Methods and systems for authenticating a headset for a transportation vehicle

• US 10,354,061 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Watson, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Do, Khang
• Application Number:
  US15/218,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20180025149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3242 involving keyed hash functions, e.g. message authentication codes [MACs], CBC-MAC or HMAC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response

Abstract

Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. For example, one method includes storing a key on a device of a transportation vehicle and a headset; generating a challenge by the device using the key when the headset is connected to the device; presenting the challenge to the headset by the device; creating a response to the challenge by the headset; presenting the response to the device; validating the response by the device; and enabling a data line for the headset by the device when the response is valid.

Claims

1. A machine implemented method, the method comprising:

storing a shared key on a device of a transportation vehicle and on a headset;

generating a challenge for the handset by the device, using the shared key after the headset is connected to the device;

presenting the challenge to the headset by the device;

creating a response to the challenge by the headset using the shared key;

presenting the response to the device;

determining using the shared key by the device whether the response is valid or invalid;

enabling further communications from the headset to the device, and the device to the headset, when the response is valid;

when the response is invalid, disabling further communication from the headset to the device, while the headset continues to receive audio from the device to operate only as a passive audio listening device; and

disabling by the device, a data line for the headset for receiving communication from the headset, after the headset is disconnected from the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the response is valid, the data line between the device and the headset is enabled for sending and receiving communication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a power line to power the headset is enabled before the headset is authenticated by the device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the challenge is generated by a management server using the shared key, the management server communicating with the device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the challenge is generated by a personal electronic device using the shared key, the personal electronic device paired with the device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportation vehicle is an aircraft.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the device is a seat device at the aircraft for at least presenting audio content.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the headset is connected to a universal serial bus (USB) port having the data line that is disabled by default, prior to authentication of the headset.

9. A machine implemented method for authenticating a headset on an aircraft, the method comprising:

generating a challenge by a seat device of the aircraft using a shared key after the headset is connected to a universal serial bus (USB) port and powered by a power line prior to being authenticated;

creating a response to the challenge by the headset using the shared key;

determining using the shared key by the seat device, whether the response is valid or invalid;

enabling further communications from the headset to the seat device and the seat device to the headset, when the response is valid; and

when the response is invalid, disabling further communications from the headset to the seat device while the headset continues to receive audio from the from the seat device to operate only as a passive audio listening device; and

disabling by the seat device, a data line for the headset for receiving communication from the headset, after the headset is disconnected from the seat device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the challenge is generated by a management server of the aircraft using the shared key, the management server communicating with the seat device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the challenge is generated by a personal electronic device using the shared key, the personal electronic device paired to the seat device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein an error message is generated by the seat device when the response is invalid.

13. A system comprising:

a device of a transportation vehicle including a memory containing machine readable medium comprising machine executable code and a key;

a processor module coupled to the memory, the processor module configured to execute the machine executable code to generate a challenge by the device using the key, and a port including a data line that is disabled by default; and

a headset including processing logic, memory storing another the key, a challenge generator executable by the processing logic using the key, and a cable extending therefrom, the cable having a terminal insertable into the port;

wherein when the terminal is plugged into the port of the device, the machine executable code of the device generates the challenge and presents the challenge to the headset, the processing logic of the headset creates a response to the challenge using the key in the memory of the headset and presents the response to the device, and the machine executable code of the device determines if the response is valid, and if the response is valid, enables further communication from the headset to the device, and the device to the headset;

otherwise, if the response is invalid, disables further communication from the headset to the device, while the headset continues to receive audio from the device to operate as a passive audio listening device;

wherein when the terminal is removed from the port, the machine executable code of the device disables the data line to prevent unauthenticated communication from the headset.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the port is a universal serial bus (USB) port having the data line that is disabled by default.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the port includes a power line that is maintained in an enabled state to power the headset, prior to authentication of the headset.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the challenge is generated by a management server using the key, the management server interfacing with the device.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the challenge is generated by a personal electronic device using the key, the personal electronic device paired with the device.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the transportation vehicle is an aircraft.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the device is a seat device at the aircraft for at least presenting audio content.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the transportation vehicle is one of a train, a bus, a boat and a recreation vehicle.