Method and apparatus for authenticating a communication device

摘要

A method and apparatus for authenticating a communication device is disclosed. An system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an authentication system having a controller element that receives from a communication device over a packet-switched network a terminal ID and a request to authenticate said communication device, generates a first registration ID, stores the first registration ID and a first communication identifier, transmits the first registration ID to the communication device, receives from an interactive response system a second communication identifier and a second registration ID that the interactive response system received during a communication session with the communication device over a circuit-switched network, and authenticates the communication device in response to detecting a match between the first and second communication identifiers and the first and second registration IDs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

主权项

1. An authentication system, comprising:
a memory that stores instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising: receiving, from a communication device over a packet-switched network, a terminal identification for the communication device and a request to authenticate the communication device, wherein the terminal identification for the communication device comprises a media access control address of a residential gateway utilized by the communication device for providing communication services; generating a first registration identification responsive to the request to authenticate, wherein the generating of the first registration identification comprises providing an authentication key and the media access control address of the residential gateway to a hash algorithm for generating a string of characters as the first registration identification; storing the first registration identification and a first communication identifier; transmitting the first registration identification to the communication device; receiving from an interactive response system a second communication identifier and a second registration identification that the interactive response system received during a communication session with the communication device over a circuit-switched network; authenticating the communication device in response to detecting a match between the first and second communication identifiers and the first and second registration identifications, wherein the first registration identification is retained by the authentication system for subsequent authentication of the communication device; and transmitting the first registration identification and a third communication identifier associated with the interactive response system for establishing communications therewith over the circuit-switched network.