CROSS TRANSPORT AUTHENTICATION

• US 20140208416A1
• Filed: 01/20/2014
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lydon, Gregory T.
• Application Number:
  US14/159,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20140208416A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs

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.

Claims

1. An cable comprising:

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 USB connector configured to be coupled to an accessory, the USB connector being electrically coupled to the first group of pins in the multi-pin connector; and

an authentication controller communicatively coupled to the second group of pins in the multi-pin connector, the authentication controller configured to;

communicate authentication information with the portable media device via the second group of pins to authenticate the asynchronous serial port; and

request that authentication permissions received for the asynchronous serial port be transferred to the USB port of the portable media device.

2. The accessory cable of claim 1 wherein the authentication controller is housed within the multi-pin connector.

3. The accessory cable of claim 1 wherein the authentication controller is housed within the cable.

4. An authentication device for use with a portable media device, the authentication device comprising:

a first connector configured to couple the authentication device to a portable media device, wherein the first connector comprises a first communication port;

a second connector configured to couple the authentication device to an accessory, wherein the second connector comprises a second communication port; and

a controller disposed in the first connector, the controller being configured to;

detect connection of the portable media device to the authentication device;

send a cross-transport request to the portable media device, the cross-transport request including (a) a request for authenticating the first communication port and granting a set of permissions to the first communication port and (b) a request to transfer a sub-set of permissions, from the set of permissions, to the second communication port; and

receive an indication from portable media device that the sub-set of permissions was transferred to the second communication port.

5. The authentication device of claim 4 wherein the controller is implemented as a single integrated circuit.

6. The authentication device of claim 4 wherein the controller is further configured to enable communication between the accessory and the portable media device based on the sub-set of permissions.

7. A dongle comprising:

a connector configured to connect to a first port of a portable media device, wherein an accessory is connected to a second port of the portable media device;

a memory; and

a controller disposed in the connector, wherein the controller is configured to;

upon attachment of the dongle to the portable media device, send a first message to the portable media device inquiring whether the portable media device supports cross transport authentication;

receive a second message from the portable media device indicating that the portable media device supports cross transport authentication;

in response to the second message, send a third message to the portable media device, the third message including a request to authenticate the second port of the portable media device and a device identifier associated with the controller;

communicate with the portable media device to authenticate the controller; and

upon authentication of the controller, enter a low power state.

8. The dongle of claim 7 wherein the controller is further configured to:

in the event of reconnection with the portable media device after a disconnection, determine whether the portable media device supports cross transport authentication based on information stored in the memory during a previous communication with the portable media device; and

if the information stored in the memory indicates that the portable media device support cross transport authentication, sending the third message.

9. The dongle of claim 7 wherein the controller comprises;

a processor;

a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor, the non-volatile memory storing an authentication algorithm used to authenticate the controller and a private key associated with the controller; and

a Random Access Memory (RAM).

10. The dongle of claim 9 wherein the controller is implemented as a single integrated circuit.