Preconfigured single user wireless networks

• US 10,044,560 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2017
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cambium Networks Limited (Cambium Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Xirrus Incorporated
• Inventors: Gates, Dirk, Parker, Patrick, Horner, Jack, Russell, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsegaye, Saba
• Application Number:
  US15/416,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20170134222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/73 Access point logical identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/26 Resource reservation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for managing a wireless communications network and a communications system. A request to configure a single-user service set includes a specified location, a specified future time and configuration information for the single-user service set. The configuration information is transmitted to an access point at the specified location. The selected access point configures the single-user service set at the specified future time using the configuration information.

Claims

1. A method for managing a wireless communications network, comprising:

accepting, from a user, a request to configure a single-user service set, the request including a specified location, a specified future time, and configuration information for the single-user service set;

transmitting the configuration information to an access point at the specified location; and

the access point configuring the single-user service set at the specified future time using the configuration information without further action by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein

the specified location is a complex remote from a home location of the user, and

the specified future time is a future date.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the complex is one of a housing complex, an office complex, an industrial complex, a school, a university, a military installation, and a hospital.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein

the complex is a housing complex, and

the request to configure the single-user service set is received as part of the user making a reservation to stay at the housing complex starting on the future date.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein

the complex is a housing complex,

the user is a member of an affinity group associated with the housing complex,

the configuration information is stored as part of the user'"'"'s affinity group profile, and

the request to configure a single-user service set is generated automatically when the user makes a reservation to stay at the housing complex starting on the future date.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the configuration information to an access point comprises:

transmitting the configuration information to an administrator computing device located at the specified location; and

the administrator computing device transmitting the configuration to the access point.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

authenticating an identity of the user prior to accepting the request to configure a single-user service set.

8. A communications system, comprising:

a server and a plurality of access points,

the server comprising hardware and software to;

accept, from a user, a request to configure a single-user service set, the request including a specified location, a specified future time and configuration information for the single-user service set, and

transmit the configuration information to an access point, selected from the plurality of access points, at the specified location;

the selected access point comprising hardware and software to use the configuration information to configure the single-user service set at the specified future time without further action by the user.

9. The communications system of claim 8, wherein

the specified location is a complex remote from a home location of the user, and

the specified future time is a future date.

10. The communications system of claim 9, wherein the complex is one of a housing complex, an office complex, an industrial complex, a school, a university, a military installation, and a hospital.

11. The communications system of claim 9, wherein

the complex is a housing complex, and

the request to configure a single-user service set is received as part of the user making a reservation to stay at the housing complex starting on the future date.

12. The communications system of claim 9, wherein

the complex is a housing complex,

the user is a member of an affinity group associated with the housing complex,

the configuration information is stored as part of the user'"'"'s affinity group profile, and

the request to configure a single-user service set is generated automatically when the user makes a reservation to stay at the housing complex starting on the future date.

13. The communications system of claim 8, further comprising:

an administrator computing device located at the specified location,

wherein transmitting the configuration information to an access point comprises;

the server transmitting the configuration information to the administrator computing device, and

the administrator computing device transmitting the configuration to the selected access point.

14. The communications system of claim 8, the server further comprising:

hardware and software to authenticate an identity of the user prior to accepting the request to configure a single-user service set.