Wireless device authentication at mutual reduced transmit power

• US 20050265552A1
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Erlend Olson, Murphy Kc
• Inventors: Olson, Erlend, Murphy, K.C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,734,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1475 Passive attacks, e.g. eavesdropping or listening without modification of the traffic monitored
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/50 at the moment of starting communication in a multiple access environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating the authentication of wireless devices in an environment with multiple wireless networks. A user wishing to join an operating wireless network can bring his wireless device within close physical proximity, for example, less than one meter, of a device in the network that he wishes to join. The user then presses an authenticate button, which causes both devices to enter a low transmission power mode. In such case, the devices are only capable of operation within the close proximity. Being in low power mode will diminish the possibility of eavesdropping on the authentication process. Power down mode also reduces the amount of message traffic in the area and saves scarce power and processing resources at the nodes, which are now out of range. Authentication then takes place in low power mode and once completed, both devices resume normal power levels and continue communicating normally.

Claims

1. In the operation of a wireless network managed by a master device, a method for adding a new device to the wireless network, the method comprising:

selecting the master device of the wireless network for the purpose of requesting to join the wireless network;

placing the new device a proximate distance from the master device of the wireless network, wherein the proximate distance between the master device and the new device is substantially less than the maximum operating range of the devices;

sending a message from the new device to the master device, the message conveying a request from the new device to join the wireless network;

reducing the radio frequency transmission power outputs of the new device and the master device to reduced power levels that are sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the proximate distance;

sending, from the new device to the master device at a reduced power level, a request to join the wireless network;

authenticating the new device into the wireless network;

responding, by the master device to the new device at a reduced power level, that the new device has joined the wireless network; and

increasing the radio frequency power outputs of the new device and the master device to normal power levels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of other wireless networks provide overlapping coverage with the wireless network; and

reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the new device and the master device to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance prevents the request from being received by masters of the other wireless networks.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the new device and the master device to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance prevents the request from being intercepted by eavesdropping wireless networks.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network operates according to the Bluetooth Specification.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the wireless network is a piconet serviced by the master device;

the piconet is one of a plurality of piconets that form a scatternet; and

the piconet of the plurality of piconets that form the scatternet is selected by placing the new device within proximity of the master device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced power level of the new device differs slightly from the reduced power level of the master device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the new device has limited user interface capabilities.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the new device has limited user interface capabilities; and

the new device indicates to its user that it has joined the wireless network.

9. A method for connecting a first device to a second device in a wireless network, the first and second devices being compatible and capable of forming a wireless network, and the wireless network operating within a particular geographic area, comprising the steps of:

selecting the second device out of a plurality of compatible devices for the purpose of forming a wireless network;

placing the first device a distance from the second device, the distance between the devices being less than the normal operating range between the devices;

receiving a command from the user of the first device, to send a message to the second device, the message conveying a request from the first device to the second device to form a wireless network;

reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the first and the second devices to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance;

sending a message from the first device to the second device, requesting permission to form a wireless network;

processing at the second device, the request from the first device to form a wireless network;

receiving at the second device, approval for the first and second devices to form a wireless network;

authenticating the first device into a wireless network with the second device; and

increasing the radio frequency power outputs of the first and second devices to normal power levels.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein:

a plurality of other wireless networks provide overlapping coverage with the wireless network; and

reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the first and the second devices to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance prevents the request from being received by masters of the other wireless networks.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the first and the second devices to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance prevents the request from being intercepted by eavesdropping wireless networks.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless network operates according to the Bluetooth Specification.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

the wireless network is a piconet serviced by the second device;

the piconet is one of a plurality of piconets that form a scatternet; and

the piconet of the plurality of piconets that form the scatternet is selected by placing the first device within proximity of the second device.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the reduced power level of the first device differs slightly from the reduced power level of the second device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first device has limited user interface capabilities.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the first device has limited user interface capabilities; and

the first device indicates to its user that it has joined the wireless network.

17. In the operation of a wireless network managed by a master device, a method for adding a new device to the wireless network, the method comprising:

selecting the master device of the wireless network for the purpose of requesting to join the wireless network;

placing the new device a proximate distance from the master device of the wireless network, wherein the proximate distance between the master device and the new device is substantially less than the maximum operating range of the devices, and wherein the new device has limited user interface capabilities;

receiving an indication from the new version device that a corresponding user has depressed a user interface button of the version device;

in response to the depression of the user interface button of the new version device, sending a message from the new device to the master device, the message conveying a request from the new device to join the wireless network;

reducing the radio frequency transmission power outputs of the new device and the master device to reduced power levels that are sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the proximate distance;

sending, from the new device to the master device at a reduced power level, a request to join the wireless network;

authenticating the new device into the wireless network;

responding, by the master device to the new device at a reduced power level, that the new device has joined the wireless network; and

increasing the radio frequency power outputs of the new device and the master device to normal power levels.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

a plurality of other wireless networks provide overlapping coverage with the wireless network; and

reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the new device and the master device to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance prevents the request from being received by masters of the other wireless networks.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein reducing the radio frequency power outputs of the new device and the master device to a power level sufficient to maintain radio communications between the devices at the reduced distance prevents the request from being intercepted by eavesdropping wireless networks.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless network operates according to the Bluetooth Specification.