METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR NETWORK CONFIGURATION

• US 20080250122A1
• Filed: 11/02/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IKAN Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Ikan Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Yoshizawa, Geraldo, Zsigmond, Fabio, Wagner, Frederico, Douer, Sion Elie
• Granted Patent: US 7,861,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0889 Techniques to speed-up the configuration process
• 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 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Network and device configuration systems and methods are described. In an embodiment, a first user interface configured to receive from a user configuration information regarding a first network provided. Program code stored in computer accessible memory is configured to generate a barcode that includes information related to the first network configuration information, wherein the barcode can be scanned by a device having a barcode scanner and a network interface to configure the network interface to access the first network.

Claims

1. A network configuration system, comprising:

a first user interface configured to receive from a user configuration information regarding a first network; and

program code stored in computer accessible memory configured to generate a barcode that includes information related to the first network configuration, wherein the barcode can be scanned by a device that has a barcode scanner that converts the barcode into digital data at least a portion which is usable to configure a network interface of the device to access the first network.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the barcode includes a linear, stacked, and/or matrix barcode.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive power management instructions from the user; and

program code stored in computer accessible memory configured to generate a barcode that includes information related to the power management instructions that can be scanned by the device to configure power management settings of the device.

4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to receive network security related information, a network password, a network address, and/or a proxy setting.

5. A configuration system, comprising:

a first user interface configured to receive from a user configuration information regarding a first device associated with the user; and

program code stored in computer accessible memory configured to generate a visual code that includes information related to the first device configuration information, wherein the visual code can be read by the first device to configure, at least in part, the first device.

6. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the visual code includes a linear barcode, a stacked barcode, a matrix barcode, concentric circles, and/or a code hidden within an image.

7. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the visual code is readable via a camera and/or a barcode scanner.

8. The system as defined in claim 5, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive power management instructions from the user; and

program code stored in computer accessible memory configured to generate a barcode that includes information related to the power management instructions that can be scanned by the first device to configure power management settings of the first device.

9. The system as defined in claim 5, further comprising a network scanner configured to detect the presence of one or more wireless networks.

10. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the user interface is configured to accept network configuration information.

11. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the user interface is configured to display identifiers corresponding to one or more networks detected by a network scanner to enable the user to select a network from the one or more networks.

12. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the user interface is configured to receive network security related information, a network password, a network address, and/or a proxy setting to be used in configuring the first device.

13. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the program code is stored on a terminal associated with the user.

14. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein the program code is stored on a computer remote from the user.

15. A method of providing network configuration information, comprising:

causing at least in part a first user interface to be displayed to a user on a user terminal, the first user interface including fields for receiving configuration information for a first electronic device network interface;

causing at least in part information provided by the user via the first user interface to be encoded in computer readable optical code, wherein the optical code can be read by the first electronic device using an optical image capture device; and

causing at least in part the optical code to be displayed and/or printed via the user terminal, wherein the optical code is configured to be scanned to obtain the network interface configuration information.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the optical code is a barcode.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first user interface includes a field for receiving a network address.

18. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the first user interface includes a field for receiving a network name.

19. A configurable system, comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor;

a computer program stored in the memory that is executable by the processor;

a network interface; and

an optical reader,

wherein the computer program is configured to utilize information read by the optical reader to configure network settings.

20. The system as defined in claim 19, wherein the computer program is configured to utilize information read by the optical reader to configure the network interface.

21. A method of configuring a system, comprising:

causing, at least in part, an optical code to be read by the system using an optical reader that converts image information to digital data; and

causing, at least in part, the digital data to be used to configure the operation of at least a network connection.

22. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein the digital data is used to configure the system to enable the system to connect to a wireless network.

23. A method of configuring an electronic device, comprising:

using an optical reader to read a visual code to obtain data encoded therein; and

configuring a network connection of the electronic device using at least a portion of the data.

24. The method as defined in claim 23, the method further comprising using at least a portion of the data to manage energy usage by the device.

25. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the optical reader is integral to the device.