METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A MULTIMEDIA DEVICE TO CONNECT WITH A CONNECTION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention is in the field of telecommunications, and more particularly in the field of home networks.

[0002] With the rise of portable devices such as smartphones and other digital tablets, as well as the dematerialization of content such as music tracks, films, or photographs, users of such devices are getting into the habit of sharing this content.

[0003] Thus, a user wishing to share multimedia content stored on one of their devices may need to authorize the connection of that device to their home network, such as the WIFI network ( Wireless Fidelity ) generated by their home gateway, such as a Livebox ®< for example. When the equipment authorized to connect to the user's home network also belongs to the user, this does not pose a security or confidentiality problem.

[0004] When the equipment you wish to connect does not belong to the home network user and is being made available to a visitor, it is advisable to connect this equipment via a separate network to preserve the security and confidentiality of information that could be retrieved through the home network, and in particular the confidentiality of the home network access code when it is a wireless network. Therefore, some home gateways allow you to create a separate visitor home network from the main home network, thus enabling the connection of equipment not belonging to the home gateway user.

[0005] Just as portable devices and the dematerialization of content have developed, connected home devices are becoming increasingly common. Thus, it is common for televisions or other HiFi systems ( High Fidelity ) are connected to the Internet via the home gateway and are part of the home network.

[0006] In order to facilitate the connection of these various connected devices and home appliances to the home network, a multimedia device was created.

[0007] Such multimedia equipment is connected to the home gateway, allowing the creation of a guest network separate from the home network and enabling the connection of other connected home devices. Such HP multimedia equipment is shown in the image. figure 1 . HP multimedia equipment is connected to a GW home gateway either via a wired connection, such as an Ethernet cable, or wirelessly, such as via Wi-Fi. The HP multimedia equipment can be located in a different room than the home gateway, allowing remote devices, such as a Hi-Fi system, to connect to the gateway.

[0008] HP multimedia equipment can also generate a separate guest Wi-Fi network from the one generated by the home gateway. A visitor's device can then connect to this guest Wi-Fi network and share multimedia content stored on its memory with any of the user's devices connected to the HP multimedia equipment directly or via the home gateway.

[0009] This type of HP multimedia equipment can perform numerous functions and therefore includes a configuration module. The HP multimedia equipment has two interfaces for accessing the configuration module: a service interface to the home gateway (GW) and a terminal interface to the visitor devices (UE).

[0010] The user of HP multimedia equipment can securely access the HP multimedia equipment configuration module via the GW home gateway. Specifically, a user device that can access the multimedia equipment configuration module and is also connected to the GW home gateway can securely access this configuration module, as the GW home gateway has authenticated both the user device and the HP multimedia equipment.

[0011] In the event that the HP multimedia equipment is used in a mobile situation, i.e., when it is no longer connected to the GW home gateway, the user of the multimedia equipment is unable to access the configuration module of the HP multimedia equipment.

[0012] The European application published under number EP 2 658 334 A2 describes a wireless connection system between first and second electronic devices. The US application 2012 / 317619 A1 describes a method for establishing a connection between a client device and a host device providing access to a network, such as the Internet, and thus forming a multimedia device. This connection is established via a virtual access point instantiated by the host device.

[0013] One of the aims of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art by offering a solution allowing secure access to the configuration module of multimedia equipment when the service interface is unusable.

[0014] The invention is defined by the independent claims.

[0015] To this end, the invention proposes a method for configuring multimedia equipment intended to be connected to interconnection equipment with which it is authenticated, and to at least one terminal, said multimedia equipment comprising a service interface to the interconnection equipment and a terminal interface to said terminal, characterized in that it comprises, during an initialization phase: a stage of receiving, via the service interface, an initial request issued by the terminal to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said terminal being authenticated with the interconnection equipment, a stage of transmitting, via the service interface, a message to the terminal containing the required identification parameter, and in what it includes during a multimedia equipment configuration phase: an interface identification step by which a second request issued by the terminal to access the configuration module is received, when the second request is received through the terminal interface, a step of issuing, through the terminal interface, a third request, to the terminal, to transmit the identification parameter, a step of receiving, through the terminal interface, a message issued by the terminal including said identification parameter.

[0016] A multimedia device is connected to an interconnection device, such as a home gateway. During the connection establishment process, the multimedia device authenticates itself to the interconnection device. A terminal, such as a mobile device or tablet, is also connected to the interconnection device. During the connection establishment process, the terminal authenticates itself to the interconnection device.

[0017] Thus, a relationship of trust is established between the interconnection equipment and the multimedia equipment and between the interconnection equipment and the terminal, allowing the exchange of sensitive information such as identification parameters for example.

[0018] The method which is the subject of the invention allows a user of a terminal to automatically and securely access a configuration module of the multimedia equipment.

[0019] Indeed, multimedia equipment includes two interfaces through which it can exchange messages with other equipment. The first interface, called the service interface, allows it to exchange messages with the interconnecting equipment. The second interface, called the terminal interface, allows the multimedia equipment to exchange messages with terminals. During the establishment of a connection between the multimedia equipment and the terminal, the terminal does not authenticate itself with the multimedia equipment.

[0020] Thus, in order to allow a terminal user to access the terminal's configuration module securely through the service interface, for example when the service equipment is in a nomadic situation, i.e. when it is not connected with the interconnection equipment, the terminal must first require identification parameters allowing access to the service equipment's configuration module through the terminal interface.

[0021] The terminal requires identification parameters to access the multimedia equipment's configuration module via the interconnect device. Since the interconnect device is securely connected to both the multimedia equipment and the terminal, the multimedia equipment transfers the required identification parameters.

[0022] When the terminal sends a request to access the multimedia equipment's configuration module through the terminal interface, the multimedia equipment requires the transmission of the identification parameters received by the terminal. Once these parameters are provided, the terminal can securely access the multimedia equipment's configuration module.

[0023] This method is transparent to the user because all exchanges between the various devices involved are carried out automatically. Similarly, this method allows any terminal to connect to the multimedia equipment; only a terminal possessing the identification parameters that grant access to the multimedia equipment's configuration module can configure it.

[0024] The invention further relates to a method of communication between a terminal and multimedia equipment, said multimedia equipment comprising a terminal-to-terminal interface, characterized in that it comprises, during an initialization phase: a step of sending, to the multimedia equipment, an initial request to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said initial request being transmitted to the multimedia equipment via an intermediate equipment to which it is connected, a step of receiving a message sent by the multimedia equipment including the required identification parameter, said message being transmitted to the terminal via the intermediate equipment to which it is connected, and in what it includes during a multimedia equipment configuration phase: a step of sending, to the multimedia equipment, a second request to access the configuration module, said second request being received through the terminal interface, a step of receiving a third request to transmit the identification parameter issued by the multimedia equipment, a step of sending a message including said identification parameter, said message being received through the terminal interface.

[0025] Another object of the invention relates to multimedia equipment intended to be connected to interconnection equipment with which it is authenticated, and to at least one terminal, said multimedia equipment comprising a service interface to the interconnection equipment and a terminal interface to said terminal, characterized in that it comprises: a receiver connected to the service interface, intended to receive a first request issued by the terminal to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said terminal being authenticated with the interconnection equipment, a transmitter connected to the service interface, intended to send a message to the terminal including the required identification parameter, an identification module of the interface through which a second request issued by the terminal to access the configuration module is received, a transmitter connected to the terminal interface, intended to send a third request, to the terminal, to transmit the identification parameter, a receiver connected to the terminal interface, intended to receive a message issued by the terminal including said identification parameter.

[0026] Finally, the invention relates to a terminal intended for communicating with multimedia equipment, said multimedia equipment comprising a terminal interface to said terminal, characterized in that it comprises: a transmitter, to the multimedia equipment, of a first request to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said first request being transmitted to the multimedia equipment via an intermediate equipment to which it is connected, a receiver of a message emitted by the multimedia equipment including the required identification parameter, said message being transmitted to the terminal via the intermediate equipment to which it is connected, a transmitter, to the multimedia equipment, of a second request to access the configuration module, said second request being received through the terminal interface, a receiver of a third request to transmit the identification parameter emitted by the multimedia equipment, a transmitter of a message emitted including said identification parameter, said message being received through the terminal interface.

[0027] In other aspects, the invention also relates to computer programs comprising program code instructions for implementing the steps of the configuration methods for multimedia and communication equipment described above, when these programs are executed by a computer.

[0028] Each of the computer programs described above can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0029] The invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program as described above is recorded.

[0030] The information medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage means, such as a ROM (for "Read Only Memory" ), for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disk ( floppy disc ) or a hard drive.

[0031] On the other hand, the information medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be uploaded to a network such as the Internet.

[0032] 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 process in question.

[0033] Other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the embodiments described with reference to the drawings in which: there figure 1 represents a home network comprising a home gateway and multimedia equipment to which other equipment is connected, the figure 2 represents a home communication network in which the process that is the subject of the invention is implemented, the figure 3 represents the steps of a method for configuring multimedia equipment, the figure 4 represents multimedia equipment capable of implementing the process that is the subject of the invention, the figure 5 represents a terminal capable of implementing the process that is the subject of the invention.

[0034] There figure 2 represents a home communication network comprising several interconnected devices. Such a home network includes a home gateway (GW) that allows the home network to be connected to a telecommunications operator's network via a wired or wireless access network.

[0035] An HP multimedia device is connected to the GW home gateway either via a wired connection, such as an Ethernet cable, or via a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi, through an IS service interface. Such an HP multimedia device includes several features such as generating a separate Wi-Fi network (distinct from the Wi-Fi network generated by the GW home gateway), inductive charging of mobile phone batteries, etc. The HP multimedia device also includes various types of connectors such as USB ports ( Universal Serial Bus ), or even HDMI ports ( High Definition Multimedia Interface ), which allow you to connect different devices, such as USB flash drives or televisions, to HP multimedia equipment.

[0036] The connection established between the GW home gateway and the HP multimedia equipment is a secure connection. When the connection between these two devices is wired, the security of this connection is ensured by the wired, point-to-point nature of the connection. When the connection between these two devices is a Wi-Fi connection, the HP multimedia equipment must be authenticated with the GW home gateway in order to establish a connection with the GW home gateway. This is done using a security code, such as a WPA key ( Wireless Application Protocol ) or a WEP key ( Wired Equivalent Privacy ), is captured through a user interface of the HP multimedia equipment and transmitted to the GW home gateway in order to finalize the connection with the HP multimedia equipment.

[0037] A first UE1 device is also connected to the GW home gateway either via a wired connection, such as an Ethernet cable, or via a wireless connection, depending on the type of UE1 device. For example, if the UE1 device is a desktop computer, the connection to the GW home gateway is wired; and if the UE1 device is a smartphone or tablet, the connection to the GW home gateway is wireless. Just as with the connection between the HP multimedia equipment and the GW home gateway, the connection between the GW home gateway and the UE1 device is a secure connection.

[0038] A second UE2 device, such as a smartphone, is connected to the HP multimedia equipment via a guest Wi-Fi network generated by the HP multimedia equipment and through an IT terminal interface. The connection between the UE2 device and the HP multimedia equipment may or may not be secure. Once connected to the HP multimedia equipment, the UE2 device can exchange data, such as multimedia files, with a device connected to the home network or directly with the HP multimedia equipment.

[0039] HP multimedia equipment can also operate in a mobile environment, meaning without being connected to a home gateway. In such a situation, the HP multimedia equipment is not connected to a telecommunications operator's network. However, the HP multimedia equipment can still generate a guest Wi-Fi network, thus enabling data exchange between different devices connected to the HP multimedia equipment via the IT terminal interface.

[0040] HP multimedia equipment includes a configuration module that allows the user to configure various settings related to certain functions that the HP multimedia equipment can perform. For example, it is possible to configure settings related to the visited Wi-Fi network generated by the HP multimedia equipment, such as the password required to connect to that visited Wi-Fi network.

[0041] When both devices are connected to the GW home gateway, the UE1 terminal can access the HP multimedia equipment's configuration module to configure its various operating parameters. This is possible because both the UE1 terminal and the HP multimedia equipment are securely connected to the GW home gateway. Therefore, the UE1 terminal can access the HP multimedia equipment's configuration module through the GW home gateway, and thus through the IS service interface.

[0042] There figure 3 This outlines the steps in a multimedia equipment configuration method when the UE1 terminal can only access the HP multimedia equipment through the IT terminal interface, i.e., via the visited Wi-Fi network. The configuration process comprises two phases: an initialization phase and a configuration phase.

[0043] During the initialization phase, both the UE1 terminal and the multimedia equipment are connected to the GW home gateway.

[0044] In step E1, terminal E1 sends an initial RQ1 request to the HP intermediate equipment to obtain an identification parameter that grants access to the HP multimedia equipment's configuration module. The RQ1 request is intercepted by the home gateway GW during step E2.

[0045] The GW home gateway then transmits the RQ1 request to the HP multimedia equipment during an E3 step.

[0046] During an E4 step, the HP multimedia equipment receives, through the IS service interface, the RQ1 request issued by the UE1 terminal to obtain an identification parameter allowing access to the configuration module of the HP multimedia equipment.

[0047] Since the RQ1 request was received through the IS service interface, i.e., via a secure connection, the HP multimedia equipment is authorized to respond to this RQ1 request.

[0048] Thus, during an E5 step, the HP multimedia equipment sends, through the IS service interface, an MSG1 message to the UE1 terminal containing the required identification parameter.

[0049] The MGS1 message is intercepted by the GW home gateway during an E6 step.

[0050] The home gateway GW then transmits the MSG1 message containing the required identification parameter to the UE1 terminal during an E7 step.

[0051] After receiving the MSG1 message by terminal UE1, the required identification parameter is stored in a memory of terminal UE1 for later use during an E8 step.

[0052] During the setup phase, the multimedia equipment is in a mobile state, meaning it is not connected to the GW home gateway. In this scenario, the UE1 terminal and the multimedia equipment are connected to each other via the Wi-Fi network generated by the HP multimedia equipment. In another embodiment of the invention, the HP multimedia equipment is connected to the GW home gateway, but the UE1 terminal is connected to the HP multimedia equipment via the Wi-Fi network generated by the HP multimedia equipment.

[0053] Thus, during a G1 step, the UE1 terminal sends a second RQ2 request to the HP multimedia equipment to access the configuration module of the HP multimedia equipment.

[0054] During a G2 step, the HP intermediate equipment identifies the interface through which it received the RQ2 request.

[0055] When the HP multimedia equipment identifies that the RQ2 request has been received through the IT terminal interface, the HP multimedia equipment sends, through the IT terminal interface, a third RQ3 request, to the UE1 terminal, to transmit the identification parameter during a G3 step.

[0056] During a G4 step, the UE1 terminal receives the third RQ3 request to transmit the identification parameter issued by the multimedia equipment.

[0057] During a G6 step, the UE1 terminal sends, to the HP multimedia equipment, an MSG2 message containing the aforementioned identification parameter previously stored in a memory of the UE1 terminal.

[0058] The MSG3 message containing said identification parameter is received by the HP multimedia equipment through the IT terminal interface during a G6 step.

[0059] During a G7 step, the HP multimedia equipment identifies the UE1 terminal using the identification parameter and allows the UE1 terminal to access its configuration module.

[0060] During a G8 step, the UE1 terminal and the multimedia equipment exchange configuration data entered through a user interface of the HP multimedia equipment displayed on a screen of the UE1 terminal.

[0061] This configuration process restricts access to the HP multimedia equipment's configuration module to only those devices that have obtained an identification parameter issued by the HP multimedia equipment through the home gateway. Therefore, any UE2 device connecting to the visited Wi-Fi network generated by the HP multimedia equipment will be denied access to the HP multimedia equipment's configuration module.

[0062] There figure 4 represents an HP multimedia device capable of implementing the process that is the subject of the invention.

[0063] HP multimedia equipment is intended to be connected to a GW home gateway with which it is authenticated through an IS service interface, and to at least one UE1, UE2 terminal, through an IT terminal interface.

[0064] The HP multimedia equipment includes a receiver 10 connected to the IS service interface, intended to receive a first request issued by the UE1 terminal to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module 20 of the HP multimedia equipment.

[0065] The HP multimedia equipment includes a transmitter 11 connected to the IS service interface, intended to send a message to the UE1 terminal containing the required identification parameter.

[0066] The HP multimedia equipment includes an identification module 12 interface through which a second request issued by terminal UE1 to access the configuration module is received. The identification module 12 is connected to receiver 10.

[0067] Transmitter 11 is also connected to the IT terminal interface, and allows a third request to be issued, to terminal UE1, for the transmission of the identification parameter.

[0068] Receiver 10 is also connected to the IT terminal interface, and allows receiving a message issued by terminal UE1 including said identification parameter.

[0069] The configuration module 20 is connected to the receiver 10 and the transmitter 11.

[0070] There figure 5 represents a UE1 terminal capable of implementing the process that is the subject of the invention.

[0071] The UE1 terminal is designed to communicate with HP multimedia equipment.

[0072] The UE1 terminal includes a transmitter30 allowing the sending of an initial request to the HP multimedia equipment to obtain a.

[0073] The UE1 terminal includes a receiver 31 for receiving a message emitted by HP multimedia equipment containing the required identification parameter.

[0074] The UE1 terminal includes, connected to the transmitter 30 and the receiver 31, a memory 32 in which the identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the HP multimedia equipment is intended to be stored.

Claims

1. Method for configuring a multimedia equipment intended to be connected: - via a communication network known as a "home network" generated by an interconnection equipment, to said interconnection equipment to which it is authenticated, said interconnection equipment (GW) being a home gateway for interconnecting said home network and the network of an operator, and - by means of the interconnection equipment and via said home network, and also via a network known as a "visitor network" distinct from said home network and generated by said multimedia equipment, to at least one terminal, said multimedia equipment comprising a service interface to the interconnection equipment and a terminal interface to said terminal, characterized in that it comprises, during an initialization phase implemented via the home network: - a step of receiving, through the service interface, a first request sent by the terminal to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said terminal being authenticated to the interconnection equipment, - a step of transmitting, through the service interface, a message to the terminal including the requisite identification parameter, and in that it comprises, during a configuration phase to configure the multimedia equipment, implemented via the visitor network: - a step of identifying the interface by which a second request sent by the terminal to access the configuration module is received, - when the second request is received through the terminal interface, a step of sending, through the terminal interface, a third request, to the terminal, to transmit the identification parameter, - a step of receiving, through the terminal interface, a message sent by the terminal including said identification parameter.

2. Method for communication between a terminal and a multimedia equipment, said multimedia equipment being intended to be connected: - via a communication network known as a "home network" generated by an interconnection equipment, to said interconnection equipment to which it is authenticated, said interconnection equipment (GW) being a home gateway for interconnecting said home network and the network of an operator, and - by means of the interconnection equipment and via said home network, and also via a network known as a "visitor network" distinct from said home network and generated by said multimedia equipment, to said terminal, said multimedia equipment comprising a service interface to the interconnection equipment and a terminal interface to said terminal, characterized in that it comprises, during an initialization phase implemented via the home network: - a step of sending, to the multimedia equipment, a first request to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said first request being transmitted to the multimedia equipment through the service interface and via the intermediate equipment to which it is connected, - a step of receiving a message sent by the multimedia equipment through the service interface and including the requisite identification parameter, said message being transmitted to the terminal via the intermediate equipment to which it is connected, and in that it comprises, during a configuration phase to configure the multimedia equipment, implemented via the visitor network: - a step of sending, to the multimedia equipment, a second request to access the configuration module, said second request being received through the terminal interface, - a step of receiving a third request to transmit the identification parameter sent by the multimedia equipment, - a step of sending a sent message including said identification parameter, said message being received through the terminal interface.

3. Multimedia equipment to be connected: - via a communication network known as a "home network" generated by an interconnection equipment, to said interconnection equipment to which it is authenticated, said interconnection equipment (GW) being a home gateway for interconnecting said home network and the network of an operator, and - by means of the interconnection equipment and via said home network, and also via a network known as a "visitor network" distinct from said home network and generated by said multimedia equipment, to at least one terminal, said multimedia equipment comprising a service interface to the interconnection equipment and a terminal interface to said terminal, characterized in that it comprises: - a receiver connected to the service interface, intended to receive a first request sent by the terminal via the home network to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment, said terminal being authenticated to the interconnection equipment, - a transmitter connected to the service interface, intended to send via the home network a message to the terminal including the requisite identification parameter, - an identification module of the interface by which a second request sent by the terminal via the visitor network to access the configuration module is received, - a transmitter connected to the terminal interface, intended to send via the visitor network a third request, to the terminal, to transmit the identification parameter, - a receiver connected to the terminal interface, intended to receive a message sent by the terminal via the visitor network including said identification parameter.

4. Terminal (UE1) for communicating with a multimedia equipment (HP), said multimedia equipment (HP) being intended to be connected: - via a communication network known as a "home network" generated by an interconnection equipment (GW), to said interconnection equipment (GW) to which it is authenticated, said interconnection equipment (GW) being a home gateway for interconnecting said home network and the network of an operator, and - by means of the interconnection equipment (GW) and via said home network, and also via a network known as a "visitor network" distinct from said home network and generated by said multimedia equipment (HP), to said terminal (UE1), said multimedia equipment (HP) comprising a service interface (IS) to the interconnection equipment (GW) and a terminal interface (IT) to said terminal (UE1), said terminal (UE1) being characterized in that it comprises: - connecting means to connect to said interconnection equipment (GW); - a transmitter configured to send, (EI) to the multimedia equipment (HP) and via the home network, a first request (RQ1) to obtain an identification parameter authorizing access to a configuration module of the multimedia equipment (HP), said first request being intercepted (E2) by the interconnection equipment (GW) and transmitted (E3) by the interconnection equipment (GW) to the multimedia equipment (HP) through the service interface (IS), - a receiver configured to receive (E7) from the interconnection equipment (GW) a message (MSG1) sent (E5) by the multimedia equipment (HP) through the service interface (IS) via the home network, said message (MSG1) sent (E5) by the multimedia equipment (HP) being intercepted (E6) by the interconnection equipment (GW) and transmitted (E7) to said terminal (UE1), said message including the requisite identification parameter, - a memory for storing the identification parameter included in the message received from the multimedia equipment, said identification parameter authorizing access to said configuration module of the multimedia equipment (HP); - connecting means to connect to the multimedia equipment (HP) via said visitor network distinct from said home network and generated by said multimedia equipment (HP), - a transmitter configured to send (G1), to the multimedia equipment (HP) and via the visitor network, a second request (RQ2) to access the configuration module, said second request being received by the multimedia equipment (HP) through the terminal interface (IT), - a receiver configured to receive (G4) a third request (RQ3) to transmit the identification parameter sent by the multimedia equipment (HP) via the visitor network, - a transmitter configured to send (G6) a message (MSG2) including said identification parameter via the visitor network, said terminal (UE1) being configured to access the configuration module of the multimedia terminal (HP) after said multimedia equipment (HP) has identified said terminal (UE1) by means of said identification parameter and authorized said terminal (UE1) to access its configuration module.

5. Computer program product downloadable from a communications network and / or stored on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a processor, characterized in that it comprises program code instructions for performing the method for configuring a multimedia equipment according to Claim 1 when said program is executed by a computer.

6. Computer program product downloadable from a communications network and / or stored on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a processor, characterized in that it comprises program code instructions for performing the method for communication between a terminal and a multimedia equipment according to Claim 2 when said program is executed by a computer.