CROSS-TRANSPORT AUTHENTICATION
First Claim
1. A method for authentication of an accessory device at a portable media device communicatively coupled with the accessory device, the method comprising, by the portable media device:
- receiving a cross-transport authentication request via a first port, wherein the cross-transport authentication request specifies a second port as a destination port for which cross-transport authentication is requested, and wherein the portable media device is communicatively coupled with the accessory via the second port;
authenticating the first port, wherein the authentication grants a set of permissions for communication via the first port;
transferring at least a subset of permissions granted to the first port during the authenticating to the second port; and
thereafter, communicating with the accessory through the second port.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An authentication controller coupled to a first communication port of a portable media device is allowed to provide authentication on behalf of an accessory device coupled to a second communication port of the portable media device. In one embodiment, a cross transport connector includes a connector configured to couple with an accessory and a connector configured to couple with a portable media device such that the accessory can be coupled to the second communication port of the portable media device. The cross-transport connector also includes an authentication controller. The authentication controller may request authentication from the media device over the first communication port of the portable media device. The request may also include an identifier of the second port, to which authenticated permissions obtained via the first port may be transferred.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for authentication of an accessory device at a portable media device communicatively coupled with the accessory device, the method comprising, by the portable media device:
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receiving a cross-transport authentication request via a first port, wherein the cross-transport authentication request specifies a second port as a destination port for which cross-transport authentication is requested, and wherein the portable media device is communicatively coupled with the accessory via the second port; authenticating the first port, wherein the authentication grants a set of permissions for communication via the first port; transferring at least a subset of permissions granted to the first port during the authenticating to the second port; and thereafter, communicating with the accessory through the second port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A portable media device comprising:
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a multi-transport communication interface configured to exchanges commands and data with an accessory, the multi-transport communication interface having a plurality of ports; control logic coupled the multi-transport communication interface, the control logic being configured to; receive a request for cross-transport authentication via a first one of the plurality of ports of the multi-transport communication interface, the request specifying a second one of the ports as a destination port; perform an authentication operation via the first port; and in the event that the authentication operation is successful, grant a set of permission to at least the second port. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for authenticating an accessory coupled with a portable media device through a cross-transport connecter, the method comprising:
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receiving a first cross-transport authentication request through a first port, the first cross-transport authentication request including an identifier associated with a second port to which permissions are to be transferred; authenticating the first port; providing a set of permissions to the first port based on an outcome of authenticating the first port; receiving a second cross-transport authentication request through the second port, the request including an identifier associated with the first port; and transferring at least a subset of the set of permissions from the first port to the second port. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An interface system for coupling an accessory device with a portable media device, the interface system comprising:
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a first connector configured to connect to at least a first port and a second port of a portable media device; an authentication controller configured to couple to the first port of the portable media device via the first connector, to participate in an authentication operation that grants a set of permissions to the first port, and to request that at least a subset of the set of permissions be transferred to the second port; and a second connector configured to connect to an accessory device and to couple the accessory device to the second port of the portable media device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for providing authentication of an accessory device using an interface system configured to couple with a portable media device and an accessory device, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication that the interface system is communicatively connected with a first port and a second port of a portable media device; receiving an indication an accessory device is communicatively coupled with the interface system and configured to communicate via the second port of the portable media device; sending from the interface system an authentication request to the portable media device through the first port, the request including a request to transfer at least a subset of authentication permissions from the first port to the second port; and sending authentication information to the portable media device via the first port. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. An accessory cable comprising:
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a multi-pin connector configured to couple with a portable media device, the multi-pin connector including a first group of pins connectable to a universal serial bus (USB) port of the portable media device and second group of pins connectable to an asynchronous serial port of the portable media device; a cable coupled to at least the first group of pins of the multi-pin connector; a USB connector coupled to the cable and thereby to the first group of pins of the multi-pin connector; and an authentication controller communicatively coupled to the serial transport pins of the multi-pin connector, the authentication controller being configured to communicate authentication information with the portable media device via the first group of pins and to request that authentication permissions received for the serial port be transferred to the USB port. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. An accessory for use with a portable media device, the accessory comprising:
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an input/output interface configured to exchange commands and data with the portable media device via a first port of the portable media device; and a controller coupled to the input/output interface, the controller being configured to; detect a connection of the portable media device to the input/output interface; request cross-transport authentication of the first port by sending a cross-transport request to the portable media device through the input/output interface, the cross-transport request including identification of a second port of the portable media device to be used as a source of permissions, wherein the permissions are established by an authentication operation on the second port; receive an indication from the input/output interface that cross-transport authentication for the second port is successful; and thereafter communicate with the portable media device through the input/output interface and the second port. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method for providing cross-transport authentication at an accessory device communicably coupled to a first port of a portable media device, the method comprising:
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sending a request for cross-transport authentication to the portable media device via the first port, the request including an identifier associated with a second port of the portable media device that is to be used as a source of permissions, wherein the permissions are established by an authentication operation on the second port; receiving an indication via the first port that permissions have been granted for communication with the portable media device; and communicating with the portable media device via the first port.
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Specification