Method and system using vibration signatures for pairing master and slave computing devices

• US 9,450,682 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2013
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Herman, Zachary S., Walton, Kaleb D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US14/047,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20150098308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/501, 340/531, 340/540, 340/669, 340/1.1, 340/4.3, 340/5.1, 340/13.1, 340/13.2, 340/13.37, 340/999, 367/191, 367/197, 700/1, 700/2, 700/3, 700/4, 709208-211, 710/110, 726/2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/60 Security, fault tolerance
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/02 using infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

A method and a system of using vibration signatures for pairing two devices. The method and the system include an apparatus that has a master side and a slave side. The slave side has at least one frictional structure. A first device is inserted into the master side. When a second device is inserted through the slave side, a pattern of vibration is generated. Vibration detecting devices on the first and second devices detect the pattern of vibration. A program of the first device validates a master vibration signature and configures the first device as a master device. A program of the second device validates a slave vibration signature and configures the second device as a slave device. The master device and the slave device are automatically paired.

Claims

1. A method of using vibration signatures for pairing two devices, comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having a master side and a slave side, the slave side having at least one frictional structure to generate a pattern of vibration;

inserting a first device into the master side;

generating the pattern of vibration while inserting a second device through the slave side;

detecting, by a vibration detecting device of the first device and by a vibration detecting device of the second device, the pattern of vibration;

validating a master vibration signature by a first program on the first device and a slave vibration signature by a second program on the second device;

configuring the first device as a master device by the first program and the second device as a slave device by the second program; and

wherein the master device and the slave device are automatically paired.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one frictional structure is rough texture.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one frictional structure is a structure of teeth.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one frictional structure is a structure of friction points.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibration detecting device of the first device or the vibration detecting device of the second device is an accelerometer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vibration detecting device of the first device or the vibration detecting device of the second device is a microphone.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device detects a lower amplitude of the pattern of vibration and the second device detects a higher amplitude of the pattern of vibration.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the master vibration signature is a lower amplitude of the pattern of vibration and the slave vibration signature is a higher amplitude of the pattern of vibration.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device or the second device is a tablet.

10. A system of using vibration signatures for pairing two devices, comprising:

an apparatus comprising a master side and a slave side, the slave side having at least one frictional structure to generate a pattern of vibration;

a first device, the first device being inserted into the master side;

a second device, the second device and the slave side generating the pattern of vibration while the second device is being inserted through the slave side;

the first device comprising a first vibration detecting device, the first vibration detecting device detecting the pattern of vibration;

the second device comprising a second vibration detecting device, the second vibration detecting device detecting the pattern of vibration;

the first device comprising a first program for validating a master vibration signature and configuring the first device as a master device; and

the second device comprising a second program for validating a slave vibration signature and configuring the second device as a slave device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one frictional structure is rough texture.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one frictional structure is a structure of teeth.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one frictional structure is a structure of friction points.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first vibration detecting device or the second vibration detecting device is an accelerometer.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the first vibration detecting device or the second vibration detecting device is a microphone.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first device detects a lower amplitude of the pattern of vibration and the second device detects a higher amplitude of the pattern of vibration.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the master vibration signature is a lower amplitude of the pattern of vibration and the slave vibration signature is a higher amplitude of the pattern of vibration.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first device or the second device is a tablet.