Abstract: A registry apparatus is provided for maintaining a device registry of agent devices for communicating with application providing apparatus. The registry comprises authentication information for uniquely authenticating at least one trusted agent device. In response to an authentication request from an agent device, the authentication information for that device is obtained from the registry, and authentication of the agent device is performed. If the authentication is successful, then application key information is transmitted to at least one of the agent device and the application providing apparatus.

Abstract: A trusted identity may be established for an agent device for performing trusted communication with one or more application providing apparatuses. The method of establishing the trusted identity includes determining which of a number of authentication models is a selected authentication model to be used for uniquely authenticating the agent device. First and second authentication information is generated according to the selected model. The first authentication information is for uniquely authenticating the identity of the device and the second authentication information is for verifying that the agent device has the first authentication information. The first authentication information is embedded in the agent device while the second authentication information is transmitted to a registry apparatus for maintaining a device of agent devices. Authentication model information identifying which is the selected authentication model is also sent to the registry.

Abstract: An agent device is registered in a first device registry maintained by a first registry apparatus for authenticating agent devices for communicating with application providing apparatuses. The agent device can be assigned to a second device registry maintained by second registry apparatus. The method of assignment comprises the first registry apparatus receiving from a requestor device a device assignment request. In response to the device assignment request, the first registry apparatus checks whether the agent device is allowed to be assigned to the second device registry, and if so, the agent device transmits second authentication information for authenticating the identity of the agent device to the second registry apparatus which registers this in the second device registry.

Abstract: A trusted identity may be established for an agent device for performing trusted communication with one or more application providing apparatuses. The method of establishing the trusted identity includes determining which of a number of authentication models is a selected authentication model to be used for uniquely authenticating the agent device. First and second authentication information is generated according to the selected model. The first authentication information is for uniquely authenticating the identity of the device and the second authentication information is for verifying that the agent device has the first authentication information. The first authentication information is embedded in the agent device while the second authentication information is transmitted to a registry apparatus for maintaining a device of agent devices. Authentication model information identifying which is the selected authentication model is also sent to the registry.

Abstract: An agent device is registered in a first device registry maintained by a first registry apparatus for authenticating agent devices for communicating with application providing apparatuses. The agent device can be assigned to a second device registry maintained by second registry apparatus. The method of assignment comprises the first registry apparatus receiving from a requestor device a device assignment request. In response to the device assignment request, the first registry apparatus checks whether the agent device is allowed to be assigned to the second device registry, and if so, the agent device transmits second authentication information for authenticating the identity of the agent device to the second registry apparatus which registers this in the second device registry.

Abstract: A registry apparatus is provided for maintaining a device registry of agent devices for communicating with application providing apparatus. The registry comprises authentication information for uniquely authenticating at least one trusted agent device. In response to an authentication request from an agent device, the authentication information for that device is obtained from the registry, and authentication of the agent device is performed. If the authentication is successful, then application key information is transmitted to at least one of the agent device and the application providing apparatus.