Embedded Audio Passcode for Secure Phone Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices lack efficient methods for establishing secure, ad-hoc connections to relay incoming telephone calls between unpaired devices, particularly in smart home environments, where secure and encrypted data channels are necessary for audio communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an embedded passcode within an audio ringtone to facilitate secure connections between a smartphone and a smart home device, enabling the generation of an encryption key for encrypting data channels and allowing ad-hoc relay of telephone call audio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional Bluetooth pairing or common network connection is used to stream audio data, then reliable connection is established, but device complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection establishment process from complex Bluetooth pairing procedures by using audio signals as a standalone authentication mechanism. The passcode is extracted from the ringtone audio itself, allowing devices to authenticate and establish encrypted connections without traditional pairing protocols, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal serves as an intermediary carrier that conveys authentication information between devices. Instead of directly establishing complex pairing protocols, the system uses the audio ringtone as a mediator to transmit passcode data, which then enables secure connection establishment without requiring traditional Bluetooth pairing complexity.
2Reliability
If encrypted data channels are established for audio communication, then security is improved, but connection setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by embedding the passcode into the ringtone audio before the actual call connection is needed. This allows the authentication material to be prepared and transmitted in advance through the audio signal, so that when the connection is established, the encryption keys are already derived and ready, reducing the setup time required for secure connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal provides periodic action by continuously carrying the passcode information throughout the ringtone duration. This continuous transmission of authentication data allows the receiving device to continuously derive and verify encryption keys during the ringtone period, enabling faster connection establishment once the audio signal ends, as the cryptographic material is already in place.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ad-hoc connections are established between unpaired devices, then connectivity flexibility is improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the traditional ringtone notification function while also carrying embedded passcode data for authentication. This multi-functionality allows unpaired devices to establish secure ad-hoc connections without requiring separate pairing procedures, achieving both connectivity flexibility and security through a single integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of the audio signal from purely informational (ringtone only) to dual-purpose (ringtone + authentication data). By modulating the audio signal to embed passcode information, the system transforms the audio carrier into a security-bearing medium, enabling secure ad-hoc connections between unpaired devices while maintaining the flexibility of audio-based communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to use an embedded passcode within an audio ringtone to establish a secure connection for arbitrary phone relay are described. The use of an embedded passcode enables encrypted ad-hoc connections for the relay of audio of an incoming telephone call to a secondary device, such as a virtual assistant enabled smart speaker device.