Automated User Authentication Identification for Customized Converged Services

• US 20110265165A1
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lam, Daniel D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,650,628 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/41 where a single sign-on provides access to a plurality of computers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing automated user authentication utilizing available authentication data associated with a computing device. By utilizing a mobile identification number verified during an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) process performed when a mobile computing device is powered on, access to a privileged content or service may be granted, allowing a user to bypass manual entry of user authentication information (user ID and password). Utilizing a verified mobile identification number, service features and functionalities may be communicated between billing systems of a service provider, which may provide for further converged, customized services.

Claims

1. A method for providing automated user authentication identification for customized converged services, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of a powering on of a computing device;

validating a user of the computing device seeking access to a network through an authentication process;

receiving an indication of a selection of an authentication-required application;

obtaining validated user authentication identification data;

sending validated user authentication identification data to a service provider associated with selected authentication-required application; and

if sent validated user authentication identification data is validated with the service provider, allowing access to functionalities associated with services associated with the validated user authentication identification data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein validating a user of the computing device seeking access to a network through an authentication process includes retrieving from the computing device stored authentication data for passing to the service provider associated with selected authentication-required application.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein retrieving from the computing device stored authentication data includes retrieving an identification number associated with the computing device that may be compared with valid authentication identification data associated with users who are allowed access to functionalities associated with services associated with the validated user authentication identification data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a mobile identification number is utilized for validating a user of the mobile computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allowing a communication between billing systems of the service provider;

obtaining service codes associated with services subscribed to by the user; and

allowing access to functionalities associated with services subscribed to by the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the validated user authentication identification data is utilized as a user identity.

9. A system for providing automated user authentication identification for customized converged services, the system comprising:

a server operative;

to receive an indication of a request from a computing device seeking to access an authentication-required application;

to receive validated user authentication identification data associated with the computing device;

to check validated user authentication identification data with stored data associated with the computing device; and

if sent validated user authentication identification data is validated with the stored data associated with the computing device, to allow access to functionalities associated with services associated with the validated user authentication identification data.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein a mobile identification number is utilized for validating a user of the mobile computing device.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a server operative;

to allow a communication between billing systems of the service provider;

obtain service codes associated with services subscribed to by the user; and

to allow access to functionalities associated with services subscribed to by the user.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the validated user authentication identification data is utilized as a user identity.

14. A computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method for providing automated user authentication identification for customized converged services, comprising:

powering on a computing device;

validating a user of the computing device seeking access to a network through an authentication process;

receiving an indication of a selection of an authentication-required application;

obtaining validated user authentication identification data;

sending validated user authentication identification data to a service provider associated with selected authentication-required application; and

if sent validated user authentication identification data is validated with the service provider, allowing access to functionalities associated with services associated with the validated user authentication identification data.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the computing device is a mobile computing device.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the network is a wireless network.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein a mobile identification number is utilized for validating a user of the mobile computing device.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 14, further comprising:

allowing a communication between billing systems of the service provider;

obtaining service codes associated with services subscribed to by the user; and

allowing access to functionalities associated with services subscribed to by the user.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the validated user authentication identification data is utilized as a user identity.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein validating a user of the computing device seeking access to a network through an authentication process includes retrieving from the computing device a stored identification number associated with the computing device for passing to the service provider associated with selected authentication-required application that may be compared with valid authentication identification data associated with users who are allowed access to functionalities associated with services associated with the validated user authentication identification data.