Method for performing authenticated access to a service on behalf of a user
View Patent ↗A method for using the screen names of users are used to appropriately tailor a service for the users. If the service is a restricted service, then the screen name is used as the basis for deciding whether access should be granted to ensure that access is granted to a limited set of users. Alternatively, if the service is comprised of several component sub-services, and some of those sub-services are restricted, then the screen name is used as the basis for deciding whether access should be granted to the relevant sub-service.
1. A method for performing authenticated access to a service on behalf of a user comprising the steps of:
authenticating the user by an instant messaging network;
designating a message processor screen-name to a message processor, the screen-name being unique on the instant messaging network;
receiving at the message processor through the instant messaging network a message from the user who is logged on to the instant messaging network using, and a user screen-name uniquely associated with the user;
sending a query from the message processor to the service said query comprising the user screen-name;
wherein the user screen-name is the sole authentication information associated with the user that is sent from the instant message processor to the service.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the query also comprises a request at least partially derived from the message.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service is a sibling service to the instant messaging network.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the sibling service is a calendar service, a remote file storage service, a stock portfolio service, a headline news service, an address book service, an e-mail service, a voice mail service or a photo sharing service.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the service is an automated customer service system of an organization and the user is a customer of the organization.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the organization is a financial services institution that the user has an account with.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the financial services institution is a bank.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the user accesses his/her bank account and sends instructions to the bank regarding his/her bank account.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the financial services institution is an investment institution.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the user accesses his/her investment account and sends instructions to the investment institution regarding his/her investment account.
11. The method of claim 5 wherein the organization is a telephone service provider, internet service provider or a retailer.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is written in natural language.
13. A system for performing an authenticated access to a service by a user, comprising:
an instant messaging network configured to require authentication and provide a unique user screen-name associated with the user;
a message processor connected to the instant messaging network and the service, said service requiring authenticated access;
wherein the message processor receives a message and the user screen-name from the user, and sends a request that includes the user screen-name to the service, wherein the user screen-name is the sole authentication information associated with the user that is sent from the message processor to the service.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the query also comprises a request at least partially derived from the message.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the service is a sibling service to the instant messaging network.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the sibling service is a calendar service, a remote file storage service, a stock portfolio service, a headline news service, an address book service, an e-mail service, a voice mail service or a photo sharing service.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the service is an automated customer service system of an organization and the user is a customer of the organization.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the organization is a financial services institution that the user has an account with.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the financial services institution is a bank.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the user accesses his/her bank account and sends instructions to the bank regarding his/her bank account.
21. The system of claim 18 wherein the financial services institution is an investment institution.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein the user accesses his/her investment account and send instructions to the investment institution regarding his/her investment account.
23. The system of claim 17 wherein the organization is a telephone service provider, internet service provider or a retailer.
24. The system of claim 13 wherein the message is written in natural language.