METHODS AND A DEVICE FOR ASSOCIATING A FIRST DEVICE WITH A SECOND DEVICE

• US 20100058448A1
• Filed: 10/14/2007
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Courtay, Olivier, Vincent, Christophe
• Granted Patent: US 9,241,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/6
• 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: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

Methods for associating a first and a second device. Each device broadcasts an identity, the first device stores new identities and counts them. Upon user instruction and if there just one new identity, the first device sends a request for association to the second device that acknowledges this. The second device then sends, upon user instruction, a confirmation to the first device that verifies that the confirmation was sent by the second device and acknowledges this. The method is particularly suitable for use on devices that are unable to display identities of other devices.

Claims

1. A method of associating a first device and a second device, comprising the steps of:

receiving by the first device instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcasting by the first device its identity;

receiving by the second device the identity of the first device;

receiving by the second device instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcasting by the second device its identity;

receiving by the first device the identity of the second device;

receiving by the first device instructions to associate with the second device;

counting by the first device a number of received new identities;

if the number of received new identities equals one, sending by the first device a request for association to the second device; and

receiving by the second device instructions to associate with the first device;

sending by the second device a confirmation of the association with the first device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of verifying by the first device that the confirmation was sent by the second device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the step of sending by the first device an acknowledgement to the second device upon successful verification of the confirmation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of sending by the second device an acknowledgement to the first device upon reception of the request.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the first device lacks the capability to display the identity of the second device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the broadcasts with the identity of the devices are identical in format.

7. A method at a first device for associating with a second device, the method comprising the steps at the first device of:

receiving instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcasting its identity;

receiving an identity of at least the second device, wherein the format of the received message carrying the identity of the second device is identical with the format of the message carrying the identity of the first device;

receiving instructions to associate with the second device;

counting a number of received new identities;

if the number of received new identities equals one, sending a request for association to the second device; and

receiving a confirmation of the association.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of verifying that the confirmation was sent by the second device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the step of sending an acknowledgement upon successful verification.