System for authentication of network usage

• US 8,190,123 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2009
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Aaltonen, Janne, Brummer, Markku, Kalliola, Janne
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Huy D
• Application Number:
  US12/455,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20090247118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2044 Group features, e.g. closed user group
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13288 Closed user groups, CUG
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54533 Configuration data, translation, passwords, databases
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol

Abstract

Apparatus for collecting subscription data for subscribers in a telecommunications system for use in metering usage of network resources includes a data storage device operatively arranged to store subscriber records, and a data processor. The subscriber records include a plurality of fields including a group field for storing data indicative of group membership of a subscriber. The data processor is operatively arranged to request access to a remotely accessible information source on the basis of identification data. Responsive to receipt of a response from the remotely accessible information source, the data processor performs a first storage action in respect of a response of a first type and performs a second storage action in respect of a response of a second type. Responsive to receipt of group membership data from the subscriber, the data processor is operatively arranged to identify a remotely accessible information source corresponding to the group and to request access thereto on the basis of identification data associated with the received group membership data. Also, responsive to a response of the first type received from the remotely accessible information source, the data processor is operatively arranged to update the group field in the subscriber record so as to indicate authenticated membership of the group identified in the received group membership data.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a computer program for collecting subscription data for subscribers in a telecommunications system for use in metering usage of network resources, the computer program being arranged to:

store subscriber records, said subscriber records including a plurality of fields including a group field for storing data indicative of group membership of a subscriber, said group field being initially empty; and

request access to a remotely accessible information source on the basis of identification data, and, responsive to receipt of a response from the remotely accessible information source, perform a first storage action in respect of a response of a first type and performing a second storage action in respect of a response of a second type,

wherein, responsive to receipt of group membership data from the subscriber, to identify a remotely accessible information source corresponding to the group and to request access thereto on the basis of identification data associated with the received group membership data, and

wherein, responsive to a response of the first type received from the remotely accessible information source, to update the group field in the subscriber record so as to indicate authenticated membership of the group identified in the received group membership data.

2. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein, responsive to a response of the second type received from the remotely accessible information source, the computer program is further arranged to update the group field in the subscriber record so as to indicate unauthenticated membership of the group identified in the received group membership data.

3. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is further arranged to process the response received from the remotely accessible information source so as to derive therefrom a packet of data for use in sending to the remotely accessible information source.

4. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is further arranged to:

store group, records, each group record being indicative of network usage relating to members of the group; and

analyze data indicating that a subscriber authenticated in respect of a group has sent a message, to determine whether said message falls within predetermined message transmission criteria, and to modify a group record corresponding to the group when said criteria are met.

5. The computer-readable medium according to claim 4, wherein the group record includes data indicative of an allocation of usage associated with the group, and wherein the computer program is further arranged to reduce allocation associated with the group, whereby to modify the group record.

6. The computer-readable medium according to claim 4, wherein the computer program is further arranged to store data indicative of a charge for transmission of the message in the group record, whereby to modify the group record.