Abstract:
A mobile tethering device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor, a computer tangible storage device, and program instructions stored on the storage device for execution by the processor. The program instructions include first program instructions to receive a request to initiate a connection with a remote communications device. The program instructions further include second program instructions to establish a wireless connection with a mobile communication device via the wireless transceiver. The program instructions further include third program instructions to communicate data indicative of a request to initiate a telephone call to the mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to initiate the telephone call via a public switched telephone network. The program instructions further include fourth program instructions to communicate data associated with the telephone call to the mobile communication device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/090,922, filed on Dec. 12, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile communication. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to mobile tethering device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mobile telephones, and smartphones in particular, are commonly used for communicating with others. Smartphones typically include an operating system as well as a combination of hardware and software to facilitate various forms of communication as well as to take measurements of the environment and to perform other computing functions. In addition to making telephone calls for example, a variety of types data can be generated, stored, and communicated by a smartphone including text messages, videos, images, and so on. Existing smartphones also include applications that can be used for a variety of entertainment and productivity purposes. Such activities further result in an assortment of data being generated and stored on the smartphone. An existing smartphone will further include one or more cameras, geo-location technology which generates, stores, and communicates data about the location of the smartphone, as well as other accessory sensors including gyroscopes, accelerometers, thermometers, and the like. All of these accessory sensors are available to an existing smartphone&#39;s operating system, often in ways which the user cannot control or even monitor. Further, the use of a smartphone&#39;s cellular telephony equipment causes the device to interact with the cellular communication network, which itself generates a granular data set of the geolocation of the user. 
     The large amounts of data generated and stored by a smartphone may often be confidential. Accordingly, smartphone users often take measures to try and protect the data. Nevertheless, if a smartphone is lost or stolen or compromised by an attacker, such confidential data could potentially be accessed and exploited by unauthorized individuals. For example, even if a smartphone owner implements a passcode lock, an attacker may circumvent the passcode and gain access to stored data. In some situations, even after the smartphone owner believes to have deleted the data, an attacker or hacker may be able to use forensic techniques to retrieve data from a smartphone. In addition, sensitive data such as the location of a smartphone may be susceptible to being accessed by unauthorized, individuals even while an owner is still in possession of the smartphone. Furthermore, given the broad range of applications of a smartphone, it is difficult for a parent to monitor and control the type of applications being used and the amount of sensitive data being created by a child. 
     In this manner, a modern smartphone presents an array of security problems which are either impractical or impossible to protect against via currently available means. The functionality of a modern smartphone&#39;s operating system and associated hardware are such that a sophisticated attacker will always have a means to compromise the data on the smartphone, no matter what countermeasures the user implements. This is because the smartphone itself is a compact, plenary, recording, environmental-sensing, geolocating, computer processing device which users typically carry on their persons. 
     SUMMARY 
     A solution to many of the vulnerabilities presented by a modern smartphone are provided herein and rely, generally, on uncoupling or eliminating the telephony capability of the devices as well as eliminating or reducing the hardware incorporated into the device. 
     A mobile tethering device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor, a computer tangible storage device, and program instructions stored on the storage device for execution by the processor. The program instructions include first program instructions to receive a request to initiate a connection with a mobile communications device. The program instructions further include second program instructions to establish a wireless connection with the mobile communication device via the wireless transceiver. The program instructions further include third program instructions to communicate data indicative of a request to initiate a telephone call to the mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to initiate the telephone call via a public Witched telephone network. The program instructions further include fourth program instructions to communicate data associated with the telephone call to the mobile communication device. 
     A method for tethering to a mobile communication device includes the step of a computing device receiving a request to initiate a connection with a mobile communications device. The method further includes the step of the computing device establishing a wireless connection with the mobile communication device. The method further includes the step of the computing device communicating, data indicative of the request, to initiate the telephone call to the mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device initiates the telephone call via, a public switched, telephone network. The method further includes the step of the computing device communicating data associated with the telephone call to the mobile communication device. 
     A mobile tethering device includes a wireless transceiver, a processor, a computer tangible storage device, and program instructions stored an the storage device for execution by the processor. The program instructions include first program instructions to receive a request to initiate a telephone call. The program instructions further include second program instructions to initiate a telephone call directly via a public switched telephone network. The program instructions further include third program instructions to receive a request to operate a mobile application. The program instructions further include fourth program instructions to establish a wireless connection with a mobile communication device via the wireless transceiver. The program instructions further include fifth program instructions to communicate data indicative of the request to operate a mobile application to the mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device is configured to initiate operation of the mobile application. The program instructions further include sixth program instructions to communicate data associated with operation of the mobile application to the mobile communication device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example system for tethering to a mobile communication device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example mobile tethering device. 
         FIG. 3  is an example method for tethering to a mobile communication device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  for tethering to a mobile communication device. System  100  includes a mobile tethering device  102  that indirectly provides a user  104  with functionality typically associated with a known mobile communication device  106  such as an existing or known smartphone. Mobile communication device  106  can include any suitable smartphone having any suitable number of applications installed thereon. For example, mobile communication device  106  can be an Apple iPhone including pre-installed applications such as a web browser or a calendar as well as applications downloaded via the App Store such as games and social media applications. Mobile communication device  106  is able to leverage the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  108  to make and receive telephone calls and send and receive text messages, for example, to a recipient  110  via recipient&#39;s device  112 . Mobile communication device  106  is also able to leverage the PSTN  108  to download and install new applications and to transmit and receive associated data. Mobile communication device  106  is also able to leverage the PSTN  108  to obtain geo-location information. Mobile communication device  106  may be remote from mobile tethering device  102  or within proximity of mobile tethering device  102 . 
     Mobile tethering device  102  looks and feels similar to a mobile communication device  106 . In one example, mobile tethering device  102  looks and feels identical to a mobile communication device  106 . However, mobile tethering device  102  is unable to access the PSTN  108  directly to make calls or to send text messages to a recipient  110 . Furthermore, mobile tethering device  102  is unable to directly download and install applications. In addition, mobile tethering device  102  is unable to be geo-located. In particular, mobile tethering device  102  lacks the operating system, firmware, and hardware typically associated with a mobile communication device  106  for accessing a PSTN  108 . Mobile tethering device  102  does not store any sensitive data. Thus, if mobile tethering device  102  is lost or stolen, or even while user  104  is still in possession of mobile tethering device  102 , an attacker or hacker is deprived of the ability to steal sensitive data, to conduct cell phone forensics, and to obtain geo-location information about user  104 . 
     Instead, mobile tethering device  102  connects to mobile communication device  106  over the Internet  114  and leverages the hardware and software of mobile communication device  106  to access the PSTN  108  and to seamlessly operate as if mobile tethering device  102  was itself a mobile communication device  106 . The functionality appears seamless to user  104  in that the user is able to make phone calls using voice-over-IP, send text messages, and use other applications and perform other functions typically associated with a mobile communication device  106  as if mobile tethering device  102  was itself a mobile communication device  106  with all of the associated hardware, software, and functionality. From the recipient&#39;s  110  perspective, communication with user  104  remains seamless as well. In other words, recipient  110  isn&#39;t aware of the user  104  utilizing a mobile tethering  102  device connected to a mobile communication device  106 . Rather, it appears to recipient  110  as though user  104  is using a mobile communication device  106 . 
     By creating such a separation between user  104  and mobile communication device  106 , mobile communication device  106  may be safely stored in a secure location while the user travels freely without concern over mobile communication device  106  being stolen or compromised by an unauthorized individual. At the same time, however, user  104  is still able to utilize mobile communication device  106  from anywhere as long as an Internet connection is available. For example, a user may chose to leave the mobile communication device  106  at home or at an office when going to a location where the user may be at risk of losing the mobile communication device  106 . The user may instead bring a mobile tethering device  102 , thus enabling the user to still access the features and functionality of the mobile communication device  106  while at the location or destination, as long as the location has WiFi. In one example, a user may carry a mobile tethering device  102  when exercising at a gym in order to access the mobile communication device  106  while leaving the mobile communication device  106  at home, at an office, or in a locker at the gym. 
     In one example, mobile tethering device  102  connects securely to the mobile communication device  106  via a suitable encrypted connection such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN). In one example, mobile tethering device  102  anonymizes and encrypts all data communication with mobile communication device  106 . 
     Once connected to mobile communication device  106 , or the anchor device, user  104  is able to carry out functions, via mobile tethering device  102 , which would typically be associated with mobile communication device.  106 . For example, user  104  can download and install new applications to mobile communication device  106 , send and receive emails, make telephone calls, use a calendar function, edit photographs, and so on. By masking the user, however, the location of the user  104  and mobile tethering device  102  remains invisible to the PSTN  108  as well as to recipient.  110  and potential hackers or attackers. 
     In one example, mobile tethering device  102  does not enable a user  104  to download or install new application on mobile communication device  106  but only enables user  104  to access previously installed applications. Rather, applications may only be downloaded and installed by an individual with appropriate authorization via mobile communication device  106  directly. In this example, an administrator with direct access to mobile communication device  106 , such as a parent for example, may control and monitor which applications user  104 , such as a child, may have access to, while still giving the child the functionality typically associated with mobile communication device  106 . 
     In one example, the administrator may create different roles having different access levels. For example, a first user of mobile tethering device  102  having a first access level may be given access to a first subset of applications and features of mobile communication device  106  while a second user of mobile tethering device  102  having a second access level may be given access to a second subset of applications and features of mobile communication device  106 , different than the first subset. 
     In one example, mobile tethering device  102  is paired to a specific mobile communication device  106  via a unique encrypted key pair. Thus, a single mobile tethering device  102  is only capable of pairing with a single predefined mobile communication device  106  by providing a unique key to mobile communication device  106  for confirming identity and proper authorization. In another example, mobile tethering device  102  may be configured to pair with any mobile computing device if granted appropriate permission by an administrator of the mobile computing device. For example, mobile tethering device  102  may connect with a mobile computing device if the  102  knows a predefined key or password associated with the mobile computing device. In one example, a plurality of mobile tethering devices may he given access to pair with a single mobile computing device. 
     In order to connect with mobile communication device  106 , mobile tethering device  102  includes hardware and software, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for connecting with and leveraging the capabilities of mobile communication device  106  and for providing tethering device  102  functionality. Mobile tethering device  102  includes a mobile tethering operating system  204  that lacks the functionality and features of an operating system of mobile communication device  106 , but enables mobile tethering device  102  to connect with and utilize the operating system of mobile communication device  106 . In particular, mobile tethering operating system  204  provides mobile tethering device  102  with access to resources of mobile communication device  106 . 
     Mobile tethering device  102  includes tethering logic  206  that provides user  104  with a user interface that resembles one of a mobile communication device  106  and provides user  104  with similar or substantially the same functionality and level of interaction as if the user  104  was interacting directly with mobile communication device  106 . Tethering logic  206  further facilitates connecting with and communicating data with mobile communication device  100 . In one example, tethering logic  206  is software that is loaded and executed in the mobile tethering operating system  204 . In one example, mobile tethering device  102  lacks an operating system but rather loads and executes tethering logic  206  automatically. 
     Mobile tethering device  102  further includes a processor  208  that executes tethering operating system  204  and tethering software logic  206 . Mobile tethering, device  102  further may include random access memory (RAM)  210  for temporarily storing data being communicated to and from mobile communication device  106 . By only storing data temporarily, mobile tethering device  102  deprives an attacker the ability to retrieve sensitive data from the device, should the device become compromised. 
     Mobile tethering device  102  further includes a wireless transceiver  212  for transmitting and receiving data to and from the mobile communication device  106 . In one example, wireless transceiver  212  is a WiFi transceiver. It should be appreciated that wireless transceiver can be configured to communicate with a suitable wireless network with a suitable wireless protocol. For example, wireless transceiver  212  may be a Bluetooth transceiver, am RF transceiver, and so on. 
     In one example, mobile tethering, device  102  includes additional hardware to more closely resemble a mobile communication device  106  and to provide user  104  with the same user experience as if user  104  was interfacing directly with mobile communication device  106 . For example, mobile tethering device  102  may include a camera, a microphone, a speaker, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable hardware components (not shown). Such additional hardware would enable user  104  to generate and communicate data to mobile communication device  106  for processing as if the data was generated by mobile communication device  106 . 
     In one example, the chassis (not shown) of mobile tethering device  102  is potted to deprive an unauthorized user or an attacker the ability to conduct advanced analysis of the components of mobile tethering device  102 . Potting may include filling the chassis with epoxy or other suitable material, for example. 
     In one example, in order to prevent backwards infection of mobile communication device  106  via a compromised mobile tethering device  102 , all data being communicated to mobile communication device  106  is sandboxed as a native component to an application of mobile tethering device  102 , in other words, data received from mobile tethering device  102  is isolated at mobile communication device  106  and prevented from infecting components of mobile communication device  106 . In such an example, the tethering device  102  further includes necessary sandbox information in order to isolate the data. 
     In one example, mobile tethering device  102  may further include hardware and software (not shown) required for accessing the PSTN  108  and for making telephone calls. However, in order for a user  104  of mobile tethering device  102  to utilize software applications beyond those necessary to make telephone calls, mobile tethering device  102  would still connect to a mobile communication device  106  and interface with the applications installed on the mobile computing device. Although mobile tethering device  102  is able to access the PSTN  108  directly, data traffic associated with other non-telephone related applications are still routed through mobile communication device  106 . Thus, an administrator, such as a parent or guardian, of the mobile communication device  106  may monitor smartphone applications that a user  104  of mobile tethering device  102  is given access to. The lack of software applications on mobile tethering device  102 , beyond what is necessary to make telephone calls via the PSTN  108  and that necessary to access applications on mobile communication device  106 , provides an ability for a parent to limit the applications with a child has access to while still given the child the ability to freely make telephone calls. In addition, since the example mobile tethering device  102  has the ability to communicate directly with the PSTN  108 , the example mobile tethering device  102  may generate goo-location data, which may be desirable for a parent or guardian of the user  102 . 
     In one example, the mobile tethering device  102  including the hardware and software required for accessing the PSTN  108  and for making telephone calls is limited to only making telephone calls to phone numbers authorized by a parent or an administrator. For example, mobile tethering device  102  may not have a traditional keypad with numbers for dialing a phone number. Rather, mobile tethering device  102  may be limited to placing telephone calls to phone numbers predefined in a phonebook on mobile communication device  106 . 
     In one example, the mobile tethering device  102  may be configured with time restrictions defined by a parent or guardian. For example, a parent or guardian may restrict or limit the functionality of the tethering device  102  during certain hours such as during school hours, during evening hours reserved for homework, or during, the night time. For example, the tethering device  102  may be configured to only allow telephone calls and SMS messages between a restricted set of contacts, such as teachers and family members, during defined school hours. In addition, the mobile tethering device  102  may be configured to only allow access to a limited number of applications during defined school hours and restrict access to the remainder of applications. For example, the mobile tethering device  102  may allow access to school-related applications such as email during school hours but restrict access to games. 
     It should be appreciated that, although the example system for tethering to a mobile computing device has been described as a device that resembles the mobile computing device, any suitable computing device such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an e-reader, and so on, may be configured with similar mobile tethering software in order to remotely access a mobile computing device to place telephone calls via the mobile communication device  106  or to access the applications of the mobile computing device. 
     To further facilitate communication with mobile communication device  106 , mobile communication device  106  is equipped with tether interface logic (not shown). In particular, the tether interface logic provided to mobile communication device  106  establishes the identity of mobile tethering device  102  and authorizes mobile tethering device  102  to access the functionality of mobile communication device  106 . In addition, tether interface logic interfaces with mobile communication device&#39;s  106  hardware and software to provide mobile tethering device  102  with the same functionality as provided by mobile communication device&#39;s  106  hardware and software. In one example, tether interface logic is software installed on mobile communication device  106 . In another example, the tether interface logic is hardware that interfaces with mobile communication device  106  externally. For example, the tether interface logic may be a hardware dongle or a docking station that connects to mobile communication device  106  via an external interface. In another example, tether interface logic may include a combination of hardware and software. For example, software may be either provided on external hardware such as a dongle or installed on the mobile communication device  106  and configured to operate in combination with external hardware such as a dangle. 
     In one example, mobile tether device  102  includes an interrupt switch (not shown) that severs the connection with a mobile communication device  106 . The interrupt switch may be activated either at mobile tethering device  102  or at mobile communication device  106 . This provides a safety feature that can be utilized in the event of the mobile tethering device being compromised. In one example, once the interrupt switch is activated and the connection with a mobile communication device is broken, a connection cannot be re-established remotely from mobile tethering device  102 . Rather, a connection may only be re-established via physical contact between mobile tethering device  102  and mobile communication device  106 . This may prevent a compromised mobile tethering device  102  from being using, maliciously to gain access to a mobile communication device. 
       FIG. 3  is an example method for tethering to a mobile communication device. At step  302 , a mobile tethering device receives a request to initiate a connection with a mobile communications device. In one example, the request is a request to initiate operation of an application, rather than to initiate a telephone call. At step  304 , the mobile tethering device establishes an Internet connection with a mobile communication device. At step  306 , the mobile tethering device communicates the request to the mobile communication device, wherein the mobile communication device initiates the requested telephone call with a PSTN. At step  308 , the mobile tethering device communicates with the mobile communication device data associated with a telephone conversation. 
     While example systems, methods, and so on, have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and so on, described herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, and illustrative examples shown or described. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or components. 
     Some portions of the detailed descriptions are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a sequence of operations that produce a result. The operations may include physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, the physical quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a logic and the like.