Smart plug or cradle
There is provided a method and apparatus for allowing a user of a mobile device to securely access a storage device of a home network of the user. The method and apparatus advantageously allow for the user to share data stored on the home network with other users, or to give full or restricted access to other computing devices. The apparatus consists of a network element residing on the home network of the user, which enables communications between the network storage and the mobile device when the mobile device is in a remote location.
1. An apparatus for providing access to a Local Area Network (LAN) data storage to a mobile device, comprising:
a processor;
a communications subsystem; and
a memory;
wherein the processor and communication subsystem are configured to:
detect that the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus;
while the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus:
receive an authentication code from the mobile device, the authentication code being based on a unique identifier;
verify that the unique identifier corresponds to a unique identifier of the apparatus; and
upon said verifying, establish an encryption key with the mobile device:
after the encryption key has been established:
receive, over the LAN, a request from the mobile device, the request including at least one operation to be performed on the LAN storage, the request being encrypted with the encryption key;
perform the at least one operation on the LAN storage; and
if one of the at least one operation on the LAN storage is a read operation, send a result of the read operation to the mobile device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a Universal Serial Bus (‘USB’) port, and wherein the LAN data storage comprises a USB key connected to the USB port.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a device interface, for connecting to the mobile device when the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the device interface comprises a USB port.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the device interface uses Bluetooth.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the device interface further includes a charger, for charging a battery of the mobile device.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the device interface comprises a cradle for receiving the mobile device, the cradle including a port for connecting to the mobile device when the mobile device is placed in the cradle.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communications subsystem enables connection to a Wi-Fi network.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor and the communications subsystem are further configured to:
periodically check an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the apparatus;
if the IP address of the apparatus has changed, notify the mobile device of the new IP address.
10. A method, at an apparatus connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) for providing access to a LAN data storage to a mobile device, comprising:
detecting that the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus;
while the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus:
receiving an authentication code from the mobile device, the authentication code being based on a unique identifier;
verifying that the unique identifier corresponds to a unique identifier of the apparatus; and
upon said verifying, establishing an encryption key with the mobile device;
after the encryption key has been established:
receiving, over the LAN, a request from a mobile device, the request including at least one operation to be performed on the LAN data storage, the request being encrypted with the encryption key;
performing the at least one operation on the LAN data storage; and
if one of the at least one operation on the LAN storage is a read operation, sending a result of the read operation to the mobile device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus comprises a device interface for connecting to the mobile device when the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the device interface is a Universal Serial Bus (‘USB’) port.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the device interface uses Bluetooth.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the device interface further includes a charger, for charging a battery of the mobile device.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the device interface comprises a cradle for receiving the mobile device, the cradle including a port for connecting to the mobile device when the mobile device is placed in the cradle.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the LAN comprises a Wi-Fi network.
17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
periodically checking an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the apparatus; and
if the IP address of the apparatus has changed, notify the mobile device of the new IP address.
18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the LAN storage is a USB key connected to a USB port of the apparatus.
19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having executable code stored thereon for execution by a processor of an apparatus, the executable code containing instructions for:
detecting that the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus;
while the mobile device is in proximity to the apparatus:
receiving an authentication code from the mobile device, the authentication code being based on a unique identifier;
verifying that the unique identifier corresponds to a unique identifier of the apparatus; and
upon said verifying, establishing an encryption key with the mobile device;
after the encryption key has been established:
receiving, over the LAN, a request from a mobile device, the request including at least one operation to be performed on a Local Area Network (LAN) data storage, the request being encrypted with the encryption key;
performing the at least one operation on the LAN data storage; and
if one of the at least one operation on the LAN storage is a read operation, sending a result of the read operation to the mobile device.