Method and System for Pairing Electronic Devices

• US 20080157993A1
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Allen, Du Breuil, Thomas L., Goodwin, David C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/00 Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices

Abstract

A method and system for facilitating communication, generally called pairing, between a wireless handheld device (102) and a electronic communication device (104) is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a line-of-sight signal from the wireless handheld device (102) to a electronic communication device (104). The line-of-sight signal serves to identify the wireless handheld device. This transmission results in a received line-of-sight signal at the electronic communication device. The method also includes enabling a non-line-of-sight communication between the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device. The non-line-of-sight communication is enabled on the basis of the received line-of-sight signal.

Claims

1. A method for pairing a wireless handheld device and an electronic communication device, the method comprising:

transmitting a line-of-sight signal from the wireless handheld device to the electronic communication device, wherein the line-of-sight signal serves to identify the wireless handheld device to the electronic communication device; and

enabling a non-line-of-sight communication between the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device on the basis of the received line-of-sight signal.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises an electromagnetic radiation.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises an ultrasonic signal.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises a sonic signal.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the line-of-sight communication comprises a non-visible light signal.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the line-of-sight communication comprises a visible light signal.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

storing an identity of the wireless handheld device within the electronic communication device for purpose of enabling continued non-line-of-sight communication with the wireless handheld device.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

storing an identity of the electronic communication device within the wireless handheld device for purpose of enabling continued non-line-of-sight communication with the electronic communication device.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

controlling an operation of the electronic communication device as a function of the non-line-of-sight communication with the wireless handheld device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the line-of-sight communication and non-line-of-sight communication are used to improve security by requiring visible physical access to the electronic communication device as part of an authentication and authorization process to allow further communications between the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device.

12. A wireless handheld device comprising:

a transmitter capable of transmitting to at least one electronic communication device a line-of-sight signal, wherein the line-of-sight signal identifies the wireless handheld device to the electronic communication device and initiates pairing of the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device; and

a transceiver adapted to communicate via a non-line-of-sight signal with the electronic communication device upon a successful pairing of the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device as a consequence of a reception of the line-of-sight signal by the electronic communication device.

13. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises electromagnetic radiation.

14. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises an ultrasonic signal.

15. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises a sonic signal.

16. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, wherein the line-of-sight communication comprises a non-visible light signal.

17. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, wherein the line-of-sight communication comprises a visible light signal.

18. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, further comprising:

a memory means for storing an identity of the electronic communication device within the wireless handheld device for purpose of enabling continued non-line-of-sight communication with the electronic communication device.

19. The wireless handheld device of claim 12, further comprising:

a user interface facilitating an operation of the electronic communication device via the non-line-of-sight communication.

20. A electronic communication device comprising:

a receiver capable of receiving from at least one wireless handheld device a line-of-sight signal, wherein the line-of-sight signal identifies the wireless handheld device to the electronic communication device and initiates pairing of the electronic communication device and the wireless handheld device;

a transceiver adapted to communicate via a non-line-of-sight signal with the wireless handheld device upon a successful pairing of the electronic communication device and the wireless handheld device as a consequence of a reception of the line-of-sight signal by the electronic communication device.

21. The electronic communication device of claim 20, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises electromagnetic radiation.

22. The electronic communication device of claim 20, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises an ultrasonic signal.

23. The electronic communication device of claim 20, wherein the non-line-of-sight communication comprises a sonic signal.

24. The electronic communication device of claim 20, wherein the line-of-sight communication comprises a non-visible light signal.

25. The electronic communication device of claim 20, wherein the line-of-sight communication comprises a visible light signal.

26. The electronic communication device of claim 20, further comprising:

a memory means for storing an identity of the wireless handheld device within the electronic communication device for purpose of enabling continued non-line-of-sight communication with the wireless handheld device.

27. A method for pairing a wireless handheld device and an electronic communication device, the method comprising:

transmitting a line-of-sight signal from a wireless handheld device to an electronic communication device;

storing an identity of the wireless handheld device within the electronic communication device and transmitting a non-line-of-sight signal to the wireless handheld device;

storing the identity of the electronic communication device within the wireless handheld device;

enabling non-line-of-sight communication between the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device; and

communicating between the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device using non line-of-sight communication.