Device Association Via Video Handshake

• US 20130276079A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Foulds, Christopher James, Kert, Kaido, Kaufman, Matthew T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,450,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/7
• 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: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys

Abstract

A method of pairing a first device with a second device is disclosed. Accordingly, an image that includes encoded data is generated. The encoded data includes a unique identifier for identifying the first device and an arbitrary security code. The first device displays the image on a display. The second device captures the image using an image sensing device. The encoded data is decoded to generate a decoded data. The second device sends the decoded data to a server that is communicatively connected to the first device and the second device. Upon receiving the decoded data and using the unique identifier, the server communicates with the first device to verify the arbitrary security code.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

responsive to recognizing a pairing initiation by a first device, requesting (502) image information from a remote source;

receiving the image information from the remote source and using (506) the image information to display an image identifier to the first device effective to enable the first device to capture an image of the image identifier and return to the remote source to enable the remote source to authenticate a pairing between the first and second devices.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein using the image information comprises encoding the image information into the image identifier.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein using the image information comprises encoding the image information into an image identifier comprising a QR code.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the image information comprises the image identifier.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a handheld device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a television.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first and second device are connected to a communication network.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second devices is in a communication session with a third device.

9. A computer-implemented method comprising:

generating, by a first device, a signature tone to enable a second device to recognize a pairing initiation between the first and second device;

receiving, from the second device, an image identifier associated with the pairing initiation; and

processing the image identifier and sending data associated with the image identifier to a server effective to enable the server to return a pairing authentication to the second device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the image identifier comprises an encoded image and said processing comprises decoding the encoded image.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the image identifier comprises a QR code and said processing comprises decoding the QR code.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the first device comprises a handheld device.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the second device comprises a television.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the first and second devices are connected to a communication network.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein one of the first or second devices is in a communication session with a third device.

16. A computer readable storage medium containing instructions for associating a handheld device and a television device, the program instructions comprising:

program instructions for requesting image information from a remote source responsive to recognizing a pairing initiation by the handheld device;

program instructions for receiving the image information from the remote source and using the image information to display an image identifier to the handheld device effective to enable the handheld device to capture an image of the image identifier and return to the remote source to enable the remote source to authenticate a pairing between the handheld device and the television device.

17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein using the image information comprises encoding the image information into the image identifier.

18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the image information comprises the image identifier.

19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein using the image information comprises encoding the image information into a QR code.

20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first and second device are connected to a communication network.