Optical Code Pairing for Secure Wearable-Host Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices with limited battery and processing resources face challenges in establishing secure communication links and managing memory efficiently, while conventional optical barcodes lack aesthetic appeal and exclusivity.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing custom optical codes with branded finder patterns for secure device pairing, where a wearable device captures an optical code displayed by a host device, enabling wireless pairing and memory management through reserved resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional optical barcodes are used for device pairing, then device pairing functionality is achieved, but aesthetic appeal and exclusivity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optical code is segmented into distinct functional components: branded finder patterns for aesthetic identification and data encoding regions for secure pairing information. This segmentation allows the code to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical code have specialized qualities - the finder patterns use branded designs for aesthetic appeal and quick identification, while specific data zones contain encrypted pairing information for security. Each region is optimized for its specific function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wearable devices include communication and charging systems, then device functionality is improved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical code system serves multiple functions: it enables device pairing, transmits data, provides branding, and facilitates secure communication initiation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, conserving weight and space.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical code acts as an intermediary that enables communication between wearable and host devices without requiring continuous or complex wireless protocols. The code captures pairing information optically, reducing the burden on wearable device communication hardware.
3Productivity
If optical codes are used for device pairing, then pairing efficiency is improved, but memory resources on wearable devices are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential pairing information into the optical code, minimizing the data that needs to be stored on the wearable device. The code contains targeted pairing parameters rather than complete device profiles, conserving limited memory resources.
Solution Approach 2:
Pairing information is prepared and encoded into the optical code in advance on the host device before the wearable device needs to use it. This preliminary preparation reduces the processing and storage burden on the resource-constrained wearable device during the actual pairing moment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates secure and efficient wireless connections with aesthetic appeal, conserves wearable device resources, and manages memory by pairing with host devices, ensuring exclusive content sharing and secure data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
capturing, using an image sensor, an image including a first optical code from the first host device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for device pairing using optical codes are described. One embodiment is a wearable device with an image sensor configured to capture an image including a first optical code from a first host device. The wearable device decodes the first optical code, and in response to the first optical code, initiates broadcast of a pairing advertisement. The host device displays a second optical code in response to the pairing advertisement, and the wearable device captures and processes the second optical code to determine a host pairing advertisement code. The wearable device then, in response to the second optical code, initiate broadcast of a second pairing advertisement including the host pairing advertisement code. In various embodiments, a secure wireless channel is then established and used for further secure communications.