Device pairing via intermediary device

• US 20120096188A1
• Filed: 11/17/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Lord, Robert W., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D. Jr., Cohen, Alexander L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,676,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A first device may include and/or involve at least one contact sensor, and logic to facilitate pairing between a second device and a third device as a result of contact between the contact sensor and at least one of the second and third devices.

Claims

1-113. -113. (canceled)

114. A method of pairing comprising:

indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices; and

communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact,

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to multiple instances of physical contact.

116. The method of claim 114, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to intensity of physical contact.

117. The method of claim 114, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to average contact force, peak contact force, and/or force gradient.

118. The method of claim 114, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to points of physical contact.

119. The method of claim 114, wherein the indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices, the physical contact being with at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices.

120. The method of claim 114, wherein the indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

indicating in response to physical contact with one or more contact areas of one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

121. The method of claim 114, wherein the indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

indicating in response to direct physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

122. The method of claim 114, wherein the indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for substantially unrestricted pairing with one or more other devices.

123. The method of claim 114, wherein the indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

indicating in response to physical contact by one or more substantially exclusively dedicated pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

124. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices via physical contact.

125. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices upon physical contact.

126. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating at least some pairing information from at least one of the one or more pairing devices to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

127. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating wirelessly at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

128. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating via one or more networks at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

129. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices during physical contact.

130. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating at least some pairing information including pairing conditions and/or constraints to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

131. The method of claim 114, wherein the communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices prior to and in response to physical contact.

132. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

communicating with one or more additional devices to effect pairing.

133. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

receiving at least some pairing information from at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices.

134. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

wherein one or more audible, visual, and/or tactile progress indications are provided.

135. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

wherein one or more user inputs are received.

136. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

wherein authentication information is received.

137. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

wherein one or more time intervals between physical contact is determined.

138. The method of claim 114, further comprising:

wherein at least some pairing information is communicated to and/or between at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to one or more proximity determinations.

139. A system for pairing comprising:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices; and

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact,

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact.

140. The system of claim 139, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to multiple instances of physical contact.

141. The system of claim 139, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to intensity of physical contact.

142. The system of claim 139, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to average contact force, peak contact force, and/or force gradient.

143. The system of claim 139, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to points of physical contact.

144. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices, the physical contact being with at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices.

145. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact with one or more contact areas of one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

146. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to direct physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

147. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for substantially unrestricted pairing with one or more other devices.

148. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more substantially exclusively dedicated pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

149. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices via physical contact.

150. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices upon physical contact.

151. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information from at least one of the one or more pairing devices to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

152. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating wirelessly at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

153. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating via one or more networks at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

154. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices during physical contact.

155. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information including pairing conditions and/or constraints to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

156. The system of claim 139, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices prior to and in response to physical contact.

157. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

circuitry for communicating with one or more additional devices to effect pairing.

158. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

circuitry for receiving at least some pairing information from at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices.

159. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

wherein one or more audible, visual, and/or tactile progress indications are provided.

160. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

wherein one or more user inputs are received.

161. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

wherein authentication information is received.

162. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

wherein one or more time intervals between physical contact is determined.

163. The system of claim 139, further comprising:

wherein at least some pairing information is communicated to and/or between at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to one or more proximity determinations.

164. A pairing device comprising:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices; and

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact,

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact.

165. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to multiple instances of physical contact.

166. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to intensity of physical contact.

167. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to average contact force, peak contact force, and/or force gradient.

168. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact comprises:

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to points of physical contact.

169. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices, the physical contact being with at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices.

170. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact with one or more contact areas of the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

171. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to direct physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

172. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for substantially unrestricted pairing with one or more other devices.

173. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices comprises:

circuitry for indicating in response to physical contact by the substantially exclusively dedicated pairing device one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices.

174. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices via physical contact.

175. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices upon physical contact.

176. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information from the pairing device to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

177. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating wirelessly at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

178. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating via one or more networks at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

179. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices during physical contact.

180. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information including pairing conditions and/or constraints to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact.

181. The pairing device of claim 164, wherein the circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact comprises:

circuitry for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices prior to and in response to physical contact.

182. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

circuitry for communicating with one or more additional devices to effect pairing.

183. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

circuitry for receiving at least some pairing information from at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices.

184. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

wherein one or more audible, visual, and/or tactile progress indications are provided.

185. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

wherein one or more user inputs are received.

186. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

wherein authentication information is received.

187. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

wherein one or more time intervals between physical contact is determined.

188. The pairing device of claim 164, further comprising:

wherein at least some pairing information is communicated to and/or between at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to one or more proximity determinations.

189. A system for pairing comprising:

means for indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices; and

means for communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact,

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact.

190. Computer readable media bearing program instructions for performing operations comprising:

indicating in response to physical contact by one or more pairing devices one or more devices for pairing with one or more other devices; and

communicating at least some pairing information to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the one or more other devices in response to physical contact,

wherein an indication of at least one of how and whether pairing between at least one of the one or more devices and the one or more other devices should be accomplished is determined in response to relative motion and/or duration of physical contact.