Authentication of mobile wireless network component

• US 20050132234A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Dawson, Thomas Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/00 Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices

Abstract

A wireless home entertainment system consistent with certain embodiments has at least one server, wherein the server includes a cradle having a first authentication switch forming a part thereof, wherein the first authentication switch is not a general purpose data entry element. At least one component is in wireless communication with the server, the component having a cradle mating portion that mates in the cradle. A second authentication switch resides at the cradle mating portion, wherein a person can cause the server to regard the component as being authenticated by mating the cradle mating portion with the cradle in a manner that causes actuation of said first and second switches. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Claims

1. A wireless home entertainment system, comprising:

at least one server, wherein the server includes a cradle having a first authentication switch forming a part thereof, wherein the first authentication switch is not a general purpose data entry element;

at least one component in wireless communication with the server, the component having a cradle mating portion that mates in the cradle;

a second authentication switch residing at the cradle mating portion; and

wherein a person can cause the server to regard the component as being authenticated by mating the cradle mating portion with the cradle in a manner that causes actuation of said first and second switches.

3. The system of claims 1, wherein the first and second switches reside within a connector device forming a part of the cradle and cradle mating portion respectively.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises adding the component to a list of authorized components.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the server further comprises means for indicating that the component is authenticated.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for indicating generates an audible or visual signal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the server further comprises logic for authenticating the component when the switches are actuated approximately simultaneously with each other.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the server includes logic for authenticating the component when the switches are actuated within a predetermined time threshold of each other.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the component includes logic for transmitting at least one component identification in response to actuation of the second switch.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the component includes logic for transmitting at least one encryption result generated at least in part using a component identification, the encryption result being transmitted in response to actuation of the second switch.

11. A method for authenticating a component in wireless communication with a server to the server, comprising:

mating the component to a cradle residing on the server in order to actuate a switch on the server;

the mating further causing actuation of a switch on the component to cause the component to transmit a message; and

returning “

authenticated”

at the server in response to receiving the message only if the switches are actuated within a predetermined time period of each other.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the component is authenticated only if the switches are actuated approximately simultaneously.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising transmitting at least one component identification in response to mating the component with the cradle and thus actuating the switches.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising transmitting at least one encryption result generated at least in part using a component identification, the encryption result being transmitted in response to actuation of the switch on the component.

15. The method of claim 11, comprising providing visual or audible indication of successful authentication of the component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second switches comprise buttons.

16. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out a process as described in claim 11.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the cradle is attached to the server by an electrical cable.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the switch resides within a connector device forming a part of the cradle.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the authentication comprises adding the component to a list of authorized components.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the server further comprises means for indicating that the component is authenticated.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the means for indicating generates an audible or visual signal.

22. The device of claim 15, wherein the server further comprises logic for authenticating the component when the switch is actuated approximately simultaneously with a switch on the component that is also actuated upon mating the component with the cradle.

23. The device of claim 15, wherein the server includes logic for authenticating the component when the switch is actuated within a predetermined time threshold of actuation of a switch on the component that is also actuated upon mating the component with the cradle.

15-1. A multimedia server, comprising:

a cradle for receiving a wireless component and connecting thereto;

a switch residing on the cradle that is actuated upon connecting the wireless component to the cradle, wherein the manipulable authentication element is not a general purpose data entry element;

a wireless transceiver for wireless communication with network components; and

a programmed processor overseeing communication with components on a list of authenticated components, and wherein a person can cause the server to regard an component as being authenticated by mating the component with the cradle.

16-2. The device of claim 15, wherein the cradle forms an integral part of the server.

24. An authentication cradle for a multimedia server, comprising:

a cradle for receiving a wireless component and connecting thereto;

a switch residing on the cradle that is actuated upon connecting the wireless component to the cradle, wherein the manipulable authentication element is not a general purpose data entry element; and

means for communication with a server overseeing communication with components on a list of authenticated components, and wherein a person can cause the server to regard an component as being authenticated by mating the component with the cradle.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the means for communication comprises an electrical cable for connection to the server.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the switch resides within a connector device forming a part of the cradle.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein the authentication comprises adding the component to a list of authorized components.