Proximity-based device switching using proxy credentials
A method, system and medium are provided for receiving an incoming call on a target wireless-telecommunications device. A secure communication path is established between a primary device and a nonprimary device, and a proximity-based relationship is created between the primary device and the nonprimary device. The primary device has associated with it a set of user credentials and a set of hardware credentials. When the nonprimary device comes within a threshold proximity of the primary device, the primary device automatically communicates the set of user credentials and the set of hardware credentials to the nonprimary device thereby activating it so that it can receive an incoming call. The primary device is deactivated so that a wireless-telecommunications-network subscriber can only receive an incoming call on one device at a time.
1. Non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, facilitate a method for receiving an incoming call on a target device, the method comprising:
establishing a secure communication path between a primary device and a non-primary device;
creating a proximity-based relationship between the primary device and the non-primary device;
when the non-primary device is within a threshold proximity of the primary device, the primary device communicating without network involvement, to the non-primary device 1) a copy of a set of user credentials associated with the primary device, the set of user credentials comprising a mobile subscriber identifier and a network access identifier assigned to a user of the primary device by a wireless-telecommunications-network, and 2) a copy of a set of permanent hardware credentials assigned to the primary device by a manufacturer of the primary device, the set of permanent hardware credentials comprising one or more of an electronic serial number, or a mobile equipment identifier, wherein the copy of the set of user credentials and the copy of the set of permanent hardware credentials are usable as a set of proxy credentials by the non-primary device, and wherein the primary device retains the set of user credentials and the set of hardware credentials;
the non-primary device becoming activated such that it can receive an incoming call once the copy of the set of user credentials and the copy of the set of hardware credentials have been communicated; and
deactivating the primary device.
2. The media of claim 1 , wherein the communication path is secured through the sharing of a key between the primary device and the non-primary device.
3. The media of claim 2 , wherein the key is shared prior to establishing the communication path.
4. The media of claim 1 , wherein the proximity-based relationship comprises a relationship utilizing short-range wireless radio-frequency communication.
5. The media of claim 1 , wherein the threshold proximity is between 1 meter and 15 meters.
6. The media of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of secure communication paths can be established between the primary device and a plurality of non-primary devices, and further wherein, a plurality of proximity-based relationships can be created between the primary device and the plurality of non-primary devices.
7. The media of claim 1 , wherein the set of user credentials of the primary device and the set of hardware credentials of the primary device are stored on a network database.
8. The media of claim 1 , wherein either the primary device or the non-primary device is active at any one time.
9. The media of claim 1 , wherein the primary device is deactivated once the user credentials are communicated to the non-primary device.
10. Non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, facilitate a method for automatically receiving an incoming call on a target device, the method comprising:
establishing a secure communication path between:
(1) a primary device, wherein the primary device is recognizable by a network as having a set of user credentials associated with a set of hardware credentials, and wherein the set of user credentials comprises a mobile subscriber identifier and a network access identifier assigned to a user of the primary device by a wireless-telecommunications-network, and wherein the set of hardware credentials comprises one or more of an electronic serial number or a mobile equipment identifier permanently associated with the primary device by a manufacturer of the primary device, and
(2) a non-primary device, wherein the non-primary device is not yet recognizable by the network;
creating a proximity-based relationship between the primary device and the non-primary device;
incident to receiving an indication that the non-primary device is within a threshold proximity of the primary device, the primary device communicating without network involvement to the non-primary device 1) a copy of the set of user credentials of the primary device, and 2) a copy of the set of hardware credentials of the primary device usable as a set of proxy credentials by the non-primary device, wherein the primary device retains the set of user credentials and the set of hardware credentials;
the non-primary device becoming activated such that it is capable of receiving an incoming call once the copy of the set of user credentials and the copy of the set of hardware credentials of the primary device have been communicated; and
deactivating the primary device such that it is not capable of receiving an incoming call.
11. The media of claim 10 , wherein the communication of the set of user credentials and the set of hardware credentials to the non-primary device is automatic upon receiving an indication that the non-primary device is within a threshold proximity of the primary device.
12. The media of claim 10 , wherein activating the non-primary device includes enabling additional functionality beyond an ability to receive incoming calls.
13. The media of claim 12 , wherein the additional functionality includes one or more of the following: establishing data sessions, browsing the internet, sending data to remote entities, and receiving data from remote entities.
14. The media of claim 10 , wherein the non-primary device comprises a device in an automobile or a smart appliance.
15. Non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, facilitate a method for receiving an incoming call on a target device, the method comprising:
establishing a secure communication path between:
(1) a primary device, wherein the primary device is recognizable by a network as having:
a) a set of user credentials associated with a set of hardware credentials, wherein the set of user credentials comprises a mobile subscriber identifier and a network access identifier assigned to a user of the primary device by a wireless-telecommunications-network, and wherein the set of hardware credentials comprises one or more of an electronic serial number or a mobile equipment identifier permanently associated with the primary device by a manufacturer of the primary device, and
b) a radio, wherein the radio is used for receiving an incoming call from the network, and
(2) a non-primary device;
creating a proximity-based relationship between the primary device and the non-primary device;
incident to receiving an indication that the non-primary device is within a threshold proximity of the primary device, the primary device communicating without network involvement to the non-primary device 1) a copy of the set of user credentials of the primary device, and 2) a copy of the set of hardware credentials of the primary device usable as a set of proxy credentials by the non-primary device, wherein the primary device retains the set of user credentials and the set of hardware credentials;
the non-primary device becoming activated such that it can receive an incoming call once the copy of the set of user credentials and the copy of the set of hardware credentials have been communicated; and
incident to the communication, disabling the radio that, if enabled, would enable the primary device to receive an incoming call.
16. The media of claim 15 , wherein incident to receiving an indication that the non-primary device is no longer within a threshold proximity of the primary device, enabling the radio such that the primary device can receive an incoming call.
17. The media of claim 16 , wherein the non-primary device is deactivated such that it cannot receive incoming calls.
18. The media of claim 17 , wherein the non-primary device does not retain the copy of the set of user credentials and the copy of the set of hardware credentials once the non-primary device is deactivated.