Abstract: A method and system are provided for associating devices in a personal area network (PAN). Device association is initiated by applying a stimulus to two devices simultaneously, the timing of the stimulus identifying devices to be paired thereby eliminating the need for PINs and passcodes in pairing devices. Upon stimulation the devices record a timestamp (404) for the stimulus and begin searching (406) for other in-range devices with which they can associate. Upon finding an in-range device an association request (408) is sent containing the elapsed time since the stimulus was applied. The in-range device compares the received elapsed time against its internal elapsed time since receiving the stimulus (412) (416) to determine if the stimuli occurred simultaneously to both devices. If the stimuli were substantially simultaneous, then the devices form a PAN association (418).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for associating devices in a personal area network (PAN). Device association is initiated by applying a stimulus to two devices simultaneously, the timing of the stimulus identifying devices to be paired thereby eliminating the need for PINs and passcodes in pairing devices. Upon stimulation the devices record a timestamp (404) for the stimulus and begin searching (406) for other in-range devices with which they can associate. Upon finding an in-range device an association request (408) is sent containing the elapsed time since the stimulus was applied. The in-range device compares the received elapsed time against its internal elapsed time since receiving the stimulus (412) (416) to determine if the stimuli occurred simultaneously to both devices. If the stimuli were substantially simultaneous, then the devices form a PAN association (418).