Synchronized indicator light for secure connections

• US 7,711,861 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Yuval, Gideon
• Primary Examiner(s): Kindred; Alford W
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, RICHARD B
• Application Number:
  US11/512,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20080125038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 455/42.2, 709/208, 709/209, 710/1, 710/8
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/65 Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A secure communication channel between first and second radio frequency communication devices is indicated by the synchronized indicators on each of the two devices. The indicator may be a light or speaker. After a secure channel is established, the indicators may be simultaneously operated so that a user may definitively and positively determine that the two devices are securely connected to each other. Any interloper devices would not be indicating on the same pattern and thereby be identified.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing a communication session from a first device of a user to a second device of the user, said first device comprising a first radio transceiver and a first indicator;

entering a secure communication mode with said first device;

establishing, at said first device of said user, an indication sequence comprising a random pattern of at least one of light blinks and sounds for operating a second indicator of said second device of said user;

sending said indication sequence in said secure communication mode from said first device to said second device; and

causing said first indicator of said first device and said second indicator of said second device to indicate using said indication sequence, wherein said first indicator and said second indicator synchronize if said first device and said second device are communicating in said secure mode and do not synchronize if at least one of said first device and said second device is in communication with a third device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first indicator is a visual indicator.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first indicator is an audio indicator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second indicator is a visual indicator.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said second indicator is an audio indicator.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication sequence is sent over a wireless connection.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication sequence is includes a random pattern of sounds comprising a rhythmic pattern.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication sequence is causes one of said first indicator and said second indicator to indicate said random pattern said using sounds and the other of said first indicator and said second indicator to indicate said random pattern using light blinks.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said first indicator and said second indicator indicate simultaneously when synchronized.

10. A method comprising:

establishing a communication session from a first device of a user to a second device of the user, said first device comprising a first radio transceiver and a first indicator;

entering a secure communication mode with said first device;

establishing an indication sequence for said first indicator;

sending said indication sequence in said secure communication mode from said first device to said second device; and

causing said first indicator and a second indicator of said second device to indicate using said indication sequence, wherein said first indicator and said second indicator;

synchronize if said first device and said second device are communicating in said secure mode,

do not synchronize if at least one of said first device and said second device is in communication with a third device, and

indicate alternatively when synchronized.

11. A slave device of a user in a master/slave communications system of the user comprising:

a first radio transceiver;

a first indicator; and

a processor adapted to;

establish communications with a second device of the user operating in a secure communication mode, said second device comprising a second radio transceiver and a second indicator;

receive an indication sequence comprising a random pattern of at least one of light blinks and sounds for operating said first indicator of said slave device of said user, wherein said indication sequence was established at said second device of said user and sent from said second device in said secure communication mode; and

indicate said first indicator in conjunction with said second indicator using said indication sequence, wherein said first indicator and said second indicator synchronize if said slave device and said second device are communicating in said secure mode and do not synchronize if at least one of said slave device and said second device is in communication with a third device.

12. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said first indicator is a visual indicator.

13. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said first indicator is an audio indicator.

14. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said second indicator is a visual indicator.

15. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said second indicator is an audio indicator.

16. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said indication sequence is received over a wireless connection.

17. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said indication sequence includes a random pattern of sounds comprising a rhythmic pattern.

18. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said indication sequence causes one of said first indicator and said second indicator to indicate said random pattern said using sounds and the other of said first indicator and said second indicator to indicate said random pattern using light blinks.

19. The slave device of claim 11 wherein said first indicator and said second indicator indicate simultaneously when synchronized.

20. A slave device of a user in a master/slave communications system of the user comprising:

a first radio transceiver;

a first indicator; and

a processor adapted to;

establish communications with a second device of the user operating in a secure communication mode, said second device comprising a second radio transceiver and a second indicator;

receive an indication sequence sent from said second device in said secure communication mode; and

indicate said first indicator in conjunction with said second indicator using said indication sequence, wherein said first indicator and said second indicator;

synchronize if said slave device and said second device are communicating in said secure mode,

do not synchronize if at least one of said slave device and said second device is in communication with a third device, and

indicate alternatively when synchronized.