AUTOMATED DEVICE ACCESS

• US 20140068751A1
• Filed: 09/04/2012
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: LAST, Matthew E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,826,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

A method of unlocking a locked device includes receiving a device identifier over a wireless communication protocol, determining if the device identifier is associated with a list of trusted devices, transmitting a request to generate an acoustic signal over the wireless communication protocol based on the determination, receiving the acoustic signal as an audio sound generated external to the locked device, estimating a distance between a source of the audio sound and the locked device, and unlocking the locked device based on the estimation.

Claims

1. A method of unlocking a locked device, comprising:

receiving a device identifier over a wireless communication protocol;

determining if the device identifier is associated with a list of trusted devices;

transmitting a request to generate an acoustic signal over the wireless communication protocol based on the determination;

receiving the acoustic signal as sound generated external to the locked device;

estimating a distance between a source of the sound and the locked device; and

unlocking the locked device based on the estimation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol is a BLUETOOTH protocol.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal is at least a portion of an audio file stored at the locked device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal includes frequencies greater than 20 kHz.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal includes frequencies between 18 kHz and 22 kHz.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal includes frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal is white noise generated with a processor of the locked device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein estimating the distance comprises:

calculating a propagation delay of the audio sound received at the locked device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein unlocking the locked device comprises:

determining if the propagation delay is less than a threshold value; and

unlocking the locked device based on the determination.

10. A method of unlocking a locked device, comprising:

detecting a presence of a trusted device over a wireless communication protocol;

transmitting a request to generate an acoustic signal over the wireless communication protocol based on the detection;

receiving the acoustic signal as sound generated external to the locked device;

estimating a distance between a source of the sound and the locked device; and

unlocking the locked device based on the estimation.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication protocol is a BLUETOOTH protocol.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic signal is at least a portion of an audio file stored at the locked device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic signal includes frequencies greater than 20 kHz.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic signal includes frequencies between 18 kHz and 22 kHz.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic signal includes frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic signal is white noise generated with a processor of the locked device.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein estimating the distance comprises:

calculating a propagation delay of the audio sound received at the locked device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein unlocking the locked device comprises:

determining if the propagation delay is less than a threshold value; and

unlocking the locked device based on the determination.

19. A method of unlocking a locked device, comprising:

authenticating a trusted device over a wireless communication protocol;

transmitting a request to generate an acoustic signal over the wireless communication protocol based on the authentication;

receiving the acoustic signal as sound generated external to the locked device;

estimating a distance between a source of the sound and the locked device; and

unlocking the locked device based on the estimation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the wireless communication protocol is a BLUETOOTH protocol.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the acoustic signal is at least a portion of an audio file stored at the locked device.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the acoustic signal is white noise generated with a processor of the locked device.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein:

estimating the distance comprises calculating a propagation delay of the audio sound received at the locked device; and

unlocking the locked device comprises determining if the propagation delay is less than a threshold value and unlocking the locked device based on the determination.

24. A method of unlocking a locked device, comprising:

authenticating a trusted device over a wireless communication protocol;

generating an acoustic signal as sound emitted by the locked device based on the authentication;

receiving a copy of the acoustic signal over the wireless communication protocol;

estimating a distance between the locked device and the trusted device based on the received copy; and

unlocking the locked device based on the estimation.

25. A system, comprising:

a locked device; and

a trusted device in communication with the locked device over a wireless communication protocol;

wherein the locked device is configured to automatically unlock in response to authentication of the trusted device and receipt of an acoustic signal generated or relayed by the trusted device.