US Patent 9524385 Using an audio channel for authenticating a device

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with using an audio link for authentication services are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes The apparatus includes a processor configured to monitor an audio channel for an authentication signal. The authentication signal is an analog signal provided from a host device over the audio channel to the processor when authenticating the apparatus. The apparatus includes an authentication module configured to generate an authentication response after the authentication signal is detected by the processor. The processor is configured to provide the authentication response as an audio signal on the audio channel to a speaker.