Device and method for associating a terminal to a user account

[0001] The invention relates to the field of telecommunications networks, in particular, but not limiting, for home use.

[0002] More specifically, a user wishing to gain access from a terminal to a service platform available on the network is considered.

[0003] The scope of the invention is limited to applications in which the terminal is connected to the telecommunications network via a gateway.

[0004] In this document, the gateway is a device capable of connecting the local network and the operator's network, for example an IP (Internet Protocol) network via a wired or radio access network.

[0005] Such a gateway may in particular perform address translation between its own address and the addresses of terminals in the local network in frames exchanged between both networks.

[0006] The term "address replacement" is also used.

[0007] In many applications, it is interesting to associate said terminal identifier with a user account on a service platform.

[0008] Such pairing enables, for example, personalization of the terminal human / machine interface depending on the user's choices.

[0009] Such pairing also allows supporting e-commerce applications in which the terminal is used to select items or access services, wherein the value of those items or services is invoiced to the user whose account is associated with that terminal.

[0010] In the prior art, when a user wishes to associate a terminal with his account on a service platform, he must log into the platform using the web interface and manually enter the unique identifier of his terminal, for example the serial number.

[0011] These operations are complicated and run the risk of entering incorrect data.

[0012] Another solution in the prior art is to associate the terminal with the user account on the service platform, consisting of registering the terminal identifier and user account identifier at the time of ordering or delivering the terminal. This operation can for example be carried out by a telecommunications operator.

[0013] This solution is complicated as to the operator's service and cannot be implemented when the terminal is sold by a third party, for example directly

- 2 by the manufacturer. Document US 2005/021766 describes a method enabling providing a service to a user, wherein the user's terminal identifier is obtained from a DHCP terminal. Document US 2005/0239445 describes a gateway that can obtain an access terminal identifier. This gateway, however, cannot associate this ID with the user account of this terminal.

Object and description of the invention [0014] The present invention proposes a method of associating a terminal with a user account on a service platform without entering user data.

[0015] The invention relates to a method of associating a unique identifier of a first terminal connected to a telecommunications network via a gateway with a unique identifier of a user account of that terminal, wherein the gateway address in the network is called "first gate address".

[0016] This method includes:

- the stage of receiving the access request sent by the second terminal to connect to the user account, where the source address a contained in the request is capable of being replaced by a gateway,

- the stage of obtaining the source address and account identifier based on the access request,

- the stage of receiving the association request sent by the first terminal,

- the step of obtaining the first gateway address and identifier of the first terminal based on the association request,

- the stage of obtaining the second gate address based on the source address,

- the stage of comparing the first and second gate addresses, and if these addresses are equal:

- the stage of associating the unique identifier of the first terminal with the unique identifier of the account in the database.

[0017] Accordingly, the invention relates to a device for associating a unique identifier of a first terminal connected to a telecommunications network via a gateway with a unique identifier for a user account of that terminal, the gateway in the network being called "the first gateway address".

[0018] This device comprises:

- means for receiving the access request sent by the second terminal to connect to the user account, the source address a contained in the request being capable of being replaced by a gateway,

- means of obtaining the source address and account identifier based on an access request,

- means for receiving the association request sent by the first terminal,

- funds for obtaining the first gateway address and identifier of the first terminal based on the association request,

- the means to obtain a second gate address based on the source address,

- means for comparing the first and second gate addresses, and

- 3 - means to associate, if these addresses are equal, the unique identifier of the first terminal with the unique identifier of the account in the database.

[0019] In this invention is implied. that the user is logged into his user account on the service platform via a second terminal.

[0020] According to the invention, the service platform is able to obtain a gateway address in a dwelling associated with this user account, and this association is usually performed by the operator when the gateway connects to the network.

[0021] The pairing method and device according to the invention checks whether the gateway address in the network corresponds to the gateway address to which the terminal to be associated is connected, and then perform the association if this condition is met.

[0022] The association between the unique identifier of the first terminal and the user account is thus implemented without entering that identifier.

[0023] In a particular case, the first and second terminals are connected to the network via the same gateway. In this case, the gateway address is included in the access request, because the gateway systematically replaces with its address the addresses of home terminals that are connected to it for all requests sent to the network.

[0024] The invention also relates to a second terminal which is not connected to the network via a gateway to which the first terminal is connected.

[0025] In this case, according to the invention, the gateway address is obtained from a database supporting the association of the account identifier with this address. This database is usually operated by the operator.

[0026] In a particular embodiment of the invention, obtaining the second gate address is accomplished in two sub-stages, i.e.

- obtaining the telecommunications line identifier associated with the unique user account identifier and

- getting the second gateway address associated with the line identifier.

[0027] When the gateway is connected to the Internet via an ADSL line, said line identifier may correspond to the identifier of this ADSL line.

[0028] Another type of method for associating the unique identifier of the first terminal connected to the telecommunications network via a gateway with the unique identifier of the user account of that terminal, wherein the gateway in the network is called "the first gateway address, includes:

- the stage of receiving the association request sent by the terminal,

- the stage of obtaining the gateway address in the network and the terminal identifier based on the association request,

- the stage of obtaining at least one user account identifier associated with the gateway address in the database,

- the stage of sending the togo or these account identifiers to the terminal,

- 4 - the stage of receiving a terminal response containing only one of these account identifiers and

- the stage of associating this account identifier with the terminal identifier.

[0029] Accordingly, the invention relates to another type of device for associating a unique identifier of a terminal connected to a telecommunications network via a gateway with a unique identifier of a user account of that terminal, and comprises:

- means for receiving the association request sent by the terminal,

- funds for obtaining the gateway address and terminal identifier based on the association request,

- means for obtaining at least one user account identifier associated with the gateway address in the database,

- means of sending togo or these account identifiers to the terminal,

- means for receiving a terminal response containing only one of the account identifiers and

- means to associate this account identifier with the terminal identifier.

[0030] In this case, the user is not required to log into his account via a second terminal.

[0031] In this case, the service platform receives a list of user accounts associated with the gateway address to which the terminal to be associated is connected.

[0032] This list is then presented to the user via the interface of the first terminal, for example by displaying on the screen of this terminal.

[0033] The user may then select, for example by means of the cursor, the account with which the terminal should be associated.

[0034] Any errors in entering the terminal identifier are also avoided.

[0035] In a particular embodiment of this type of method, obtaining the user account identifier is carried out in two stages, namely:

- obtaining the telecommunications line identifier associated with the gateway address and

- obtaining at least one user account identifier associated with the line identifier.

[0036] When the gateway is connected to the Internet via an ADSL line, said line identifier may correspond to the identifier of this ADSL line.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the individual steps of the pairing method are determined by the instructions of the computer programs.

[0038] As a result, the invention also relates to a computer program stored on an information carrier, said program may be used in an association device or in a more general manner in a computer, said program may contain instructions suitable for carrying out the method steps

- 5 matings as described above.

[0039] This program may use any programming language in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate code between the source code and the object code, for example in partially compiled form or in any required form.

[0040] The invention also includes a computer readable information medium containing computer program instructions as mentioned above.

[0041] The information carrier may be any unit or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a means for storing information, such as a ROM, CD-ROM or ROM in an electronic system or a magnetic recording means, for example a floppy disc or hard disk.

[0042] On the other hand, the information carrier may be a medium enabling the transmission of information, such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be transmitted by an electric or optical cable, by radio and other means. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded on the Internet.

[0043] Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated system in which the program is stored, the system being adapted to be made or used for carrying out the method in question.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0044] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment which is in no way limiting. On the figures:

- figure 1 shows the pairing device according to the invention in a first environment,

- figure 2 shows the pairing device according to the invention in a second environment,

- figure 3 shows in schematic form the main stages of the pairing method according to the invention which is used in these two environments,

- figure 4 shows the pairing device according to the invention in a third environment,

- figure 5 schematically represents the main stages of the pairing method according to the invention which is used in this third environment,

- figure 6 shows the requests that can be used according to the invention, and - figure 7 shows the service platform database after the implementation of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention in a first environment [0045] Figure 1 shows the mating device 40 according to the invention used in the service platform 60.

[0046] This device 40 has the hardware architecture of an ordinary computer. In particular, it comprises a processor 41, RAM memory 42 and permanent memory 43 in which the computer program of the invention is stored, which program contains instructions for implementing the steps of the method, the diagram of which is shown in figure 3.

[0047] The pairing device 40 according to the invention is connected to the Internet 1 by means of communication 44, in this case comprising a network card and corresponding drivers.

[0048] Figure 1 shows two terminals designated by 10 and 30, which are connected to the Internet 1 via gateway 20, which in this example is a gate of the type used in residential premises.

[0049] In this example, the gateway 20 is connected to the Internet 1 by an ADSL line having an ADSL identifier designated by ID2.

[0050] In the example described here, terminal 30 is a personal computer. It is equipped with a browser 31 enabling the user to navigate the Internet 1.

[0051] In this example, it is assumed that the user has an account on the service platform 60, with the unique identifier of this account marked by ID_ USR1.

[0052] This unique account ID ID_USR1 may be, for example, a type email address <a href="mailto:p.duDont@orange.fr">p.duDont@orange.fr</a>.

[0053] Terminal 10 has a unique identifier. This is his MAC address MAC_10 in this example.

[0054] Let us now assume that the user wishes to associate in the database 51 available through the pairing device 40 the unique identifier MAC_10 of his terminal 10 with the unique identifier ID_ USR1 of his account on the platform of services 60.

[0055] Thus, it can be seen in Figure 1 that before using the invention, database 51 does not contain any terminal identifier for the identifier account ID_USR1.

[0056] With reference to figure 3, the individual steps of the pairing method implemented by the device 40 will now be described.

[0057] During step E10, the user of the personal computer 30 performs an operation that causes the personal computer 30 to send a request R1 to access a user account whose ID ID-USR1 is stored in database 51.

[0058] At the time of sending the request, the source address @S contained in the R1 access request is the address @ IP_30 of the computer 30.

[0059] This request R1 is forwarded through the gate 20 located at the point where the data flow between the personal computer 30 and the Internet is interrupted.

[0060] Continuously, gateway 20 provides address replacement.

[0061] The address of the source of the access request R1 after forwarding by the gateway 20 is therefore the gateway address @ IP1.

[0062] We assume that this access request R1 is received by the pairing device 40 according to the invention during the same step E10.

[0063] This access request R1 in the form in which it is received by gate 20 is shown in figure 6.

[0064] We assume that this R1 access request also contains the unique identifier ID_USR1 of the user account on the service platform 60.

[0065] During step E20, the pairing device 40 according to the invention obtains from this access request R1:

- the source address @S of the R1 access request and saves it as the first variable V1 in its main memory 42 and

- account ID ID_USR1.

[0066] Then, during a test not shown, the pairing device 40 checks whether the terminal identifier is associated with the identifier ID-USR1 account in database 51.

[0067] If this is not the case, after this test, the check is carried out in step E25, in which the pairing device 40 requests the user to perform the operation on terminal 10.

[0068] In the example described here, this operation involves pressing the corresponding button on terminal 10.

[0069] After pressing this button, terminal 10 sends an association request R2 to pairing device 40 during step E30.

[0070] This pairing request R2 is shown in figure 6.

[0071] It contains the MAC_10 identifier of the terminal 10 and the @ IP1 address of the gateway 20 located at the point where the data flow between the terminal 30 and the Internet 1 network is interrupted [0072] We assume that this pairing request R2 is received by the pairing device 40 according to the invention during the same step E30.

[0073] During step E40, the pairing device 40 according to the invention obtains the association of R2 on the basis of this request:

- the MAC_10 identifier of the terminal 10 to be associated and - the @ IP1 address contained in this request. It stores this address in the V2 variable in the main memory 42.

[0074] During test E50, the processor 41 of the mating device 40 compares the contents of the variables V1 (source address R1) and V2 (address request association R2) and detects that these values ​​are equal.

[0075] The E50 test result is therefore positive. It is followed by stage E60, during which the processor 41 of the pairing device 40 assigns the second gateway address @ IP2 the address

- 8 sources of R1 access request received in step E20.

[0076] After this pairing step E60, the E80 test is performed, during which the processor 41 of the pairing device 40 compares the first and second gateway addresses @ IP1 and @ IP2 and detects that these values ​​are equal.

[0077] The E80 test result is positive.

[0078] Next, step E90 is performed, during which the pairing device 40 associates in the database 51 the unique identifier MAC_10 of terminal 10, obtained in the association request R2, with the unique identifier of the account ID_USR1, obtained in the access request R1.

[0079] Figure 7 shows the state of the database 51 after said pairing step E90.

Detailed description of the invention in a second environment [0080] Figure 2 shows the pairing device 40 of figure 1 in a second environment.

[0081] We assume in this example that the personal computer 30 is directly connected to the Internet 1 network.

[0082] In Figure 6, the reference R3 corresponds to the access request received by the pairing device 40 during step E10 as a result of the request sent by the user from the personal computer 30 to access the account ID_USR1.

[0083] In this example, the source address @S, contained in the R1 access request, is the address @ IP_30 of this computer.

[0084] In the example described here, gateway 20 is connected to Internet 1 via an ADSL line having an ADSL identifier designated by ID2.

The pairing method according to the invention, carried out by the pairing device 40, proceeds as before, and the pairing device 40 receives, in step E30 described above, an association request R2 comprising the @ IP1 address of the gateway 20 to which terminal 10 is connected to associations, and the MAC_10 identifier of this terminal.

[0086] In this example, the pairing device 40 detects during test E50 that the gateway address @ IP1 of the pairing request R2 is different from the IP address of the source of the access request R1.

[0087] Therefore, the E50 test result is negative. This is followed by step E70, during which the processor 41 of the pairing device 40 obtains a second gateway address @ IP2 based on the source address mentioned.

[0088] In the example described here, this search is performed in a database 52 comprising:

- user account identifiers,

- ADSL line identifiers and - Gateway addresses associated with these ADSL identifiers.

[0089] In this example, the pairing device 40 first obtains the ADSL ID2 associated with the account ID ID_USR1 and then, based on this ADSL identifier, the @ IP2 address associated with the ADSL ID2.

[0090] During step E70, the pairing device 40 therefore assigns the address @ IP1 to the second gateway address @ IP2.

[0091] This pairing step E70 is followed by the E80 test described above.

[0092] During this E80 test, the pairing device 40 detects that both gateway addresses, namely the first @ IP1 address obtained from the association request R2 and the second @ IP2 address obtained from the database 52 are identical.

[0093] This test E80 is followed by the step E90 described above, during which the pairing device 40 associates the unique identifier MAC_10 of terminal 10 and the account identifier ID_USR1 in database 51, as shown in figure 7.

Detailed description of another type of pairing device [0094] Figure 4 shows the pairing device 40 of the invention in a third environment.

[0095] In this example, the permanent memory 43 of this device 40 contains a computer program, the remaining steps of which are shown in figure 5.

[0096] In this example, the user does not have a personal computer 30.

[0097] It is assumed. that the pairing device 40 receives during association step E30 an association request R2 sent by terminal 10.

[0098] During the non-represented step, the pairing device 40 checks in the database 51 whether the account identifier is associated with the unique identifier MAC_10 of the terminal 10 obtained in the association request R2.

[0099] If this is not the case, after this test, the check is performed in step E40, in which the pairing device 40 obtains from the pairing request R2 the address @ IP1 of the gateway behind which the terminal 10 is connected.

[0100] Then, during step E100, the pairing device 40 searches in the database 52 for the account identifiers associated with the @ IP1 address.

[0101] More specifically, this operation is performed first by obtaining in the first step the ADSL ID2 line identifier associated with the gateway @ IP1 address 20 and then the account identifiers associated with this ADSL ID2.

[0102] In the example described here, two unique account identifiers are detected, namely ID_USR1 and ID_USR2.

[0103] The explanation for this is that two different users have accounts on the service platform 60, even if they access it through gateway 20.

[0104] During step E110, the pairing device 40 transmits an L list containing two

- 10 account IDs ID_USR1 and ID_USR2 to terminal 10.

[0105] It is assumed that said account identifiers are displayed on the screen of the terminal 10 and the user selects the ID ID_ USR1 during the step E120.

[0106] This account identifier ID_USR1 is returned by the terminal 10 in the frame T3 shown in figure 6.

[0107] In the example shown, the T3 frame contains the @ IP1 address of gateway 20, the unique identifier MAC_10 of terminal 10 and the account identifier ID_USR1.

[0108] Alternatively, the T3 frame could only contain the gateway @ IP1 address 20 and account ID ID_USR1.

[0109] This T3 frame is received by the pairing device 40 during step E130.

[0110] Then, during step E90, the pairing device 40 associates in the database 51 the unique identifier MAC_10 of the terminal 10 and the unique identifier of the account ID_USR1, received in the frame T3 in the previous step.

[0111] The resulting state of the database 51 is shown in figure 7.