Communication system for portable appliances
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A communication system, including:
- a host device and a portable device capable of remote communications via a communication medium, using a previously-established security key,direct communication means for providing relatively secure and/or direct communications between said host device and said portable device,key update means for initiating storage of duplicate copies of a fresh security key in both said host device and said portable device, for use instead of said previously-established security key for control of or encryption for subsequent remote communications between said devices, andactivation means responsive to the presence of said portable device to cause said key update means to initiate transfer said fresh security key via said direct communication means.
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Abstract
A portable device 12 is capable of communicating with a host device 10 remotely, via a communications network 22 which may be prone to interception, and directly (e.g. via an I.R. Link 24, 40), when the devices are in close physical proximity and when the risk of interception is minimal. The host device 10 and the portable device 12 update a shared security key or the like when they communicate directly and this key is used to authenticate the portable device 12 and/or encrypt the communication when the portable device 12 attempts to communicate remotely.
132 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A communication system, including:
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a host device and a portable device capable of remote communications via a communication medium, using a previously-established security key, direct communication means for providing relatively secure and/or direct communications between said host device and said portable device, key update means for initiating storage of duplicate copies of a fresh security key in both said host device and said portable device, for use instead of said previously-established security key for control of or encryption for subsequent remote communications between said devices, and activation means responsive to the presence of said portable device to cause said key update means to initiate transfer said fresh security key via said direct communication means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21)
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10. A method of authenticating a remote device in a communication system comprising first and second devices capable of communicating remotely via a communication medium or locally via a local or direct communication link, which method comprises determining whether said first and second devices are in the same vicinity, and initiating sharing of a security key or code data between said devices via said local communication link when said first and second devices are in the same vicinity, whereby the identity of at least one of said devices may be authenticated in subsequent remote communications via said communication medium.
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11. A method of encrypting data in a communications system comprising first and second devices capable of communicating remotely via a communication medium or locally via a local or direct communication link, which method comprises determining whether said first and second devices are in the same vicinity, and initiating sharing of a security key or code data between said devices via said local communication link when said first and second devices are in the same vicinity, whereby subsequent remote communications via said communication medium may be encrypted using said security key or code data.
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12. A communication system comprising:
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a host device and a portable device for remote communication via a communication medium, a direct communication link for providing relatively secure and/or direct communications between said host device and said portable device, a key updater for initiating storage of duplicate copies of a fresh security key in both said host device and said portable device, for use instead of said previously-established security key for control of or encryption for subsequent remote communications between said devices, and an activator responsive to the presence of said portable device for causing said key updater to initiate sharing of said security key or code data via said direct communication link. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification