Authentication system using network

• US 6,108,790 A
• Filed: 02/20/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Moriya, Koji, Morikawa, Shigenori
• Primary Examiner(s): Palys, Joseph E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Rijue
• Application Number:
  US09/027,124
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 713/200, 713/201, 713/202, 713/155.61, 713/164, 713/165, 713/166, 713/167, 713/168, 713/169, 713/170, 713/176, 713/183, 713/184, 709/200, 709/201, 709/202, 709/203, 709/227, 709/208, 709/216, 709/217, 709/210, 709/219, 709/224, 380/3, 380/4, 380/5, 380/21, 380/25, 379/59, 345/327
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/313 using a call-back technique via a telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/33 using certificates
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords

Abstract

A communication terminal stores an assigned telephone number and a number unique to the terminal. When on-line registration is to be conducted with respect to a server, a registration screen is automatically created. On the registration screen, predetermined information is already described as entry matters required for registration by using the above described numbers. By inputting a password to this screen, the user can complete on-line registration simply. When the server provides service, the server requests the user to input the user name and the password. As for the communication terminal, the server has beforehand the telephone number, information unique to the terminal, and the like in the database. In response to a communication request from the communication terminal, the server conducts authentication by using the telephone number as the user name and the terminal number as the password.

Claims

1. A communication processing device conducting data communication with a communication service providing device connected via a communication circuit, said communication processing device comprising:

a first memory which stores unique information assigned beforehand;

a second memory which stores information indicative of whether the communication processing device is registered in the communication service providing device;

a commander which requests connection between the communication processing device and the communication service providing device;

a controller which analyzes the second memory in response to a request from the commander to connect the communication processing device to the communication service providing device, the controller executing the connection if the communication processing device is registered, the controller enabling a registration of the communication processing device if the communication processing device is not registered;

an input guide which enables a user to input a password to register the communication processing device for connection with the communication service providing device in response to the controller enabling registration of the communication processing device with respect to said communication service providing device;

a transmitter which transmits the password and the unique information stored in said first memory to said communication providing device, wherein registration of the communication processing device with respect to said communication service providing device is conducted by using said unique information and password.

2. The communication processing device according to claim 1, wherein said commander comprises a display which displays an identifier as a menu item for connection of the communication processing device to the communication service providing device, the display displaying the identifier in a mode which differs according to the information stored in the second memory.

3. The communication processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a third memory which stores beforehand a telephone number for effecting connection to the communication service providing device.

4. An authentication system in a network system including a server and portable terminal devices having telephone functions, the server authenticating a terminal device based on data transmitted by the terminal device, the server providing an authenticated terminal device with communication service,

said server comprising:

a terminal information storage device which stores terminal information including a terminal code and a telephone number belonging to each of the terminal devices to which communication service is provided;

an input requester which transmits an input request for input of a user name and a password in response to reception of a request of providing the service;

a receiver which receives a connection request and terminal information of a terminal device transmitted from said terminal devices in response to the input request; and

an authentication device which collates the terminal information transmitted from said terminal device, said terminal information being stored in said terminal information storage device, the authentication device authenticating said terminal device and permitting connection when substantial coincidence is found,

each of said portable terminal devices comprising;

a storage device which stores terminal information including a terminal code of said terminal device and a telephone number assigned to said terminal device; and

a transmitter which transmits to the server a connection request and said terminal information stored in said storage device.

5. The authentication system according to claim 4, wherein said authentication device conducts authentication by using user identification information and a password, and said authentication device uses one of a terminal number and a telephone number received from said terminal device as the user identification information and the other as the password.

6. A portable terminal device having a telephone function, said terminal device being connected to a server via a network via a telephone line in order to be given information providing service, the server storing terminal information including information unique to said terminal device and a telephone number belonging to the terminal device, said terminal device comprising:

a storage device which stores information unique to said terminal device and a telephone number assigned to said terminal device; and

a transmitter which transmits, in response to an input request for input of a user name and a password from said server, the information unique to said terminal device and the telephone number stored in said storage device to said server so that the server authenticates said terminal device by using the terminal information, the input request being made in response to reception by the server of a request of providing the service.

7. The terminal device according to claim 6, further comprising a connection telephone number storage device which stores beforehand a telephone number of a predetermined network service provider having said server.

8. The terminal device according to claim 6, wherein said transmitter transmits one of the information unique to the terminal and the telephone number stored in said storage device as user identification information and the other as the password to said server, when said server requests said terminal device to input the user identification information and the password as authentication information.

9. The terminal device according to claim 6, wherein said transmitter transmits one of the information unique to the terminal and the telephone number stored in said storage device as user identification information and information inputted by a user as the password to said server, when said server requests said terminal device to input the user identification information and the password as authentication information.

10. A server for providing portable terminal devices having a telephone function connected to said server via a public telephone circuit with a communication service, said server having a memory for storing information unique to said terminal devices and telephone numbers assigned to the terminal devices, said server comprising;

a terminal information storage device which stores terminal information including at least one of information unique to a terminal and a telephone number of each of said terminal devices to which communication service is provided;

an input requester which transmits an input request of a user name and a password in response to reception of a request for providing the service;

a receiver which receives the information unique to a is terminal and/or the telephone number of the terminal device in response to the input request; and

an authentication device which collates the information unique to the terminal and/or the telephone number received by said receiver with said terminal information stored in said terminal information storage device, and for determining whether said terminal device should be connected to said server.

11. The server according to claim 10, wherein said authentication device conducts authentication by using user identification information and a password, and said authentication device uses one of a terminal number and a telephone number received from said terminal device as the user identification information and the other as the password.

12. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium, said program being used in a portable terminal device having a telephone function, said terminal device being connected to a server via a network and an information providing service the server storing terminal information including information unique to said terminal device and a telephone number belonging to the terminal device, comprising;

a program code for reading out information unique to said terminal device and a telephone number assigned to said terminal device from a predetermined memory; and

a program code for transmitting, in response to an input request for input of a user name and a password from said server, the information unique to said terminal device and telephone number read out to said server as authentication data in response to an input request for input of a user name and a password from the server, when said terminal device is connected to said server so that the server authenticates said terminal device by using the terminal information, the input request being made in response to reception by the server of a request of providing the service.

13. A computer program stored on a computer readable medium, said program being used for registering a portable terminal having a telephone function and receiving a service by telephone line in a communication service providing device, comprising:

a program code which enables a user to connect to the communication service providing device;

a program code which determines, in response to a connection instruction to the communication service providing device, whether the portable terminal device is registered in the communication service providing device;

a program code for executing a connection to request service if it is determined that the portable terminal is registered;

a program code for causing a user to input a password to register the portable terminal in the communication service providing device if it is determined that the portable terminal is not registered in the communication service providing device; and

a program code for transmitting both the password input by the user and pre-set information to the communication service providing device for registration.