Proximity network encryption and setup

• US 20030212802A1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rector, Dusty D., Sullivan, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US10/142,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20030212802A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods provide configuration and setup data for a network device receives configuration data for a first network. When a new network device is to be added to the network, the new device is brought within a proximity boundary to a proximity set component. The proximity set component establishes a connection with the new network using a second network connection. Configuration data for the first network is sent to the new network device over the second network. The new network device can then communicate over the first network. In one embodiment, the proximity setup component is integrated with a gateway component such as a router or wireless access point.

Claims

1. A computerized system for providing a network configuration comprising:

a gateway component operable for communicably coupling at least one network device using a first network protocol;

a proximity setup component operable for communicably coupling to a second network device using a second network protocol, wherein the proximity setup component is operable to provide communications parameters for the first network protocol to the second network device.

2. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the second network protocol is a wireless protocol

3. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the second network protocol is an infra-red (IR) network protocol.

4. The computerized system of claim 2, wherein the second network protocol is the radio frequency (RF) protocol.

5. The computerized system of claim 4, wherein the second network protocol is the Bluetooth protocol.

6. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the second network protocol is a wired protocol.

7. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the first network protocol is the IEEE 802.11b protocol.

8. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the gateway component is a wireless access point.

9. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the gateway component is a router.

10. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the gateway component is a residential gateway.

11. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the gateway component is a personal computer.

12. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the proximity setup component is integrated with the gateway component.

13. The computerized system of claim 1, wherein the proximity setup component is separated from the gateway component and communicably coupled to the gateway component using the first network protocol.

14. A method for configuring a network device, the method comprising:

determining a set of network parameters for a first network protocol;

determining that the network device is proximate; and

sending the set of network parameters to the network device utilizing a second network protocol.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the set of network parameters includes network parameters selected from the group consisting of SSID, channel ID, and encryption key.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein determining that the network device is proximate includes establishing a wired connection to the network device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein determining that the network device is proximate includes establishing a wireless connection to the network device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless connection is an infra-red (IR) connection.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency (RF) connection.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless connection uses a Bluetooth protocol.

21. A method for configuring a network device, the method comprising:

bringing the network device in proximity to a proximity setup component; and

receiving from the proximity setup component by a first network protocol a set of network parameters for a second network protocol.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the set of network parameters includes network parameters selected from the group consisting of SSID, channel ID, and encryption key.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein bringing the network device in proximity to a proximity setup component includes establishing a wired connection between the network device and the proximity setup component.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein bringing the network device in proximity to a proximity setup component includes establishing a wireless connection between the network device and the proximity setup component.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the wireless connection is an infra-red (IR) connection.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency (RF) connection.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the wireless connection uses a Bluetooth protocol.

[Computer-Readable Medium]

28. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method for configuring a network device, the method comprising:

determining a set of network parameters for a first network protocol;

determining that the network device is proximate; and

sending the set of network parameters to the network device utilizing a second network protocol.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein the set of network parameters includes network parameters selected from the group consisting of SSID, channel ID, and encryption key.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein determining that the network device is proximate includes establishing a wired connection to the network device.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein determining that the network device is proximate includes establishing a wireless connection to the network device.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein the wireless connection is an infra-red (IR) connection.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency (RF) connection.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein the wireless connection uses a Bluetooth protocol.

35. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method for configuring a network device, the method comprising:

bringing the network device in proximity to a proximity setup component; and

receiving from the proximity setup component by a first network protocol a set of network parameters for a second network protocol.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein the set of network parameters includes network parameters selected from the group consisting of SSID, channel ID, and encryption key.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein bringing the network device in proximity to a proximity setup component includes establishing a wired connection between the network device and the proximity setup component.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 35, wherein bringing the network device in proximity to a proximity setup component includes establishing a wireless connection between the network device and the proximity setup component.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the wireless connection is an infra-red (IR) connection.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency (RF) connection.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the wireless connection uses a Bluetooth protocol.