WO2009125145A1

WO2009125145A1 - Method of obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal apparatus and server

Info

Publication number: WO2009125145A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/050526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Isabelle Kerrien
Original assignee: France Telecom
Priority date: 2008-03-31
Filing date: 2009-03-30
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

The method of obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal apparatus (2) through a fixed access network (R1) according to the invention comprises: - a step of receiving, via said fixed access network, a first identifier (ID1) of a mobile terminal (6) on a mobile telecommunication network (R2); - a step of obtaining a second identifier (ID2) of said mobile terminal by interrogating a base (7) of said mobile telecommunication network with the aid of said first identifier (ID1); - a step of obtaining, data (Du) relating to the configuration of said terminal apparatus with the aid of said second identifier; and - a step of dispatching said data to a device (8) for configuration of said terminal apparatus.

Description

Method for obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal and server equipment

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the general field of telecommunications.

The invention relates more particularly to the configuration mechanisms of "plug-and-play" type equipment, allowing a quick and easy installation and / or update of a customer's terminal equipment according to the services he has subscribed with a service provider. For the purposes of the invention, the configuration of a terminal equipment designates the operation allowing the downloading of programs (or "firmwares" in English) and parameters related to the services subscribed by the customer. Thus, the invention applies in a preferred but non-limiting manner in the field of home gateway configuration procedures (also known as "Home Gateway" in English) or any other device connected to such a gateway in a domestic space (home network). There are now several "plug-and-play" solutions for configuring domestic equipment and in particular gateways (so-called auto-configuration solutions). Such solutions are based essentially on the use of an equipment identifier, such as, for example, the MAC (Medium Access Control) address or the OrganizationNally Unique Identifier (OUI) of the equipment, or an identifier. of access session as described in WO 2007/010160.

However, such solutions have disadvantages, particularly in terms of rigidity of the self-configuration process and / or reliability defects. Indeed, an equipment identifier such as a MAC address or a

YES is a unique identifier unique to the equipment, for example written in the equipment itself. The device obtains its configuration from a configuration server, using this unique identifier by downloading a configuration file. Thus, we understand that such a solution does not allow the customer to change equipment as he wishes while maintaining the same services. If he does not communicate to the service provider information about his new equipment (such as the MAC address of this new equipment) so that it is known to the configuration server, he can not use on his new equipment the services to which he has subscribed with the service provider.

To overcome these drawbacks, a solution based on the use of an access session identifier has been proposed in document WO 2007/010160. Such an identifier is for example a line identifier associated with the "physical" line of the client in the PSTN access network (Switched Telephone Network).

However, this line identifier comes from a manual entry by an agent in the information system of the operator of the access network, after recognition on a geographical map. Errors in the reliability of the input can therefore occur, associated with the risk of configuring the wrong equipment.

Furthermore, the knowledge of the line identifier by the operator of the access network implies that it has an end-to-end control of the access network. This is not always the case, especially for some "incoming" operators who do not have control over the network directly on access. Such operators may therefore not know this line identifier.

There is therefore a need for a solution for configuring terminal equipment that does not have such drawbacks.

Object and summary of the invention

The present invention satisfies this need by means of a method for obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal equipment through a fixed access network, implemented by a server. According to the invention, this method comprises:

a step of receiving, via the fixed access network, a first identifier of a mobile terminal on a mobile telecommunications network;

a step of obtaining a second identifier of the mobile terminal by interrogating a base of the mobile telecommunications network using the first identifier; a step of obtaining data relating to the configuration of the terminal equipment using the second identifier; and

a step of sending these data to a device for configuring the terminal equipment. Correlatively, the invention also provides a server comprising:

means for receiving, via a fixed access network, a first identifier of a mobile terminal on a mobile telecommunications network; means for obtaining a second identifier of the mobile terminal by interrogating a base of the mobile telecommunications network using the first identifier;

means for obtaining, using the second identifier, data relating to the configuration through a fixed access network of a terminal equipment; and

means for sending this data to a configuration device of the terminal equipment.

For the purposes of the invention, the data relating to the configuration of the equipment represent any type of data that can be used to allow a personalized configuration of the equipment. This may be, for example, configuration data for voice over IP or parameters related to the fixed access account of the client wishing to configure the equipment and associated with the services to which the customer has subscribed with the network operator. fixed access. Such parameters are in particular fixed identity parameters of the customer such as an AID (Account ID) identifier, internet service identifiers, etc.

The principle of the invention therefore consists in using a first identifier of a mobile terminal linked to the client on a mobile telecommunications network, and in conveying it in the fixed access network to obtain a second identifier of this mobile terminal and access the terminal equipment configuration data associated with this second identifier.

The invention thus enables a customer to easily configure a terminal equipment, such as for example a fixed access network access gateway or any other equipment of a home network. connected to the access gateway, in order to install the various services subscribed by this client.

In particular, it is not necessary for this to enter beforehand service identifiers such as a user identifier and a password, identifiers likely to be lost by the client. The loss of these service identifiers is often the source of many problems for the after-sales services in charge of configuring and updating the equipment, which can not, in the absence of these service identifiers, act remotely. on the equipment. The invention thus facilitates the obtaining of data necessary for the personalization of an equipment. For this, it advantageously conveys on a fixed access network to a server of this network, parameters related to an identity of a mobile terminal on a mobile telecommunications network (namely a first identifier). The server then obtains from a base of the mobile telecommunications network, a second identifier of the mobile terminal, which allows it to make the link with the client and the equipment to be configured, and thus recover the data necessary for the personalization of the mobile terminal. 'equipment.

The invention applies advantageously to any type of fixed access network, such as for example an xDSL network (Digital Subscriber One, eg ADSL, VDSL, etc.), PSTN (Switched Telephone Network), HFC (Hybrid Fiber) / Coax), FTTH (Fiber To The Home), as well as to any type of mobile telecommunications network, such as in particular a GSM network (Global System for Mobile Communications), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications) System), I-WLAN, etc.

Unlike the prior art, the identifiers used to configure the equipment are not equipment-specific identifiers (such as a MAC address) or the fixed access network line. The invention thus makes it possible to configure any terminal equipment with data relating to services subscribed by a customer when he is in a situation of nomadism.

Moreover, the identifiers used in the invention are identifiers relating to a mobile telecommunications network, that is to say identifiers that are not significant from the point of view of the access network without prior consultation of a network. basis of the mobile telecommunications network. In this way, on the one hand the equipment to configure can be in a generic (ie, standard) state at the time of configuration (it does not need to convey custom data related to the line or the client), and on the other hand the identifiers thus conveyed on the fixed access network to the server can not be the subject of a malicious diversion by a user wishing to recover the services of the client (it would otherwise be necessary for him to know the correspondence between the two identifiers of the terminal mobile). Access to the services subscribed by the customer is thus secure.

In a particular embodiment, the first identifier is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number or a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) number and the second identifier is an MSISDN number (Mobile Station ISDN Number) of the mobile telecommunications network.

The numbers IMSI and TMSI are advantageously allocated to the mobile terminal by the mobile telecommunications network and stored in correspondence with the MSISDN number of the mobile terminal in a base of this network (for example in the HLR base (Home Location Register) of the mobile network if this one is a network of GSM or UMTS type). For safety reasons in particular, only these numbers are carried on the mobile telecommunications network during exchanges with the mobile terminal (the MSISDN number, ie the standard telephone number of the mobile terminal accessible to the public, is not not). Thus the first identifier used by the server and the method of obtaining data is not an identifier known per se outside the mobile telecommunications network. And it is the correspondence of this first identifier with the second identifier which allows the server to retrieve the appropriate configuration data for the equipment. In this way, the safety and reliability of the process are enhanced.

The correspondence between the first and second identifiers may exist statically in the mobile telecommunications network, ie, the mobile terminal need not necessarily be connected as such to the mobile telecommunications network for this correspondence to exist and is known from the base of the mobile telecommunications network. For example, the correspondence between the IMSI number and the MSISDN number of a mobile terminal on a GSM or UMTS type network is stored statically in the HLR network.

As a variant, this correspondence may exist in the base of the mobile telecommunications network only when the mobile terminal is connected to the mobile telecommunications network. This is particularly the case when the first identifier is a TMSI identifier, and the second identifier is an MSISDN identifier.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, for transmitting the first identifier of the mobile terminal within the meaning of the invention to the server, the invention is based on two entities:

- the mobile terminal itself; and

a fixed network access gateway, adapted to communicate according to a communication interface with the mobile terminal, after pairing thereof. This access gateway may be in particular the terminal equipment to be configured or interface between the terminal equipment to be configured and the fixed access network.

Thus, the invention also relates to a mobile terminal and an access gateway to a fixed network, as well as the methods implemented by these devices in the context of the invention.

Consequently, according to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a method of communication by a mobile terminal adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network an identifier of this terminal on this mobile telecommunications network comprising:

a step of pairing with a gateway to access a fixed access network and establishing a communication interface with this gateway; and

a step of sending the identifier to the gateway, via this communication interface, in response to a request from the gateway for the configuration of a terminal equipment through said fixed access network.

Correlatively, the invention is directed to a mobile terminal adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network, this mobile terminal comprising: means for pairing with an access gateway to a fixed access network, and for establishing with this access gateway a communication interface; and

means for sending to this gateway via this interface an identifier of the mobile terminal on the mobile telecommunications network, in response to a request from the gateway for the configuration of a terminal equipment through the fixed access network.

The identifier sent to the gateway may include an IMSI or TMSI number assigned to the mobile terminal on the mobile telecommunications network. This identifier can then be advantageously sent by the gateway to the server according to the invention through the fixed access network. Thus, a self-configuration of the terminal equipment is possible using a simple pairing of the mobile terminal with the access gateway to the fixed access network. Indeed, following this pairing, the mobile terminal can directly send the first identifier to the access gateway to the fixed access network via the communication interface set up between the terminal and the gateway. Different communication interfaces between the terminal and the gateway can be envisaged, namely in particular of the GSM, WIFI, UMTS, Bluetooth, etc. type. depending on the capabilities of the mobile terminal (dual-mode terminal) and the gateway.

According to a third aspect, the invention also relates to a transmission method implemented by a gateway for access to a fixed access network for the configuration of a terminal equipment through this fixed access network, and comprising:

a step of establishing a communication interface with a dual mode mobile terminal, adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network;

a step of sending, via this interface, a request to the mobile terminal to obtain an identifier of this mobile terminal on the mobile telecommunications network;

a step of receiving, via this interface, such an identifier;

a step of sending this identifier to a server via the fixed access network; and - following the sending step, a data reception step for the configuration of the terminal equipment. Correlatively, the invention provides a gateway for access to a fixed access network, comprising:

means for establishing a communication interface with a dual-mode mobile terminal, adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network;

means for sending, via this interface, a request to the mobile terminal to obtain an identifier of this mobile terminal on the mobile telecommunications network;

means for receiving, via this communication interface, such an identifier;

means for sending this identifier to a server via the fixed access network; and

- Means for receiving, following the sending of the identifier to the server, data for the configuration of a terminal equipment through the fixed access network.

The data for the configuration of the terminal equipment is for example data relating to the configuration of this equipment in the sense of the invention or alternatively programs and / or configuration parameters of the terminal equipment itself.

In a particular embodiment, the various steps of the method for obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal equipment and / or the communication method and / or the transmission method according to the invention are determined by instructions of computer programs.

Consequently, the invention also relates to a computer program on an information carrier, this program being capable of being implemented in a server or more generally in a computer, this program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of implement steps of a method for obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal equipment as described above.

The invention also relates to a computer program on an information carrier, this program being capable of being implemented in a mobile terminal or more generally in a computer, this program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of a communication method as described above.

The invention also relates to a computer program on an information medium, this program being capable of being implemented in a gateway for access to a fixed access network or more generally in a computer, this program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of a transmission method as described above.

The aforementioned programs can use any programming language, and be in the form of source codes, object codes, or intermediate codes between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any another desirable form.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable information medium, comprising instructions of a computer program such as those mentioned above.

The information carrier may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk or a disk. hard.

On the other hand, the information medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can be downloaded in particular on an Internet type network.

Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

Finally, according to a fourth aspect, the invention also provides a system for configuring a terminal equipment through a fixed network, comprising a server, a mobile terminal and a fixed network access gateway according to the invention and such than previously mentioned. Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments having no limiting character. In the figures:

- Figure 1 shows a configuration system of an equipment according to the invention in a particular embodiment; and

FIG. 2 schematically represents the main steps performed during a data acquisition method, a communication method and a transmission method according to the invention, when they are implemented respectively by a server, a mobile terminal and an access gateway according to the invention of a configuration system as shown in Figure 1 in a particular embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment

FIG. 1 represents, in its environment, a configuration system 1 according to the invention in a particular embodiment. In the example described here, the configuration of a home gateway 2 (or "Home Gateway"), connected to a fixed access network R1, and in accordance with the invention is envisaged. This configuration can occur, for example, as part of an After Sales Service (SAV) operation or as a result of an order and / or delivery of the gateway. The home gateway 2 provides the interface between the fixed access network R1 and a home space RLD (ie a private home local area network), connecting various "home" terminal equipments of the house of a user U, such as for example a computer 3, a voice over IP phone 4 and a modem 5. Alternatively, other home terminal equipment can of course be considered, such as including a camera "web cam" type, a router, etc. The invention can also be advantageously applied to the configuration of one or other of these devices via the home gateway. The home gateway 2 has means for establishing a communication interface and for communicating according to this interface. communication with terminals or equipment and in particular with terminal equipment of the home network. It is assumed here that the home gateway is endowed in particular with means (eg a card) allowing it to communicate according to the WIFI protocol (WIreless FIdelity). Thus a device also equipped with such means, can be paired with the home gateway 2 (via an access point AP of the gateway) and be connected by means of the WIFI interface, via this home gateway 2, to the home network. fixed access Rl. Alternatively, other types of interfaces may be considered, such as a Bluetooth interface (registered trademark), UMTS, etc., the home gateway 2 may be simultaneously provided with means for communicating according to several different communication interfaces.

In the example described here, the home gateway 2 has the hardware architecture of a computer and comprises in particular a processor, a RAM type RAM and a ROM type ROM (not shown in the figure). This ROM-type read-only memory constitutes a recording medium, according to the invention, on which is recorded a computer program, according to the invention, and comprising the instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of a transmission method according to the invention.

The user U also has here a dual-mode mobile terminal 6, adapted on the one hand, to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network R2 and on the other hand, to establish a WIFI communication interface (it can be by example equipped with a WIFI card). This WIFI interface allows it to communicate in particular with the gateway 2, after pairing with it according to means known to those skilled in the art.

In the example described here, the dual-mode mobile terminal 6 has the hardware architecture of a computer and comprises in particular a processor, a RAM type RAM and a ROM type ROM (not shown in the figure). This ROM-type read-only memory constitutes a recording medium, according to the invention, on which is recorded a computer program, according to the invention, and comprising the instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of a communication method according to the invention. The mobile telecommunications network R2 is here a mobile network as specified by the 3GPP standard (for example a GSM, GPRS or UMTS mobile network), comprising a base HLR (Home Locator Register) 7 of location. The invention is of course transposable to any other type of mobile telecommunications network, such as for example an I-WLAN network.

In a known manner, the dual-mode mobile terminal 6 uses, for communicating with the mobile telecommunications network R2, a known identifier ID1 of the base HLR 7. This identifier ID1 is for example here an IMSI number. In a known manner, when the network R2 is a mobile telecommunications network of GSM or UMTS type, the IMSI number is a "static" number stored in the SIM card of the mobile terminal 6, and the correspondence between the IMSI identifier of the mobile terminal 6 and its MSISDN number is stored in the HLR base 7. In a variant, the identifier ID1 used by the dual mode mobile terminal 6 can be a TMSI number allocated by the base HLR 7 and communicated to the mobile terminal 6, at each connection. from it to the mobile telecommunications network R2 (for example at each switching on of the terminal 6). The correspondence between the TMSI identifier of the mobile terminal 6 and its MSISDN number is stored by the base HLR 7 with each new assignment.

In the example described here, the user U has subscribed to the operator OP1 of the fixed access network R1, to a number of services to which he wishes to access via the home gateway 2. To access these services, it is necessary to configure this home gateway adequately.

To allow this configuration, the OP1 access operator has, in known manner, a configuration server 8 (or ACS server for "AutoConfiguration Server"), adapted to provide the programs (or "firmwares") and parameters. configuration appropriate for a device for its configuration (for example here at Gateway 2). The programs and parameters provided by the configuration server 8 depend in particular on the type of equipment to be configured and Du data related to the user U's fixed access account and in particular to the services subscribed by the user (data relating to the configuration of the equipment within the meaning of the invention). Such data is by for example, an identifier of the account of the user U with the access operator OP1 (identifier AID for Account ID), identifiers of internet services. Such an ACS server is known per se (see in particular the CNGCF function for Customer Network Gateway Configuration Function described in ETSI TISPAN) and will not be detailed further here.

According to the invention, the configuration system 1 comprises a server 9 according to the invention, called "link server". In the example described here, the link server 9 has the hardware architecture of a computer and comprises in particular a processor, means of communication on the fixed access network R1, RAM type RAM and a read-only memory. ROM type (not shown in the figure). This ROM-type read-only memory constitutes a recording medium, according to the invention, on which is recorded a computer program, according to the invention, and comprising the instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of a method of obtaining data according to the invention.

The link server 9 is connected here to a database 10. In this database 10, for a client U of the operator OP1 of the fixed access network, the data Du linked to this client is associated with an identifier d. a mobile terminal on a mobile telecommunications network.

In the case of the user U, this mobile terminal is a terminal adapted to be paired with the gateway 2 before or at least at the moment when the configuration process of the gateway 2 is started. Such a terminal is, for example , the bi-mode mobile terminal 6 previously described.

In the embodiment envisaged here, the identifier ID2 of the mobile terminal stored in the database 10 is the MSISDN number associated with the terminal (i.e. its telephone number on the mobile telecommunications network R2). This identifier ID2 has been communicated by the user U to the operator OP1 before the configuration of the gateway 2. It can be communicated in particular before each configuration of a user equipment U.

The mobile terminal identified in the database 10 is not necessarily a terminal of the client U, it may be a mobile terminal belonging to a relative. In general, in order to avoid any diversion of the service parameters associated with a client, the operator access will be able to implement controls at the time of entering the identifier of the mobile terminal.

Finally, is also connected to the fixed access network R1, a DHCP server 11 (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). In a known manner, this DHCP server is adapted to dynamically distribute Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the equipment connected to the fixed access network R1, for example here at the gateway 2, at the link server 9 and at the server ACS 8.

We will now describe with reference to FIG. 2, the main steps of the data acquisition, transmission and communication methods according to the invention when they are implemented respectively by the link server 9, the gateway 2 and the mobile terminal 6 in the configuration system 1 shown in Figure 1, in a particular embodiment. In this embodiment, the configuration method is initiated following an After Sales Service (SAV) operation on the gateway 2, through the fixed access network R1, and the operator OP1 of the fixed access network is a converged operator also operating the mobile telecommunications network R2. Following a call from the U client user to the operator's service

OPl of the access network Rl (step ElO), the decision is made by the service agent to reconfigure the home gateway 2.

The user U, under the control of the SAV agent, indicates an identifier ID2 of his mobile terminal 6 (second identifier in the sense of the invention), which must be taken into account for the self-configuration process of his gateway. (step E20). This identifier is, in this case, the MSISDN number of the mobile terminal 6 on the mobile telecommunications network R2. This is a public data known to users and which represents the international mobile telephone number (eg +33601020304) associated with the mobile terminal 6. In the context of the invention, the identifier ID2 of the mobile terminal indicated by the user U to the SAV agent identifies a mobile terminal which can be reached during the configuration operation of the gateway 2, that is to say which is adapted to communicate during this operation with the gateway 2 , after having paired with it according to a certain communication interface. Upon receipt of this identifier ID2, the SAV agent informs the database 10 of the link server 9 (step E30), that is to say, it associates in this database 10 the data Du linked to the fixed identity of the user U and the services subscribed to the operator OP1, with the identifier ID2 (ie the number MSISDN) of the mobile terminal 6.

Then, upon indication of the SAV agent, the user U restarts his home gateway 2 (reboot operation E40) to return it to its initial state. Such a state corresponds to the standard state common to all domestic gateways of the same type, before their installation. In particular, in this state, the gateway 2 is filled with "login" and password generic, that is to say given by default and identical regardless of the gateway.

The home gateway 2 then makes a generic connection to the DHCP server 11 (step E50) to obtain, inter alia, an allocation IP address (denoted @IP_HGW), the IP address of the link server 9 (denoted @IP_SL) and the IP address of the ACS server 8 (denoted @IP_ACS) (step E60). The @IP_HGW address of the gateway is allocated dynamically by the DHCP server 11 without prior control (alternatively it can be allocated by a PPP session). The home gateway 2 then goes into a waiting state for pairing with equipment (step E70).

It is then assumed that the user U turns on the dual-mode mobile terminal 6 indicated to the service agent during step E20.

In the example described here, the mobile terminal 6 then connects to the mobile telecommunications network R2. As described above, during the exchanges between the mobile terminal 6 and the mobile telecommunications network R2, the MSISDN identifier ID2 of the mobile terminal 6 is not conveyed. The identity of the mobile terminal 6 is generally conveyed using another identifier ID1, such as for example the IMSI number stored in the SIM card of the terminal 6 or alternatively, a TMSI number allocated by the network. R2 mobile telecommunications. In the example described here, it is assumed that the identifier ID1 is an IMSI number.

The relation between the identifier ID1 (IMSI) and the identifier ID2 (MSISDN) of the mobile terminal 6 is maintained by the base HLR 7 of the mobile telecommunications network R2. The user U then performs the pairing of the terminal 6 with the home gateway 2 or more precisely with the access point AP of the gateway 2, via the WIFI communication interfaces of the terminal 6 and the gateway 2 (step E80) . To this end, the user U activates the WIFI functions of the mobile terminal 6 and its gateway 2, for example by pressing a button dedicated to the pairing on the gateway 2. In known manner, a recognition of the network RLD is then performed by the terminal 6, during which the SSID SSID network RLD is identified by the terminal. In order to increase the level of security of the pairing, a WEP and WPA key exchange between the terminal 6 and the gateway 2 (as defined in particular in the IEEE 802.11 and 802. Hi standards respectively) can be implemented.

During this pairing step, the home gateway 2 assigns the terminal 6 a temporary IP address (denoted @IP_T) using a local DHCP server to communicate on the RLD network. At the end of the pairing of the terminal 6 with the gateway 2, the terminal and the gateway can communicate with each other via a WIFI communication interface.

Following this pairing, the gateway 2 sends to the terminal 6, using the @IP_T address, a request to obtain an identifier of the terminal 6 on the mobile telecommunications network R2 (step E90), to allow its self- configuration.

In response to this request, the terminal 6 sends to the gateway, via the WIFI interface, its identifier ID1 (IMSI) (step ElOO). The identifier ID1 is a first identifier of the mobile terminal 6 within the meaning of the invention. During this step, the terminal 6 can also send to the gateway other authentication parameters, such as for example an authentication key used for the authentication and encryption of the mobile link (also known as key Ki). The gateway 2 then transfers the identifier ID1 of the mobile terminal 6 to the link server 9 via the fixed access network R1 (step EI10). For this, it uses the IP address of the link server received from the DHCP server 11 during the step E60. The gateway 2 also transmits, during this step, its IP address, @IP_HGW, as well as the type T of the equipment to be configured (for example here, T = model X gateway). The link server 9 then queries the HLR base 7 of the mobile telecommunications network R2 (step E120) using the identifier ID1 of the mobile terminal 6 received.

The base HLR 7 finds the number MSISDN (that is to say the identifier ID2) of the mobile terminal 6 corresponding to the IMSI ID1 transmitted by the server link 9. It sends this identifier ID2 to the server link 9 (step E130 ).

Upon receipt of this identifier, the link server 9 queries its database 10 using this identifier (step EHO). If the MSISDN of the terminal 6 (identifier ID2) is in the database 10, the link server 9 then considers that a configuration process of a device linked to the user U is in progress and retrieves the data Du of configuration associated with the MSISDN ID2 in the database (including the AID fixed account identifier, internet service identifiers, etc.). It associates this data Du with the address @IP_HGW and with the type of equipment

T to configure, previously received from Gateway 2.

The link server 9 then transfers to the server ACS 8 (step E150), the IP address @IP_HGW of the gateway 2, the type T of equipment to be configured, as well as the configuration data Du linked to the account of the user U .

Using this information, the ACS server 8 identifies the programs and configuration parameters appropriate to the type of gateway 2 and corresponding to the user U, such as voice over IP parameters, internet login / password. , etc., and sends them to the gateway 2 using its IP address @IP_HGW (step E160).

The gateway 2 can then be configured from these programs and parameters (that is to say taking into account the services subscribed by the user U), in a manner well known per se (step E170).

It is also accessible remotely for future maintenance, testing, updating or service.

In the embodiment envisaged here, the operator OP1 of the fixed access network R1 is a convergent operator also operating the mobile telecommunications network R2. As a variant, the two operators can be distinct (operators OP1 and OP2). In this case, the relation between the identifier ID1 (IMSI or TMSI in the example described) and the identifier ID2 (MSISDN) of the mobile terminal 6 is maintained by an HLR base of the operator OP2 of the mobile telecommunications network R2. To determine the identity of the HLR base to be interrogated during the step E120, the link server can, for example, decrypt the identifier IMSI ID1 of the terminal 6 received from the gateway 2. In fact, in a known manner, an IMSI comprises several fields, namely:

- a Mobile Country Code (MCC) field indicative of the country of origin;

- a MNC field (Mobile Network Code) indicative of the operator of the network; a Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) field representing the number of the subscriber inside the mobile telecommunications network of the operator concerned; and

optionally, fields H1 and H2 that can be used to give the HLR address of the subscriber corresponding to the IMSI. In another variant embodiment in which the two operators are distinct, and in which the operator OP1 of the fixed access network is a convergent operator also having a base HLR, the link server 9 of the operator OP1 of the network fixed access can firstly interrogate its base HLR using the identifier ID1, said base then relaying in a second time this request to the base HLR of the operator OP2 of the mobile telecommunications network R2, in order to to obtain the identifier ID2.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the configuration of a home gateway has been envisaged. Alternatively, one could apply the invention to the self-configuration of other terminal equipment connected to the home gateway, such as a computer, a modem, a router. The home gateway would then act as an intermediary between the link server and the ACS server on the one hand and the equipment to be configured on the other hand. In addition, other architectures could be envisaged to implement the invention. In particular, it is possible to apply the invention to an IMS architecture (IP Multimedia Subsystem), as envisaged by standardization bodies such as the 3GPP standard. The base of the mobile telecommunications network then considered in the invention may be the HSS server (Home Subscriber Server) and the ACS server the Connectivity Session Location Function (CLF) entity of the considered IMS architecture.

The invention thus makes it possible, from a mobile terminal, to automatically perform the personalization and the uto-configuration of terminal equipments (such as for example a gateway having a generic configuration), thanks to the link established between the identifiers of the mobile terminal and the data relating to the fixed identity of the user of the equipment and the services subscribed by it. The invention thus offers the operator of the fixed access network and the client user the possibility of benefiting from certain advantages. It allows in particular the operator:

- to reduce the rate of churn (i.e. rate of loss) of its customers and to retain it with innovative installation processes made available to the user regardless of the fixed access network used;

- reduce its after-sales service operating costs by reducing installation problems, and in particular by having a mechanism for establishing a link with the equipment to be automatically configured; and - improve its brand image with its customers.

From the customer point of view, the invention makes it possible to easily install and configure terminal equipment through the fixed access network, and to have all the services subscribed to the fixed access operator by simple pairing of equipment with a dual-mode mobile terminal. Furthermore, advantageously, the invention makes it possible to meet the user's equipment configuration requirements under nomadic conditions, by not using an identifier specific to an access line or the equipment to be configured. but an identifier of a mobile terminal.

Claims

A method for obtaining data relating to the configuration of a terminal equipment (2) through a fixed access network (R1), said method being implemented by a server and characterized in that it comprises:

a step of receiving, via said fixed access network, a first identifier (ID1) of a mobile terminal (6) on a mobile telecommunications network (R2); a step of obtaining (E130) a second identifier (ID2) of said mobile terminal by interrogating a base (7) of said mobile telecommunications network using said first identifier (ID1);

a step of obtaining (E140) said data (Du) using said second identifier; and a step of sending (E150) said data to a device (8) for configuring said terminal equipment.

2. Method for obtaining data according to claim 1 characterized in that said first identifier (ID1) is an IMSI number or a TMSI number and said second identifier (ID2) is an MSISDN number of said mobile telecommunications network.

3. Server (9) comprising:

means for receiving, via a fixed access network (R1), a first identifier (ID1) of a mobile terminal (6) on a mobile telecommunications network (R2);

means for obtaining, by interrogating a base (7) of said second network (R2) with the aid of said first identifier (ID1), a second identifier (ID2) of said mobile terminal (6); means for obtaining, from said second identifier (ID2), data (Du) relating to the configuration through said fixed access network (R1) of a terminal equipment (2); and

means for sending said data to a configuration device of said terminal equipment (R1).

A computer program comprising instructions for performing the steps of the method of obtaining data according to claim 1 or 2 when said program is executed by a computer.

A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded including instructions for performing the steps of the method of obtaining data according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A method of communication by a mobile terminal (6), adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network (R2), an identifier (ID1) of the mobile terminal on the mobile telecommunications network (R2), said method being characterized in that it comprises:

a pairing step (E80) with an access gateway (2) to a fixed access network (R1) and establishing a communication interface with said gateway; and

a step of sending (ElOO) said identifier (ID1) to said gateway, via said communication interface, in response to a request from said gateway for the configuration of a terminal equipment through said fixed access network.

7. The communication method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said identifier (ID1) sent to said gateway (2) is an IMSI or TMSI number assigned to said mobile terminal on said mobile telecommunications network (R2).

8. Mobile terminal (6) adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network (R2), said mobile terminal being characterized in that it comprises:

means for pairing with an access gateway (2) to a fixed access network (R1) and for establishing with said access gateway (2) a communication interface; and - means for sending to said gateway (2), via said interface, an identifier (ID1) of said mobile terminal (6) on said network of mobile telecommunications (R2), in response to a request from said gateway (2) for the configuration of a terminal equipment (2) through said fixed access network (R1).

9. Computer program comprising instructions for performing the steps of the communication method according to claim 6 or 7 when said program is executed by a computer.

A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded including instructions for performing the steps of the communication method according to claim 6 or 7.

11. Transmission method implemented by an access gateway (2) to a fixed access network (R1) for the configuration of a terminal equipment (2) through said fixed access network (R1), characterized in that it comprises:

a step of establishing a communication interface with a dual-mode mobile terminal (6), adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network (R2);

a step of sending to said mobile terminal (6), via said interface, a request to obtain an identifier of said terminal on said mobile telecommunications network; a step of receiving, via said interface, such an identifier (ID1);

a step of sending said identifier (ID1) to a server (9) via said fixed access network (R1); and

- Following said sending step, a data receiving step for the configuration of said terminal equipment.

12. Access gateway (2) to a fixed access network (R1), comprising:

means for establishing a communication interface with a dual mode mobile terminal (6) adapted to communicate on a mobile telecommunications network (R2); - Means for sending to said mobile terminal (6), via said interface, a request to obtain an identifier of said terminal on said mobile telecommunications network;

means for receiving, via said interface, such an identifier (ID1); means for sending said identifier (ID1) to a server (9) via said fixed access network (R1); and

- Means for receiving, following the sending of said identifier, data for the configuration of a terminal equipment through said fixed access network (Rl).

Computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the transmission method according to claim 11 when said program is executed by a computer.

A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program is recorded including instructions for carrying out the steps of the transmission method according to claim 11.