Bluetooth device as security access key

• US 20090006846A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rosenblatt, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/823,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20090006846A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/159
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• 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: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

This application is directed to a system for remotely directing a host device to perform an operation using a key. The key may include a communications circuitry for transmitting data, for example a key identifier or an instruction to perform an operation, within a personal area network created by the communications circuitry. When a host device is within the personal area network, the key may transmit data received by a transceiver on the host device. In response to receiving the data, the host device may perform an operation (e.g., an authentication operation). In some embodiments, the key may transmit data identifying an operation for the host device to perform. In some embodiments, the host device may store in memory key identification information and an associated operation which may be retrieved when the key is brought in proximity of the host device.

Claims

1. A system for directing a host device to perform an operation, comprising:

a key comprising communications circuitry operative to automatically transmit an instruction; and

a host device operative to receive the instruction and perform an authentication operation when the key is brought in a communications proximity of the host device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications circuitry is operative to create a personal area network using a short range communications protocol.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the short range communications protocol is one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Nordic, high frequency transmission, short-range radio circuitry and infrared.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the key is operative to automatically broadcast identification information.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the host device is operative to transmit identification information to the key.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the key is operative to identify a subsequent operation to be performed by the host device in response to receiving the identification information.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the communications circuitry is operative to transmit an instruction for the host device to perform the identified operation.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the host device is operative to cease to perform the authentication operation when the key is not in proximity of the host device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the key is integrated in one of a key fob, a card, a portable drive, a surgically inserted object, a cellular telephone, a mobile communications device, a pocket-sized personal computer, a personal media device, a camera, a video recorder, a computer, and a remote controller.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the host device is one of a computer, a cellular telephone, a mobile communications device, a personal media device, a set-top box, a television system, a vehicle, a door or window, a gate, a turnstile, a light, curtains, shades, an elevator, a conveyer belt, and a motor.

11. A system for providing access to a restricted-access device, comprising:

a key comprising communications circuitry; and

a host device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is operative to;

automatically identify the key when the key is brought in proximity of the host device;

automatically authenticate the key;

identify an operation associated with the key; and

perform the identified operation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is operative to store associations of keys and operations in memory.

13. For use in connection with a host device having key engagement and key disengagement modes, a key comprising circuitry operative to:

engage the host device when within wireless communications range of the host device;

when engaged with the host device, transmit data that causes the host device to automatically enter into the key engagement mode; and

disengage the host device when not within wireless communications range of the host device, thereby causing the host device to enter into the key disengagement mode.

14. The key of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is operative to periodically transmit the data

15. The key of claim 13, wherein the key engagement mode is a security unlock mode and the key disengagement mode is a security lock mode.

16. The key of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is operative to use a short range communications protocol to engage the host device.

17. The key of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is operative to receive data from the host device.

18. A host device for performing an operation when the host device is within a personal area network created by a key, the host device comprising a transceiver, memory and a processor, the processor operative to:

determine that the host device is within the personal area network created by the key; and

in response to determining that the host device is within the personal area network of the key, automatically perform an authentication operation.

19. The host device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further operative to:

receive an instruction from the key identifying a subsequent operation to perform; and

perform the identified subsequent operation.

20. The host device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further operative to:

identify the key;

retrieve from memory a subsequent operation to perform associated with the key; and

perform the retrieved subsequent operation.

21. The host device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further operative to:

determine that the host device is no longer within the personal area network; and

in response to determining that the host device is no longer in the personal area network, cease performing the authentication operation.

22. A method for directing a host device to perform an operation when the host device is within a personal area network created by a key, comprising:

creating a personal area network with a key;

determining that a host device is within the personal area network;

providing access to the host device when the host device is determined to be within the personal area network;

directing the host device to automatically perform an operation when the host device is determined to be within the personal area network; and

locking access to the host device when the host device is determined not to be within the personal area network.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

identifying a host device within the personal area network; and

transmitting an instruction from the key to the host device to perform an operation.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

identifying the key creating the personal area network;

retrieving an operation associated with the identified key; and

performing the retrieved operation.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

determining that the host device is no longer in the network; and

in response to determining that the host device is no longer in the network, ceasing to perform the operation.

26. A host device for loading a user'"'"'s profile when the host device is within a personal area network created by a user'"'"'s key, the host device comprising a transceiver, memory and a processor, the processor operative to:

determine that the host device is within the personal area network created by the key;

in response to determining that the host device is within the personal area network of the key, automatically authenticate the key;

direct the transceiver to receive a user profile transmitted by the key; and

load the received user profile.

27. The host device of claim 26, wherein the user profile comprises at least one user preference.

28. The host device of claim 26, wherein the user profile comprises at least one file.

29. A method for loading a user'"'"'s profile on a host device from a key, comprising:

creating a personal area network with the key;

determining that the host device is within the personal area network;

directing the host device to automatically authenticate the key;

transmitting a user profile associated with the key to the host device; and

directing the host device to load the transmitted user profile.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein transmitting a user profile associated with the key to the host device further comprises transmitting at least one user preference to the host device.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein transmitting a user profile associated with the key to the host device further comprises transmitting at least one file.