Wireless communication system

• US 20040097251A1
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy Barilovits
• Original Assignee: Timothy Barilovits
• Inventors: Barilovits, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,130,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/507
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A communication link is established between wireless communication devices when an audio tone emitted by a first device is detected by a second device.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a communication link between a first data processing unit and a second data processing unit, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a first command from said first data processing unit to said second data processing unit, said first command directing said second data processing unit to emit an audio tone;

(b) said second data processing unit emitting said audio tone in response to receipt of said first command; and

(c) if said audio tone is detected by said first data processing unit, transmitting a second command from said first data processing unit to said second data processing unit; and

(d) in response to receipt of said second command, identifying said first data processing unit as a node of said communication link for said second data processing unit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

(a) said first data processing unit broadcasting a request for an identification of at least one other data processing unit;

(b) transmitting an address from said second data processing unit to said first data processing unit in response to said broadcast, said address identifying said second data processing unit; and

(c) transmitting said first command from said first data processing unit in response to receipt of said address identifying said second data processing unit.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said request for identification is broadcast by said first data processing unit when power is applied to said first data processing unit.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said request for identification is broadcast by said first data processing unit in response to receipt of a request for initiation of a communication link transmitted by another data processing unit.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying said first data processing unit as a node of said communication link for said second data processing unit, comprises the steps of:

(a) terminating generation of said audio tone in response to receipt of said second command by said second data processing unit;

(b) storing an address of said first data processing unit as a node for said communication link; and

(c) transmitting an acknowledgment of receipt of said second command from said second data processing unit to said first data processing unit.

6. A method of establishing a communication link between a first data processing unit and a second data processing unit, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) broadcasting a request from said first data processing unit for an identification of at least one other data processing unit;

(b) transmitting an address from said second data processing unit to said first data processing unit in response to said request for identification;

(c) transmitting a “

tone on”

command from said first data processing unit to said second data processing unit;

(d) in response to receipt of said “

tone on”

command, said second data processing unit transmitting a first acknowledgment to said first data processing unit and emitting an audio tone;

(e) monitoring an audio tone detector of said first data processing unit in response to receipt of said first acknowledgment;

(f) transmitting a “

tone off”

command from said first data processing unit to said second data processing unit in response to detection of said audio tone; and

(g) said second data processing unit storing an address of said first data processing unit as a node for said communication link in response to receipt of said “

tone off”

command.

7. A method of maintaining a communication link between a first data processing unit and a second data processing unit, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring a transceiver of said first data processing unit for a signal emitted by said second data processing unit; and

(b) removing an identification of said second data processing unit from a list identifying a node of at least one communication link for said first data processing unit if said signal is not detected within a specified period.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of removing said identification of said second data processing unit from said list identifying a node of at least one communication link for said first data processing unit if said signal is not detected within a specified period comprises the steps of:

(a) initializing a timer;

(b) incrementing said timer if said signal from said second data processing unit is not detected;

(c) comparing an elapsed time since initiation of said timer with a designated maximum period; and

(d) deleting an address of said second data processing unit from a list including an address of a node of at least one communication link for said first data processing unit if said elapsed time is at least equal to said designated maximum period.

9. The method claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

(a) comparing an address included in a signal emitted by second data processing unit to an least one address of at least one other data processing unit from which said first data processing device has received a previously transmitted signal; and

(b) monitoring said transceiver for another signal emitted by said second data processing unit if said address included in said signal is included in said list of at least one address from which said first data processing unit has received a previously transmitted signal.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

(a) adding said address included in said signal to said list of at least one address from which said first data processing unit has received a previously transmitted signal if said address included in said signal is included in said list identifying a node of at least one communication link for said first data processing unit; and

(b) incrementing said timer.

11. A wireless communication device comprising:

(a) a data processing unit;

(b) an audio tone detector controlled by said data processing unit;

(c) a program instruction for execution by said data processing unit, said program instruction causing said data processing unit to store an identification of another data processing unit as a node of a communication link when an audio tone is detected by said audio tone detector.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 11 further comprising a receiver for detecting a radio frequency signal including said identification of said another data processing unit, said receiver controlled by said data processing unit.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 11 further comprising a transmitter of radio frequency signals controlled by said data processing unit, said transmitter transmitting a radio frequency signal identifying said data processing unit in response to said program instruction.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 11 further comprising an audio tone emitter controlled by said data processing device, said audio tone emitter outputting an audio tone in response to a command from said another data processing unit, said command being detected by said receiver.

15. A wireless communication system comprising:

(a) a first data processing unit having a first identifying address;

(b) a first transceiver for transmitting and detecting a radio frequency signal, said first transceiver being controlled by said first data processing unit to transmit said address and a command to emit an audio tone;

(c) a second data processing unit having a second identifying address;

(d) a second transceiver for transmitting and detecting a radio frequency signal including detecting said command to emit an audio tone, said second transceiver being controlled by said second data processing unit to transmit said second identifying address;

(e) an audio tone emitter controlled by said second data processing unit and generating an audio tone sequence in response to receipt of said command to emit an audio tone by said second transceiver;

(f) an audio detector arranged to signal said first data processing unit if said audio tone is detected; and

(g) a memory arranged to store said first identifying address as a node of a communication link with said second data processing unit, said second data processing unit causing storage of said first identifying address in response to a signal from said first transceiver indicating detection of said audio tone by said audio detector.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 15 further comprising:

(a) a timer controlled by said second data processing unit and measuring a time from a last detection of a signal identifying said first data processing unit; and

(b) a program instruction executable by said second data processing unit, said program instruction causing said second data processing unit to delete said first identifying address from said memory if said period since said last detection of said signal at least equals a maximum period.