Ad hoc wireless network create/join user experience

• US 20070168553A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, David, Duplessis, Jean-Pierre, Guven, Savas, Gatta, Srinivas, Watson, Marieke
• Granted Patent: US 7,802,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/245
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/205 involving negotiation or determination of the one or more network security mechanisms to be used, e.g. by negotiation between the client and the server or between peers or by selection according to the capabilities of the entities involved negotiation of communication capabilities H04L69/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements

Abstract

A user interface for creating and joining meetings over a peer-to-peer network involves presentation of user interface windows including windows for selecting parameters corresponding to the ad-hoc network, activating sharing of Internet connections and joining an existing ad-hoc network by entering network name and optional password. The user interface further provides for entry of a country to select an appropriate wireless network protocol for use in that country when an attached wireless device supports such agility, for example, an 802.11(d) wireless network adapter.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing a method for presenting a user interface for creating an ad-hoc network on a peer-to-peer network infrastructure comprising:

presenting a first window comprising;

a first data entry field for receiving a network name;

a second data entry field for receiving a selection of a security type;

a third data entry field for receiving zero or more password characters;

a selection button for initiating creation of the ad-hoc network.

2. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1, wherein the first window further comprises a fourth data entry field for receiving a selection of a country for determining wireless network configuration parameters.

3. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1, wherein the first window further comprises a selection box for persisting the network beyond a timeout period.

4. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1, wherein the second data entry field is a drop-down box offering a selection of security types including at least one of wired equivalent privacy (WEP), WiFi Protected Access (WPA2), and no encryption.

5. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a second window indicating activity in progress related to creation of the ad-hoc network, the second window comprising;

a selection button for canceling the creation of the ad-hoc network.

6. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a third window indicating activation of the ad-hoc network, the third window comprising;

a first selector for initiating sharing of an Internet connection when available; and

a second selector for sharing a data folder when currently inactive.

7. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 6, further comprising:

presenting a fourth window responsive to selection of the first selector for initiating sharing of an Internet connection, the fourth window comprising;

a drop-down box presenting a selection of available network connections providing access to the Internet.

8. The computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 7, further comprising:

presenting a fifth window responsive to successful connection to the Internet using a selected network connection, the fifth window comprising;

an indication that Internet connectivity is available.

9. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for implementing a method of presenting a user interface for joining an existing ad-hoc network comprising:

presenting a first window comprising;

a list of networks available for connection;

a selection highlight indicating a selected network, the selection highlight scrollable through the list of networks available for connection; and

a selection box for activating a supplemental network selection screen;

whereby an activation signal triggers a process for connection to the selected network.

10. The computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for implementing the method of claim 9, further comprising:

presenting a second window responsive to the activation signal, the second window comprising;

a first data entry field for entering a password;

a character display selection for setting suppression of characters of the password; and

a second data entry field for receiving a selection of a country for determining wireless network configuration parameters when supported by the selected network.

11. The computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for implementing the method of claim 9, further comprising:

presenting a third window comprising;

a message indicating successful connection to the selected network;

at least one of a hot spot for triggering a process to open a meeting support tool, a hot spot for sharing a data folder, and a hot spot for connecting to a data display.

12. A method of presenting a user interface for participation in ad-hoc wireless networks comprising:

displaying a window having a plurality of input fields corresponding to participation in the ad-hoc wireless network;

receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network name;

receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network password;

wherein the ad-hoc wireless network name and ad-hoc wireless network password are passed to a process supporting participation in the ad-hoc wireless network.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising presenting a selection region associated with displaying suppressed password characters.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising presenting a selection region for sharing an Internet connection among participants in the ad-hoc wireless network.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising presenting a selection region for sharing a data folder among participants in the ad-hoc wireless network.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network name comprises receiving characters comprising a name to be associated with a new ad-hoc wireless network.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network password comprises receiving zero or more characters for use by another participant in accessing a new ad-hoc wireless network.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a selection of a security type for defining security conditions associated with a new ad-hoc wireless network.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network name comprises selecting an existing wireless network from a list of available wireless networks.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network password comprises receiving characters associated with a password for an existing ad-hoc wireless network.