Method and system for authenticating an accessory

• US 20070234420A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lydon, Gregory T., Filson, John B., Novotney, Donald J., Tupman, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

A method, system, and connector interface for authenticating an accessory. The method includes performing a first authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication certificate is validated; and performing a second authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication signature is validated. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the media player.

Claims

1. A method for authenticating a device, the method comprising:

performing a first authentication operation on one of an accessory and a media player by one of the respective media player and accessory, wherein a certificate is validated; and

performing a second authentication operation on one of the accessory and the media player by one of the respective media player and accessory, wherein an authentication signature is validated.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing one of the accessory and the media player to have access to one of the respective media player and accessory before the first and second authentication operations are complete.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the certificate is validated based at least in part on device class information.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the authentication signature is validated using a public key provided in the certificate.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein immediate authentication is required.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising locking out one of the accessory and media player for a random period if any of the first and second authentication operations fail.

7. A protocol for authenticating an accessory, the protocol comprising:

a first plurality of commands for performing, by at least one of the media player and an accessory, a first authentication operation, wherein authentication information is validated; and

a second plurality of commands for performing, by at least one of the media player and the accessory, a second authentication operation, wherein an authentication signature is validated.

8. The protocol of claim 7 further comprising commands for allowing the accessory to have access to the media player before the first and second authentication operations are complete.

9. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the certificate is validated based at least in part on device class information.

10. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the authentication signature is validated using a public key provided in the certificate.

11. The protocol of claim 7 wherein immediate authentication is required.

12. The protocol of claim 7 further comprising commands for locking out the accessory if any of the first and second authentication operations fail.

13. A portable device comprising:

a media player;

an interface coupled to the media player; and

a command set in communication with the interface, wherein the command set controls access to the media player, the command set comprising;

a first plurality of commands for performing, by at least one of the media player and an accessory, a first authentication operation, wherein authentication information is validated; and

a second plurality of commands for performing, by at least one of the media player and the accessory, a second authentication operation, wherein an authentication signature is validated.

14. The portable device of claim 13 further comprising commands for allowing the accessory to have access to the media player before the first and second authentication operations are complete.

15. The portable device of claim 13 wherein the certificate is validated based at least in part on device class information.

16. The portable device of claim 13 wherein the authentication signature is validated using a public key provided in the certificate.

17. The portable device of claim 13 wherein immediate authentication is required.

18. The portable device of claim 13 further comprising commands for locking out the accessory if any of the first and second authentication operations fail.

19. An accessory comprising:

a device for transferring data;

an interface coupled to the device; and

a command set in communication with the interface, wherein the command set controls access to the media player, the command set comprising;

a first plurality of commands for performing, by at least one of the media player and an accessory, a first authentication operation, wherein authentication information is validated; and

a second plurality of commands for performing, by at least one of the media player and the accessory, a second authentication operation, wherein an authentication signature is validated.

20. The accessory of claim 19 further comprising commands for allowing the accessory to have access to the media player before the first and second authentication operations are complete.

21. The accessory of claim 19 wherein the certificate is validated based at least in part on device class information.

22. The accessory of claim 19 wherein the authentication signature is validated using a public key provided in the certificate.

23. The accessory of claim 19 wherein immediate authentication is required.

24. The accessory of claim 19 further comprising commands for locking out the accessory if any of the first and second authentication operations fail.

25. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for authenticating an accessory, the program instructions which when executed by a computer system cause the computer system to execute a method comprising:

performing a first authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, wherein a certificate is validated; and

performing a second authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, wherein an authentication signature is validated.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25 further comprising program instructions for allowing the accessory to have access to the media player before the first and second authentication operations are complete.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 25 wherein the certificate is validated based at least in part on device class information.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 25 wherein the authentication signature is validated using a public key provided in the certificate.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 25 wherein immediate authentication is required.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 25 further comprising program instructions for locking out the accessory for a random period if any of the first and second authentication operations fail.

31. A method for authenticating a media player, the method comprising:

performing a first authentication operation on the media player by the accessory, wherein a certificate is validated; and

performing a second authentication operation on the media player by the accessory, wherein an authentication signature is validated.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising allowing the media player to have access to the accessory before the first and second authentication operations are complete.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the certificate is validated based at least in part on device class information.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein the authentication signature is validated using a public key provided in the certificate.

35. The method of claim 31 wherein immediate authentication is required.

36. The method of claim 31 further comprising locking out the media player for a random period if any of the first and second authentication operations fail.