Method and apparatus for pairing and configuring wireless devices

• US 20050287950A1
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Helden, Jan-Willem, Hiddink, Gerrit Willem, Lammerts, Eric, Kampen, Harald van
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and mechanism for quickly and easily connecting wireless consumer electronic devices with each other without affecting other wireless devices in the vicinity, by bringing devices into close proximity while in a whisper mode of communication. In whisper mode, the reception and/or transmission capability is significantly reduced, limiting the distance over which the devices communicate, allowing for secure exchange of communications parameters The parameters exchanged in whisper mode may be used to enable unique, paired communication between the two devices, or between one of them and any other device already connected to a common network, when operating in their normal mode of operation, separated by any distance within the normal operational range of the devices.

Claims

1. A method for pairing and configuring two or more wireless devices, comprising the steps of:

operating said first wireless device in a whisper mode, said whisper mode comprising a reduced range of communication compared to a normal mode of operation of said first wireless device, and

communicating between said first wireless device and a second wireless device located in close proximity to said first wireless device.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said communicating step comprises exchanging configuration data;

and further comprising the steps of configuring said first and second wireless devices using said exchanged data;

operating said first and second wireless devices in a normal mode;

securely communicating between said configured first and second wireless devices operating in said normal mode while separated by a distance within the normal range of said devices, said securely communicating comprising unique paired communication between said devices.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said communicating step further includes operating said second wireless device in said whisper mode.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said reduced range of communication comprises one of a reduced reception sensitivity of said first wireless device and a reduced transmission capability of said first wireless device, or a combination thereof.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said reduced range of communication comprises reducing a power level of a reception circuit in said first wireless device.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said reduced range of communication comprises reducing amplification of a reception circuit in said first wireless device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said reduced range of communication comprises bypassing a reception antenna of said first wireless device.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said reduced range of communication comprises increasing a bit frequency rate of said first wireless device.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said reduced range of communication comprises said first wireless device receiving on a first communications channel a signal transmitted on a second, overlapping communications channel.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of operating in said whisper mode is activated by pressing a button.

11. A wireless network, comprising:

a first wireless transceiver capable of operating in a whisper mode, said whisper mode comprising a reduced range of communication compared to a normal mode of operation of said first device; and

a switch capable of placing said first wireless transceiver in said whisper mode of operation.

15. The network as recited in claim 11, wherein said a reduced range of communication comprises one of a reduced reception sensitivity of said first wireless transceiver and a reduced transmission capability of said first wireless transceiver;

or a combination thereof.

16. The device as recited in claim 11, wherein said a reduced range of communication comprises reducing a power level of a reception circuit in said first wireless transceiver.

17. The device as recited in claim 11, wherein said a reduced range of communication comprises reducing amplification of a reception circuit in said first wireless transceiver.

18. The device as recited in claim 11, wherein a reduced range of communication comprises bypassing a reception antenna of said first wireless transceiver.

19. The device as recited in claim 11 in which a reduced range of communication comprises significantly increasing a bit frequency rate of said first wireless transceiver.

20. The device as recited in claim 11 in which said a reduced range of communication comprises said first wireless device receiving on a first communications channel, a signal transmitted on a second, neighboring communications channel.

12. The network of recited in 11, further comprising:

a second wireless transceiver, capable of communicating with said first wireless transceiver operating in said whisper mode when in close proximity to said first wireless device.

13. The network recited in claim 12 wherein said communicating comprises exchanging configuration data;

and wherein said first wireless transceiver and said second wireless transceiver are capable of using said exchanged configuration data to securely communicate when operating in said normal mode and separated by a distance within the normal operational range of said wireless transceivers.

14. The network as recited in claim 12, wherein said communication occurs when said second wireless transceivers is operating in said whisper mode.