Abstract:
An Application Server Autonomous Access (ASAA) system for providing autonomous access to a wireless infrastructure by devices employing different types of access technology. The system includes a server, having an associated data storage device, for storing at least one policy, and a plurality of subnetworks, coupled to server, for providing access to the server. The plurality of subnetworks employ at least two different types of access technology. A plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) are wirelessly coupled to at least one of the subnetworks. The server monitors the wireless coupling and, depending upon the at least one policy, switches the WTRUs between different ones of the subnetworks.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/519,440 filed on Nov. 12, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/623,091 filed on Oct. 28, 2004, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is related to wireless communication systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to a system which permits access to an infrastructure by devices employing different types of access technology.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Current technology allows different types of wireless and wireline access networks to offer service to subscribers. Support of mobility inter-working between different access technologies, for example, second and third generation (2G/3G) wireless networks, code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA 2000) networks, wireless local area network (WLAN)/Bluetooth® networks, exists to a very limited degree at the radio access network (RAN) level. Standardization work, in the area of WLAN and Global Standard for Mobile Units (GSM)/Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) inter-working is in progress. However, the mechanisms being defined address mobility between these networks within the radio access domain. As such, these efforts factor in only wireless, (i.e., RAN), criteria into their schemes. A mechanism is needed whereby “application level” integration is possible across heterogeneous access networks, allowing seamless mobility and inter-working to occur between these systems.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention solves the problems associated with prior art interoperability problems. The present invention is an Application Server Autonomous Access (ASAA) system that brings together different types of wireless and wireline access networks. It allows a potentially non-Public LAN Mobile Network, 3rd-party service provider to provide services to subscribers, based on user location, behavioral preferences, tariffing criteria, etc. The ASAA network consolidates location, service and routing information for users as they roam between different types of access networks. The ASAA network provides flexible routing of calls and push services to users via the appropriate technology network, based upon criteria such as user location, behavioral preferences and tariffing preferences. The architecture of the ASAA network allows different types of services to be offered to the user based upon the same criteria. In essence, this architecture allows a 3rd-party service provider to draw significant revenues from, (and away from), wide-area PLMN networks, (such as GSM/UMTS and CDMA 2000 networks). 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an ASAA network implemented in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the relationship between a WTRU, an ASAA server and access networks.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an ASAA network implementation of a remote video media function in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a remote control connection of a camera device implemented in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a remote control operation of a camera device implemented in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a user interface of a personal lock and key device which provides secure communication over an ASAA network in accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  is a block schematic diagram showing the operational functions of the personal lock and key device of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the interoperability of the personal lock and key device of  FIG. 6  with a terminal or WTRU application. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     As used herein, the terminology “wireless transmit/receive unit” (WTRU) includes but is not limited to a user equipment, mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. The terminology “base station” includes but is not limited to a Node B, site controller, access point or any other type of interfacing device in a wireless environment. An “access point” (AP) is a station or device which provides a wireless access for devices to establish a wireless connection with a LAN, and establishes a part of a wireless LAN (WLAN). If the AP is a fixed device on a WLAN, the AP is a station which transmits and receives data. The AP permits connection of a WTRU to a network, provided that the WLAN itself has a connection to the network.  
         [0014]     According to the present invention, wireless telecommunication services are provided to at least one WTRU by identifying at least a plurality of wireless access networks capable of providing wireless links to the WTRU. A server is capable of communicating with a plurality of the wireless access networks and determines a status of the WTRU in the sense of an ability to establish a radio link with one or more of the wireless access networks. The server establishes a server communication link a wireless access networks with which the WTRU has an ability to establish a radio link and uses the communication link to establish communication between the WTRU. The server communication link is then used to establish communication between the WTRU and a further destination through one of the access networks.  
         [0015]     The ASAA server consolidates location, service and routing information for subscribed users. The ASAA server also routes calls and push-services to a user&#39;s appropriate serving network, based on policy profiles. These profiles include, for example, location, technology network capabilities, behavioral factors and tariffing criteria. The ASAA network uses IP-based technologies (e.g. SIP) to support inter-technology convergence.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an ASAA network  11 , showing an exemplary relationship between an ASAA server  12 , network service entities  21 - 26 , and a WTRU  13  according to the present invention. The ASAA network  11  implemented in accordance with the present invention brings together different technology networks, such as: 3G wide-area PLMN (e.g., UMTS and CDMA 2000); private area networks (WPANs), for example office and campus networks (e.g., WLAN, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15 and ZigBee); and private SOHO networks (e.g., WLAN, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.15 and ZigBee). As shown in  FIG. 1 , in addition to the ASAA network  11  and the ASAA server  12 , is a public switched telephone network or public data network (PSTN/PDN)  14  and a public land mobile network (PLMN)  15 .  
         [0017]     While certain protocols, such as IEEE 802.15, are described, a number of suitable protocols can be used for communications within the scope of the present invention. These are described by way of example and it is contemplated that other communication techniques and protocols, such as ZigBee, UWB and IrDA, will be used to implement the inventive concepts.  
         [0018]     The PLMN  15  includes a plurality of LANs  21 - 25 , depicted as an entertainment store  21  at an airport location, an airport lounge  22 , an office network  23 , a coffee shop  24  offering WLAN services, and a home network  25 . The PLMN  15  also includes a network  26  offering large area mobile services, which in the example includes a 3G device  27  and a SIP device  28 . The large area mobile services network  26  provides communication via WLAN, BT and UMTS. The LANs  21 - 25  and large area mobile services network  26  form access networks. Typical communications through the LANs  21 - 25  are according to the IP protocol, SIP protocol or other packet-switched protocols. Typically, such communications use a common channel and are assigned bandwidths according to demand.  
         [0019]     A plurality of ASAA application servers  41 ,  42  and  43  are provided at various locations including at the office network  23 , the home network  25  and the large area mobile services network  26 . The ASAA application servers  41 ,  42  and  43  provide application services through their respective access networks  23 ,  25  and  26 , but are also accessible through other access networks.  
         [0020]     The WTRU  13  is depicted and is able to communicate with various ones of the access networks  21 - 26 . The ASAA server  12  is able to establish a communication link with the WTRU  13  by connecting directly or indirectly to individual ones of the networks  21 - 26  to which the WTRU  13  has established a communication link. The services come from the ASAA server in this architecture. The access networks provide access to the user and hence, calls and other interactions between the user and the ASAA server are routed through the access network to which the user is connected. This enables the ASAA server  12  to function as a service platform in order to deliver services to the user through the various ones of the access networks  21 - 26 .  
         [0021]     The WTRU  13  is able to communicate through various services as provided via the WLAN  23 , but once connected, the ASAA server  12  can provide administrative functions to either provide services directly through the ASAA server  12 , or request that services be routed between the various access networks  21 - 26  to an access network connected to the WTRU  13 . The services are provided by the ASAA server  12  in this architecture. The access networks provide access to the WTRU  13 , and hence calls and other interactions between the WTRU  13  and the ASAA server  12  are routed through the access network  21 - 26  to which the WTRU  13  is connected.  
         [0022]     The ASAA server  12  also includes server function modules  61 ,  62 . The server function modules  61 ,  62  provide administrative functions for operating the ASAA server  12 , and maintaining a database of locations of the WTRU  13  and availability of connections to the access networks  21 - 26 . The server function modules  61 ,  62  also provide application functions which can be executed by the WTRU through connections to the access networks  21 - 26 .  
         [0023]     The ASAA server  12  provides an anchored interface to the PSTN/PDN  14  for receipt/transmission of call attempts, and routes incoming calls to the WTRU&#39;s serving access network based on the WTRU&#39;s location. In routing incoming calls, the ASAA server  12  pages all underlying possible serving access networks configured for the WTRU  13 . The WTRU  13  responds with a paging response, routed through currently connected serving network. The ASAA server  12  then delivers incoming calls, via a serving access network to which the WTRU  13  is currently connected.  
         [0024]     The WTRU  13  can also “force-route” incoming call through a specified serving access network by configuring the ASAA server  12  appropriately, with the identity of serving access network to route the call through to its destination. By specifying the access network, the WTRU  13  can control which services are used.  
         [0025]     This architecture broadens the traditional cellular paging and call routing mechanisms to work across a range of access networks. In one embodiment, an IP based application-level paging mechanism, which operates across a variety of access networks to help locate the WTRU  13  issued.  
         [0026]     One embodiment includes a provision of a consolidated interface, via the ASAA server  12 , to allow PSTN/PDN  14  receipt of calls. The ASAA server  12  allows PSTN/PDN  14  receipt of calls to be effected through a single anchor point. The effect is that, from the user&#39;s standpoint, radio link services are provided by the particular radio links, which are the individual ones of the access networks  21 - 26 . The service management, which is the user&#39;s interface, can be either one of the local network  21 - 26  or the ASAA server  12 . Thus as indicated by dashed line  69 , the system shifts the network administration for the user&#39;s services and the service management for the user “upward” from the individual access networks  21 - 26  to the ASAA server  12 . The ASAA server  12  then becomes a virtual server from the user&#39;s perspective. Network services are provided by the individual access networks  21 - 26  for the radio link, and by the ASAA server  12  for services provided to the user other than the radio link. If the operator of the ASAA server  12  is able to obtain wireless services as provided by the individual access networks  21 - 26 , then the user is able to make service subscription arrangements with the operator of the ASAA server  12 .  
         [0027]     This architecture supports mobility of the WTRU  13  across multiple access networks, and helps locate the WTRU  13  seamlessly. The use of the ASAA server  12  allows for user-configured routing of calls through a given access network. This also provides a uniform set of supplementary services and features across multiple access networks, resulting in a continuity of user&#39;s experience despite network changes. The architecture also may provide a configuration for a uniform mechanism for provision of push services to the WTRU  13  across multiple underlying access networks.  
         [0028]     The role of the ASAA server  12  providing an administrative function concerning routing of services to various access networks  12 - 26  makes the ASAA server  12  able to maintain a common location for user profiles. The user can determine what services to use, and under which physical circumstances. Examples of parameters include call handling, selection of services by type, selection of services by cost and cost structure, selection of services by network ownership, notification of availability of connections to services, user determined minimum quality of service (QOS), required bandwidth of services for a particular function. Call handling profile selection functions can include voicemail, selective admission of calls and “challenge” responses. In a similar manner, the ASAA server  12  can also provide the voicemail and other data management services.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the relationship between a WTRU  81 , an ASAA server  83  and access networks  91 - 95 . The WTRU  81  includes a first circuit  87  for establishing an RF link and a second circuit  88  for processing data, although some of these functions are integrated circuit functions. The WTRU  81  establishes a communications link with the ASAA server  83 , but in general the service connection is between the WTRU  81  and one of the service networks  91 - 95 . Services may be communicated either through the ASAA server  83  through the service network in radio communication with the WTRU  81 . Alternatively, services may be communicated from one service network to a service network which establishes a radio link with the WTRU  81  without passing through the ASAA server  83 . In the case of ASAA server supervised communications, communications which do not pass through the ASAA server  83  or originate with the ASAA server  83  may still be supervised by the ASAA server  83 . Since the processing circuitry  88  handles the data regardless of its source, the actual connection to a particular service network  91 - 95  can be transparent to the user.  
         [0030]     In operation, upon energization of the media device, the ASAA application attempts to access the ASAA server  83  via the 3G PLMN infrastructure. This registration action will result in the regular transmission of location information between the PLMN and the ASAA application server.  
         [0031]     The ASAA server  83  will maintain a catalog of subnetworks available to the media device and, during the life of the session, may push the media device onto these subnetworks automatically, or upon some user command following an ASAA system prompt. This push action is policy-based. By way of example, server policies may include user location, behavioral profiling, and optimal tariffing.  
         [0032]     During the lifetime of the session, the ASAA network provides the connectivity between the media device and the PSTN/PDN. Depending on ASAA and PLMN subscription, (such as the quality of service profile), different levels and types of services may be offered to the media device. This may also dependent upon location.  
         [0033]     By way of example, a general PLMN voice service may not be necessary to a user having a behavioral profile that places the user at home or in the office for a large percentage of normal time. For such a user, a simple ASAA (SIP-based) paging scheme may be applied during times of subnetwork unavailability.  
         [0034]     The ASAA system in accordance with the present invention results in several advantages over current systems. The ASAA system consolidates location, service and routing information for subscribed users at the ASAA Server  83 . This permits seamless communication provision of seamless mobility between different technology networks, using a common IP-based scheme. The system routes calls and push services to the appropriate technology network based on policy profiles. The system also supports a flexible tariffing scheme based on a user&#39;s location and choice of technology network. Finally, the system enables 3rd-party application providers to extract services revenue from wireless networks.  
         [0035]     A further advantage of the ASAA system is that the ASAA server  83  can assign a virtual identity to the WTRU  81 , which for example can be a user identity. In this way, the user identity can be made portable across different WTRUs. Thus, if each WTRU has a unique identity, the ASAA server  83  can communicate with the various WTRUs according to their identities such as ESN numbers. The communication of the ASAA server  83  can be in response to different identity as selected by the user. This permits a user to “clone” a WTRU such as a cellular telephone by using the ASAA server  83 . The ASAA server  83  can then communicate with a different WTRU in order to provide information corresponding to the identity. Therefore, a user can use a different physical device, with its own identity in place of a particular WTRU. Conversely, multiple different user IDs may be mapped onto a single device by the ASAA server  83 . In either case, the ASAA server  83  provides an identity proxy service for the WTRU.  
         [0036]     By way of example, the user may wish to have a personal cellphone and a work cellphone on a trip, but only carry a single physical device. Instead of using call forwarding services, the user may communicate under the supervision of the ASAA network which is able to communicate with the physical device which the user is carrying. Since this is under the supervision of the ASAA network, the ASAA server  83  can convert device information such as telephone number or other identifying data in accordance with information registered on the database of the ASAA server  83 .  
         [0037]     Remote Camera Device  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an ASAA network implementation of a remote video media function in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. As can be seen, camera devices  121  and  122  are connected through network connections which provide virtual connections to an ASAA server  128 . The actual connections of the camera devices  121  and  122  may be either through a LAN, such as WLAN  131 , or through a WTRU  135  capable of effecting a cellular connection. WTRU  135  may be a separate device connected through a local connection such as an IEEE 802.15 connection or may be self-contained in or hardwired to the camera device  122 . In each case, communication is effected which can be controlled by the ASAA server  128 .  
         [0039]     Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a PC  142  which is able to communicate with the ASAA server  128  through either through WLAN  131  or through another connection such as a direct internet connection. A local WTRU  146  communicates with the ASAA server  128  either directly or through the WLAN  131 . Likewise a WTRU  149  may be located at a separate location and communicate with the ASAA server  128 . The ASAA server  128  may provide a virtual identity to the WTRU  149  or the camera device  122  as described supra.  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a remote control connection of a camera device  171  implemented in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This remote control is performed either through the ASAA network of  FIGS. 1-3  or through network services.  FIG. 4  shows a one-way transmission of images through a two-way link. The camera device  171  includes a camera with associated image processor  172 , an image storage device  173  and a transceiver  174 . The camera device  171  communicates through an access point (AP)  177 , which, in turn, communicates with an ASAA network  181  under the control of an ASAA server  183 .  
         [0041]     The ASAA network  181  connects with a user&#39;s WTRU  188 , which provides an image through display  189 . The user&#39;s WTRU  188  is able to control the camera device  171  through the communications link established by the camera device  171 , AP  177 , ASAA network  181  and WTRU  188 . Control can be open or restricted by controlled access. In the case of restricted control of the camera device  171 , this may be either in accordance with the particular terminal providing control instructions or requesting outputs, in accordance with establishment of a secure connection, or by means of authentication by password or other user information.  
         [0042]     In order to communicate with the camera device  171 , the ASAA network  181  provides a registration of the camera device  171 . Communications with the camera device are effected through the ASAA network  181  under the supervision of the ASAA server  183 . It is also possible to effect other network connections (not shown). Therefore, control and access to the output of the camera device  171  is achieved in a controlled manner. This means that in order to access the camera device  171  through the ASAA server  183 , one must either be registered through the ASAA server  183  or have been granted access. One advantage of using the ASAA server  183  is that any user with access to the ASAA network can be provided with access to the camera device  171  in accordance with the registration.  
         [0043]     In use, if the camera device  171  is to have restricted use for privacy or utility reasons, then the control of the camera device  171  is established by an authorized user. The authorized user can be given control of the camera device  171  by the ASAA server  183  and can proceed to control the camera device either through the ASAA server or through a connection authorized by the ASAA server  183 . Thus, the camera can be reserved for use by particular individuals such as family members, or lesser restrictions may be permitted. Therefore, while the network link used by the camera device may inherently be open to outside control of viewing, the ASAA server permits owner control while permitting wide access by the owner and those authorized by the owner.  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a remote control operation of the camera device  171  implemented in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The camera device  171  is controlled remotely by a remote terminal such as terminal  192  or by WTRU  188 . Control operations are executed under the supervision of the ASAA server  128  which provides control between the WTRU  188  or terminal  192  and the camera device  171 . In addition, a media path  195  may be established through the ASAA server  128 , under the supervision of the ASAA server  128  or independently. While the execution of commands is depicted as directly between the camera device  171 , WTRU  188 , terminal  192  and the ASAA server  128 , it is anticipated that the ASAA server will use intermediary network connections for providing these signals.  
         [0045]     Registration with the ASAA server  128  is established by the WTRU  188  or the terminal  192  registering  201 ,  202  separately as devices accessible by the ASAA server  128 . A control request  203  is made by the terminal and is granted  204 . The terminal then opens the application  205 ,  206  which in this case is the camera control. This is followed by commands such as turning commands  207 - 210 . In addition, the terminal can access the camera output as indicated by media path  195  may be restricted by the ASAA server  128 .  
         [0046]     Personal Communication Lock and Key  
         [0047]     Communication across a network incorporates a variety of wired and wireless devices. In instances where security is required a personal lock and key device provides controlled secure access to communication, service and data. According to the present invention, a separate personal lock and key device is used in order to implement the security by effecting a wired dongle or local wireless connection with a local device operated by the user. The local device can be a WTRU, a terminal under the control of the user or a public terminal being used by the user. The personal lock and key device is able to provide multiple functions, which may include: 1) communication with a security server which provides security data to servers offering services to the user; 2) dongle security by encryption and decryption of signals processed by a local terminal or WTRU; 3) storage of password information which can be decrypted through the security server; 4) communication with multiple security servers; and 5) providing password access and security data to servers according to the server&#39;s protocol independently of the security server.  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  depicts the user end of a network environment  300  with a personal lock and key device  301  used to provide secure access through a computer terminal  311 , WTRUs  312 ,  313 , and a portable computer  314  connected through a WTRU, (not separately depicted). The personal lock and key device  301  is convenient in that a single device is able to be used in connection with the various user devices without a requirement to provide separate equipment for each terminal device  311 - 314 . In instances where the personal lock and key device  301  is not necessary for operation of the terminal device  311 - 314 , the personal lock and key device  301  can be conveniently stowed because it has a limited profile for physical connection, and has either no user interface or a limited user interface.  
         [0049]     The personal lock and key device  301  can use data stored internally. In addition, the personal lock and key device  301  is able to read further security data, such as that provided by an external card device  321 . This enables separate secure devices to operate in conjunction with the personal lock and key device  301  without a direct association between the protocol used by the external card device  321  and the personal lock and key device  301 . The personal lock and key device  301  would be expected to communicate with the separate, external card device  321  and with external services, but would not otherwise be required to share a protocol with the external card device  321 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a block schematic diagram showing the operational functions of the personal lock and key device  301  of  FIG. 6 . A wireless communication circuit  361  such as an IEEE 802.15 or BlueTooth (TM), and an infrared port  364  provides communication to a connection bus  371 , which also has an external port connection  376 . The connection bus  371  communicates with a logic circuit  381 , which receives signals transferred to the connection bus  371  from the wireless communication circuit  361 , infrared port  364  or external port connection  376 . The logic circuit  381  provides signals to the connection bus  371  for transmission through the wireless communication circuit  361 , infrared port  364  or external port connection  376 . The logic circuit  381  uses encryption/decryption data stored in a memory store  385  for decryption or encryption of data transferred through the connection bus  371 .  
         [0051]     A card reader circuit  389  receives data from an external card ( 321 ,  FIG. 6 ) for communication through the connection bus  371  which communicates with the wireless communication circuit  361 , infrared port  364  or external port connection  376  as described above. The external card reader  389  may obtain complete data conversions or may provide data for use by the logic circuit  381  for conversion. In the case of the complete data conversion obtained by the external card reader  389 , the logic circuit  381  transfers the data as received to or from the connection bus  371  to or from the external card reader  389 . In the case of data provided for use by the logic circuit  381  by the external card reader  389 , the data is used by the logic circuit  381  to convert data transferred through the connection bus  371 . It is also understood that the logic circuit  381  may use a combination of data converted externally and transferred by the external card reader  389  along with data converted by the logic circuit  381 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the interoperability of the personal lock and key device  301  and secure services. A local application device  401 , which is a local terminal, includes an application  405  and a dongle port  404 . The dongle port  404  may be a physical dongle such as a USB port, a wireless communication port or other communication port. The purpose is to permit the personal lock and key device  301  to receive data from the local application device  401  and transmit data back to the local application device  401 . The use of an external dongle decryption device is known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0053]     The local application device  401  communicates through network connections  420  and  421  to a security server  428 , which provides encryption data that cooperates with the personal lock and key device  301 . The security server  428  communicates with the personal lock and key device  301  to provide and receive encrypted data across the network connections  420  and  421 .  
         [0054]     The security server  428  may retain data and provide program services. Additionally, services may be provided externally of the security server  428 , as represented by application service server  431 . The security server  428  may communicate with the application service server  431  with secure protocols which may be the same or different protocols used for the security server  428  to communicate through the local application device  401  and the personal lock and key device  301 . As depicted, secure communication between the application service server  431  and the security server  428  may be through network connection  421 , but the communication link is effectively secured between the application service server  431  and the security server  428  so as to be inaccessible from the outside as represented by dashed line  439 . In that respect, the security server  428  may store user keys and passwords and respond to communication requests by communicating with personal lock and key device  301 . When personal lock and key device  301  is identified, the security server  428  communicates the necessary access information.  
         [0055]     By way of example, the user may with to access a private directory (such as a private list of names, customer list or other confidential data). The directory is resident on a server which offers access to the directory only in a secure manner, so that there is no public access to the directory. The user may connect at the local application device  401 , which may be a public terminal, and request access to the security server  428 . The security server  428  provides data which is accessible only through the personal lock and key device  301 , and further uses the personal lock and key device  301  to authenticate the user. Thus data is provided to the user only in the form requested by the user, and with essential elements in a format which is only readable through the personal lock and key device  301 . Therefore only displayed data selected by the user would be accessible at the public terminal  401  and would only be retrieved when the personal lock and key device  301  is connected to the dongle port  404 . Thus, the data transferred cannot be “sniffed” in unencrypted form from the network connections  420  and  421 . Only the data provided back to the public terminal  401  for local display or manipulation can be detected through access to the public terminal  401 .  
         [0056]     The data can be stored at the security server  428  in the manner of passwords, or can be stored elsewhere, as at application service server  431 . In the example, if the data is stored at the application service server  431 , then data is transferred between the application service server  431  and the security server  428 , and then transferred to the public terminal  401 , where it is decrypted by the personal lock and key device  301 . The processing of the data can occur at any convenient location, including the public terminal, application service server  431  or the security server  428 .  
         [0057]     In another example, secured data is stored at an application service server  431 . The user wishes to download a data output to the local application device  401 , which may be a laptop computer. The data output is to be manipulated or displayed at the laptop computer  401 . The user requests the service by providing authentication between the personal lock and key device  301  and the security server  428 . The security server responds by providing authentication between itself. The application service server  431  provides the service as requested and returns a data output. The data output is then provided either directly to the user or to the user through the security server  428 . The data output may be provided in encrypted form, to be decrypted by the personal lock and key device  301 , or in unencrypted form, as appropriate for the particular type of data. For example if the data output is a name and telephone number derived from a confidential list, it is possible that the user doesn&#39;t consider a single name and number to be confidential and would rather have it freely accessible locally.  
         [0058]     The security server  428  may be a separate device accessible through communication links or may be provided as a function of the ASAA server  12 . In the case of the ASAA server  12 , the secure functions can be implemented across divers networks while maintaining secure connections according to the protocols supported by the personal lock and key device  301 .  
         [0059]     As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the personal lock and key device  301  may use self-contained data, or may use data provided the external card device  321 . This permits the personal lock and key device  301  to be used as an interface between the external card device  321  and the local application device  401 , as depicted in  FIG. 8 . It is further contemplated that the lock and key device  301  will be conveniently mountable to at least one further device such as a WTRU. This enables the lock and key device  301  to communicate through the WTRU in order to execute its function.  
         [0060]     The ability to connect through a further device is also useful in circumstances in which a particular device cannot connect to the personal lock and key device  301 . For example if a device may be unable to connect to the personal lock and key device  301  but is connected to a WTRU for wireless connectivity. In such a case the WTRU is connected to both the lock and key device  301  enabling security, and to the device, thus providing secured wireless connection.  
         [0061]     It is possible to include biometric identification functions in the lock and key device  301 . This would require a biometric identification and authentication procedure, so as to restrict use of the lock and key device  301  to the owner. Examples of biometric functions would include a physical feature reader, voice matching circuitry or other function which uniquely identifies the user. The biometric data may also be provided for purposes of use of a diverse device such as a camera to match a biometric attribute based on biometric data stored in the personal lock and key device  301 .  
         [0062]     The personal lock and key device  301  may be assigned an identity by the security server  428 . Alternatively, the security server  428  may assign a virtual identity to a device, such as the local application device  401 , through which the personal lock and key device  301  communicates.