Abstract: The present invention relates to a data communications method. The method coordinates data communication between a first and second user device in a system including a first and second server, by the second server generating a unique identifier and transmitting the identifier and a resource location for receipt by the first user device via the first server; the first user device requesting a resource at the resource location; the second server transmitting the resource including a second executable component to the first user device; the first user device executing the second component to create a connection (such as a two-way socket) between the first user device and the second server; the second user device receiving the identifier; the second user device using the identifier to claim the connection to the first user device from the second server; and the second server coordinating data communication between the first and second user device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating an identity for a user. The method including the steps of: a first user device obtaining an identifier; the first user device generating a public-private key pair; the first user device transmitting a first request, including the identifier and the public key, to a server; the server generating an authentication token associated with the identifier and transmitting that token for receipt by an address associated with the user; the first user device receiving the authentication token via the address of the user; the first user device transmitting a second request, wherein at least a part of the second request is derived from the authentication token and at least a part of the second request is signed by the private key; and the server using the public key to verify the second request and validate the identifier as an identity for the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for authenticating a user. The method includes the steps of: a second user device requesting authentication from a third party server; the third party server requesting an authentication token from a gateway server; the gateway server generating a transaction ID and transmitting an authentication token to the second user device, wherein the authentication token incorporates the transaction ID; the second user device outputting the authentication token; a first user device receiving the outputted authentication token; the first user device transmitting an authentication request to an application server, wherein the request includes the transaction ID extracted from the authentication token and a user identifier; and the application server verifying the authentication request and authenticating the user. A system for authenticating a user comprising two user devices and a server is also described.