Patent ID: 7239863

Claim:
A method of authenticating a portable subscriber unit with a communication system via a computer workstation, comprising: assigning the computer workstation to the communication system, the computer workstation remote from and in communication with a central communication unit of the communication system and configured for serving as an intermediary interface between a portable subscriber unit in a local vicinity of the computer workstation and the central communication unit remote from the computer workstation; the computer workstation having a first transceiver unit for a local air interface assignable to the portable subscriber unit by the request for communication, the portable subscriber unit having a second transceiver unit to communicate with the computer workstation via the local air interface and having an input and/or output device; sending data for an authentication of the portable subscriber unit over the local air interface from the portable subscriber unit to the computer workstation; sending the authentication data from the computer workstation to the central communication unit of the communication system; and registering the portable subscriber unit with the communication system after a successful authentication, wherein the computer workstation is connected via a wire interface to the communication unit, the wire interface providing a first bearer channel and a second bearer channel. wherein a communication between the central communication unit and the computer work station for a stationary subscriber uses the first bearer channel without using the air interface, and wherein a communication between the central communication unit and the portable subscriber unit via the computer work station for a mobile subscriber uses the second bearer channel and uses the air interface.