Device association using an audio signal

• US 9,628,514 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2011
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Skype S.Ã R.L. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Kaufman, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Talukder, Md
• Application Number:
  US13/293,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20130122810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,986 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411, 455 412, 455 413, 4554351
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

A method of associating a first device with a second device is disclosed. The first device through its speaker broadcasts a request for association using an audio signal. The broadcasted audio signal is received by the second device through its microphone. The first and second devices then cooperatively verifies a security code and upon a successful verification of the security code, the first and the second devices are enabled to communicate with each other.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting an audio signal through a speaker of a first device, the audio signal configured for detection by a second device and comprising a request for association with the second device;

after transmitting the audio signal configured for detection by the second device, rendering a first security code on a display of the first device to enable a user of the second device to view the first security code on the display of the first device;

receiving a response message from the second device, the response message including a second security code, the response message received after the first security code is rendered on the display of the first device;

comparing the second security code to the first security code and verifying the second security code if the second security code matches the first security code; and

responsive to verifying the second security code, connecting to the second device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio signal includes an identification of the first device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the identification is encoded in the audio signal using one of a frequency shift keying (FSK) method or a dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) method.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the verification of the second security code enables the first device to communicate with the second device through audio signals using audible frequencies.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device and the second device are connected to a communication network.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the verification of the second security code enables the first device to communicate with the second device through the communication network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first security code comprises a text string, a numeric code, or an alpha numeric code.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein rendering the first security code comprises rendering a graphical representation of the first security code on the display of the first device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first security code comprises a picture of an object, and wherein the second security code comprises a textual description of the object.

10. A computer readable storage device comprising programming instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by a processor of a device, perform operations comprising:

transmitting an audio signal through a speaker of the device, the audio signal configured for detection by an additional device and comprising a request for association with the additional device;

after transmitting the audio signal, rendering a first security code on a display of the device to enable a user of the additional device to view the first security code on the display of the device;

receiving a response message from the additional device, the response message including a second security code, the response message received after the first security code is rendered on the display of the device;

comparing the second security code to the first security code and verifying the second security code if the second security code matches the first security code; and

responsive to verifying the second security code, connecting to the additional device.

11. The computer readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the audio signal includes an identification of the device, wherein the identification of the device is encoded in the audio signal using one of a frequency shift keying (FSK) method or a dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) method.

12. The computer readable storage device of claim 10, wherein if the security code is verified by the additional device, communication is enabled between the device and the additional device through audio signals using audio frequencies.

13. The computer readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the device and the additional device are connected to a communication network.

14. The computer readable storage device of claim 13, wherein if the security code is verified by the additional device, communication is enabled between the device and the additional device through the communication network.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the device is further configured to decipher the data to retrieve the request for association when the data is received at the device via the audio signal.

16. The computer readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the first security code comprises a picture of an object, and wherein the second security code comprises a textual description of the object.

17. A computing device comprising:

a display;

one or more speakers;

one or more processors; and

one or more memories having instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by the one or more processors, perform operations comprising;

transmitting an audio signal through the one or more speakers, the audio signal configured for detection by an additional computing device and comprising a request for association with the additional computing device;

after transmitting the audio signal, rendering a first security code on the display to enable a user of the additional computing device to view the first security code on the display;

receiving a response message from the additional computing device, the response message including a second security code, the response message received after the first security code is rendered on the display;

comparing the second security code to the first security code and verifying the second security code if the second security code matches the first security code; and

responsive to verifying the second security code, connecting to the additional computing device.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the first security code comprises a text string, a numeric code, or an alpha numeric code.

19. The computing device of claim 17, wherein rendering the first security code comprises rendering a graphical representation of the first security code on the display.

20. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the security code comprises a picture of an object, and wherein the second security code comprises a textual description of the object.