ACCESSORY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20170357797A1
• Filed: 08/07/2017
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rubinstein, Jonathan J., Fadell, Anthony M., Dorogusker, Jesse Lee, Adler, Mitchell D., Archibald, John Wesley
• Granted Patent: US 10,049,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/602 Providing cryptographic facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user

Abstract

Improved techniques to control utilization of accessory devices with electronic devices are disclosed. The improved techniques can use cryptographic approaches to authenticate electronic devices, namely, electronic devices that interconnect and communicate with one another. One aspect pertains to techniques for authenticating an electronic device, such as an accessory device. Another aspect pertains to provisioning software features (e.g., functions) by or for an electronic device (e.g., a host device). Different electronic devices can, for example, be provisioned differently depending on different degrees or levels of authentication, or depending on manufacturer or product basis. Still another aspect pertains to using an accessory (or adapter) to convert a peripheral device (e.g., USB device) into a host device (e.g., USB host). The improved techniques are particularly well suited for electronic devices, such as media devices, that can receive accessory devices. One example of a media device is a media player, such as a hand-held media player (e.g., music player), that can present (e.g., play) media items (or media assets).

Claims

1. An authentication device comprising:

a first connector configured to connect to an electronic device, the first connector having a first set of data pins and a second set of data pins;

an authentication controller coupled to the first set of data pins of the first connector; and

a second connector configured to connect to an accessory device, the second connector having a plurality of data pins coupled to the second set of data pins of the first connector,

wherein the authentication controller is configured to execute an authentication procedure with the electronic device via the first set of data pins of the first connector, and wherein upon successful completion of the authentication procedure, the accessory device becomes authorized to interoperate with the mobile computing device via the second set of data pins of the first connector.

2. The authentication device of claim 1 wherein the authentication controller comprises a processor coupled to a first memory.

3. The authentication device of claim 2 wherein the processor and the first memory are provided on a single integrated circuit.

4. The authentication device of claim 2 wherein the first memory comprises a read-only memory to store a private key and an authentication algorithm for the authentication procedure.

5. The authentication device of claim 4 wherein the authentication algorithm includes a cryptographic algorithm using the private key.

6. The authentication device of claim 4 wherein the processor is further coupled to a random-access memory.

7. The authentication device of claim 1 wherein the authentication controller is further configured such that the authentication procedure includes authenticating the authentication controller to the electronic device.

8. The authentication device of claim 1 wherein the authentication controller is further configured such that the authentication procedure includes authenticating the electronic device to the authentication controller.

9. The authentication device of claim 1 wherein the second connector comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

10. The authentication device of claim 1 wherein the first set of data pins includes a transmit pin and a receive pin.

11. The authentication device of claim 1 wherein the first connector further includes a power input pin to receive power from the electronic device.

12. The authentication device of claim 11 wherein the power input pin is coupled to provide power to the authentication controller.

13. The authentication device of claim 11 wherein the second connector further includes a power output pin and wherein the power input pin of the first connector is further coupled to provide power via the power output pin of the second connector.

14. The authentication device of claim 13 further comprising a boost converter coupled between the power input pin of the first connector and the power output pin of the second connector, the boost converter being configured to receive a first power supply voltage via the power input pin and further coupled to be enabled by the authentication controller, wherein, when the boost converter is enabled by the authentication controller, the boost converter boosts the first power supply voltage to a second power supply voltage that is higher than the first power supply voltage and provides the second power supply voltage via the power output pin, and wherein, when the boost converter is not enabled by the authentication controller, the boost converter does not provide the second power supply voltage via the power output pin.

15. The authentication device of claim 14 wherein when the boost converter is not enabled by the authentication controller, the boost converter provides the first power supply voltage via the power output pin.

16. The authentication device of claim 14 wherein the authentication controller enables the boost converter upon successful completion of the authentication procedure.

17. The authentication device of claim 14 wherein the first power supply voltage is 3.3 Volts and the second power supply voltage is 5.0 Volts.