory 320 may be means for storing information. Memory 320 may comprise computer instructions that processor 310 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 320, and device 300 overall is configured to run under the direction of processor 310 using computer instructions from memory 320, processor 310 and/or its at least one processing core may be considered to be configured to perform said certain actions.

[0047] Device 300 may comprise a transmitter 330. Device 300 may comprise a receiver 340. Transmitter 330 and receiver 340 may be configured to transmit and receive, respectively, information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. Transmitter 330 may comprise more than one transmitter. Receiver 340 may comprise more than one receiver. Transmitter 330 and/or receiver 340 may be configured to operate in accordance with global system for mobile communication, GSM, wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, long term evolution, LTE, IS-95, wireless local area network, WLAN, Ethernet and/or worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX, standards, for example.

[0048] Device 300 may comprise a near-field communication, NFC, transceiver 350. NFC transceiver 350 may support at least one NFC technology, such as NFC, Bluetooth, Wibree or similar technologies. [0049] Device 300 may comprise user interface, UI, 360. UI 360 may comprise at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a vibrator arranged to signal to a user by causing device 300 to vibrate, a speaker and a microphone. A user may be able to operate device 300 via UI 360, for example to accept incoming telephone calls, to originate telephone calls or video calls, to browse the Internet, to manage digital files stored in memory 320 or on a cloud accessible via transmitter 330 and receiver 340, or via NFC transceiver 350, and/or to play games. [0050] Device 300 may comprise or be arranged to accept a user identification element 370. User identification element 370 may comprise, for example, a subscriber identity module, SIM, card or a UICC card installable in device 300. Further examples of user identification elements are given above in connection with FIGURE 1. A user identification element 370 may comprise information identifying a subscription of a user of device 300. A user identification element 370 may comprise cryptographic information usable to verify the identity of a user of device 300 and/or to facilitate encryption of communicated information and billing of the user of device 300 for communication effected via device 300.

[0051] Processor 310 may be furnished with a transmitter arranged to output information from processor 310, via electrical leads internal to device 300, to other devices comprised in device 300. Such a transmitter may comprise a serial bus transmitter arranged to, for example, output information via at least one electrical lead to memory 320 for storage therein. Alternatively to a serial bus, the transmitter may comprise a parallel bus transmitter. Likewise processor 310 may comprise a receiver arranged to receive information in processor 310, via electrical leads internal to device 300, from other devices comprised in device 300. Such a receiver may comprise a serial bus receiver arranged to, for example, receive information via at least one electrical lead from receiver 340 for processing in processor 310. Alternatively to a serial bus, the receiver may comprise a parallel bus receiver. [0052] Device 300 may comprise further devices not illustrated in FIGURE 3. For example, where device 300 comprises a smartphone, it may comprise at least one digital camera. Some devices 300 may comprise a back-facing camera and a front-facing camera, wherein the back-facing camera may be intended for digital photography and the front- facing camera for video telephony. Device 300 may comprise a fingerprint sensor arranged to authenticate, at least in part, a user of device 300. In some embodiments, device 300 lacks at least one device described above. For example, some devices 300 may lack a NFC transceiver 350 and/or user identification element 370. [0053] Processor 310, memory 320, transmitter 330, receiver 340, NFC transceiver 350, UI 360 and/or user identification element 370 may be interconnected by electrical leads internal to device 300 in a multitude of different ways. For example, each of the aforementioned devices may be separately connected to a master bus internal to device 300, to allow for the devices to exchange information. However, as the skilled person will appreciate, this is only one example and depending on the embodiment various ways of interconnecting at least two of the aforementioned devices may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0054] FIGURE 4 is a signalling diagram illustrating signalling in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. On the vertical axes are disposed, from left to right, device 110, base station 130 and mobile device 120, which have been described above in connection with FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2. Base station 130 here represents the cellular network, messages received by it are not necessarily terminated in base station 130, but may be intended for further nodes in the cellular network, such as for example core network node 140. Time advances from the top toward the bottom.

[0055] Initially, in optional stage 410, mobile device 120 is attached to the cellular system. Being attached comprises that mobile device 120 has a state with respect to the cellular system and the cellular system is able to page mobile device 120 if necessary, for example responsive to an incoming communication. [0056] In phase 420, device 110 becomes aware that mobile device 120 is within range of a short-range interface disposed in device 110, and device 110 inquires if device 110 may use a cellular subscription of mobile device 120. In phase 430, mobile device 120 responds positively to the inquiry of phase 420, in other words mobile device 120 provides to device 110 an indication that a cellular subscription of mobile device 120 is accessible to device 110. Subsequently, mobile device 120 de-attaches from the cellular network, which is illustrated in FIGURE 4 as phase 440. De-attachment may comprise cancellation of the previously active state mobile device 120 had with respect to the cellular network. The de-attachment may occur responsive to a separate indication from device 110 that device 110 is actually going to use the subscription of mobile device 120. Such separate indication is not illustrated in FIGURE 4.

[0057] In phase 450, device 110 requests attachment to the cellular network by signalling accordingly to base station 130. Base station responds, phase 460, by transmitting a subscription-related message, which may comprise a challenge, to device 110. In phase 470 device 110 forwards the subscription-related message to mobile device 120, as device 110 does not in the embodiments of FIGURE 4 possess the subscription- related information needed to produce a correct response to the subscription-related message. Responsively, mobile device 120 produces the correct response to the subscription-related message by using the subscription-related information in mobile device 120, and mobile device 120 provides the correct response to device 110 in phase 480. Being in possession of the correct response, device 110 may transmit the correct response to base station 130 as part of completing an attachment process with the cellular network. Once the attachment process is complete, device 110 will be attached to the cellular network, which is illustrated as phase 490. From the point of view of the cellular network, device 110 may appear to be a user equipment of the user of mobile device 120.

[0058] FIGURE 5 is a first flow graph of a first method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The phases of the illustrated method may be performed in device 110, or a control device, such as a processor or chipset, configured to control the functioning of device 110, for example. Phase 510 comprises receiving, in an apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible. Phase 520 comprises obtaining a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device. The information may be received from the mobile device via a short-range interface. The obtaining of the response may comprise compiling the response internally in the apparatus. Finally, phase 530 comprises causing transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station. [0059] FIGURE 6 is a second flow graph of a second method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The phases of the illustrated method may be performed in an apparatus such as mobile device 120, or a control device, such as a chipset, configured to control the functioning of mobile device 120, for example. Phase 610 comprises receiving, from a device external to an apparatus performing the method a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus performing the method. Phase 620 comprises deciding whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible. Finally, phase 630 comprises transmitting a response to the request to the device. The request may be received from the device via a short-range interface. The response may be caused to be transmitted via a short-range interface.

[0060] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0061] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0062] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention. [0063] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. [0064] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one receiver configured to receive a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible, and at least one processing core configured to obtain a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and to cause transmission of the response to the subscription- related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is received from the mobile device via a short-range interface.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising at least one transmitter configured to cause forwarding, via the short-range interface, of the subscription-related message to the mobile device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the short-range interface is comprised in the following list: a near-field communication interface, a Bluetooth interface and a wireless local area network interface.

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the information from the mobile device is received via an encrypted short-range interface.

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the subscription-related message comprises a cellular network registration message.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the network registration message is comprised in an attachment process between the apparatus and the cellular base station.

8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the information received from the mobile device comprises subscription-related information.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 6 - 8, wherein the subscription-related message comprises a security mode command and the information received from the mobile device comprises a security mode complete message.

10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause transmission, to the cellular base station, of a subscriber identity of the mobile device as a subscriber identity of the apparatus.

11. An apparatus comprising: at least one receiver configured to receive, from a device external to the apparatus, a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus; at least one processing core configured to decide whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and at least one transmitter configured to transmit a response to the request, to the device.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit the response to the request via a short-range interface.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the request comprises a subscription-related message relating to a cellular procedure and the response comprises a response to the subscription-related message.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 12 - 13, wherein the short-range interface is not a cellular interface.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 - 14, wherein the at least one processing core is configured to decide whether to provide the indication based at least in part on a response, received from a user, to a query concerning whether to provide the cellular subscription of the apparatus to the device.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 13 - 15, wherein the subscription-related message comprises security mode command and the response comprises a security mode complete message.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 13 - 16, wherein the at least one processing core is configure to obtain the response to the subscription-related message at least in part from a secure computing element comprised in, or at least in part controlled by, the apparatus.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the secure computing element comprises a universal integrated circuit board.

19. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 - 18, wherein the at least one processing core is configured to, responsive to a decision to provide the cellular subscription of the apparatus to the device, cause the apparatus to detach from a cellular network.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one processing core is configured to cause the apparatus to re-attach to the cellular network after the device no longer needs the cellular subscription.

21. A method comprising: receiving, in an apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible; obtaining a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and causing transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the information is received from the mobile device via a short-range interface.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising forwarding, via the short-range interface, the subscription-related message to the mobile device

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the short-range interface is comprised in the following list: a near- field communication interface, a Bluetooth interface and a wireless local area network interface.

25. The method according to any of claims 21 - 24, wherein the information from the mobile device is received via an encrypted short-range interface.

26. The method according to any of claims 21 - 25, wherein the subscription-related message comprises a cellular network registration message.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the network registration message is comprised in an attachment process between the apparatus and the cellular base station.

28. The method according to any of claims 21 - 27, wherein the information received from the mobile device comprises subscription-related information.

29. The method according to any of claims 26 - 28, wherein the subscription-related message comprises a security mode command and the information received from the mobile device comprises a security mode complete message.

30. The method according to any of claims 21 - 29, wherein the method further comprises causing transmission, to the cellular base station, of a subscriber identity of the mobile device as a subscriber identity of the apparatus.

31. A method comprising : receiving, from a device external to an apparatus performing the method, a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus; deciding whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and transmitting a response to the request to the device.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the wherein the response to the request is transmitted via a short-range interface.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the request comprises a subscription-related message relating to a cellular procedure and the response comprises a response to the subscription-related message.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the short-range interface is not a cellular interface.

35. The method according to any of claims 31 - 34, further comprising deciding whether to provide the indication based at least in part on a response, received from a user, to a query concerning whether to provide the cellular subscription of the apparatus to the device.

36. The method according to any of claims 33 - 35, wherein the subscription-related message comprises security mode command and the response comprises a security mode complete message.

37. The method according to any of claims 33 - 36, further comprising obtaining the response to the subscription-related message from a secure computing element comprised in, or at least in part controlled by, the apparatus.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the secure computing element comprises a universal integrated circuit board.

39. The method according to any of claims 31 - 38, further comprising, responsive to a decision to provide the cellular subscription of the apparatus to the device, causing the apparatus to detach from a cellular network.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising causing the apparatus to reattach to the cellular network after the device no longer needs the cellular subscription.

41. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, in the apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible; means for obtaining a response to the subscription-related message based at. least in part on information received from the mobile device, and means for causing transmission of the response to the subscription- related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station

42. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a device external to the apparatus, a request to use a cellular subscription of the apparatus, means for deciding whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and means for transmitting a response to the request, to the device.

43. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least: receive, in an apparatus, a subscription-related message from a cellular base station, and, from a mobile device, an indication that a cellular subscription of the mobile device is accessible; obtain a response to the subscription-related message based at least in part on information received from the mobile device, and cause transmission of the response to the subscription-related message, via a cellular air interface, to the cellular base station.

44. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least: receive, from a device, a request to use a cellular subscription of an apparatus; decide whether to provide an indication that the cellular subscription of the apparatus is accessible, and transmit a response to the request to the device.

45. A computer program configured to cause a method in accordance with at least one of claims 21 - 40 to be performed.