Pairing of wireless devices using a wired medium

• US 8,181,233 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2011
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Wyld, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): SIMITOSKI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/051,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20110214168A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 726/5
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

Techniques that facilitate pairing of wireless devices with other wireless devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, a pair of wireless devices can be paired for wireless data exchange using an available wired link. Advantageously, the wired link can be used to transport a pin code from one of the wireless devices to the other. Consequently, pairing of the wireless devices can be completed without necessitating user entry of a pin code so long as the wired link is available.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least computer program code for pairing a host device with a wireless device, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising:

at the host device;

computer program code for detecting a wired data link between the host device and the wireless device;

computer program code for establishing a wireless data link between the host device and the wireless device;

computer program code for retrieving a pin code internal to the host device;

computer program code for sending the pin code to the wireless device over the wired data link;

computer program code for receiving authentication data from the wireless device;

computer program code for presenting the pin code, after said receiving, on an output device of the host device;

computer program code for authenticating the wireless device based on the received authentication data; and

computer program code for completing pairing of the host device with the wireless device when the wireless device has been authenticated.

2. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program code for completing pairing comprises:

computer program code for generating one or more keys when the wireless device has been authenticated; and

computer program code for sending at least one of the one or more keys from the host device to the wireless device when the pairing is successful.

3. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein said receiving of the authentication data is over the wireless data link.

4. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein said sending of the at least one of the one or more keys is over the wireless data link.

5. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein said sending of the at least one of the one or more keys is over the wired data link.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more keys include a link key or a key derived from the link key.

7. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving of the authentication data is over the wired data link.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:

computer program code for receiving at least one key from the wireless device when the pairing is successful.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein said authenticating operates to authenticate the received authentication data based on the pin code.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the host device operates at least one application program that makes use of a user interface, and

wherein said non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises:

computer program code for intercepting, prior to said sending, the pin code via the application program or the user interface.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1,

wherein the host device operates at least one application program,

wherein the host device also includes a wireless module that participates in at least pairing and data transfer, and

wherein the at least one application interacts with the wireless module during pairing or data transfer.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the pin code is presented using a pin code notification screen.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired data link is provided over a cable.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired data link is provided over a wired medium that physically provides one or more electrical connections.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wired data link is provided via a peripheral bus.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the peripheral bus is a USB or Firewire bus.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless data link is over a local wireless network in accordance with the BLUETOOTH short range local wireless network protocol.