IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION OF COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20110167262A1
• Filed: 01/04/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pillar Ventures LLC
• Inventors: Ross, Mark A., Mooring, David J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,071,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication

Abstract

A method implemented by a wearable wireless communication device (“WWCD”) includes detecting a connection between the WWCD and an accessory device. The WWCD accesses a memory location in the accessory device, the memory location being designated for storing brand data indicating a brand identity associated with the accessory device. The WWCD determines a brand status of the accessory device based on data, if any, accessed from the memory location in the accessory device. The WWCD also determines one or more interactions permitted between the WWCD and the accessory device based at least in part on the brand status of the accessory device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a connection between a wearable wireless communication device and an accessory device;

communicating with the accessory device to determine whether the accessory device includes brand data indicating a brand identity associated with the accessory device;

determining a brand status of the accessory device based on the brand data, if any, accessed from the accessory device; and

determining one or more interactions permitted between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device based at least in part on the brand status of the accessory device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of the one or more interactions permitted between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device is further based at least in part on a type of the accessory device to which the wearable wireless communication device is connected.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a type of the accessory device is at least one of a charging dock, a clock radio, a television, a watch band, a clip-on-band, a cellular phone, a smart phone, exercise equipment, a bike accessory, or a media player.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the interactions include at least one of:

displaying a brand attribute corresponding to a brand identity associated with the accessory device on a display of the wearable wireless communication device;

displaying a brand attribute corresponding to a brand identity associated with the wearable wireless communication device on a display of the wearable wireless communication device;

permitting the accessory device to master a display of the wearable wireless communication device;

permitting the accessory device to use the wearable wireless communication device as a modem;

disabling the wearable wireless communication device;

permitting partial functionality of the wearable wireless communication device;

or

setting a flag to notify a user of the wearable wireless communication device to use the wearable wireless communication device with branded accessory devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a brand status of the accessory device is branded when the accessory device includes brand data or un-branded when the accessory device does not include brand data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein when the accessory device includes brand data, determining a brand status of the accessory device includes identifying a first brand identity associated with the accessory device based on the brand data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the brand data is encrypted by a public key corresponding to a private key accessible to the wearable wireless communication device, the method further comprising decrypting the encrypted brand data using the private key.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the brand data is included in a unique serial number assigned to the accessory device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the brand data is a predetermined prefix or suffix of the unique serial number, the predetermined prefix or suffix corresponding to the first brand identity.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein a first set of interactions is determined to be permitted when the first brand identity is identical to or compatible with a brand identity associated with the wearable wireless communication device and a second set of interactions is determined to be permitted when the first brand identity is incompatible with a brand identity associated with the wearable wireless communication device, the first set of interactions being more extensive than the second set of interactions.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether the wearable wireless communication device is branded or un-branded, and when the wearable wireless communication device is branded, determining a brand identity associated with the wearable wireless communication device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein when the wearable wireless communication device and accessory device are both associated with the first brand identity, the one or more permitted interactions include subordinating control of the wearable wireless communication device from the wearable wireless communication device to the accessory device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein subordinating control of the wearable wireless communication device from the wearable wireless communication device to the accessory device includes allowing the accessory device to master a display of the wearable wireless communication device, allowing the accessory device to use the wearable wireless communication device as a modem, or both.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein when the wearable wireless communication device is associated with a second brand identity that is not compatible with the first brand identity associated with the accessory device, the one or more permitted interactions include disabling the wearable wireless communication device, permitting partial functionality of the wearable wireless communication device, or removing a logo or other brand attribute associated with the second brand identity from a display of the wearable wireless communication device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein when the wearable wireless communication device is un-branded and the accessory device is associated with the first brand identity, the one or more permitted interactions include displaying a logo or other brand attribute associated with the first brand identity on a display of the wearable wireless communication device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the wearable wireless communication device is associated with a first brand identity and when the accessory device is un-branded or is associated with a second brand identity that is incompatible with the first brand identity, the method further comprises presenting a suggestion on a display of the wearable wireless communication device to use the wearable wireless communication device with accessory devices associated with the first brand identity.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the brand data, if any, accessed from the accessory device identifies one or more capabilities, hardware, software, or a sub-brand of the accessory device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating with the accessory device to determine whether the accessory device includes brand data includes accessing a memory location in the accessory device, wherein the memory location is designated for storing the brand data.

19. A method comprising:

detecting a connection between a wearable wireless communication device and an accessory device, the wearable wireless communication device being associated with a first brand identity;

accessing a memory location in the accessory device, wherein the memory location is designated for storing data used to authenticate the accessory device;

authenticating the accessory device when data stored in the memory location includes a unique identifier encrypted by a public key that corresponds to a private key accessible to the wearable wireless communication device;

identifying a second brand identity associated with the accessory device; and

enabling one or more interactions between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device based at least in part on compatibility between the first and second brand identities.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein enabling one or more interactions between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device based at least in part on compatibility between the first and second brand identities includes the wearable wireless communication device implementing interoperability data stored in memory of the wearable wireless communication device, the interoperability data defining permitted interactions of the wearable wireless communication device with the accessory device depending on compatibility between the first and second brand identities.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the interoperability data is configured by an owner of the first brand identity.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the unique identifier implicitly identifies the second brand identity associated with the accessory device and wherein identifying the second brand identity associated with the accessory device includes decrypting the unique identifier encrypted by the public key with the private key.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the first brand identity is identical to or compatible with the second brand identity and wherein enabling one or more interactions between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device includes subordinating the wearable wireless communication device to the accessory device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein subordinating the wearable wireless communication device to the accessory device includes allowing the accessory device to master a display of the wearable wireless communication device, allowing the accessory device to use the wearable wireless communication device as a modem, or both.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the first brand identity is different from and incompatible with the second brand identity, and wherein enabling one or more interactions between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device includes permitting partial functionality of the wearable wireless communication device.

26. A method comprising:

detecting a connection between an accessory device associated with a brand identity and a wearable wireless communication device;

determining that the wearable wireless communication device is un-branded;

validating an identity of the wearable wireless communication device;

temporarily transferring the brand identity of the accessory device to the wearable wireless communication device subject to one or more usage restrictions;

determining whether the wearable wireless communication device is authenticated; and

when the wearable wireless communication is authenticated, maintaining transfer of the brand identity of the accessory device to the wearable wireless communication device subject to the usage restrictions.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein validating an identity of the wearable wireless communication device includes:

generating a random or pseudo-random data string;

providing the data string to the wearable wireless communication device;

receiving an output from the wearable wireless communication device; and

performing a cryptographic function on the output using a private key accessible to the accessory device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the output received from the wearable wireless communication device is generated by the wearable wireless communication device performing a cryptographic function on the data string and a unique serial number of the wearable wireless communication device using a public key corresponding to the private key accessible to the accessory device.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the output received from the wearable wireless communication device is generated by:

the wearable wireless communication device providing the data string and a unique serial number of the wearable wireless communication device to a registration service;

the registration service performing a cryptographic function on the data string and the unique serial number to create the output;

the registration service providing the output to the wearable wireless communication service; and

the wearable wireless communication device providing the output received from the registration service to the accessory device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the wearable wireless communication device is authenticated if the output includes an indication that the registration service has a record of a pairing between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising recording the pairing between the wearable wireless communication device and the accessory device, including storing a serial number of the wearable wireless communication device on the accessory device.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising repeatedly validating and authenticating the wearable wireless communication device against the serial number of the wearable wireless communication device stored on the accessory device.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the wearable wireless communication device is a first wearable wireless communication device, the method further comprising:

detecting a connection between the accessory device and a second wearable wireless communication device;

determining that the second wearable wireless communication device is un-branded;

validating an identity of the second wearable wireless communication device, including receiving a serial number of the second wearable wireless communication device;

determining that the serial number of the second wearable wireless communication device is different than the serial number of the first wearable wireless communication device;

preventing transfer of the brand identity of the accessory device to the second wearable wireless communication device at least until the second wearable wireless communication device establishes communication with the registration service.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein the wearable wireless communication device is a first wearable wireless communication device and when the first wearable wireless communication device is not authenticated based on a response received from a registration service indicating that the accessory device is currently paired with a different wearable wireless communication device, the method further comprises:

displaying a query to a user through the first wearable wireless communication device regarding whether the user wants to disassociate the accessory device from the different wearable wireless communication device; and

depending on the response received from the user through the first wearable wireless communication device;

using the first wearable wireless communication device and the registration service to terminate the pairing between the accessory device and the different wearable wireless communication device and to establish a new pairing between the accessory device and the different wearable wireless communication device;

or

terminating the transfer of the brand identity of the accessory device to the first wearable wireless communication device.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein temporarily transferring the brand identity of the accessory device to the wearable wireless communication device includes temporarily transferring a brand attribute associated with the brand identity to the wearable wireless communication device for display on a display of the wearable wireless communication device.

36. The method of claim 26, wherein the usage restrictions define a duration for maintaining the transfer of the brand identity to the wearable wireless communication device.