Device pairing via human initiated contact

• US 20060267860A1
• Filed: 05/24/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Cohen, Alexander J., Lord, Robert W., Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,258,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.200
• 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: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/727 Identification code transfer arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

A system may include and/or involve a first device, a second device, and logic to effect pairing of the first and second devices upon activation of contact sensors of both the first and second devices.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

at least one contact sensor; and

logic to cause the device to, upon activation of the contact sensor, wait for a signal from another device indicating that the other device has been touched, and upon receiving the signal, undertake pairing with the other device.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to detect increasing proximity with the other device and to interpret activation of the contact sensor, in conjunction with recently detected increasing proximity with the other device, as an indication that preparation to pair with the other device should be initiated.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to interpret activation of the contact sensor as an indication to initiate exchange with the other device of at least some of authentication, authorization, or compatibility information needed for pairing, and to interpret the signal indicating that the other device has been touched as an indication that the authentication, authorization, or compatibility information should be applied to complete pairing with the other device.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to interrupt the pairing process if contact with the device or other device is broken.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to enable the device to wirelessly exchange with the other device information needed for pairing only during activation of the contact sensor of the device, or only during activation of the contact sensor of the device and after receiving the signal indicating that the other device has been touched.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to detect a duration of contact and to interpret the duration of contact as an indication of how and/or whether pairing of the device and the other device should proceed.

26. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the device and the other device.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the device and the other device further comprises:

logic to authorize paired access to a greater number and/or different functions of one or both devices than would be available if the devices were paired without each device being touched.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the device and the other device further comprises:

logic to authorize paired access the extent of which varies according to the manner and/or point of physical contact with the device and/or the other device.

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39. A method comprising:

detecting physical contact of a person with a first device and/or with a second device; and

effecting pairing between the first and second device as a result of detecting the physical contact of the person with the first and/or the second devices.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

effecting pairing between devices upon detection of simultaneous physical contact with both devices by the person.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

detecting contact with the first device, followed by contact with the second device, as an indication that pairing of the devices should be effected.

47. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

ascertaining a manner in which contact with one or both devices is accomplished.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein ascertaining a manner in which contact with one or both devices is accomplished further comprises:

ascertaining the manner in which one or more fingers touch one or both devices.

54. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

interpreting the intensity of contact with one or both devices as an indication of how and/or whether pairing of the devices should proceed and/or be accomplished.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein interpreting the intensity of contact with one or both devices as an indication of how and/or whether pairing of the devices should proceed and/or be accomplished further comprises:

interpreting at least one of an average contact force, a peak contact force, or a force gradient as the indication of how and/or whether pairing of the devices should proceed and/or be accomplished.

60. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

authorizing an extent of pairing of the devices according to at least one of identification of one or both of the devices, or identification of a user of one or both of the devices.

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65. A system comprising:

a first device;

a second device; and

logic to effect pairing of the first and second devices upon activation of contact sensors of both the first and second devices.

83. The system of claim 65, further comprising:

logic to communicate wirelessly with at least one device different than the devices being paired in order to obtain information needed to effect pairing between the devices.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the at least one device different than the devices being paired further comprises:

at least one of a proximate desktop, a laptop, or a handheld computing device.

88. The system of claim 65, further comprising:

logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the devices.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein the logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the devices further comprises:

logic to authorize paired access to a greater number and/or different functions of one or both devices than would be available if the devices were paired without each device being touched.

90. The system of claim 88, wherein the logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the devices further comprises:

logic to authorize paired access the extent of which varies according to the manner and/or point of physical contact with one or both devices.

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