def METHOD_NAME(application, token_type,serial,
                  challenge=None, options=None, filter_param=None):
    options = options or {}
    # application_module from application
    class_dict = get_machine_application_class_dict()
    # should be able to run as class or as object
    auth_class = class_dict.get(application)
    auth_item = auth_class.get_authentication_item(token_type,
                                                   serial,
                                                   challenge=challenge,
                                                   options=options,
                                                   filter_param=filter_param)
    return auth_item