Method and system for restricting mobility using unique encrypted chargers

Abstract

A method and system for disabling a mobile unit to handle a call processing function, after being away from its charging unit longer than a predetermined time period, allows a service provider to limit the mobility of the mobile unit with respect to its companion charging unit. Consequently, the service provider may limit the mobility of the mobile unit in a limited area, such as in a wireless local loop.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for enabling a mobile apparatus for call processing, the method comprising: 
 encrypting a random number at the mobile apparatus;    sending the random number from the mobile apparatus to a charging apparatus;    encrypting the random number at the charging apparatus;    receiving at the mobile apparatus the encrypted random number from the charging apparatus; and    enabling the mobile apparatus based on a comparison of the encrypted random number at the mobile apparatus with the encrypted random number received from the charging apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the random number is an encrypted system time.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the encrypted system time is based on Tijndael 128-bit key encryption technique.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encrypting includes encrypting the random number based on Tijndael 128-bit key encryption technique.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling further includes enabling the mobile apparatus for a predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling further includes enabling the mobile apparatus while the mobile apparatus is positioned on the charging apparatus that is dedicated to the mobile apparatus.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling further includes enabling the mobile apparatus while the mobile apparatus is located within a predetermined distance from the charging apparatus that is dedicated to the mobile apparatus.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling further includes enabling the mobile apparatus for a predetermined distance from the charging apparatus that is dedicated to the mobile apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . A mobile apparatus comprising: 
 means for generating a random number;    means for encrypting the random number;    means for sending the random number to a charging apparatus;    means for receiving an encrypted version of the random number from the charging apparatus; and    means for comparing the encrypted random number at the mobile apparatus with the encrypted version of the random number received from the charging apparatus.    
     
     
         10 . A mobile apparatus comprising: 
 a processor configured to generate a random number, the processor also configured to encrypt the random number;    a transmitter configured to send the random number to a charging unit; and    a receiver configured to receive an encrypted version of the random number from the charging unit,    wherein the processor is also configured to enable the mobile apparatus based on the encrypted random number in the mobile unit and the encrypted random number received from the charging unit.    
     
     
         11 . A charging apparatus comprising: 
 means for receiving a random number from a mobile apparatus;    means for encrypting the random number; and    means for sending the random number to the mobile unit.    
     
     
         12 . A charging apparatus comprising: 
 a receiver configured to receive a random number from a mobile apparatus;    a processor configured to encrypt the random number; and    a transmitter configured to send the encrypted random number to the mobile apparatus.    
     
     
         13 . A computer readable medium embodying a method for enabling a mobile apparatus for call processing, the method comprising: 
 encrypting a random number at the mobile apparatus;    sending the random number from the mobile apparatus to a charging apparatus;    encrypting the random number at the charging apparatus;    receiving at the mobile apparatus the encrypted random number from the charging apparatus; and    enabling the mobile apparatus based on a comparison of the encrypted random number at the mobile apparatus with the encrypted random number received from the charging apparatus.