WO2015001236A1

WO2015001236A1 - Server for creating a link between a television and a user account

Info

Publication number: WO2015001236A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/051660
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Vincent
Original assignee: Tdf
Priority date: 2013-07-02
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2015-01-08
Also published as: FR3008269A1; FR3008269B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a data processing method implemented in a server for creating a link (2) capable of communicating with at least one application server (4), comprising the following steps: -on receipt of a first link creation request comprising at least one first identifier specific to a connected display device, sending an item of graphical information to the connected display device; -receiving, from a user device (3), a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user; -storing, in a table, at least one correspondence between the first identifier specific to the connected display device and the second identifier specific to the user.

Description

Server creating a link between a TV and a user account

The present invention relates to access to "online" services by a television-type display device, in particular by so-called "connected" television sets.

The connected display devices access digital data streams via a network access point, which may be a wired or wireless access point, such as an ADSL Box, for example, allowing a plurality of functionalities to be gathered. (access to DTT channels, telephony, Internet, access to video-on-demand servers). By accessing an IP network of the Internet type, the implementation of various services is permitted on the connected display devices.

Access to online services may however require the use of a user account and therefore the identification of the user. This is for example the case for teleshopping services or for access to content on a social network type Facebook ™ for example. When creating the user account, the user chooses (or is imposed) an identifier possibly accompanied by a password. In the following, the data necessary to access a user account are called "user-specific identifier". No restriction is attached to such an identifier, which may include any sequence of alphanumeric characters.

Thus, access to a user account from a connected display device may require the entry of an identifier and a password. Such a capture proves particularly tedious on a display device. Indeed, two solutions are currently proposed: the display of a virtual keyboard on the display device to browse with a remote control or using the buttons on the remote control.

To avoid the entry of an identifier for each access to a user account, some solutions offer the storage of the user's own identifier in a memory of the connected display device. However, the degree of security associated with such a solution is low. There is therefore a need to simplify and secure the identification of a user when accessing a user account of a service via a connected television type display device.

The present invention improves the situation.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method of data processing, implemented in a link creation server of a telecommunications network, the link creation server being able to communicate with at least one application server, the process comprising the following steps:

on receiving, from a connected display device, a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to said connected display device, sending graphic information to the connected display device in order to displaying the graphic information, the graphic information including a link to access the link creation server;

receiving, from a user device, a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user;

storage in a correspondence table of at least one correspondence between the first identifier specific to the connected display device and the second identifier specific to the user, for the purpose of subsequently identifying the user with a user. application server.

As previously detailed, the term "user-specific identifier" means any identifier or pair of identifiers / passwords allowing identification / authentication with an application server. No restriction is attached to the service rendered by the application server. It can be a social network server or a teleshopping server, for example.

No restriction is attached to the first identifier specific to the connected display device, nor to the manner in which it is obtained and stored on the connected display device. The first identifier makes it possible to identify the display device that is uniquely connected to the server of link creation, and it does not require any input from the user. For example, in the context of a teleshopping service, the selection by the user of an "add to cart" button causes the connected display device to transmit from the first identifier to the creation server. link.

The term "user device" means any device having input means such as a keyboard (simple or tactile) facilitating the input of characters by the user. For example, the user device may be a fixed or portable computer, a smartphone or a touch pad.

Thus, the present invention allows the user to enter the second identifier by means of a user device other than the connected display device, whose input means are inappropriate for entering a long identifier comprising an alphanumeric string (email address, pseudonym and possibly password).

In addition, the storage of the link between the first and second identifiers is performed in a remote server of the connected display device, thus reinforcing the security associated with the created link.

Access to the link creation server via the user device is also facilitated by sending a graphical information including a link to access the link creation server.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first request may further comprise an application server identifier and the correspondence table may furthermore match the application server identifier with the first and second identifiers, in order to subsequent identification of the user with an application server associated with the application server identifier.

Such an embodiment allows the establishment of a single link creation server for a plurality of application servers.

The invention may also provide that the graphical information comprises an element, or any combination of elements, from among the following elements:

- a URL link to the link creation server;

an alphanumeric code identifying the display device connected to the link creation server; a graphic code, of the flash code or QR code type, encoding a link to the link creation server.

A URL link provides a simple way for the user to enter the link in an Internet window in order to access the link creation server via the user device. The user device comprises according to the invention adapted input means (conventional keyboard or touch for example) to quickly and easily enter the URL.

An alphanumeric code identifying the connected display device makes it possible to easily identify the connected display device with which a link is to be created, with the link creation server.

A flash code or QR code allows the user to be redirected automatically to the link creation server by "flaming" the graphic code displayed on the connected display device with the user device. In addition, the graphic code may include the first identifier so that the user does not have to identify the connected display device when he accesses the link creation server via the user device.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage of the correspondence can be conditioned by a prior step of validating the second identifier specific to the user with the application server.

Such an additional step makes it possible to verify that the entry of the second identifier by the user is correct. In the opposite case, the invention may provide that the link creation server sends an Internet page to the user device in order to request the second identifier again.

In addition, the validation of the second identifier specific to the user is performed with the application server associated with the application server identifier.

This embodiment is thus compatible with an implementation in which the link creation server is in charge of a plurality of application servers.

The method may further comprise the following steps:

receiving an identification request from the connected display device, the identification request comprising at least the first identifier specific to the connected display device;

consulting the table in order to extract the second user-specific identifier corresponding to the first identifier specific to the connected display device;

- Transmitting a modified identification request to an application server, the modified identification request comprising the second identifier specific to the user.

Thus, the identification steps with the application server do not require any input by the user of his second identifier. On selecting an option displayed by the connected display device and dedicated to access to an application server, the display device sends the first identifier that is specific to the linker server, which is able to retrieve the second identifier for identification. The only entry of the second identifier occurs during the creation of the link, but is no longer required for subsequent identifications.

In addition, the identification request may furthermore comprise an application server identifier, the second extracted identifier may correspond to the application server identifier and the first identifier in the table, and the identification request may be transmitted to the server. application corresponding to the application server identifier.

Complementarily or alternatively, the identification request may further comprise a security code and the extraction of the second identifier of the table may be conditioned by a step of verification of the security code by the link creation server.

The security code may for example be a PIN code, for example comprising 4 digits, whose entry is easy even from a connected display device such as a television. Such a security code makes it possible to reinforce the security associated with the link and thus to prevent users other than the usual user of the connected display device from being able to access the second identifier specific to the user.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for the implementation of the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when this program is executed by a processor.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a link creation server able to communicate with at least one application server in a telecommunications network, the link creation server comprising:

a first reception unit, from a connected display device, of a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to the connected display device;

a unit for transmitting graphic information to the connected display device for displaying the graphic information, the graphic information including a link for accessing the link creation server;

a second unit for receiving, from a user device, a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user;

a unit of storage in a correspondence table, of at least one correspondence between the first identifier specific to the connected display device and the second identifier specific to the user, with a view to subsequent identification of the user with an application server.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a telecommunications network comprising a link creation server according to the third aspect of the invention and at least one application server.

The present invention also aims at a display device comprising means of connection to a link creation server of a telecommunications network, and able to send a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to said device. display, for implementing the method according to the invention. The display device may be a terminal such as a television set, a video projector, or a set-top box (or any HbbTV-compatible television receiver) in connection with such a television or video projector.

The present invention also aims at a user device comprising means for connection to a link creation server of a telecommunications network, for receiving a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user, for setting implementation of the method according to the invention. The user device may be a terminal such as a touch pad, a smartphone or a laptop or fixed.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a system according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the steps of a data processing method according to one embodiment of the invention, and in particular steps of creating a link between a connected display device and a user account;

FIG. 3 represents the steps of a data processing method according to the invention, and in particular the identification / authentication steps subsequent to the creation of the link illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 illustrates a link creation server according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a system according to one embodiment of the invention.

The system comprises a display device 1, such as a television for example, having access means to a telecommunications network 10, which may be an IP network type Internet for example. Such a display device is generally called connected TV. In what follows, the display device 1 is called connected display device.

The connected display device 1 can moreover be compatible with the HbbTV standard (for "Hybrid broadcast broadband Television" in English). The HbbTV standard, version 1 .1 .1 of which was approved by the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) as ETSI TS 102 796 in June 2010, allows the combination of broadcast services ) with services via broadband ("broadband" in English) and also allows access to the Internet.

For example, during the viewing of a program, metadata are displayed on the connected display device, these metadata including a link to a server offering a service generally related to the program broadcast. For example, when viewing a shopping program, a link to an application server 4 dedicated to teleshopping is proposed.

The principle of the invention resides in particular in the introduction of a link creation server 2 between the application server 4 and the connected display device 1.

As detailed later, the display device 1 can also access an identifier obtaining server 6 belonging to the network 10.

The user of the connected display device 1 can also access the telecommunications network 10 via a user device 3, comprising character input means such as a keyboard or a touch screen. The user device 3 may be a touch pad, a smartphone, a computer or laptop. No restriction is attached to the manner in which the user device 3 accesses the network 10. For example, a wired, Wi-fi, or 3G / 4G interface may be provided.

According to the invention, the link creation server 2 can also be linked to a link base server 5, which is detailed in the following.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the steps of a data processing method according to an embodiment of the invention.

As detailed previously, the context of viewing a home shopping show in a digital stream including an associated HbbTV link is used to illustrate the present invention. Access to such a service usually requires obtaining a user ID or a couple identifier / password, in order to identify / authenticate the user. As detailed in the introductory part, the input of such a user identifier or pair identifier / password is laborious if it is performed via the connected display device (generally input by remote control). In addition, it is not desirable to store the user identifier on the connected display device for security reasons.

To this end, the invention proposes the creation of a link between the identifier of the connected display device 1 and the user's own identifier. As previously detailed, the term user-specific identifier, any identifier, password, or any combination of identifier / password for identification / authentication for access to a user account. The same user may also have several user identifiers, for example one per service (one for his home shopping account and another for an account on a social network for example).

According to the invention, in a step 201, the connected display device 1 can send a request to the identifier obtaining server 6 in order to obtain a first identifier specific to the connected display device. The first identifier is then received and stored in the connected display device 1. The sending of such a request may for example be consecutive to the selection by the user of an HbbTV "add to cart" link, when the user has not previously linked his user identifier and the identifier of the connected display device. In a variant, the invention can provide for the initial storage of a first identifier specific to the connected display device 1, in a memory of the connected display device 1. No restriction is attached to how the first identifier is obtained by the connected display device 1.

At a step 203, a first link creation request is sent by the connected display device 1 and received by the link creation server 2. The first link creation request comprises at least the first identifier specific to the link device. connected display 1. In addition, the first link creation request may include an application server identifier. In this way, a single link creation server 2 can be interposed between a user and a plurality of application servers 4, the application server for which a link is to be created being identified by the application server identifier received in the first link creation request. Thus, a user can for example create a link between the connected display device 1 and an application server dedicated to teleshopping, and another link between the connected display device 1 and an application server dedicated to a social network.

On receipt of the first link creation request, the link creation server 2 sends, in a step 204, graphic information to the connected display device for the display of the graphic information. All information displayed by the connected display device 1 and including a link to access the link creation server 2 is called graphical information. For this purpose, the graphic information may include any element or any combination of elements among the elements following:

- a URL link to the intermediate server;

an alphanumeric code identifying the display device connected to the intermediate server;

a graphic code, of the flash code or QR code type, encoding a link to the intermediate server.

Thus, from the user device 3, the user of the connected display device 1 has information facilitating access to the link creation server. In the case where the graphic information is a URL link, the user can enter the URL in a navigation application launched on the user device 3. In the case of a graphic code, the user can "flash" this code and be redirected automatically to the link creation server. Once redirected to the link creation server, the user can enter the second user identifier associated with his teleshopping account and possibly the first identifier displayed on the connected display device 1. In the case where the graphic information is a graphical code to be flashed, the graphic code may include the first identifier of the connected display device, so as to avoid any entry by the user of the first identifier.

Thus, the user device 3 sends a second link creation request to the link creation server 2. The second request comprises the second identifier specific to the user entered by means of the user device 3, as well as the first identifier specific to the connected display device 1, which has been entered by the user, or directly flashed after displaying the graphic code on the device connected display. The second request is received at a step 205 by the link creation server 2.

The method then comprises an optional step 206 for validating the second identifier specific to the user with the application server 4. When the link creation server 2 is in charge of a plurality of application servers 4, the validation takes place at the application server identified by the application server identifier 4 received in the first link creation request.

In the case where the second identifier specific to the user is not validated by the application server 4, the link creation server 2 can send a page to the user device 3 so that a new second identifier is entered by the user. user.

In the case where the second identifier specific to the user is validated by the application server 4, the link creation server 2 can request from the link base server 5 the storage, in a step 207, of the first identifier specific to the user. display device connected in correspondence with the second identifier specific to the user. Such a correspondence can be stored in a correspondence table of the link base server 5. The link base server can store the correspondence table in a secure manner for example.

It should be noted that the use of a link base server 5, separate from the link creation server 2, is optional. The invention provides in particular that the link creation server 2 may include a storage unit of the aforementioned correspondence table.

In the case where an application server identifier has been received by the link creation server 2 in the first link creation request, the link creation server 2 communicates the application server identifier to the link base server 5 so that the look-up table further matches the application server identifier with the first and second identifiers. Thus, a link between a first identifier specific to the connected display device 1 and a second identifier specific to the user for identification / authentication with an application server has been created. The storage of this link being performed outside the connected display device 1, the security associated with the link is enhanced. Such a link allows the implementation of an identification / authentication as illustrated with reference to Figure 3.

FIG. 3 represents the steps of a data processing method according to the invention, and in particular the identification / authentication steps subsequent to the creation of the link illustrated in FIG. 2.

At a step 301, the user selects via the connected display device 1 a link HbbTV type "add to the basket" during the broadcast of a teleshopping broadcast. As previously mentioned, access to such a service requires the identification / authentication of the user.

For this purpose, an identification request is sent by the connected display device 1 to the link creation server 2, the identification request comprising at least the first identifier specific to the display device. In addition, the identification request may comprise an application server identifier. Of course, depending on the type of service considered, the identification request may include any other type of data. For example, the identification request may be a purchase request in the context of teleshopping, and may further include a product identifier.

The request for identification is received by the link creation server

2 at a step 302.

The link creation server 2 then consults, at a step 303, the correspondence table stored in the link base server 5 (or in the storage unit of the link creation server) to extract the second identifier of its own. to the user according to the first identifier specific to the connected display device 1 (and possibly depending on the application server identifier). According to one embodiment of the invention, the identification request may further comprise a security code (PIN code type for example) and the extraction of the second identifier can be conditioned by a step of verification of the PIN code. Such a PIN can be set in advance by the user of the display device, for example after the creation of the first link in the correspondence table. Such a PIN code entry (generally composed of 4 digits) is less tedious than entering a user-specific identifier (email address, pseudonym), while making it possible to reinforce the security associated with access to the table. correspondence.

In a step 304, the link creation server 302 transmits a modified identification request to the application server 4, the modified identification request comprising the second identifier specific to the user extracted from the correspondence table. In the case where the link creation server 2 is in charge of a plurality of application servers 4, the application server 4 identified by the application server identifier is selected. In the context of teleshopping, the modified identification request may further include a product identifier.

The intervention of the link creation server 2 is therefore perfectly transparent from the point of view of the application servers, which manage the modified identification request as if it came directly from a fixed or portable computer, a smartphone or a touch pad. The user, outside of the link creation phase, does not have to enter a personal identifier.

The invention may also provide for the sending by the display device 3 of a link deletion request, comprising at least one identifier specific to the connected display device 1 and an identifier specific to the user. The link deletion request may further include an application server identifier. On receipt of such a link deletion request, the link creation server 2 can delete the match in the mapping table of the link base server 5 (or storage unit of the link creation server). .

FIG. 4 shows a link creation server 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The link creation server 2 comprises a first reception unit 41, for receiving, from the connected display device 1, a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to the connected display device. Upon receipt of the first link creation request, a processing unit 43 is able to generate (or retrieve from a memory 44) graphic information including a link to access the link creation server 2. The graphic information can then be sent by a first sending unit 42 to the connected display device 1.

The link creation server 2 further comprises a second reception unit 46 for receiving from a user device 3, a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user. . In practice, the link creation server 2 can receive a connection request from the display device, and send back an Internet page via a second sending unit 45, in order to request the second identifier specific to the user (and the first identifier if it has not been transmitted in the connection request).

On receipt of the second link creation request, the processing unit 43 stores in a correspondence table of the storage unit 44, at least one correspondence between the first identifier specific to the connected display device and the second identifier specific to the user, for later identification of the user with an application server. Alternatively, as detailed above, the look-up table may be stored outside of the link creation server 2, for example in the link base server 5 shown in FIG. For this purpose, the link creation server 2 may comprise an additional interface (not shown) for communicating with the link base server 2.

In addition, before storing the correspondence, the processing unit 43 can check with the application server 4 that the second identifier specific to the user is correct. For this purpose, the link creation server 2 further comprises a third reception unit 48 and a third transmission unit 47, to communicate with the application server 4. As previously In detail, the link creation server 2 may support a plurality of application servers 4.

The first reception unit 41 may further receive an identification request from the connected display device comprising at least the first identifier specific to the display device and possibly the application server identifier. The processing unit 43 is then able to extract from the storage unit 44 (or the link base server 5) the second identifier specific to the associated user in the correspondence table. In advance, and optionally, the processing unit 43 can send to the display device 1, via the first transmission unit 42, an Internet page in order to require a security code. The processing unit 43 is then able to validate or not the security code received.

The processing unit can then send a modified identification request to the application server 4 via the third transmission unit 47, the modified identification request comprising the second identifier specific to the user.

Of course, the receiving and sending units 41, 42, 45, 46, 47 and 48 can be grouped together in the same input I / O input interface allowing access to the telecommunications network 10. No restrictions is attached to the type of interface considered.

The processing unit 3 can furthermore execute a computer program according to the invention, comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the invention. The program can be stored in the storage unit 42 of the link creation server.

Claims

1. Data processing method, implemented in a link creation server (2) of a telecommunications network (10), said link creation server being capable of communicating with at least one application server (4), the process comprising the following steps:

- upon receipt, from a connected display device (1), of a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to said connected display device, sending graphic information to the connected display device for displaying the graphic information, said graphic information comprising a link for accessing said link creation server;

- reception, from a user device (3), of a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user;

- storage in a correspondence table of at least one correspondence between said first identifier specific to said connected display device and the second identifier specific to the user, with a view to subsequent identification of the user with a application server.

2. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first request further comprises an application server identifier and in which the correspondence table further matches the application server identifier with the first and second identifiers, in view of subsequent identification of the user with an application server (4) associated with said application server identifier.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the graphic information comprises an element, or any combination of elements, among the following elements:

- a URL link to the linking server (2); - an alphanumeric code identifying the display device connected to the link creation server;

- a graphic code, such as flash code or QR code, encoding a link to the link creation server.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the storage of said correspondence is conditioned by a prior step of validation of the second identifier specific to the user with the application server (4).

5. Method according to claims 2 and 4, in which the validation of the second identifier specific to the user is carried out with the application server (4) associated with the application server identifier.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the following steps:

- reception of an identification request from the connected display device (1), said identification request comprising at least the first identifier specific to the connected display device;

- consultation of the table in order to extract the second identifier specific to the user corresponding to the first identifier specific to the connected display device;

- transmission of a modified identification request to an application server (4), said modified identification request comprising the second identifier specific to the user.

A method according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the identification request further comprises an application server identifier, wherein the extracted second identifier corresponds to the application server identifier and the first identifier in the table, and wherein the identification request is transmitted to the application server (4) corresponding to the application server identifier.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, in which the identification request further comprises a security code, and in which the extraction of the second identifier from the table is conditioned by a step of verifying said security code by the link creation server (2).

9. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 8, when this program is executed by a processor.

10. Link creation server capable of communicating with at least one application server (4) in a telecommunications network (10), the link creation server (2) comprising:

- a first receiving unit (41), from a connected display device, of a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to said connected display device;

- a unit for transmitting (42) graphic information to the display device connected for the purpose of displaying the graphic information, said graphic information comprising a link for accessing said link creation server;

- a second receiving unit (45), from a user device, of a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the connected display device and a second identifier specific to a user;

- a storage unit (44, 5) in a correspondence table, of at least one correspondence between said first identifier specific to said connected display device and the second identifier specific to the user, with a view to subsequent identification of the user to an application server.

1 1 . Telecommunications network (10) comprising a link creation server (2) according to claim 10 and at least one application server (4).

12. Display device (1) comprising means of connection to a link creation server (2) of a telecommunications network (10), and capable of sending a first link creation request comprising at least a first identifier specific to said display device, for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

13. User device (3) comprising means of connection to a link creation server (2) of a telecommunications network (10), to receive a second link creation request comprising the first identifier specific to the linking device connected display and a second identifier specific to a user, for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 8.