Method and system for configuring an electronic device

• US 20060082817A1
• Filed: 11/30/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chandley, Adrian M., Crosier, Dale C., Westerinen, William J., Manchester, Scott, Ledbetter, Carl J., Kaneko, Steven T., Nick, Benjamin, Phillips, Thomas G., DeMaio, Pasquale, Beck, Taryn K., Adams, Aditha M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,511,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play

Abstract

A method and system for configuring a new device are disclosed. The method includes using a host system to create a configuration file including data useable to configure the new device. A portable storage device is interfaced to the host and the configuration file is transferred to the storage device. The storage device is then interfaced to the new device and the configuration file is transferred to the new device. The configuration file is optionally used to configure the new device for communication over a network. A method for configuring the new device using a direct connection between the new device and a system bus of the host is also disclosed.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A method for configuring a wireless device having a set of wireless capabilities to operate in a wireless network, wherein the network includes a host having a system bus, comprising the steps of:

interfacing the wireless device to the system bus;

initiating, by the wireless device, a plug and play enumeration phase;

sending, from the host to the wireless device, a query over the system bus, wherein the query includes a request for identification of the set of wireless capabilities;

receiving, at the host, the set of wireless capabilities;

creating a profile of the wireless device based on the set of wireless capabilities, wherein the profile includes a plurality of network settings including a network Id and a wireless network type;

sending the set of network settings to the wireless device; and

configuring the network device according to the network settings.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving, from the network device, a confirmation message signifying successful configuration of the network device.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the network settings further comprise a security protocol and cryptographic key.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the security protocol is WEP.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the security protocol is WAP.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising communicating over the wireless network.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the system bus is a USB bus.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the system bus is a PCI bus.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein the system bus is a 1394 bus.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless device is a wireless access point.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the wireless access point includes an interface to an external network, further comprising the steps of:

temporarily disabling access to the external network.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

disabling the wireless network after the wireless device is interfaced to the system bus.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of disconnecting the interface between the wireless device and the system bus and enabling the wireless network.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless device is a client device.

36. The method of claim 22, further comprise the step of disconnecting the network device from the system bus.

37. A method for configuring a wireless device having a set of wireless capabilities to operate in a wireless network, wherein the network includes a host having a system bus, comprising the steps of:

interfacing the wireless device to the system bus;

receiving, from the wireless device, a plug and play enumeration phase;

sending a query over the system bus, wherein the query includes a request for identification of the set of wireless capabilities;

receiving, from the wireless device, the set of wireless capabilities;

creating a profile of the wireless device based on the set of wireless capabilities, wherein the profile includes a plurality of network settings including a network Id and a wireless network type;

sending the set of network settings to the wireless device.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a confirmation message signifying successful configuration of the network device.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the network settings further comprise a security protocol and cryptographic key.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

temporarily disabling access to an external network.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

disabling the wireless network after the wireless device is interfaced to the system bus.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of disconnecting the interface between the wireless device and the system bus and enabling the wireless network.