Patent ID: 8561207
Filing Date: 2013-10-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a host device, the method comprising, by the host device: receiving from an universal serial bus (USB) accessory device coupled to the host device, enumeration information identifying a plurality of interfaces supported by the USB accessory device, the plurality of interfaces including a master interface that has one or more associated attributes, each attribute having a predetermined value, wherein the master interface is defined for USB accessories designed to be used with the host device; determining that the enumeration information indicates presence of the predetermined value for each of the one or more attributes associated with the master interface; obtaining authentication information from the USB accessory device in accordance with a protocol associated with the master interface, the authentication information including a digital certificate; extracting the digital certificate from the authentication information; validating the digital certificate; enabling the USB accessory device for use with the host device based on the validation; determining an authorization level for the USB accessory device; determining one or more interfaces, from the plurality of interfaces, associated with the authorization level; enabling only the one or more interfaces; and permitting communication with the USB accessory device using only the one or more interfaces.