Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to application authentication and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing location-based application authentication using a location token service. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In the enterprise environment, companies often provide mobile devices to employees and develop a suite of applications to facilitate the day-to-day computing needs of the employees. For security reasons, many of these applications require same form of authentication. Rather than require a user to logon to each individual application, single sign on (SSO) allows the user to enter a user identification and password to logon to a shared network to access multiple applications. 
         [0003]    User identifications and passwords are not the most secure authentication mechanism and can be spoofed by unauthorized parties. As a result, SSO is sometimes enhanced by using digital certificates, security tokens, smart cards, and/or biometric authentication mechanisms, for example, to provide access to higher risk applications and information. 
         [0004]    SSO between applications on a mobile device sometimes require a shared token. Certain mobile devices, such as the Apple® iPhone® (available from Apple Corporation of Cupertino, Calif.), for example, prevent sharing of tokens between applications, thereby restricting the ability of companies to use SSO between multiple applications on the device. Applications can use a device&#39;s built-in identity, including the telephone number (TN) and the Universal Unique Identifier (UUID), for authentication. These identifiers, however, are fixed and easily found, allowing for spoofing of the device&#39;s identity. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for implementation of a location token service (LTS) to enhance the security of mobile device identity tokens by using the location of the mobile device to augment the tokens. The LTS enforces re-authentication (login) of the mobile device to one or more applications if the mobile device moves a particular distance (e.g., a pre-determined threshold distance) from the location of the last use of the token. The LTS increases authentication strength and drastically reduces the potential for spoofing or otherwise permitting unauthorized access to one or more applications on the mobile device. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the LTS is configured to limit authentication of applications based upon factors such as the location or movement of the mobile device, or location or movement and time. In such ways, operation of the mobile device can be controlled. To analyze movement, for instance, the LTS can compare the proximity of the mobile device to the location of the last use of the token. For example, the LTS could remove functionality from the mobile device if the mobile device travels more than fifty miles in an hour. The tighter the control, the more secure and the more logins are required. The looser the control, the less secure and the fewer logins are required. The controlling factors, such as distance and/or time from the last use of the token, are set, for example, by a network administrator, IT personnel, another party, or a system. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the LTS exists as an LTS client application on the mobile device and an LTS server application on a network, such as a company&#39;s intranet (enterprise intranet). The LTS client application and the LTS server application work together to identify a user and maintain a logged in state between applications on the mobile device as the mobile device travels. 
         [0008]    Each mobile device includes a telephone number (TN) and a Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) assigned to it. The TN is assigned by the wireless service provider and the UUID is assigned by the mobile device manufacturer. Both are usually embedded in the subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile device and are accessible via software application programming interfaces (APIs). 
         [0009]    The mobile device includes a location services application that provides location information, for example, in the form of latitude and longitude coordinates. In some embodiments, the location information is retrieved via location determining techniques including, but not limited to, cellular triangulation, global positioning system (GPS), assisted GPS (A-GPS), and WIFI triangulation. 
         [0010]    At login time, the mobile device provides to the LTS server, by way of the LTS client application, the UUID, TN, and the initial location information of the mobile device, in addition to the user ID and password. The LTS server records this authentication data as a session for the mobile device. The mobile device then uses the UUID, TN, and present location information as a secure token to provide the identity of the user. The LTS server validates these values based upon whether it is determined, based upon a pre-determined threshold distance, that the mobile device could have traveled from the initial location to the present location in a given time. In some embodiments, the pre-determined threshold distance is defined by a network administrator, IT personnel, another party, or a system, for example. If the distance traveled is determined to be greater than the threshold distance, the mobile device will challenge the user for his/her user ID and password again. Otherwise, the mobile device will accept the authentication data and allow access to one or more applications. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary mobile device and components thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary location token service (LTS) server, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary system architecture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary message flow diagram of a location-based authentication procedure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary method for authenticating a mobile device to access an application based, in part, upon the location of the mobile device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely examples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, for example, “exemplary,” and similar terms, refer expansively to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model or pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized, such as to show details of particular components. In some instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
         [0017]    While the description includes a general context of computer-executable instructions, the present disclosure can also be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. The term “application,” or variants thereof, is used expansively herein to include routines, program modules, programs, components, data structures, algorithms, and the like. Applications can be implemented on various system configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based, programmable consumer electronics, combinations thereof, and the like. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mobile device  100  for use in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Although connections are not shown between the components illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the components can interact with each other to carry out device functions, In some embodiments, for example, the components are arranged so as to communicate via one or more busses (not shown). It should be understood that  FIG. 1  and the following description are intended to provide a general understanding of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the mobile device  100  is a multimode headset and has a variety of computer readable media, including, for example, volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. The term “computer-readable media” and variants thereof, as used in the specification and claims, refers to storage media and communication media. In some embdodiments, storage media includes volatile and/or non-volatile, removable, and/or non-removable media. For example, storage media includes random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), solid state memory or other memory technology, CD ROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by the mobile device  100 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mobile device  100  includes a display  102  for displaying multimedia such as, for example, application graphical user interfaces (GUIs), text, images, video, telephony functions such as Caller ID data, setup functions, menus, music, metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics, Internet content, device status, preferences settings, map and location data, and the like. The illustrated mobile device  100  also includes a processor  104  for controlling, processing data, and/or executing computer-executable instructions of one or more applications, and a memory  106  for storing data and/or one or more applications  108 . 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the application(s)  108  include a user interface (UI) application  110 . The UI application  110  interfaces with a client  112  (e.g., an operating system (OS)) to facilitate user interaction with device functionality and data. In some embodiments, the client  112  is one of Symbian OS, Microsoft® Windows® Mobile OS (available from Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, Wash.), Palm® webOS™ (available from Palm® Corporation of Sunnyvale, Calif.), Palm®OS (available from Palm® Corporation of Sunnyvale, Calif.), RIM® BlackBerry® OS (available from Research In Motion Limited of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada), Apple® iPhone® OS (available from Apple® Corporation of Cupertino, Calif.), or Google™ Android™ OS (available from Google™ of Mountain View, Calif.). These operating systems are merely exemplary of the operating systems that can be used in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. Other operating systems are contemplated. 
         [0022]    The UI application  110  aids the user in entering message content, viewing received messages, answering/initiating calls, entering/deleting data, entering and setting user IDs and passwords, configuring settings, manipulating address book content and/or settings, interacting with other applications  114 , and the like. In some embodiments, the other applications  114  include, for example, add-ons, plug-ins, email applications, music applications, video applications, camera applications, location service applications (LSAs), power conservation applications, game applications, productivity applications, entertainment applications, enterprise applications, customer information management applications, accounting applications, authentication applications, location token service (LTS) client applications, proprietary business applications, manufacturing applications, production applications, payroll applications, combinations thereof, and the like. The applications  108  are stored in the memory  106  and/or in a firmware  116 , and can be executed by the processor  104 . The firmware  116  can also store code for execution during device  100  power up, for example. 
         [0023]    The illustrated mobile device  100  also includes an input/output (I/O) interface  118  for input/output of data, such as, for example, user IDs, passwords, and application initiation (start-up) requests. In some embodiments, the I/O interface  118  is a hardwire connection, such as, for example, a USB, mini-USB, audio jack, PS2, IEEE 1394, serial, parallel, Ethernet (RJ48) port, RJ11 port, or the like. In some embodiments, the I/O interface  118  accepts other I/O devices such as, for example, keyboards, keypads, mice, interface tethers, stylus pens, printers, thumb drives, touch screens, multi-touch screens, touch pads, trackballs, joysticks, microphones, remote control devices, monitors, displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), combinations thereof, and the like. It should be appreciated that the I/O interface  118  can be used for communications between the mobile device  100  and a network or local device, instead of, or in addition to, a communications component  120 . 
         [0024]    The communications component  120  interfaces with the processor  104  to facilitate wired/wireless communications with external systems. Example external systems include, but are not limited to, intranets, network databases, network storage systems, cellular networks, location systems, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), personal area networks (PANs), and other networks. In some embodiments, the external systems are implemented using WIFI, WIMAX, combinations and/or improvements thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the communications component  120  includes a multimode communications subsystem for providing cellular communications via different cellular technologies. In some embodiments, for example, a first cellular transceiver  122  operates in one mode, such as, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), and an Nth transceiver  124  operates in a different mode, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). While only two transceivers  122 ,  124  are illustrated, it should be appreciated that a plurality of transceivers can be included. 
         [0025]    The illustrated communications component  120  also includes a transceiver  126  for use by other communications technologies such as, for example, WIFI, WIMAX, BLUETOOTH, infrared, infrared data association (IRDA), near field communications (NFC), RF, and the like. In some embodiments, the communications component  120  also facilitate reception from terrestrial radio networks, digital satellite radio networks, Internet-based radio services networks, combinations thereof, and the like. The communications component  120  can process data from a network such as, for example, the Internet, an intranet (e.g., business intranet), a home broadband network, a WIFI hotspot, and the like, via an ISP, DSL provider, or broadband provider. In some embodiments, the communications component  120  facilitates the transmission of authentication information from the mobile device  100  to a network for processing in accordance with the methods described herein. 
         [0026]    Audio capabilities for the mobile device  100  can be provided by an audio I/O component  128  that includes a speaker for the output of audio signals and a microphone to collect audio signals. 
         [0027]    The illustrated mobile device  100  also includes a slot interface  130  for accommodating a subscriber identity system  132  such as, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or universal SIM (USIM) card. Alternatively, the subscriber identity system  132  can be manufactured into the device  100 , thereby obviating the need for a slot interface  130 . In some embodiments, the subscriber identity system  132  stores the Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) of the mobile device  100  and the telephone number (TN) of the mobile device  100  for use in accordance with the methods described herein. In some embodiments, the subscriber identity system  132  is programmed by a manufacturer, a retailer, a user, a computer, a network operator, or the like. 
         [0028]    The illustrated mobile device  100  also includes an image capture and processing system  134  (image system). Photos and/or videos can be obtained via an associated image capture subsystem of the image system  134 , for example, a camera. The illustrated mobile device  100  also includes a video system  136  for capturing, processing, recording, modifying, and/or transmitting video content. 
         [0029]    The illustrated mobile device also includes a location component  138  for sending and/or receiving signals such as, for example, GPS data, assisted GPS (A-GPS) data, WIFI/WIMAX and/or cellular network triangulation data, combinations thereof, and the like, for determining a location of the mobile device  100 . In some embodiments, the location component  138  interfaces with cellular network nodes, telephone lines, satellites, location transmitters and/or beacons, wireless network transmitters and receivers, for example, WIFI hotspots, radio transmitters, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the location component  138  retrieves location information at the request from a location services application (LSA). 
         [0030]    Using the location component  138 , the mobile device  100  obtains, generates, and/or receives data to identify its location, or transmits data used by other devices to determine the mobile device  100  location. In some embodiments, the location of the mobile device  100  is used by an LTS client application as part of an authentication message sent from the mobile device  100  to a network server to authenticate one or more applications (e.g., the applications  108 ,  114 ). Methods for authenticating one or more applications based, in part, upon a location of the mobile device  100  as determined by the location component  138  are described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0031]    The illustrated mobile device  100  also includes a power source  140 , such as batteries and/or other power subsystem (AC or DC). The power source  140  can interface with an external power system or charging equipment via a power I/O component  142 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a location token service (LTS) server  200  and components thereof are illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although connections are not shown between the components illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the components can interact with each other to carry out system functions. It should be understood that  FIG. 2  and the following description are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the various aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. 
         [0033]    In the illustrated embodiment, the LTS server  200  is a combination of hardware and software. The illustrated LTS server  200  includes one or more memory modules  202  that are operatively linked and in communication with one or more processors  204  via one or more data/memory busses  206 . The illustrated LTS server  200  also includes a network interface  208  for facilitating communication with the mobile device  200 . For example, the LTS server  200  communicates with the mobile device and vice versa to authenticate the mobile device  200  to use one or more applications. 
         [0034]    The term memory, as used herein to describe the memory  202 , collectively includes all memory types associated with the LTS server  200 . Examples of memory types include, but are not limited to, processor registers, processor cache, random access memory (RAM), other volatile memory forms, and non-volatile, semi-permanent or permanent memory types. Examples of non-volatile memory types include, but are not limited to, tape-based media, optical disc media, solid state media, hard disks, storage arrays, database structures, combinations thereof, and the like. While the memory  202  is illustrated as residing proximate the processor  204 , it should be understood that the memory  202  can be a remotely accessed storage system, such as, a local server, an Internet server, a remote hard disk drive, a removable storage medium, a network storage device, combinations thereof, and the like. Any of the data, applications, and/or software described below in connection with the LTS server  200  can be stored within the memory  202 , as illustrated, and/or accessed via network connections to other data processing systems (not shown). The networked data processing systems may include LAN, MAN, or WAN networked systems, for example. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the LTS server  200  is configured as a server to one or more client data processing systems, such as the mobile device  100 , as dictated by a client/server model, for example. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a system architecture is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated system architecture includes the mobile device  100  and an enterprise intranet  300 . In the present view, the mobile device  100  includes multiple applications  302 ,  304 ,  306 , each of which is illustrated as including an LTS service library (LTS LIB)  308 ,  310 ,  312 , respectively. In some embodiments, the applications  302 ,  304 ,  306  and the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  are included as part of the applications  108 ,  114  of the mobile device  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the applications  302 ,  304 ,  306  are programmed to call upon the LTS LIB  314  for the functions described below. In some embodiments, the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312  are included in the program code of each application  302 ,  304 ,  306  and may include various instructions based upon the needs of a particular application. That is, in some embodiments, the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312  are customized for a particular application and are programmed as part of that application. In other embodiments, the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312  are provided external to the applications  302 ,  304 ,  306  as distinct libraries or as a comprehensive LTS LIB  314 . In some embodiments, the applications  302 ,  304 ,  306  are programmed to call upon the respective LTS LIB  308 ,  310 ,  312  for the functions described below. The LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  may form an LTS client application on the mobile device  100 , for example. 
         [0036]    As used herein, the term library refers to a collection of subroutines, programs, and/or classes used to provide services, such as an LTS, to authenticate the mobile device  100  to use programs including, for example, the illustrated applications  302 ,  304 ,  306 . The libraries described herein can be programmed and configured to perform the functions described below in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  can be implemented in accordance with the present disclosure as static or dynamic libraries. That is, the subroutines and/or programs of the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  can be linked to an application at compile time or loaded into an application at run time. It is contemplated that other methods of linking libraries and applications that are known in the art can be used. 
         [0037]    The LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312  and the comprehensive LTS LIB  314  are now described in greater detail. For purposes of readability, the LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  are now collectively referred to as the LTS LIB  314 . It should be understood, however, that the description provided below is equally applicable to each of the illustrated LTS LIBs  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314  unless otherwise noted. 
         [0038]    The LTS LIB  314  includes a set of instructions in the form of a library for managing interaction between the mobile device  100  and the LTS server  200   541  on behalf of the associated application(s) (e.g., applications  308 ,  310 ,  312 ). In particular, the LTS LIB  314  is configured for retrieving location information from a location services application (LSA)  316 , and SIM data  318 , such as the mobile device&#39;s UUID and TN, from the SIM system  132 . The LTS LIB  314  is also configured for transmitting the location information, UUID, and TN to the LTS server  200 , and, if needed, displaying a login page on the display  102  of the mobile device  100 . In some embodiments, the LTS LIB  314  receives the location information automatically and periodically from the LSA  316  without the need to request the location information. 
         [0039]    The LTS LIB  314  is configured to retrieve location information from the communications component  120  and/or the location component  138  by way of, for example, the LSA  316 . In some embodiments, the LSA  316  is included as part of the mobile device&#39;s OS (e.g., the client  112 ) and may be called upon by any application, such as the illustrated applications  302 ,  304 ,  306 , and/or the LTS LIB  314  to retrieve location information. 
         [0040]    Generally, the LSA  316  employs at least one of WIFI, WIMAX, cellular, and GPS technologies to determine the location of the mobile device  100  based upon a user-initiated request or an application-initiated request. The type of technology used can be dictated by the capabilities of the mobile device  100 . For example, in some embodiments, the mobile device  100  includes only a cellular transceiver and can only retrieve location information using cellular triangulation techniques. In other embodiments, the mobile device  100  further includes a WIFI radio and can supplement the cellular triangulation data with WIFI triangulation data to determine a more accurate location of the mobile device  100 . In still other embodiments, the mobile device  100  includes a GPS system for obtaining location information. 
         [0041]    The LTS LIB  314  is further configured to obtain SIM data  318 , such as the mobile device&#39;s UUID and TN, from the SIM system  132 . Alternatively, the LTS LIB  314  can retrieve the UUID and/or TN from the memory  106  depending upon the storage configuration of the mobile device  100 . The LTS LIB  314  sends the location information, the UUID, and the TN to the LTS server  200 . The LTS server  200  uses this information to authenticate the mobile device  100  for a particular application, as described in further detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . As also be described in further detail below, in some embodiments, the LTS LIB  314  is configured to communicate with an application (e.g., the applications  320 ,  322 ,  324 ) to provide a login page to the display  102  for presenting a login request to a user of the mobile device  100  if the mobile device  100  has traveled a distance greater than a threshold distance. 
         [0042]    In the illustrated embodiment, the LTS server  200  accepts requests for authentication of an application from the LTS LIB  314  and validates the credentials (i.e., UUID, TN, location information, tokens) using a single sign-on (SSO) system  326 . In some embodiments, the application is a remote application, such as an enterprise application  320 ,  322 ,  324 . In this embodiment, the mobile device  100  is allowed access to the enterprise application  320 ,  322 ,  324  via the enterprise network  300  after authentication. In some embodiments, the enterprise applications  320 ,  322 ,  324  include the enterprise component of software operating on the mobile device  100 , such as the mobile device applications  302 ,  304 ,  324 . In some embodiments, the enterprise applications  320 ,  322 ,  324  are stored on enterprise servers (not shown) in the enterprise network  300  or on the LTS server  200 . It should be noted that the enterprise applications  320 ,  322 ,  324  do not need to be aware of the LTS LIB  314 . Instead, the enterprise applications  320 ,  322 ,  324  can be provided the identity returned by the LTS server  200  without the need for the enterprise applications  320 ,  322 ,  324  to be involved in the login process. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the LTS server  200  is a combination of hardware and software (e.g., an LTS server-side client application) configured to selectively provide the mobile device  100  access to one or more network applications. In some embodiments, the LTS server  200  stores one or more LTS keys and distributes the LTS keys to mobile devices that are pre-authorized to access the enterprise intranet  300 . When the mobile device  100  seeks to access an application that requires LTS authentication, the mobile device  100  provides the LTS key to the LTS server  200  with its location information, UUID, and TN. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, LTS keys are defined by a network administrator or other personnel. In other embodiments, LTS keys are generated using a key sequence generator, such as a pseudorandom key sequence generator (not shown) of the LTS server  200 . In still other embodiments, the LTS server  200  assigns LTS keys to each mobile device that requests access to the enterprise intranet  300  and is pre-authorized to access the enterprise intranet  300 . For example, when a mobile device is registered with the enterprise intranet  300 , the LTS server  200  provides the mobile device  100  with an LTS key to use in a request to access an application requiring LTS authentication. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the LTS keys are static and have no expiration time. In other embodiments, the LTS keys are static and valid only for a specified time. In still other embodiments, the LTS keys are dynamic and periodically generated by the LTS server  200 . As an example, the LTS server  200  can be configured to push a dynamic LTS key to the mobile device  100  after the mobile device  100  is logged in (e.g., after authentication with a previous key). 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary message flow diagram of a location-based authentication procedure  400  is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated message flow diagram includes the mobile device  100  and the enterprise intranet  300 . The illustrated mobile device  100  includes the application  302 , the LTS LIB  308 , the LSA  316 , the SIM system  132 , and the SIM data  318 . The illustrated enterprise intranet  300  includes the LTS server  200  and the SSO system  326 . 
         [0047]    The message flow begins, at step  402 , when a user initiates the application  302  on the mobile device  100 , for example, by selecting an icon representative of the application  302  from the display  102  using the I/O interface  118 . Alternatively, the application  302  can be initiated automatically by another application, in response to the mobile device  100  coming within a threshold distance of the enterprise intranet  300 , or when the mobile device  100  comes in communication with the enterprise intranet  300 . 
         [0048]    In any case, the application  302  starts and, upon startup, the application  302  sends, at step  404 , a request (call init LTS( )) to the LTS LIB  308 . The request is to initialize LTS service. The LTS LIB  308  is called upon by the application  302  to authenticate a user to the application  302 . At step  406 , the LTS LIB  308  receives the request, generates a location request message (get current location( )), and sends the location request message to the LSA  316 . At step  408 , the LSA  316  receives the location request message, determines the location of the mobile device  100  using any of the location determining techniques described above, and returns a location response message (return current location( )), including the mobile device&#39;s present location, to the LTS LIB  308 . 
         [0049]    At step  410 , the LTS LIB  308  generates an UUID/TN request message (get UUID/TN( )) and sends the UUID/TN request message to the SIM system  132  to retrieve the UUID/TN. As described above, in some embodiments, the UUID and the TN are stored as SIM data  318  in the SIM system  132 . Alternatively, the UUID and the TN are stored in the memory  106  and the UUID and the TN are retrieved from the memory  106 . 
         [0050]    In the illustrated embodiment, at step  412 , the SIM system  132  receives the UUID/TN request message, retrieves the UUID, generates a UUID/TN response message (return UUID/TN( )) including the UUID and the TN, and sends the UUID/TN response message to the LTS LIB  308 . At this point, the LTS LIB  308  knows the present location of the mobile device  100 , the UUID of the mobile device  100 , and the TN of the mobile device  100 . 
         [0051]    At step  414 , the LTS LIB  308  generates a message (call LTS service . . . ( )) including the location information (e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates), the UUID, the TN, and the current LTS key (if any). The LTS LIB  308  sends the message to the LTS server  200 , whereat it is determined if (a) a valid session exists for the identified user/mobile device (i.e., if the mobile device  100  is logged in to the enterprise intranet  300 ) and (b) the mobile device  100  is in a location within a threshold distance or alternatively the mobile device  100  is in a location within the threshold distance within a specified time period (temporal threshold). For determining if the mobile device  100  is in a location within a threshold distance, the LTS server  200 , in some embodiments, determines if the mobile device  100  is within a predetermined distance from the LTS server  200 . 
         [0052]    The LTS server  200  enforces re-authentication if the mobile device  100  moves a predetermined distance, such as, a distance greater than the threshold distance or a predetermined distance from a location of the last user login. In some embodiments, the threshold distance is supplemented with a temporal threshold such that the mobile device  100  is required to re-authenticate if the mobile device  100  travels a certain distance within a certain time. For example, the distance and temporal thresholds can be set such that the mobile device  100  is required to re-authenticate to the LTS server  200  if the mobile device  100  travels more than five miles within one hour. The distance and temporal thresholds are variable and may be increased or decreased based upon the desired security level for a given application. Certain applications may benefit from increased security while others may receive no appreciable benefit or may be considered a low security risk application. For example, the distance and/or temporal threshold values may be adjusted to require more frequent re-authentication requests by reducing the distance and/or temporal threshold values or to require less frequent re-authentication by increasing the distance and/or temporal threshold values. 
         [0053]    If the location satisfies the threshold distance (and optional temporal threshold), at step  416 , the LTS server  200  returns the user&#39;s information to the LTS LIB  308 . Alternatively, if the location and time period since last authentication satisfies the distance and temporal thresholds, respectively, at step  416 , the LTS server  200  returns the user&#39;s information to the LTS LIB  308 . At step  418 , the LTS LIB  308  forwards the user&#39;s information to the application  302  at which point the user can access the application  302  as an authenticated user. 
         [0054]    If the LTS server  200  determines that the location of the mobile device  100  fails to satisfy the threshold distance, or alternatively that the location and time period since last authentication fails to satisfy the distance and temporal thresholds, respectively, the LTS server  200 , at step  420 , generates a message (return user not logged in( )_indicating that the user is not logged in and returns the message to the LTS LIB  308 . In some embodiments, the LTS server  200  is also configured to generate a message indicating that the user is not logged in and return the message to the LTS LIB  308  if the provided UUID, TN, and/or LTS key is/are incorrect, a session does not exist, or the authentication otherwise fails. 
         [0055]    At step  422 , the LTS LIB  308  returns a login page to the application  302 . At step  424 , the application  302  presents the login page to the user by providing the login page to the display  102  of the mobile device  100 . At step  426 , the mobile device  100  receives the user&#39;s login information (e.g., user ID and password) from the user via the I/O interface  118 , for example. The password may include numbers, letters, characters, or combinations thereof. 
         [0056]    At step  428 , the application  302  forwards the user ID and password to the LTS LIB  308 . The LTS LIB  308  receives the user ID and password and, at step  430 , generates a location request message (get current location( )) and sends the location request message to the LSA  316 . At step  432 , the LSA  316  determines the location of the mobile device  100  using any of the location determining techniques described above and returns a location response message (return current location( )), including the mobile device&#39;s present location, to the LTS LIB  308 . 
         [0057]    At step  434 , the LTS LIB  308  generates an UUID/TN request message (get UUID/TN( )) and sends the UUID/TN request message to the SIM system  132  to retrieve the UUID/TN. As described above, in some embodiments, the UUID and the TN are stored as SIM data  318  in the SIM system  132 . Alternatively, the UUID and the TN are stored in the memory  106  and the UUID and the TN are retrieved from the memory  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, at step  436 , the SIM system  132  receives the UUID/TN request message, retrieves the UUID, generates a UUID/TN response message (return UUID/TN( )) including the UUID and the TN, and sends the UUID/TN response message to the LTS LIB  308 . At this point, the LTS LIB  308  knows the present location of the mobile device  100 , the UUID of the mobile device  100 , and the TN of the mobile device  100 . The LTS LIB  308  also knows the user ID and password as provided by the user at step  426 . 
         [0058]    At step  438 , the LTS LIB  308  generates a message (call LTS service . . . ( )) including the location information (e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates), the UUID, the TN, the user ID, and the password. At step  440 , the LTS server  200  provides the user ID and password to the SSO system  326  and a user session is created at step  442 . At step  444 , the LTS server  200  returns the user&#39;s information to the LTS LIB  308 . At step  446 , the LTS LIB  308  forwards the user&#39;s information to the application  302  at which point the user can access the application  302  as an authorized user. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary method  500  for authenticating the mobile device  100  to access an application based, in part, upon the location of the mobile device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the steps of the method  500  are not necessarily presented in any particular order and that performance of some or all the steps in an alternative order is possible and is contemplated. The steps have been presented in the demonstrated order for ease of description and illustration. Steps can be added, omitted and/or performed simultaneously without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It should also be understood that the illustrated method  500  can be ended at any time. In certain embodiments, some or all steps of this process, and/or substantially equivalent steps are performed by execution of computer-readable instructions stored or included on a computer-readable medium, such as the memory  106  of the mobile device  100  or the memory module  202  of the LTS server  200 , for example. 
         [0060]    The method  500  beings and flow proceeds to block  502 , wherein the mobile device  100  sends data, including the UUID, TN, location, user ID and password to the LTS server  200 . At block  504 , the LTS server  200  records the data and creates a session for the mobile device  100 . At block  506 , the mobile device  100  can then use the UUID, TN, and location as a token for user authentication for an application. At decision block  508 , the LTS server  200  determines if the mobile device  100  location is within a threshold distance. If it is determined that the LTS server  200  is within the threshold distance, at block  510 , the LTS server  200  validates the data. At block  512 , the LTS server  200  returns the user&#39;s information to the application. At block  514 , the application permits user access. The method  500  can end. 
         [0061]    If it is determined by the LTS server  200  that the mobile device  100  is not within the distance threshold or alternatively if the mobile device  100  is not within the distance threshold for a given temporal threshold, at block  516 . At block  518 , the LTS server  200  receives the user ID and password from the LTS LIB  314  and, at block  520 , communicates with the SSO system  326  to login the user. At block  522 , the LTS server  200  creates a session and flow proceeds to block  512 . At block  512 , the LTS server  200  returns the user&#39;s information to the application. At block  514 , the application permits user access. The method  500  can end. 
         [0062]    The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.

Technology Category: 5