Method of device authentication and application registration in a push communication framework

A device for receiving push data communication through a mobile network from a push server system, the device comprising:

• an interface for communications with the push server system via the network;
• at least one processor coupled to the interface;
• at least one storage device accessible to the at least one processor;
• and
• programming for execution by the at least one processor, stored in the at least one storage device, wherein execution of the programming by the at least one processor configures the device to perform functions, including functions to:
• (a) receive a first request from an application running on the mobile device to establish a push connection for the application with the push server system through the mobile network, the first request including an identifier of the application;
• (b) generate and transmit, through the mobile network, a second request to establish the push connection for the application with the push server system, the second request including the identifier of the application and an identifier of the mobile device;
• (c) receive, from the push server system through the mobile network, a confirmation message including a session identifier for a persistent communication session established between the push server system and the mobile device, through the mobile network;
• and
• (d) receive at least one push communication for the application via the established communication session through the mobile network from the push server system to the mobile device running the application.

A system, comprising:

• a mobile communications network;
• a mobile device running a push client;
• and
• a push server, wherein:
• the push client is configured to:
• receive a first request from an application running on the mobile device for a push connection corresponding to the application with the push server through the mobile communications network,
• the first request including an identifier of the application;
• generate and transmit a second request to the push server through the mobile communications network for the push connection corresponding to the application with the push server,
• the second request including the identifier of the application and an identifier of the mobile device;
• receive a confirmation message from the push server through the mobile communications network including a session identifier for a persistent communication session established between the push server and the mobile device;
• receive at least one push communication for the application via the corresponding push connection over the established persistent communication session through the mobile communications network from the push server;
• and
• forward the at least one push communication to the application;
• and
• the push server is configured to:
• receive the second request from the mobile device;
• authenticate the mobile device upon determining that the identifier of the mobile device contained in the second request is valid;
• register the application upon determining that the application identifier contained in the second request is valid;
• assign the session identifier to the authenticated mobile device;
• establish the persistent communication session;
• and
• send the at least one push communication.