System and method for achieving zero-configuration wireless computing and computing device incorporating same
First Claim
1. A method for connecting a computing device of a computer user to at least one network of a type selected from a group comprising a wireless telephone network, a wired infrastructure computer network, a wireless infrastructure computer network, and a wireless ad hoc computer network, the method, comprising the steps of checking user preferences for network connectivity, scanning for network presence of the at least one network, connecting the computing device to a the at least one network based on the user preferences, and bridging use of the computing device in an off-line mode when network connectivity is not available.
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Abstract
A system and method for enabling a zero configuration nomadic wireless and wired computing environment presenting a just works experience is presented. The system examines predefined user preference or profile settings to determine to which of a competing number of wireless networks available it should connect, and what type of authentication should be used for such connection. Nomadic wireless computing between infrastructure wireless networks and ad hoc wireless networks may be accomplished without further user intervention required in an auto mode. Also, both infrastructure only and ad hoc only modes are available through the system of the invention. Further, the user may set a preference for infrastructure or ad hoc modes in the auto mode. With an infrastructure mode preference set, the system will automatically detect and transfer connectivity to a newly available infrastructure wireless network if the user was previously operating off-line or in ad hoc mode.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. A method for connecting a computing device of a computer user to at least one network of a type selected from a group comprising a wireless telephone network, a wired infrastructure computer network, a wireless infrastructure computer network, and a wireless ad hoc computer network, the method, comprising the steps of checking user preferences for network connectivity, scanning for network presence of the at least one network, connecting the computing device to a the at least one network based on the user preferences, and bridging use of the computing device in an off-line mode when network connectivity is not available.
- 15. A method for connecting a computing device of a computer user to at least one wireless endpoint, comprising the steps of scanning to determine a presence of at least one wireless networks and at least one wireless stations (STA), selectively attempting to connect with the at least one wireless networks in an infrastructure mode, and when unable to connect to any wireless network in an infrastructure mode, selectively attempting to associate with the at least one wireless stations in an ad hoc mode.
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27. A method of providing a just works user experience to network connectivity in a nomadic computing environment, comprising the steps of:
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determining, at an interface specific zero configuration layer, available network connectivity interfaces;
selecting, at the interface specific zero configuration layer, a preferred network connectivity interface;
communicating network connectivity availability from the interface specific zero configuration layer to a generic zero configuration layer;
selecting, at the generic zero configuration layer, a preferred network connectivity from the communicated available network connections; and
establishing network connectivity with the preferred network connection.
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Specification