Authenticating devices for RF communications

• US 8,126,398 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm technologies international, ltd. (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Torrance, Jeffery, Kimmitt, Jonathan, Collier, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Ghebretinsae, Temesgh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsvey, Gennadiy
• Application Number:
  US11/923,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20080113619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,587 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/411, 704/231, 726/4
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A communications system includes a first and second device capable of transmitting and receiving RF communications; a controller for the first device capable of receiving or transmitting a code via a non-RF communication; a controller for the second device capable of receiving the code via a non-RF communication; and a processor for authenticating the first device for RF communication with the second device using the received code.

Claims

1. An RF-capable communications device arranged to be placed in a state receptive to non-RF communications prior to an authentication process with another RF-capable communications device, comprising:

a non-RF receiver arranged to receive from a first source when the RF-capable communications device is placed in a state receptive to non-RF communications a code as an audio signal, the code also being in a signal received from the first source by said other RF-capable communications device; and

a processor comprising a conversion module arranged to identify formants of the received code and using the formants to seed a random number generator to produce a PIN, wherein the processor is further arranged to convert the received code from the audio signal into a PIN using the conversion module;

wherein the received code is arranged for use in conjunction with the code received by said other RF-capable communications device to authenticate the RF-capable communications device with said other RF-capable communications device for RF communications.

2. An RF-capable communications device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first source is a user.

3. An RF-capable communications device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the RF-capable communications device is authenticated at said other RF-capable communications device.

4. An RF-capable communications device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the PIN is arranged for use in the authentication process.

5. An RF-capable communications device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-RF receiver is a microphone and said other RF-capable communications device receives the code using a microphone.

6. An RF-capable communications device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the RF communications are Bluetooth communications.

7. An RF-capable communications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the code is received by both devices from a common audio signal.

8. A communications system comprising:

a first RF-capable communications device capable of receiving a code via an audio signal, and arranged to be placed in a state receptive to non-RF communication prior to an authentication process with a second RF-capable communications device;

a second RF-capable communications device capable receiving said code via an audio signal, and arranged to be placed in a state receptive to non-RF communication prior to an authentication process with said first RF-capable communications device; and

a processor for authenticating the first RF-capable communications device with the second RF-capable communications device using the received code, the processor comprising a conversion module arranged to identify formants of the received code and to use the formants to seed a random number generator to produce a PIN, wherein the processor is arranged to convert the received code from the audio signal into a PIN using the conversion module.

9. A method for authenticating a first device with a second device, each device capable of transmitting and receiving RF communications, comprising the steps of:

i) placing the first device and the second device into a state receptive to receiving non-RF communications;

ii) transmitting a code via an audio signal;

iii) receiving the code via an audio signal at a controller for the first device;

iv) receiving the code via an audio signal at a controller for the second device;

v) converting the received code into a PIN by identifying formants of the code and using the formants to seed a random number generator to produce the PIN; and

vi) authenticating the first device for RF communication with the second device using both the received codes.