System and method for establishing secondary channels

• US 20040215974A1
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Smetters, Diana K., Balfanz, Dirk, Durfee, Glenn E., Pendleton, Bryan A., Conley, Kenneth W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,426,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/201
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• 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

Abstract

A method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium through use of a primary channel connects a first computing device with a first telephonic unit and a second computing device with a second telephonic unit. If the two telephonic units are in communication with each other over a primary channel, and communication channels are established between the computing devices and their respective telephonic units, then the first computing device transmits its location information to the second computing device over the primary channel. A connection is then established between the second computing device and the first computing device over a secondary communication channel.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel, comprising:

connecting a first computing device with a first telephonic unit;

connecting a second computing device with a second telephonic unit;

determining whether a first telephonic unit is in communication over said primary channel with said second telephonic unit;

establishing a communication channel between said first computing device and said second computing device over said primary channel;

transmitting location information from said first computing device to said second computing device over said primary channel; and

creating a connection between said second computing device and said first computing device over a secondary communication channel.

2. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said computing devices connects to one of said telephonic units utilizing Bluetooth technology.

3. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, further comprising establishing a secure connection between said first computing device and said second computing device over said secondary communication channel.

4. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 3, wherein establishing a secure connection comprises:

transmitting a first security token from said first computing device to said second computing device over said primary channel;

transmitting a second security token from said second computing device to said first computing device over said secondary channel;

verifying that said second security token sent over said secondary channel matches said first security token sent over said primary channel;

continuing communication if said first security token and said second security token are in agreement; and

terminating communication if said first security token and said second security token are not in agreement.

5. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein said connection between said second computing device and said first computing device over a secondary channel is created by said second computing device by utilizing said location information sent by said first computing device over said primary channel.

6. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting location information from said second computing device to said first computing device over said primary channel.

7. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 6, wherein said connection between said second computing device and said first computing device over a secondary channel is created by both said first computing device and said second computing device by utilizing said location information sent by said first computing device and said second computing device over said primary channel.

8. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a public key commitment from said first computing device over said primary channel to said second computing device;

transmitting a public key commitment from said second computing device over said primary channel to said first computing device;

transmitting a public key commitment from said first computing device over said secondary channel to said second computing device;

transmitting a public key commitment from said second computing device over said secondary channel to said first computing device;

determining whether said public key commitments received over said primary channel match said public key commitments received over said secondary channel;

continuing communication if said public key commitments received over said primary channel match said public key commitments received over said secondary channel; and

terminating communication if said public key commitments are not in agreement.

9. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein said primary channel comprises an audio channel.

10. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein said primary channel comprises a data channel.

11. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the computing devices comprises a personal digital assistant having cell phone and Internet connectivity.

12. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the computing devices comprises a table-top computer with wired connection.

13. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the computing devices comprises a video-conference camera with Internet connectivity.

14. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said computing devices connects to one of said telephonic units utilizing an 802.11 link.

15. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said computing devices connects to one of said telephonic units utilizing an analog headset connection.

16. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said computing devices connects to one of said telephonic units utilizing a serial connection.

17. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said computing devices connects to one of said telephonic units utilizing aerial acoustic technology.

18. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said computing devices and at least one of said telephonic units comprise a single, integrated device.

19. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein not less than one of said telephonic units comprises a walkie-talkie.

20. The method for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel according to claim 1, wherein not less than one of said telephonic units comprises a cellular telephone.

21. A system for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel, comprising:

not less than two computing devices;

not less than two telephonic communication units;

a primary communication channel between said not less than two telephonic communication units;

communication means between said computing devices and said telephonic communication units; and

a secondary communication channel.

22. The system for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium according to claim 21, wherein each of said computing devices comprises:

not less than one processor;

not less than one memory module;

an input/output interface module;

a secondary channel link; and

a primary channel link.

23. The system for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium according to claim 22, wherein said memory module comprises:

an operating system;

a communication application program; and

a discovery/authentication program.

24. The system for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium according to claim 22, wherein said input/output interface module comprises:

an ethernet interface; and

a computer/ audio communication device interface.

25. The system for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium according to claim 21, wherein each said telephonic communication unit comprises:

an input/output interface module;

a primary channel link; and

a secondary channel link.

26. The system for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium according to claim 25, wherein said input/output interface module comprises:

a primary channel interface; and

a computer/audio communication device interface.

27. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium which, when said program code is executed by said computer causes said computer to perform method steps for establishing a secondary communication channel between at least two computing devices over a network medium utilizing a primary channel, said method comprising:

connecting a first computing device with a first telephonic unit;

connecting a second computing device with a second telephonic unit;

determining whether a first telephonic unit is in communication over a primary channel with a second telephonic unit;

establishing a communication channel between said first computing device and said second computing device over said primary channel;

transmitting location information from said first computing device to said second computing device over said primary channel; and

creating a connection between said second computing device and said first computing device over a secondary channel.