METHOD OF CONNECTING A DEVICE TO A NETWORK

• US 20100201499A1
• Filed: 11/02/2007
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Poznanski, Victor, Wilson, Timothy James, Kay, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/516,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20100201499A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/286.20
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

A method is provided of connecting a device (101) having a limited user interface to a predetermined one of a plurality of available networks. The method comprises trying each of the available networks in turn from the device until an indication (160) is provided from a component (150) of the predetermined network in response to said trying that confirms that the predetermined network has been reached. In response to such an indication (160) being provided, the device (101) is connected to the predetermined network if not already so connected as part of said trying.

Claims

1. A method of connecting a device having a limited user interface to a predetermined one of a plurality of available networks, comprising trying each of the available networks in turn from the device until an indication is provided from a component of the predetermined network in response to said trying that confirms that the predetermined network has been reached;

and, in response to such an indication being provided, connecting the device to the predetermined network if not already so connected as part of said trying.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein trying each of the available networks in turn from the device comprises connecting or attempting to connect the device to each of the available networks in turn.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein trying each of the available networks in turn from the device comprises polling each network in turn.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising automatically moving on to the next network in turn unless the device is informed, within a predetermined time period or before a predetermined event occurs, that such an indication has been provided.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predetermined time period is measured relative to the commencement of said trying.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predetermined event is a user action performed for example at the device.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising providing interface means at the device for allowing a user to inform the device that such an indication has been provided.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising providing interface means at the device for allowing the user to move the device on to the next network in turn.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the interface means comprise a sliding type switch.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the interface means comprise a push-button type switch.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising providing means at the device for receiving a signal over a network informing the device that such an indication has been provided.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising receiving such a signal over the predetermined network.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising providing interface means at a component of the predetermined network for allowing a user to confirm that such an indication has been provided, and, in response to such user confirmation, sending such a signal to the device.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising registering the device with the predetermined network.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising registering the device with the predetermined network only when such user confirmation has been provided.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein such an indication provides an identification of the device, thereby confirming that the predetermined network has been reached by the device.

17. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein such an indication comprises a visual indication.

18. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein such an indication comprises an audio indication.

19. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein such an indication comprises an electronic indication, and comprising providing a secondary indication in response to receipt of such an electronic indication that confirms that the predetermined network has been reached.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, comprising providing such a secondary indication at the device.

21. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface of the device is limited to the extent that it does not allow direct selection by a user of the device of the predetermined network from a list of the available networks.

22. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface is that which is presented to the user in relation to the connecting of the device.

23. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a physical interface.

24. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a graphical interface.

25. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined network is a wireless or a powerline network.

31. An apparatus programmed by a program for controlling said apparatus to perform a method as claimed in claim 1.

32. A storage medium containing a program for controlling an apparatus to perform a method as claimed in claim 1.

26. A device having the ability to connect to a predetermined one of a plurality of available networks despite having a limited user interface, comprising means for trying each of the available networks in turn until an indication is provided from a component of the predetermined network in response to said trying that confirms that the predetermined network has been reached;

and, in response to the indication being provided, connecting the device to the predetermined network if not already connected as part of said trying.

27-30. -30. (canceled)