System and method for authenticating wireless component

• US 7,260,714 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Redwood Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Dawson, Thomas Patrick, Desch, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise; Emmanuel L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CALLAHAN, PAUL E
• Application Number:
  US10/225,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20040054897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,827 Days
• Field of Search: 380/249, 380/250, 380/201, 380/229, 380/231, 705/52, 705/55, 705/57, 705/65, 705/67, 705/26, 713/155, 713/159, 725/81, 725/91, 725/103, 725/141, 725/146, 725/139, 710/303, 726/9, 726/20
• US Class Current: 713/155
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/00 Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices

Abstract

A wireless component is authenticated to an in-home wireless entertainment system server by simultaneously or near-simultaneously holding down buttons on the component and server and transmitting a component ID (or encryption results generated from the key) to the server. The server then indicates “authenticated”, and the component can subsequently access the system using its ID.

Claims

1. A wireless home entertainment system, comprising:

at least one server having at least one manipulable authentication element thereon; and

at least one component in wireless communication with the server and being associated with at least one manipulable authentication element, at least the authentication element on the server being a physically depressible button and not being a general purpose data entry element, whereby a person can cause the sewer to regard the component as being authenticated by manipulating the authentication elements.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server includes logic for authenticating the component when the elements are manipulated simultaneously with each other.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server includes logic for authenticating the component when the elements are manipulated within a predetermined time threshold of each other.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising at least two authentication elements on the server for establishing respective levels of authentication for the component.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the elements are buttons.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the component includes logic for transmitting at least one component identification in response to manipulating the authentication element on the component.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the component includes logic for transmitting at least one encryption result generated at least in part using a component identification, the encryption result being transmitted in response to manipulating the authentication element on the component.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the server further comprises means for indicating that the component is authenticated.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the means for indicating generates an audible or visual signal.

10. A method for authenticating a component in wireless communication with a server to the server, comprising:

physically depressing an authentication button on the server, the authentication button not being a general purpose data entry button;

operating an authentication button on the component to cause the component to transmit a message; and

returning “

authenticated”

at the server in response to receiving the message only if the buttons are depressed within a predetermined time period of each other.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the server includes at least two authentication elements representing respective levels of authentication.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising transmitting at least one component identification in response to manipulating the authentication button on the component.

13. The method of claim 10, comprising transmitting at least one encryption result generated at least in part using a component identification, the encryption result being transmitted in response to manipulating the authentication button on the component.

14. The method of claim 10, comprising providing at least one visual or audible indication of successful authentication of the component.

15. A logic component embodied in a computer-readable medium, the medium being readable by a computer to execute steps, the logic component comprising:

means, invokable by a user manipulating a first authentication element, for receiving an identification message transmitted in response to manipulation by a user of a second authentication element, at least the first authentication element being a physically movable button, toggle, or switch that is not a general purpose data entry element; and

means for returning “

authentication”

only if the elements have been manipulated within a predetermined period of each other.

16. The logic component of claim 15, comprising a server supporting the first element, a component supporting the second element, and a wireless communication path therebetween.

17. The logic component of claim 16. comprising at least two authentication elements on the server for establishing respective levels of authentication for the component.

18. The logic component of claim 15, wherein the elements are buttons.

19. The logic component of claim 16, wherein the message includes at least one component identification.

20. The logic component of claim 16, wherein the message includes at least one encryption result generated at least in part using a component identification.

21. The logic component of claim 16, wherein the server further comprises means for indicating that the component is authenticated.

22. The logic component of claim 21, wherein the means for indicating generates an audible or visual signal.