System and Method for Code Communication

• US 20140273826A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Schilit, William Noah, Want, Roy, Keenan, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 9,203,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 17/00 Compasses; Devices for ascertaining true or magnetic north for navigation or surveying purposes using gyroscopic effect G01C19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• 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 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/79 Radio fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for code communication are provided. A secure system wirelessly transmits, via a magnetic field transmitter, an access code to a handheld wireless communication device as a sequence of polarities of a short-range magnetic field. The wireless communication device senses the sequence of polarities and determines the code from the sensed sequence of polarities. The code provides access to the secure system. The handheld wireless communication device can wirelessly transmit the code received from the short-range magnetic field and identification information to the secure system to receive access to the secure system. The access is personalized based on at least the identification information and is maintained or validated when the handheld wireless communication device is within range of the short-range magnetic field.

Claims

1. A method for code communication, comprising:

sensing, by at least a magnetic sensor of a handheld wireless communication device, a sequence of polarities of a short-range magnetic field;

determining, by a processor of the handheld wireless communication device, a code from the sensed sequence of polarities, wherein the code provides access to a secure system;

transmitting, by the handheld wireless communication device, the code received from the short-range magnetic field and identification information to the secure system via a radio communication to receive access to the secure system, wherein the access is personalized based on at least the identification information; and

maintaining or validating the access to the secure system when handheld wireless communication device is within range of the short-range magnetic field.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each bit of the code is represented by at least two symbols, wherein each symbol represents a respective polarity of the magnetic field.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each bit of the code is represented by at least six symbols, wherein each symbol represents a respective polarity and a respective direction of the magnetic field.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein each bit of the code is represented by a plurality of symbols, wherein each symbol represents at least a respective polarity, a respective direction, and a respective amplitude of the magnetic field.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor includes a compass or magnetometer.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor includes a compass that can sense the sequence of polarities in at least three dimensions.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is used to provide personalized information on a display of the secure system.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the handheld wireless communication device comprises a cellular phone.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secure system comprises one or more of the following:

a secure location with a physical lock, a computer station, a kiosk, a digital display, and a sign.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the code changes after a predetermined amount of time.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication device is a smartphone or a cellular phone.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein each bit of the code is represented by at least two symbols, wherein each symbol represents a respective polarity of the magnetic field.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein each bit of the code is represented by at least six symbols, wherein each symbol represents a respective polarity and a respective direction of the magnetic field.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein each bit of the code is represented by a plurality of symbols, wherein each symbol represents at least a respective polarity, a respective direction and a respective amplitude of the magnetic field.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein the digital compass is configured to sense the sequence of polarities in three dimensions.

17. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein the wireless transmission of the code and the identification information uses one or more of the following:

Bluetooth communication, wireless local area network communication, radio communication, and cellular communication.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is used to provide personalized information on a display of the secure system.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secure system comprises one or more of the following:

a secure location with a physical lock, a computer station, a kiosk, a digital display, and a sign.

11. A wireless communication device, comprising:

one or more memories;

a digital compass configured to sense a sequence of polarities of a short-range magnetic field; and

one or more processors operatively coupled to the one or more memories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine a code from the sensed sequence of polarities, wherein the code provides access to a secure system, wherein the one or more processors are configured to wirelessly transmit the code received from the short-range magnetic field and identification information to the secure system to receive access to the secure system, wherein the access is personalized based on at least the identification information and is maintained or validated when the wireless communication device is within range of the short-range magnetic field.

20. A cellular phone, comprising:

one or more memories;

a digital magnetic sensor configured to sense a sequence of polarities of a short-range magnetic field; and

one or more processors operatively coupled to the one or more memories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine a code from the sensed sequence of polarities, wherein the code provides access to a secure system, wherein the one or more processors are configured to wirelessly transmit the code received from the short-range magnetic field and identification information to the secure system to receive access to the secure system, wherein the access to the secure system is maintained or validated when the cellular phone is within range of the short-range magnetic field and is personalized based on at least the identification information.