PAIRING OF WIRELESS DEVICES USING A WIRED MEDIUM

• US 20110214168A1
• Filed: 03/18/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeremy Wyld
• Original Assignee: Jeremy Wyld
• Inventors: Wyld, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/7
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• 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: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

Techniques that facilitate pairing of wireless devices with other wireless devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, a pair of wireless devices can be paired for wireless data exchange using an available wired link. Advantageously, the wired link can be used to transport a pin code from one of the wireless devices to the other. Consequently, pairing of the wireless devices can be completed without necessitating user entry of a pin code so long as the wired link is available.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least non-transitory computer program code for pairing a host device with a wireless device, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:

at the host device;

non-transitory computer program code for detecting a wired data link between the host device and the wireless device;

non-transitory computer program code for establishing a wireless data link between the host device and the wireless device;

non-transitory computer program code for retrieving a pin code internal to the host device;

non-transitory computer program code for sending the pin code to the wireless device over the wired data link;

non-transitory computer program code for receiving authentication data from the wireless device;

non-transitory computer program code for presenting the pin code, after said receiving, on an output device of the host device;

non-transitory computer program code for authenticating the wireless device based on the received authentication data; and

non-transitory computer program code for completing pairing of the host device with the wireless device when the wireless device has been authenticated.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the non-transitory computer program code for completing pairing comprises:

non-transitory computer program code for generating one or more keys when the wireless device has been authenticated; and

non-transitory computer program code for sending at least one of the one or more keys from the host device to the wireless device when the pairing is successful.

3. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein said receiving of the authentication data is over the wireless data link.

4. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein said sending of the at least one of the one or more keys is over the wireless data link.

5. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein said sending of the at least one of the one or more keys is over the wired data link.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more keys include a link key or a key derived from the link key.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving of the authentication data is over the wired data link.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:

non-transitory computer program code for receiving at least one key from the wireless device when the pairing is successful.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said authenticating operates to authenticate the received authentication data based on the pin code.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the host device operates at least one application program that makes use of a user interface, and wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:

non-transitory computer program code for intercepting, prior to said sending, the pin code via the application program or the user interface.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1,

wherein the host device operates at least one application program,

wherein the host device also includes a wireless module that participates in at least pairing and data transfer, and

wherein the at least one application interacts with the wireless module during pairing or data transfer.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the pin code is presented using a pin code notification screen.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired data link is provided over a cable.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired data link is provided over a wired medium that physically provides one or more electrical connections.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired data link is provided via a peripheral bus.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the peripheral bus is a USB or Firewire bus.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless data link is over a local wireless network in accordance with the BLUETOOTH short range local wireless network protocol.

18. A method for pairing a wireless device with a host device, the method comprising:

at the wireless device;

receiving a pairing request from the host device over a wireless network;

after detecting a wired connection between the wireless device and the host device,

waiting at least a pre-determined time period or until receiving a pin code from the host device over the wired connection;

when not receiving the pin code during the pre-determined time period,

presenting a pin code prompt screen to a user of the wireless device, and

receiving a pin code through a user input device of the wireless device;

after receiving the pin code,

generating authentication data based on the received pin code;

sending the authentication data from the wireless device to the host device; and

subsequently completing pairing of the wireless device with the host device when the wireless device has been authenticated.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, completing pairing comprises at least:

at the wireless device;

receiving one or more keys generated by the host device based on the authentication data from the wireless device when the pairing is successful.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, completing pairing comprises at least:

at the wireless device;

generating one or more keys; and

sending at least one of the one or more keys from the wireless device to the host device when the pairing is successful.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the one or more keys are received over the wireless network.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the at least one of the one or more keys are sent over the wireless network.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the one or more keys are received over the wireless connection.

24. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the at least one of the one or more keys are sent over the wireless connection.