METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK CONVERGENCE OF APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES

• US 20070209065A1
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pirani, Akbar, Branam, Michael, Glasgow, Jay, Siegel, Laurence, Yaussy, Ledley
• Application Number:
  US11/537,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20070209065A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0815 providing single-sign-on or federations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/647 Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless real-time session protocols H04L65/1101
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64707 for transferring content from a first network to a second network, e.g. between IP and wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product for providing network convergence of applications and devices across multiple types of networks are provided. The method includes receiving an identifier for a device and user credentials for an account. The account specifies network access privileges for a user. The method also includes authenticating the user credentials and storing the device identifier with the user credentials within the account upon successful authentication of the user credentials. The method further includes using the user credentials and an identifier of a respective selected device specified in the account to route a sign on request from the respective selected device to a network authentication element for providing a single sign on credential for a user of the respective selected device.

Claims

1. A method of providing network convergence of applications and devices across multiple types of networks, comprising:

receiving an identifier for a device and user credentials for an account, the account specifying network access privileges for a user;

authenticating the user credentials;

storing the device identifier with the user credentials within the account upon successful authentication of the user credentials; and

using the user credentials and an identifier of a respective selected device specified in the account to route a sign on request from the respective selected device to a network authentication element for providing a single sign on credential for a user of the respective selected device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein devices in the account include at least one of:

a wireline telephone;

a mobile telephone;

a wireline computer;

a wireless computer;

a portable computing device; and

an Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the device identifier includes at least one of:

a telephone calling number;

a subscriber identity module (SIM) number; and

a globally unique identifier (GUID).

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the devices in the account represent a community of devices for which users of the devices share a relationship.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network authentication element validates devices across a plurality of network types, including:

circuit-switched networks; and

packet-switched networks.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein authenticating user credentials is implemented at the time of provisioning the device for service.

7. A system for providing network convergence of applications and devices across multiple types of networks, comprising:

a host system; and

a systems consolidation application executing on the host system, the systems consolidation application performing a method, comprising;

receiving an identifier for a device and user credentials for an account, the account specifying network access privileges for a user;

authenticating the user credentials;

storing the device identifier with the user credentials within the account upon successful authentication of the user credentials; and

using the user credentials and an identifier of a respective selected device specified in the account to route a sign on request from the respective selected device to a network authentication element for providing a single sign on credential for a user of the respective selected device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein devices in the account include at least one of:

a wireline telephone;

a mobile telephone;

a wireline computer;

a wireless computer;

a portable computing device; and

an Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV).

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the device identifier includes at least one of:

a telephone calling number;

a subscriber identity module (SIM) number; and

a globally unique identifier (GUID).

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the devices in the account represent a community of devices for which users of the devices share a relationship.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the network authentication element validates devices across a plurality of network types, including:

circuit-switched networks; and

packet-switched networks.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein authenticating user credentials is implemented at the time of provisioning the device for service.

13. A computer program product for providing network convergence of applications and devices across multiple types of networks, the computer program product including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, comprising:

receiving an identifier for a device and user credentials for an account, the account specifying network access privileges for a user;

authenticating the user credentials;

storing the device identifier with the user credentials within the account upon successful authentication of the user credentials; and

using the user credentials and an identifier of a respective selected device specified in the account to route a sign on request from the respective selected device to a network authentication element for providing a single sign on credential for a user of the respective selected device.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein devices in the account include at least one of:

a wireline telephone;

a mobile telephone;

a wireline computer;

a wireless computer;

a portable computing device; and

an Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV).

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the device identifier includes at least one of:

a telephone calling number;

a subscriber identity module (SIM) number; and

a globally unique identifier (GUID).

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the devices in the account represent a community of devices for which users of the devices share a relationship.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the network authentication element validates devices across a plurality of network types, including:

circuit-switched networks; and

packet-switched networks.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein authenticating user credentials is implemented at the time of provisioning the device for service.