MULTIPLE-CHANNEL, SHORT-RANGE NETWORKING BETWEEN WIRELESS DEVICES

• US 20100318656A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Ferren, Bran
• Application Number:
  US12/817,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20100318656A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

Multiple-channel, short-range networking between wireless devices. An embodiment of a method includes sending a request from a mobile device, the request asking external devices to provide an announcement, the request being sent via a first wireless channel, and receiving announcements from one or more external devices including a first device. The method further includes transmitting data from the mobile device to the first device via the first wireless channel to negotiate a secure network, establishing the secure network connection on a second wireless channel, and transferring data securely from the mobile device to the first device via the second wireless channel using the secure network connection.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

sending a request from a mobile device, the request asking external devices to provide an announcement, the request being sent via a first wireless channel;

receiving announcements from one or more external devices including a first device;

transmitting data from the mobile device to the first device via the first wireless channel to negotiate a secure network;

establishing the secure network connection on a second wireless channel; and

transferring data securely from the mobile device to the first device via the second wireless channel using the secure network connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request includes a requested function to be provided by an external device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the response from the first device is received via the first wireless channel or a third wireless channel.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising periodically transmitting messages to update the secure network connection via the first wireless channel.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising terminating the secure network connection with the first device if the mobile device does not receive a response from the first device to a message to update the secure network connection within a certain time threshold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the announcement from the first device includes an identifier for the first device.

7. A mobile device comprising:

a processor to generate a request for an announcement from external devices;

a first transmitter to transmit the request via a first wireless channel;

a first receiver to receive announcements in response to the request from one or more external devices including a first device, the announcement from the first device including an identifier for the first device, wherein the processor is to send data using the first transmitter via the first wireless channel to establish a secure network connection for a second wireless channel; and

a second transmitter to transmit data from the mobile device to the first device via the secure network connection on the second wireless channel.

8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the request from the mobile device identifies a requested function to be performed by an external device.

9. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the announcement from the first device is received via the first wireless channel or a third wireless channel.

10. The mobile device of claim 7, further comprising a second receiver to receive data via the first wireless channel.

11. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the first wireless channel is a shorter range channel than the second wireless channel.

12. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the first wireless channel has a narrower bandwidth than the second wireless channel.

13. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the first wireless channel is less penetrating through solid objects than the second wireless channel.

14. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the first wireless channel is a directional wireless channel.

15. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the processor is to generate periodic messages during the operation of the secure network and to transmit the periodic message to the first device using the first wireless channel.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the processor is to terminate the secure network if the first device does not respond to a periodic message within a certain time threshold.

17. A system comprising:

a processor to generate a request for announcements from external devices;

a first transmitter to transmit the request via a first wireless channel;

a first receiver to receive a response to the request from one or more external devices including a first device, the request from the first device including an identifier for the first device, wherein the processor is to send data using the first transmitter via the first wireless channel to establish a secure network connection for a second wireless channel;

a second transmitter to transmit data from the mobile device to the first device via the secure network connection on the second wireless channel;

an memory element to hold data for transmission via the secure network; and

a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver element to determine a location of the system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the request includes identification of a requested function to be performed by an external device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the requested function is a display function,

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first wireless channel is an optical channel.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the announcement from the first device includes a visual identifier for the first device.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the requested function is a sound production function.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first wireless channel is an audio channel.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the announcement from the first device includes an audible identifier for the first device.

25. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is to terminate the secure network if the GPS receiver element detects that the system has moved out of range from the first device.

26. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

sending a request from a mobile device, the request asking external devices to provide an announcement, the request being sent via a first wireless channel;

receiving announcements from one or more external devices including a first device;

transmitting data from the mobile device to the first device via the first wireless channel to negotiate a secure network;

establishing the secure network connection on a second wireless channel; and

transferring data securely from the mobile device to the first device via the second wireless channel using the secure network connection.

27. The medium of claim 26, wherein the request includes a requested function to be provided by an external device.

28. The medium of claim 26, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

periodically transmitting messages to update the secure network connection via the first wireless channel.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

terminating the secure network connection with the first device if the mobile device does not receive a response from the first device to a message to update the secure network connection within a certain time threshold.