US007155163B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 7,155,163 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`Dec. 26, 2006
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Cannonet al.
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`UNIFIED PASSCODE PAIRING OF PICONET
`DEVICES
`
`Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, Harleysville, PA
`(US); Jonathan H. Fischer, Longmont,
`CO (US); John P. Veschi, Fogelsville,
`PA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Agere Systems Inc., Allentown, PA
`(US)
`
`2003/0036350 Al*
`
`2/2003 Jonsson et al. oo... 455/41
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`WO094/05101
`
`*
`
`3/1994
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Bluetooth Specification Version 1.0B, Profiles, Bluetooth SIG, Dec.
`1, 1999, pp. 37-44.*
`Bluetooth Specification Version 1.0 B, pp. 143-162, Nov. 29, 1999.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 744 days.
`
`Primary Examiner—Charles R. Craver
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 09/756,106
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 9, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0090912 Al
`
`Jul. 11, 2002
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`HO4B 7/00
`US. Cle eee 455/41.2; 455/420, 455/466;
`455/456.6; 455/90.1
`Field of Classification Search ............. 455/426.1,
`455/41.1-41.3, 426.2, 466, 518, 519, 520
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,289,218
`6,366,622
`6,484,027
`6,571,103
`6,631,271
`6,640,098
`6,697,638
`6,718,395
`2002/0065041
`
`BI*
`BI*
`BI*
`BI*
`BI*
`BI*
`BI*
`BI*
`Al*
`
`9/2001
`4/2002
`11/2002
`5/2003
`10/2003
`10/2003
`2/2004
`4/2004
`5/2002
`
`LIU coe eeeeeeceeeeeeeserereeeeee 455/426
`Brownet al. oo... 375/322
`
`Mauneyet al... 455/421
`
`Novakov wo.ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 455/464
`
`Logan oo... eeceeeeeeeee 455/456.1
`
`Roundtree
`.............. 455/414.2
`
`Larsson et al.
`.......... 455/553.1
`Liegler oo... eeeeeeeeeeeeeee 709/248
`Lunsfordet al.
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to an application layer function
`outside the BLUETOOTH protocol which associates a
`BLUETOOTH unique address,
`i.e.,
`the 48-bit unique
`BD_ADDRaddress, with a short passcode or PIN whichis
`associated with a particular type of BLUETOOTHdevice in
`a particular piconet. The passcode or PIN can be pre-
`determined by the manufacturer of the BLUETOOTH
`device, or can be input and defined by the user. Upon
`installation in a piconet,
`in one embodiment shown and
`described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user can be
`asked to manually input a particular passcode or PIN into a
`relevant piconet device, and an inquiry can be broadcast to
`all communicating piconet devices and only those other
`piconet devices having a matching passcode or PIN associ-
`ated therewith can automatically forward their respective
`48-bit unique BD_ADDRaddresses to the inquiring piconet
`device. Alternatively, a user can inquire and be provided
`with a list of available passcodesor PINsalready established
`by other devices in the piconet, and select a particular
`passcode or PIN associated with one or more other piconet
`devices. The passcode or personal
`identification number
`(PIN) may be input uponelectronic device setup (e.g., a four
`character code). The passcode or PIN may be numeric, text,
`or alphanumeric.
`
`14 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`~ee 5
`
`102
` UNIQUE
`
`
`DEVICE
`
`ADDRESS
`
`
`
`USER
`
`BLUETOOTH
`INTERFACE
`
`
`FRONT
`PROCESSOR
`FOR PIN
`
`
`
`END
`SELECTION/
`
`
`
`INPUT
`
`
`
`MATCHING
`104
`
`PIN/8D_ADDR
`DEVICE LIST
`
`:
`
`
`
`502
`
`
`
`
`SELECTED
`PIN
`
`|
`eee J
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1017
`
`APPLE 1017
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of6
`
`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`
`SELECT OR INPUT PIN OR PASSCODE}-~202
`
`INQUIRE OTHER BLUETOOTH
`DEVICES WITH MATCHING PIN OR
`PASSCODE SELECTED
`
`RECEIVE UNIQUE 48-BIT ADDRESSES
`OF ONLY BLUETOOTH DEVICES
`HAVING MATCHING PIN TYPES
`
`AUTOMATICALLY STORE RECEIVED
`48-BIT BLUETOOTH ADDRESSES IN
`PAIRED DEVICE UST
`
`204
`
`206
`
`208
`
`END
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 7,155,163 B2
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE PINS
`FROM MASTER DEVICE
`
`407
`
`SELECT OR INPUT NEW PIN
`
`404
`
`
`
`UPLOAD COMMAND TO MASTER
`DEVICE TO ADD RELEVANT DEVICE
`
`
`TO SELECTED/INPUT PIN LIST
`
`
`
`DOWNLOAD UNIQUE 48-BIT ADDRESSES
`OF ONLY BLUETOOTH DEVICES HAVING
`MATCHING PIN TYPES
`
`AUTOMATICALLY STORE RECEIVED
`48-BIT BLUETOOTH ADDRESSES IN
`PAIRED DEVICE LIST
`
`END
`
`406
`
`408
`
`410
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 7,155,163 B2
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 26, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of6
`
`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`START
`
`INQUIRE OTHER BLUETOOTH DEVICES
`
`|——602
`
`RECEIVE UNIQUE 48-BIT ADDRESSES
`OF ALL OTHER BLUETOOTH DEVICES
`OF ALL TYPES
`
`
`
`FROM LIST OF ALL 48-BIT ADDRESSES
`RECEIVED, MANUALLY SELECT DESIRED
`
`UNIQUE BLUETOOTH ADDRESS(ES) FOR
`
`
`PAIRING WITH PRIMARY DEVICE
`
`STORE MANUALLY SELECTED UNIQUE
`48-BIT BLUETOOTH ADDRESS IN
`PAIRED DEVICE LIST
`
`604
`
`606
`
`608
`
`END
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`1
`UNIFIED PASSCODE PAIRING OF PICONET
`DEVICES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to piconet wireless net-
`works. More particularly, it relates to a user friendly con-
`figuration of BLUETOOTH™piconet type networks.
`2. Background
`Piconets, or small wireless networks, are being formed by
`more and more devices in many homes and offices. In
`particular, a popular piconet standard is commonly referred
`to as a BLUETOOTH™piconet. Piconet technology in
`general, and BLUETOOTHtechnology in particular, pro-
`vides peer-to-peer communications over short distances.
`The wireless frequency of the piconets may be 2.4 GHz
`as per BLUETOOTHstandards, and/or typically have a 20
`to 100 foot range. The piconet RF transmitter may operate
`in common frequencies which do not necessarily require a
`license from the regulating governmentauthorities, e.g., the
`Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United
`States. Alternatively, the wireless communication can be
`accomplished with infrared (IR) transmitters and receivers,
`but this is less preferable because of the directional and
`visual problems often associated with IR systems.
`A plurality of piconet networks may be interconnected
`through a scatternet connection, in accordance with BLUE-
`TOOTH™protocols. BLUETOOTH network technology
`may be utilized to implement a wireless piconet network
`connection (including scatternet). The BLUETOOTHstan-
`dard for wireless piconet networks is well known, and is
`available from many sources, e.g., from the web site www-
`-bluetooth.com.
`With the introduction of BLUETOOTHpiconets in many
`electronic home devices,
`the configuration or pairing of
`BLUETOOTH devices becomes increasingly difficult and
`error prone by the user. This is particularly true where
`individual BLUETOOTHdevices are manufactured by dif-
`ferent companies.
`FIG. 5 depicts a conventional BLUETOOTHdevice 500.
`In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, a conventional BLUE-
`TOOTHdevice 500 includes a processoror logic device 508
`(e.g., a Microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal
`processor (DSP)), and a BLUETOOTH front end 504.
`Moreover, the BLUETOOTH device 500 includes a unique
`48-bit BD_ADDR 502, and a table 506 containing a list of
`paired BLUETOOTHdevices in the particular piconet. The
`paired device unique address table 506 may be pre-config-
`ured at the factory, or written to by a suitable user interface
`such as a software-based configuration module 510 allowing
`entry of the 48-bit address of paired devices for storage in
`the paired device unique address table 506.
`When configuring a BLUETOOTHdevice in a BLUE-
`TOOTHpiconet, the devices communicating on the piconet
`must know the specific unique 48-bit address of matching
`devices on the piconet. For instance, it may be desirable for
`entertainment devices (e.g., TV, radio, CD player, DVD
`player, MP3 player, etc.) having BLUETOOTH communi-
`cation capabilities to communicate with one another, but it
`maynot be desirable (nor make sense) for appliances such
`as a stoveorrefrigerator, toaster, blender, etc. having BLUE-
`TOOTH communication capabilities talk with entertainment
`devices.
`
`This is particularly true since the maximum number of
`BLUETOOTHdevices in a piconet is somewhatrestricted.
`For instance, current BLUETOOTHstandards permit one
`
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`2
`(1) master and seven (7) slaves to be active in the piconet at
`any one time (plus a number of BLUETOOTHdevices being
`capable of being ‘parked’).
`According to the standard, all BLUETOOTHdevices are
`assigned a unique 48-bit BLUETOOTH device address
`(BD_ADDR). This address is derived from the IEEE802
`standard, and is divided into three fields: a lower address
`part (LAP) comprising 24 bits; an upper address part com-
`prising 8 bits; and a non-significant address part (NAP)
`comprising 16 bits. The LAP and UAPform the significant
`part
`of
`the
`48-bit BLUETOOTH device
`address
`(BD_ADDR). The total address space obtained is 2°*.
`is
`The BLUETOOTH device address
`(BD_ADDR)
`unique for each BLUETOOTHdevice. The BLUETOOTH
`addresses are publicly known, and can be obtained by a
`manufacturer via MMIinteractions, or, automatically, via an
`inquiry routine by a BLUETOOTHdevice. Blocks of 48-bit
`addresses may be assigned to various manufacturers, who in
`turn factory pre-configure each BLUETOOTH device to
`include a unique 48-bit address (BD_ADDR) as well as a
`table of unique 48-bit addresses of ‘paired’ devices which
`will all communicate over a commonpiconet.
`When a user buys or replaces a BLUETOOTH equipped
`electronic device, the user must configure the new BLUE-
`TOOTH device for communication with relevant and
`desired devices in the relevant piconet. Conventionally,
`BLUETOOTH communicating devices may be pre-config-
`ured at the factory to include the unique 48-bit addresses of
`one another to allow communications therebetween. How-
`ever, if a pre-configured device breaks and requires replace-
`ment by a user, reconfiguration of the replacement BLUE-
`TOOTH device to include the identity of a paired
`BLUETOOTH device is cumbersome and error prone at
`best.
`FIG. 6 shows a conventional configuration technique for
`automatically configuring a BLUETOOTH device with
`paired devices in a piconet.
`In particular, as shown in step 602 of FIG. 6, a BLUE-
`TOOTHdevice 500 inquires of other BLUETOOTHdevices
`within range of the piconet and/or scatternet.
`In step 604, the unique 48-bit addresses BD_ADDRofall
`other BLUETOOTHdevices ofall types are received. This
`step in particular has the potential of increasing network
`traffic, degrading communications in general, particularly in
`a fluent network design such as in mobile applications.
`In step 606, a user is required to manually select desired
`other BLUETOOTH devices from a list of all 48-bit
`
`addresses received for pairing with the primary inquiring
`device.
`
`In step 608, the selected unique 48-bit BLUETOOTH
`addresses BD_ADDRis/are stored in an appropriate loca-
`tion. e.g.,
`in the paired device unique address table 506
`shown in FIG. 5.
`While the process shown in FIG. 6 provides automation
`to the paired BD_ADDRconfiguration process in a BLUE-
`TOOTHdevice, it nevertheless requires confirmation by the
`user of which other BLUETOOTHdevice(s) to accept as a
`‘paired’ device. However, if a significant number of other
`BLUETOOTH devices are within range (e.g.,
`in a well-
`implemented home), it becomes burdensometo the user to
`select which of a great number of possible BLUETOOTH
`devices should be selected as a paired device.
`Currently, each BLUETOOTHdevice must be configured
`with the 48-bit unique address of other BLUETOOTH
`devices in the particular piconet to permit communications
`therebetween. Unfortunately, this is proneto errors by users.
`resulting in erroneous or no communications between
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`3
`BLUETOOTHdevices, frustrating users and ultimately con-
`tributing to a potential slow acceptance of piconet technol-
`ogy.
`There is a need for a simplified address configuration
`technology and apparatus with respect to piconet devices in
`general, and BLUETOOTHstandard devices in particular.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
`a wireless piconet network device comprises a piconet front
`end, a unique address, and a passcode or PIN selection
`module to allow a user to provide a passcode or PIN
`associated with at least one other wireless piconet network
`device within range of the wireless piconet network device.
`A methodof obtaining a unique address pairing between
`separate wireless piconet network devices in accordance
`with another aspect of the present
`invention comprises
`entering a passcode or PIN into a first wireless piconet
`network device. Unique addresses of each of a plurality of
`wireless piconet network devices each associated with said
`entered passcode or PIN are provided to the first wireless
`piconet network device. A plurality of piconet network
`devices in a common piconet network are associated with
`the single entered passcode or PIN.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Features and advantages of the present invention will
`becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the follow-
`ing description with reference to the drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 depicts a BLUETOOTHpiconet device including
`a user interface for passcode or PIN selection/input, and a
`matching PIN devicelist, in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 shows an exemplary setup procedure for pairing a
`BLUETOOTH device with a piconet of other BLUE-
`TOOTH devices in accordance with the principles of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a BLUETOOTH
`piconet device including a user interface for passcode or PIN
`election/input, and a plurality of matching PIN device lists
`in a master device for download to slave devices, in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 shows an exemplary setup procedure for request-
`ing a paired PIN list from a master BLUETOOTH device
`with a piconet of other BLUETOOTH devices, in accor-
`dance with another embodimentof the present invention.
`FIG. 5 depicts a conventional BLUETOOTHdevice.
`FIG. 6 shows a conventional configuration technique for
`automatically configuring a BLUETOOTH device with
`paired devices in a piconet.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`invention relates to an application layer
`The present
`function outside the BLUETOOTHprotocol which associ-
`ates a BLUETOOTHunique address, i.e., the 48-bit unique
`BD_ADDRaddress, with a short passcode or PIN which is
`associated with a particular type of BLUETOOTHdevice in
`a particular piconet. The passcode or PIN can be pre-
`determined by the manufacturer of the BLUETOOTH
`device, or can be input and defined by the user.
`Uponinstallation in a piconet, In one embodiment shown
`and described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user can be
`asked to manually input a particular passcode or PIN into a
`
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`4
`relevant piconet device, and an inquiry can be broadcast to
`all communicating piconet devices and only those other
`piconet devices having a matching passcode or PIN associ-
`ated therewith can automatically forward their respective
`48-bit unique BD_ADDRaddresses to the inquiring piconet
`device. Alternatively,
`in an embodiment
`shown and
`described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a user can inquire
`and be provided with a list of available passcodes or PINs
`already established by other devices in the piconet, and
`select a particular passcode or PIN associated with one or
`more other piconet devices.
`identification number (PIN)
`The passcode or personal
`may be input upon electronic device setup (e.g., a four
`character code). The passcode or PIN may be numeric, text,
`alphanumeric, or even biometric. For instance, a passcode or
`PIN may be derived based on a user’s fingerprint, voice
`print, voice recognition, etc.
`FIG. 1 depicts a BLUETOOTHpiconet device including
`a user interface for passcode or PIN selection/input, and a
`matching PIN devicelist, in accordance with the principles
`of the present invention.
`As shown in FIG. 1,a BLUETOOTHdevice 100 includes
`a BLUETOOTHfront end 504, and a suitable processing
`device 108 (e.g., a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a
`digital signal processor (DSP)). The BLUETOOTHdevice
`100 also includes a unique 48-bit BD_ADDRdevice address
`502. Importantly,
`the BLUETOOTH device 100 further
`includes a selected passcode or PIN 102, which in turn
`provides the basis for an automatic construction of a match-
`ing PIN/BD_ADDRdevice list 106. The BLUETOOTH
`device 100 also includes a user interface for PIN selection/
`
`input module.
`BLUETOOTHdevices each have a unique 48-bit address
`(BD_ADDR)that is used to define, as well as to allow for
`restricted communication with other BLUETOOTHdevices.
`
`Pairing of BLUETOOTH devices occurs by setting up
`which BLUETOOTHdevice addresses can establish a con-
`nection with each other. Pairing of BLUETOOTH devices
`by inclusion of a list of BD_ADDRaddresses of paired
`BLUETOOTHdevices allows for many different devices to
`communicate with one another, and also restricts commu-
`nication with those devices that do not have addresses that
`
`have been deemed acceptable or registered.It is this regis-
`tration of acceptable BLUETOOTHdevice addresses that
`would be very cumbersome for users when they wish to
`establish a piconet connection between various devices. It
`will be very user-friendly for a device to allow for an input
`such as a common PIN that would be shared by all piconet
`members. Therefore, if a user wishes to add a new device or
`replace a BLUETOOTH device within a home or office,
`piconet pairing is established by mere entry or selection of
`the relatively short and simple passcode or PIN.
`Whenthis passcodeis defined or entered by the user, the
`relevant BLUETOOTHdevice is then allowed to commu-
`
`nicate with all other electronic devices sharing the same
`passcode or PIN, without the need for the user or manufac-
`turer to individually select one or more paired devices.
`FIG. 2 shows an exemplary setup procedure for pairing a
`BLUETOOTH device with a piconet of other BLUE-
`TOOTH devices in accordance with the principles of the
`present invention.
`In particular, as shown in step 202 of FIG. 2, the user
`selects or manually inputs a desired PIN or passcode.
`In step 204, the relevant BLUETOOTHdevice inquires to
`other BLUETOOTH devices within range to find other
`BLUETOOTH devices including matching PIN or pass-
`codes.
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 7,155,163 B2
`
`5
`In step 206, in response, unique 48-bit unique BD_ADDR
`addresses are received from only BLUETOOTH devices
`having matching PIN or passcode types.
`In step 208, the received BD_ADDRsfrom other BLUE-
`TOOTH devices having matching PIN or passcodes are
`automatically stored in a paired device list, e.g.,
`in the
`matching PIN/BD_ADDRdevicelist 106 shown in FIG.1.
`The operations of steps 206 and 208 reduce and minimize
`network traflic as compared to conventional piconet systems
`wherein all BLUETOOTH devices may respond to an
`inquiry message.
`Thus,
`in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention, an exemplary setup procedure asksa user to input
`a passcode or PIN, e.g., a short character code such as
`“MUSIC”for a pairing with all entertainment devices car-
`rying the same “MUSIC”code, “APPL” for an automatic
`pairing with all appliance devices within the piconet, etc.
`Shorter passcodes or PINs are preferred, so as to be more
`easily entered by the user and/or rememberedbythe user for
`manual input.
`Use of a passcode or PIN relieves the user of having to
`know the particular BLUETOOTH device address
`(or
`addresses) with which pairing is desired. This is particularly
`important in crowded applications including many BLUE-
`TOOTH devices. Thus, a user can be paired with other
`BLUETOOTHdevices without ever knowing the specific
`48-bit addresses of the other BLUETOOTHdevices.
`
`the BLUETOOTH device
`In a preferred embodiment,
`searches out all other BLUETOOTH devices and/or estab-
`lished passcodesor pins in the piconet, e.g., within the 10 m
`connection range. The BD_ADDR addresses of found
`BLUETOOTH device’s and associated passcodes or PINS
`are received and validated by the requesting BLUETOOTH
`device. A choice of these established passcodes or PINS are
`displayed to the user for simple selection and storage of the
`associated BD_ADDRaddresses of paired BLUETOOTH
`devices into a matching PIN device list.
`FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a BLUETOOTH
`piconet device including a user interface for passcode or PIN
`selection/input, and a plurality of matching PIN devicelists
`in a master device for download to slave devices, in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention.
`In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, a master piconet device
`300 includes
`a plurality of paired BD_ADDR lists
`106a-106c, each associated with different PINs or pass-
`codes 310-314, respectively.
`In accordance with one embodiment, a slave piconet
`device entering the piconet controlled by the master piconet
`device 300 communicates a desired message to the master
`piconet device 300 requesting downloadofthepairedlist of
`BD_ADDRdevice addresses associated with a particular
`PIN or passcode. The particular PIN or passcode may be
`input by the user of the entering slave piconet device. The
`entering slave piconet device would automatically receive
`that paired list of BD_ADDRdevices, and store the same in
`its matching PIN/BD_ADDRdevicelist 106 (FIG. 1).
`In another embodiment, a slave piconet device entering
`the piconet controlled by the master piconet device 300 may
`initially request a list of available or established PINs or
`passcodes 310-314 from the master piconet device 300,
`prompt the user of the slave piconet device to select for
`download one of the available PIN or passcodes 310-314,
`and then receive and store the downloaded list of BD_AD-
`DRsin its matching PIN/BD_ADDRdevicelist 106.
`FIG. 4 shows an exemplary setup procedure for request-
`ing a paired PIN list from a master BLUETOOTH device
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`with a piconet of other BLUETOOTH devices, in accor-
`dance with another embodimentof the present invention.
`In particular, as shown in step 402 of FIG. 4, a list of
`available passcodes or PINs 310-314 are downloadedto an
`entering piconet device from a master piconet device 300 on
`the relevant piconet.
`In step 404, a user of the entering piconet device selects
`or inputs one of the downloaded passcodes or PINs.
`In step 406,
`the entering piconet device uploads an
`appropriate commandto the master piconet device 300 an
`instruction to add the entering piconet device to the entering
`piconet devices paired PIN/BD_ADDRlist 106 (FIG. 1).
`In step 408, the master piconet device 300 downloads a
`list of unique 48-bit address of only those BLUETOOTH
`devices having matching PIN typesto the entering piconet
`device.
`
`In step 410, the received 48-bit BLUETOOTHaddresses
`are automatically stored in appropriate RAM (volatile or
`non-volatile)
`corresponding
`to
`the matching
`PIN/
`BD_ADDRdevicelist 106.
`The use of passcodes or PINs provides a user-friendly
`feature to BLUETOOTH piconet devices, and enhances
`acceptance of BLUETOOTHpiconet devices.
`The use and implementation of a passcode or PIN in a
`BLUETOOTHpiconet device also provides another level of
`security in that communications would not be permitted
`between devices not having a same passcode or PIN.
`While the invention has been described with reference to
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`the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art
`will be able to make various modifications to the described
`
`embodiments of the invention without departing from the
`true spirit and scope of the invention.
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. A wireless piconet network device, comprising:
`a piconet front end;
`a unique address;
`a passcode or PIN selection module to allow a user to
`provide a passcode or PIN associated with at least one
`other wireless piconet network device within range of
`said wireless piconet network device, said passcode or
`PIN being distinct from an IEEE address; and
`a unique address retrieval module that uses said passcode
`or PIN to retrieve a unique address from said at least
`one other wireless piconet network device.
`2. The wireless piconet network device according to claim
`1, further comprising:
`a paired device unique address list, each unique address
`stored in said paired device unique address list being
`associated with said provided passcode or PIN.
`3. The wireless piconet network device according to claim
`2, wherein:
`said provided passcode or PIN is selectable from a list of
`established passcodes or PINsin a piconet correspond-
`ing to said wireless piconet network device.
`4. The wireless piconet network device according to claim
`1, wherein:
`said piconet front end conforms to BLUETOOTHstan-
`dards.
`5. The wireless piconet network device according to claim
`1, wherein:
`said unique address is a 48-bit address.
`6. The wireless piconet network device according to claim
`1, further comprising:
`a plurality of paired device unique address lists, each of
`said plurality of paired device unique address lists
`being associated with one ofa plurality of passcode or
`PINs.
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`US 7,155,163 B2
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`8
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`7. A method of obtaining a unique address pairing means for singly entering a passcode or PIN intoafirst
`between separate wireless piconet network devices, said
`wireless piconet network device including a piconet
`method comprising:
`front end, said passcode or PIN being distinct from an
`singly entering a passcode or PIN into a first wireless
`TEEE address; and
`piconet network device including a piconet front end,
`meansfor providingto said first wireless piconet network
`said passcode or PIN being distinct from an IEEE
`device a unique address of a second wireless piconet
`address; and
`network device only if a passcode or PIN in said second
`providing to said first wireless piconet network device a
`wireless pirconet network devices matches said single
`unique address of a second wireless piconet network
`entered passcode or PIN;
`device only if a passcodeor PIN in said second wireless
`wherein at least two piconet network devices in a com-
`pirconet network devices matches said single entered
`mon piconet network are associated with said single
`passcode or PIN;
`entered passcode or PIN.
`wherein at least two piconet network devices in a com-
`mon piconet network are associated with said single
`12. The apparatus for obtaining a unique address pairing
`entered passcode or PIN.
`between separate wireless piconet network devices accord-
`8. The method of obtaining a unique address pairing
`ing to claim 11, wherein:
`between separate wireless piconet network devices accord-
`said means for providing provides said unique address to
`ing to claim 7, wherein:
`said first wireless piconet network device from a sec-
`said unique address is provided to said first wireless
`ond wireless piconet network device over said common
`piconet network device from a second wireless piconet
`piconet network.
`network device over said common piconet network.
`13. The apparatus for obtaining a unique address pairing
`9. The method of obtaining a unique address pairing
`between separate wireless piconet network devices accord-
`between separate wireless piconet network devices accord-
`ing to claim 7, wherein:
`ing to claim 11, wherein:
`said first wireless piconet network device conforms to a
`said first wireless piconet network device conforms to a
`BLUETOOTHpiconetstandard.
`BLUETOOTHpiconet standard.
`10. The method of obtaining a unique address pairing
`14. The method of obtaining a unique address pairing
`between separate wireless piconet network devices accord-
`between separate wireless piconet network devices accord-
`ing to claim 7, wherein:
`ing to claim 11, wherein:
`said wireless piconet network device is a master BLUE-
`TOOTH device.
`said wireless piconet network device is a master BLUE-
`TOOTH device.
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`11. Apparatus for obtaining a unique address pairing
`between separate wireless piconet network devices, said
`method comprising:
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