Wireless communication devices configurable via passive tags
First Claim
1. A wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular wireless network having interconnected access points, said device comprising a mobile terminal comprising:
- a transceiver for communicating through one of the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path;
a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver based on initial configuration information including network communication parameters corresponding to this particular wireless network;
a passive tag for wirelessly receiving the initial configuration information from an external source and storing the initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory at a time when the transceiver and the processor are otherwise in a non-operational mode; and
an interface for enabling the processor to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless communication device is in an operational mode and thereby allowing operation in the wireless network by drawing upon the initial configuration information.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communication device which includes a passive radio-frequency (RF) tag having a memory for receiving and storing initial configuration information utilized by the device. The initial configuration information is written to the wireless communication device without requiring that the device be fully assembled, operational, powered up, removed from packaging, etc. An RF controller transmits initial configuration information to the passive tag using an RF signal. The passive tag derives sufficient energy from the RF signal to store the initial configuration information in memory. The wireless communication device further includes an interface which allows a processor within the device to access the initial configuration information upon such time when the device is removed from its packaging, powered up and operational.
-
Citations
55 Claims
-
1. A wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular wireless network having interconnected access points, said device comprising a mobile terminal comprising:
-
a transceiver for communicating through one of the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path; a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver based on initial configuration information including network communication parameters corresponding to this particular wireless network; a passive tag for wirelessly receiving the initial configuration information from an external source and storing the initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory at a time when the transceiver and the processor are otherwise in a non-operational mode; and an interface for enabling the processor to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless communication device is in an operational mode and thereby allowing operation in the wireless network by drawing upon the initial configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
9. A method for use in relation to a wireless communication device destined for operation in a particular wireless network having interconnected access points, the device comprising a mobile terminal including a transceiver for communicating through one or the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path, a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver based on initial configuration information including network communication parameters corresponding to this particular wireless network, and a passive tag, the method comprising the step of:
-
wirelessly transmitting the initial configuration information from a source external to the wireless communication device so as to be received by the passive tag and stored in a non-volatile memory within the passive tag while the wireless communication device is otherwise in a non-operational mode; interfacing the processor with passive tag to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the wireless device is in an operational mode; and operating in the wireless network by drawing upon the initial configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
21. A method of configuring and operating a mobile terminal for a particular wireless communication network having interconnected access points, said method comprising:
-
manufacturing a plurality of mobile terminals and storing them in an inventory, each of the mobile terminals having a transceiver for communicating through one of the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path, a processor, and a passive tag; retrieving one of the mobile terminals from the inventory when a request is received and the particular wireless network has been identified; wirelessly conveying initial configuration information to the passive tag of the retrieved mobile terminal, wherein the initial configuration information includes network communication parameters corresponding to the particular wireless network; storing the conveyed initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory; interfacing the processor of the retrieved mobile terminal with its passive tag to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory; and controlling operation of the transceiver of the retrieved mobile terminal based upon the initial configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A mobile terminal destined for operation in a particular wireless network having interconnected access points, comprising:
-
a transceiver for communicating through one of the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path; a processor for controlling operations of the transceiver; a passive tag for wirelessly receiving the initial configuration information from an external source and storing the initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory at a time when the mobile terminal is otherwise in a non-operational mode, wherein the initial configuration comprises information necessary to locate and communicate with a certain server in order to download certain software therefrom; and an interface for enabling the processor to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory when the mobile terminal is in an operational mode; wherein the processor is programmed to locate and communicate with the server via the initial configuration information and to direct downloading of said software from the server, thereby allowing operation in the wireless network by drawing upon the downloaded software. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
-
-
42. A method of configuring and operating a mobile terminal in a particular wireless network having interconnected access points, said method comprising:
-
manufacturing a plurality of mobile terminals and storing them in an inventory, each of the mobile terminals having a transceiver for communicating through one of the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path, a processor, and a passive tag; retrieving one of the mobile terminals from the inventory when a request is received and the particular wireless network has been determined; wirelessly conveying initial configuration information to the passive tag of the retrieved mobile terminal, wherein the initial configuration information includes data necessary to locate and communicate with a selected server; storing the conveyed initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory, interfacing the processor of the retrieved mobile terminal with its passive tag to access the initial configuration information stored in the memory so that the processor can locate the selected server; communicating with the server, via the processor, and downloading a software package to the processor; and controlling operation of the transceiver of the retrieved mobile terminal based upon the downloaded package. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
-
-
52. A method of configuring and operating a mobile terminal in a particular wireless network having interconnected access points, said method comprising:
-
manufacturing a plurality of mobile terminals and storing them in an inventory, each of the mobile terminals having a transceiver for communicating through one of the access points in the wireless network to form a wireless data communication path, a processor, and a passive tag; retrieving one of the mobile terminals from the inventory when a request is received and the particular wireless network has been determined; wirelessly conveying initial configuration information to the passive tag of the retrieved mobile terminal; storing the conveyed initial configuration information in a non-volatile memory; interfacing the processor of the retrieved mobile terminal with its passive tag to wirelessly convey the initial configuration information stored in the memory to the processor; determining network communication parameters from this initial configuration information; and controlling operation of the transceiver of the retrieved mobile terminal based upon the network communication parameters. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55)
-
Specification