Apparatus and method simplifying an encrypted network
First Claim
1. A method for joining a computing device to a secure network, comprising the steps of:
- (a) enabling a user to initiate joining of the computing device to the secure network;
(b) in response to an initiation for the computing device to join the secure network, creating an alternate communication link between the computing device and an access point of the secure network;
(c) transmitting credentials necessary to join the secure network to the computing device; and
(d) using the credentials received by the computing device to join the computing device to the secure network.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computing device is enabled to join a secure network with minimal user interaction. Either a user of the computing device, or a person authorized to control access to the secure network can initiate a bind step to enable the computing device to join the network. A temporary alternate network is then created between an access point of the network and the computing device network interface card (NIC). Network credentials (optionally, encrypted) are then transmitted to the computing device NIC. These parameters are decrypted by the computing device NIC (if they were encrypted) and used by it to join the secure network. Optionally, a secret can be encrypted, transmitted to the access point, and verified prior to the access point providing these parameters to the computing device. The secret ensures that a third party is not improperly authorized to access the secure network.
265 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for joining a computing device to a secure network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling a user to initiate joining of the computing device to the secure network;
(b) in response to an initiation for the computing device to join the secure network, creating an alternate communication link between the computing device and an access point of the secure network;
(c) transmitting credentials necessary to join the secure network to the computing device; and
(d) using the credentials received by the computing device to join the computing device to the secure network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for selectively automatically enabling a computing device to join a secure network, comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling activation of a bind option on the computing device and on an access point used on the secure network;
(b) in response to the bind option being activated, automatically producing a secure encrypted communication link between the computing device and the access point;
(c) selectively transmitting a secure encrypted message from the access point to the computer device after authorization is granted for the computing device to join the secure network, said encrypted message conveying credentials that are required by the computing device for joining the secure network;
(d) decrypting the encrypted message to recover the credentials, at the computing device; and
(e) using the credentials at the computing device to join the computing device to the secure network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for joining a secure network, comprising:
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(a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
(b) a network communication interface; and
(c) a processor coupled to the memory and the network communication interface, said processor executing the machine instructions, which cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) enabling a user to initiate joining of the computing device to the secure network;
(ii) participating in creating an alternate communication link between the computing device and an access point of the secure network;
(iii) receiving credentials required for joining the secure network over the alternate communication link, from the access point; and
(iv) using the credentials on the computing device to join the computing device to the secure network. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 34)
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29. A system for facilitating joining a computing device to a secure network, comprising:
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(a) a memory in which a plurality of machine instructions are stored;
(b) a network communication interface; and
(c) a processor coupled to the memory and the network communication interface, said processor executing the machine instructions, which cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) enabling a user to initiale joining of the computing device to the secure network;
(ii) participating in creating an alternate communication link with the computing device;
(iii) using the alternate communication link, transmitting credentials required for communication over the secure network, to the computing device; and
(iv) joining the computing device to the secure network in response to the computing device requesting to be joined using credentials. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification