NETWORK SET-UP DEVICE

• US 20080199013A1
• Filed: 11/08/2007
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cufer Asset Ltd LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: GS IP LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Macaulay, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,369,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/283
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/061 applying further key derivation, e.g. deriving traffic keys from a pair-wise master key cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for generation of secret information including derivation or calculation of cryptographic keys or passwords H04L9/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/73 Access point logical identity

Abstract

A network device adapted to communicate with other devices over a network, the device being arranged to, when the device is connected to a physical data carrier, automatically store a representation of a security key on the data carrier, and to provide at least one service over the network only to other devices making use of the security key.

Claims

1. A network device arranged to communicate with other devices over a network, wherein the network device is arranged to, when the device is connected to a physical data carrier, automatically store a representation of a security key on the data carrier, and wherein the network device is arranged to provide at least one service over a network only to other devices making use of the security key.

2. A network device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network device is arranged to generate the representation of the security key.

3. A network device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the network device is arranged to generate the representation of the security key such that it can be identified by the other devices as representing a security key.

4. A network device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the network device is arranged to generate the representation of the security key such that the security key can be generated by the other devices from the representation of the security key.

5. A network device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the network device is arranged to generate the representation of the security key by changing the format of the security key from a first format to a second format.

6. A network device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the network device is arranged to generate the representation of the security key by attaching at least one identifier to the security key.

7. A network device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the network device is arranged to generate the representation of the security key by converting the security key into XML format.

8. A network device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network device is arranged to obtain the security key and, after the security key has been obtained, automatically generate the representation of the security key.

9. A network device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a data generator capable of generating the security key.

10. A network device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network device comprises a user interface, the network device being arranged to obtain the security key from data entered via the user interface.

11. A network device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network device is an access point for a wireless network.

12. A network device arranged to communicate with other devices over a network, wherein the network device is capable of obtaining at least one service over the network by making use of a stored security key, wherein the network device is arranged to, when the device is connected to a physical data carrier, automatically generate a security key from a representation of the security key stored on the physical data carrier, and wherein the network device is arranged to store the security key to be used in obtaining the at least one service.

13. A network device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the network device is arranged to communicate over the network in dependence on the security key.

14. A network device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the network device is capable of transmitting data packets over the network and is arranged to include the security key in data packets transmitted over the network.

15. A network device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the network device is capable of encrypting data to be transmitted over the network and is arranged to encrypt data to be transmitted over the network using the security key.

16. A network device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the network device is capable of decrypting data received over the network and is arranged to decrypt data received over the network using the security key.

17. A method comprising:

communicating data between at least two network devices over a network;

automatically storing a representation of a security key on a physical data carrier when one of the devices is connected to the physical data carrier; and

at least after the automatically storing step, providing at least one service over the network only to others of the network devices making use of the security key.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

connecting the physical data carrier to one of the others of the devices.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

automatically generating the security key from the representation of the security key stored on the data carrier.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

storing the generated security key as a security key to be used in obtaining at least one service over the network.

21. A method comprising:

communicating data between at least two network devices over a network, wherein the network devices are capable of obtaining at least one service over the network by making use of a stored security key;

automatically generating a security key from a representation of a security key stored on a physical data carrier when one of the devices is connected to the physical data carrier, and

storing the generated security key as the security key to be made use of in obtaining the at least one service.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the security key comprises a network identifier.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the security key comprises a service set identifier.

24. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the security key comprises a private key.

25. A system comprising:

means for communicating data between a first network device and at least one other device over a network;

means for connecting the first network device to a data carrier;

means for storing a representation of a security key on the data carrier;

means for providing at least one service over the network only to other devices making use of the security key.