Device pairing via device to device contact

• US 20070003061A1
• Filed: 05/23/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• 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: Jung, Edward, Cohen, Alexander, Malamud, Mark, Lord, Robert, Levien, Royce, Rinaldo, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,925,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• 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 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• 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: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

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 detection of physical contact between the devices.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

at least one contact sensor; and

logic to effect pairing with another device upon activation of the contact sensor.

2. 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 pairing with the other device should be attempted.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

logic to enable the device to exchange with the other device information needed for pairing via the physical contact point.

25. 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 detect multiple instances of contact and to interpret the multiple instances of contact as an indication of how and/or whether pairing of the device and the other device should proceed.

27. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

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

35. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

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

36. The device of claim 35, 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 physical contact.

37. The device of claim 35, 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 between the devices.

38. The device of claim 35, wherein the logic to authorize an extent of pairing of the device and the other device further comprises:

logic to authorize that a person using one or both devices is authorized to do so, and/or to what extent.

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45. A method comprising:

detecting physical contact between devices; and

effecting pairing between the devices as a result of detecting the physical contact.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

detecting proximity between the devices and interpreting physical contact, in conjunction with recently detected increasing proximity between the devices, as an indication that pairing of the devices should be attempted.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

wirelessly exchanging information needed for pairing between the devices, upon the devices becoming proximate with one another, but prior to contact between the devices, and interpreting contact between the devices as an indication to complete pairing of the devices.

49. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

contact between the devices initiating exchange between the devices of at least one of authentication, authorization, or compatibility information needed for pairing.

66. The method of claim 45, 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.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein 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 further comprises:

authorizing access to functions and/or features of one or both devices to an extent that varies according to the manner and/or point of physical contact between the devices.

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71. A system comprising:

a first device;

a second device; and

logic to effect pairing of the first and second devices upon detection of physical contact between the devices.

76. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

logic to interrupt the pairing process if contact between the devices is broken.

77. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

logic to enable the devices to wirelessly exchange information needed for pairing only during physical contact between the devices.

81. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

logic to ascertain relative motion between the devices.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the logic to ascertain relative motion between the devices further comprises:

logic to ascertain at least one of rotation, angle of approach, or relative lateral motion between the devices.

83. The system of claim 71, further comprising:

logic to ascertain relative motion between the devices at one or more points of contact.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the logic to ascertain relative motion between the devices further comprises:

logic to ascertain at least one of rotation, angle of approach, or relative lateral motion between the devices.

85. The system of claim 83, wherein the logic to ascertain relative motion between the devices at the point of contact further comprises:

logic to ascertain at least one of rotation at the point of contact, angle of contact, or relative lateral motion at the point of contact.

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