Methods and a device for associating a first device with a second device

• US 9,241,263 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Issued: 01/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital CE Patent Holdings SAS (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Courtay, Olivier, Vincent, Christophe
• Primary Examiner(s): Rahman, Mohammad L
• Application Number:
  US12/312,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20100058448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,009 Days
• Field of Search: 726/2, 713/169
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

Methods for associating a first and a second device. Each device broadcasts an identity, the first device stores new identities and counts them. Upon user instruction and if there just one new identity, the first device sends a request for association to the second device that acknowledges this. The second device then sends, upon user instruction, a confirmation to the first device that verifies that the confirmation was sent by the second device and acknowledges this. The method is particularly suitable for use on devices that are unable to display identities of other devices.

Claims

1. A method of associating a first device and a second device, comprising:

receiving by the first device instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcasting by the first device its identity;

receiving by the second device the identity of the first device;

receiving by the second device instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcasting by the second device its identity;

receiving by the first device the identity of the second device;

after having received the identity of the second device,

receiving by a user interface of the first device instructions to associate with the second device; and

then

counting by the first device a number of received new identities;

if the number of received new identities equals one, sending by the first device a request for association to the second device;

after having received the request for association;

receiving by a user interface of the second device instructions to associate with the first device; and

sending by the second device a confirmation of the association with the first device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising verifying by the first device that the confirmation was sent by the second device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising sending by the first device an acknowledgement to the second device upon successful verification of the confirmation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sending by the second device an acknowledgement to the first device upon reception of the request.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the first device lacks the capability to display the identity of the second device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the broadcasts with the identity of the devices are identical in format.

7. A method at a first device for associating with a second device, the method comprising at the first device:

receiving instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcasting its identity;

receiving an identity of at least the second device, wherein the format of the received message carrying the identity of the second device is identical with the format of the message carrying the identity of the first device;

after receiving the identity of at least the second device;

receiving through a user interface instructions to associate with the second device; and

then

counting a number of received new identities;

if the number of received new identities equals one, sending a request for association to the second device; and

after sending the request for association, receiving a confirmation of the association.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising verifying that the confirmation was sent by the second device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising sending an acknowledgement upon successful verification.

10. A first device configured to associate with a second device, the first device comprising a hardware processor configured to:

receive instructions to broadcast its identity;

broadcast its identity;

receive an identity of at least the second device, wherein the format of the received message carrying the identity of the second device is identical with the format of the message carrying the identity of the first device;

after receiving the identity of at least the second device;

receive through a user interface instructions to associate with the second device; and

then

count a number of received new identities;

if the number of received new identities equals one, sending a request for association to the second device; and

after sending the request for association, receive a confirmation of the association.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to verify that the confirmation was sent by the second device.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to send an acknowledgement upon successful verification.

13. A first device configured to associate with a second device, the first device comprising:

means for receiving instructions to broadcast its identity;

means for broadcasting its identity;

means for receiving an identity of at least the second device, wherein the format of the received message carrying the identity of the second device is identical with the format of the message carrying the identity of the first device;

after receiving the identity of at least the second device;

means for receiving through a user interface instructions to associate with the second device; and

then

means for counting a number of received new identities;

if the number of received new identities equals one, means for sending a request for association to the second device; and

after sending the request for association, means for receiving a confirmation of the association.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising means for verifying that the confirmation was sent by the second device.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising means for sending an acknowledgement upon successful verification.