Method and apparatus to enable pairing of devices

• US 7,907,901 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2007
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kahn, Philippe, Kinsolving, Arthur, Vogel, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun, Eugene
• Application Number:
  US11/855,133
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/41.1, 455/425, 455/502, 455/13.2
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• 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: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• 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 method and apparatus to provide easier pairing based on motion data is described. The method of pairing two devices comprises receiving a signal to enter into pairing mode, and detecting a motion indicating a pairing. The method further comprises establishing a secure connection with another device for pairing, the secure connection established based on the motion, and exchanging data for pairing.

Claims

1. A method of pairing two devices comprising:

receiving a signal to enter into a pairing mode, the signal comprising a motion signature that is generated upon a user moving at least one of the two devices in a predetermined motion pattern that identifies a type of device to pair with, wherein the signal automatically initiates the pairing mode;

detecting a motion indicating a pairing;

establishing a secure connection with another device for pairing, the secure connection established based on the motion; and

exchanging data for pairing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a signal to enter into pairing mode further comprises receiving indication through a user interface that a pairing is about to be initiated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal indicating a pairing further comprises a signal identifying a target device for pairing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion indicating a pairing comprises any motion performed simultaneously with the two devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a key is generated based on the motion, the key used for the secure connection.

6. A method of pairing two devices comprising:

receiving a signal to enter into a pairing mode, the signal comprising a motion signature that is generated upon a user moving at least one of the two devices in a predetermined motion pattern that identifies a type of device to pair with, wherein the signal automatically initiates the pairing mode;

instructing a user to hold the two devices together and perform a motion with the two devices together during the pairing process; and

pairing the devices based on the motion.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

using an additional motion signature derived from the motion to identify the devices to be paired.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

establishing a secure connection for the pairing, the secure connection established based on the motion.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

identifying a target device based on the motion;

performing a handshake with the device;

synchronizing clocks of the two devices based on the handshake data; and

using the motion data and associated clock data to pair the two devices.

10. A method of pairing a first device and a second device comprising:

receiving a signal to enter into a pairing mode, the signal comprising a motion signature that is generated upon a user moving at least one of the first device or the second device in a predetermined motion pattern that identifies a type of device to pair with, wherein the signal automatically initiates the pairing mode;

initiating the pairing mode in the first device and the second device;

receiving simultaneous, identical motion information at the first device and the second device, resulting from a user moving the first device and the second device together;

using the motion information to establish a secure connection between the first device and the second device; and

exchanging data for pairing through the secure connection.

11. A method of pairing a first device to a second device, the method comprising the first device:

receiving motion information indicating entry into pairing mode, the motion information comprising a motion signature that is generated upon a user moving the first device in a predetermined motion pattern that identifies a type of device to pair with, wherein the motion information automatically initiates the pairing mode;

sending out a discovery signal to discover the second device;

comparing the motion information with data from the second device to identify the correct second device;

setting up a secure connection between the first device and the second device; and

exchanging data for pairing through the secure connection.