Bluetooth device as security access key

Abstract

This application is directed to a system for remotely directing a host device to perform an operation using a key. The key may include a communications circuitry for transmitting data, for example a key identifier or an instruction to perform an operation, within a personal area network created by the communications circuitry. When a host device is within the personal area network, the key may transmit data received by a transceiver on the host device. In response to receiving the data, the host device may perform an operation (e.g., an authentication operation). In some embodiments, the key may transmit data identifying an operation for the host device to perform. In some embodiments, the host device may store in memory key identification information and an associated operation which may be retrieved when the key is brought in proximity of the host device.

1 . A method for enabling a computing device to perform a login procedure by interfacing with an electronic key, the method comprising, at the computing device:
 establishing, with the electronic key, a secure communication channel in response to detecting the electronic key;   receiving, from the electronic key, authentication data that is associated with the computing device; and   in response to verifying the authentication data:
 performing the login procedure at the computing device using the authentication data. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the computing device is associated with an identity; and   the electronic key associates the authentication data with the identity of the computing device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the electronic key, preference data that describes at least one operation for the computing device to execute in conjunction with authenticating the computing device; and   subsequent to performing the login procedure:
 executing the at least one operation. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic key comprises a mobile computing device; and   the computing device is included in an automobile.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, prior to establishing the secure communication channel, the electronic key receives an input of the authentication data by way of at least one user input device that is communicably coupled to the electronic key. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 terminating the secure communication channel in response to determining that the electronic key satisfies a threshold distance from the computing device, and   performing a logout procedure at the computing device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authentication data is verified against other authentication data that is managed by the computing device without interfacing with a server computing device. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a login procedure by interfacing with an electronic key, by carrying out steps that include:
 establishing, with the electronic key, a secure communication channel in response to detecting the electronic key;   receiving, from the electronic key, authentication data that is associated with the computing device; and   in response to verifying the authentication data:
 performing the login procedure at the computing device using the authentication data. 
   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the computing device is associated with an identity; and   the electronic key associates the authentication data with the identity of the computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the steps further include:
 receiving, from the electronic key, preference data that describes at least one operation for the computing device to execute in conjunction with authenticating the computing device; and   subsequent to performing the login procedure:
 executing the at least one operation. 
   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the electronic key comprises a mobile computing device; and   the computing device is included in an automobile.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein, prior to establishing the secure communication channel, the electronic key receives an input of the authentication data by way of at least one user input device that is communicably coupled to the electronic key. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the steps further include:
 terminating the secure communication channel in response to determining that the electronic key satisfies a threshold distance from the computing device, and   performing a logout procedure at the computing device.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the authentication data is verified against other authentication data that is managed by the computing device without interfacing with a server computing device. 
     
     
         15 . A computing device configured to perform a login procedure by interfacing with an electronic key, the computing device comprising a processor configured to cause the computing device to carry out steps that include:
 establishing, with the electronic key, a secure communication channel in response to detecting the electronic key;   receiving, from the electronic key, authentication data that is associated with the computing device; and   in response to verifying the authentication data:
 performing the login procedure at the computing device using the authentication data. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the computing device is associated with an identity; and   the electronic key associates the authentication data with the identity of the computing device.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further include:
 receiving, from the electronic key, preference data that describes at least one operation for the computing device to execute in conjunction with authenticating the computing device; and   subsequent to performing the login procedure:
 executing the at least one operation. 
   
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the electronic key comprises a mobile computing device; and   the computing device is included in an automobile.   
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein, prior to establishing the secure communication channel, the electronic key receives an input of the authentication data by way of at least one user input device that is communicably coupled to the electronic key. 
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further include:
 terminating the secure communication channel in response to determining that the electronic key satisfies a threshold distance from the computing device, and   performing a logout procedure at the computing device.