Docking station and method for connecting a mobile communication device to a communication infrastructure

A communication system comprising:

• a docking station, the docking station comprising:
• a cradle configured such that a mobile communication device is positionable on or in the cradle,
• a first interface configured to provide a first communication link directly between the docking station and the mobile communication device for transmission of authentication information from the mobile communication device to the docking station in response to detection of the mobile communication device while the mobile communication device is remote from the communication infrastructure and is unconnected to the communication infrastructure,
• a second interface configured to provide a communication link between the docking station and the communications infrastructure,
• a transfer device configured to switch the first communication link to the second communication link in response to validation of the authentication information to communicatively connect the mobile communication device to the communication infrastructure, and
• a firewall integrated into the docking station that is configured to protect the communication infrastructure from unwanted software originating from the mobile communication device such that unwanted software originating from the mobile communication device is prevented from passing into the communication infrastructure via the docking station after the mobile communication device is connected to the communication infrastructure via the second interface;
• and
• the communication infrastructure connected to the docking station via the second communication link.

A method for connecting a mobile communication device to a communication infrastructure comprising:

• providing a docking station, the docking station comprising:
• a cradle configured such that the mobile communication device is positionable on or in the cradle,
• a first interface configured to provide a first communication link directly between the docking station and the communication device for transmission of authentication information from the mobile communication device to the docking station in response to detection of the mobile communication device while the mobile communication device is remote from the communication infrastructure and is unconnected to the communication infrastructure,
• a second interface configured to provide a communication link between the docking station and the communications infrastructure,
• a transfer device configured to switch the first communication link to the second communication link in response to validation of the authentication information to communicatively connect the mobile communication device to the communication infrastructure, and
• a firewall integrated into the docking station that is configured to protect the communication infrastructure from unwanted software originating from the mobile communication device such that unwanted software originating from the mobile communication device is prevented from passing into the communication infrastructure via the docking station after the mobile communication device is connected to the communication infrastructure via the second interface, and
• at least one of:
• (i) an authentication device configured to receive authentication information from the mobile communication device via the radio frequency identification communication or the Near Field Communication and validate the authentication information to enable communication between the mobile communication device and the communication infrastructure;
• (ii) a memory device for storing an authentication key for the authentication information such that the docking station is configured to authenticate the mobile communication device via the authentication information and the authentication key without use of a service hosted by another device to enable communication between the mobile communication device and the docking station based on the authentication information;
• positioning the mobile communication device in the cradle;
• the detection device receiving a certificate from the mobile communication terminal;
• upon a determination that authentication information of the certificate validates the mobile communication terminal for communications with the communication infrastructure, establishing the first communication link between the docking station and the mobile communication terminal via the first interface and switching the first communication link to the second communication link via the transfer device such that the mobile communication device is communicatively connected to the communication infrastructure via the second communication link and the first communication link;
• and
• a firewall integrated into the docking station blocking unwanted software the mobile communication device seeks to transmit to the docking station after the first communication link is established.