Method for physically updating configuration information for devices in a wireless network
First Claim
1. A method for physically exchanging wireless network configuration information in a wireless communications network comprising:
- saving the wireless network configuration information to a device;
coupling the device to one of a plurality of wireless stations within the wireless communication network;
verifying that the wireless station is a desired recipient of the configuration information;
initiating the downloading of the wireless network configuration information from the device to the wireless station if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the configuration information;
preventing the downloading of the wireless network configuration information if the wireless station is not the desired recipient of the configuration information; and
using the wireless network configuration information to configure the wireless station if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the configuration information, wherein a user has possession of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing configuration information for use in installing a new wireless station to a wireless network that minimizes errors is presented. The configuration information is distributed by storing the configuration information onto a device with a memory and then distributing the device to the users interested in installing new wireless stations. The device is attached to a computer to which the wireless station is coupled, initiating a transfer of the configuration information. The computer uses the configuration information to configure the wireless station. The method also provides a way to limit access to the configuration information through the use of encryption and limiting the number of times the configuration information is retrieved. The method is also an effective way to distribute security keys for encryption systems whose purpose is to secure communications in a wireless network.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for physically exchanging wireless network configuration information in a wireless communications network comprising:
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saving the wireless network configuration information to a device; coupling the device to one of a plurality of wireless stations within the wireless communication network; verifying that the wireless station is a desired recipient of the configuration information; initiating the downloading of the wireless network configuration information from the device to the wireless station if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the configuration information; preventing the downloading of the wireless network configuration information if the wireless station is not the desired recipient of the configuration information; and using the wireless network configuration information to configure the wireless station if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the configuration information, wherein a user has possession of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for physically exchanging wireless network configuration information for a plurality of wireless stations in a wireless network comprising:
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a portable device for storing the wireless network configuration information and distributing same, the device comprising a memory for storing the wireless network configuration information; and a connector for coupling the portable device to a wireless station; and a device programmer for writing the wireless network configuration information to the portable device, the device programmer containing circuitry to write the wireless network configuration information to the memory of the portable device when the portable device is coupled to the device programmer, wherein the portable device is configured to verify that the wireless station is a desired recipient of the wireless network configuration information; initiate the downloading of the wireless network configuration information from the portable device to the wireless station if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the configuration information; and prevent the downloading of the wireless network configuration information from the portable device to the wireless station if the wireless station is not the desired recipient of the configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for exchanging wireless network configuration information in a wireless communications network comprising:
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coupling a device to one of a plurality of wireless stations within the wireless communications network, wherein the wireless station is configured with a first wireless network configuration information and the device includes a second wireless network configuration information; verifying that the wireless station is a desired recipient of the second wireless network configuration information; initiating the downloading of the second wireless network configuration information from the device to the wireless station if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the second configuration information; and configuring the wireless station using the second wireless network configuration information if the wireless station is the desired recipient of the second configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification