Simplified configuration and security for networked wireless devices

• US 7,356,011 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: JatoTech Affiliates LP (JatoTech Ventures Inc), JatoTech Ventures LP (JatoTech Ventures Inc), Mayfield Associates Fund VI, Mayfield IX Mayfield Associates Fund IV, Mayfield Principals Fund II, Mayfield Xi, Mayfield XI Qualified, The Chip Trust III, Unger-Luchsinger Family Trust
• Inventors: Kelsey, Nicholas J, Waters, Christopher J. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Robert W.
• Application Number:
  US10/323,439
• Time in Patent Office: 1,938 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/08 Configuration management of networks or network elements address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0883 Semiautomatic configuration, e.g. proposals from system
• 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 61/50 Address allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/062 for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Wireless devices are easily configured with logical network and security settings. Configuration commands are received at master and slave wireless devices. The devices switch to predetermined logical network and security settings to allow communication between the master and slave devices. The master device selects a logical network and/or security setting and sends the setting(s) to the slave device. Both devices then switch to the selected setting(s) and use the setting(s) for future communications.

Claims

1. A method for providing simple configuration for communication between a plurality of wireless devices on a wireless network, the configuration including implementation of security for data communication and setting a logical network parameter for the plurality of wireless devices, comprising:

receiving a configuration command at a first wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices;

setting, in response to receiving the configuration command, the logical network parameter of the first wireless device to a predetermined configuration;

receiving the configuration command at a second wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices;

setting, in response to receiving the configuration command, the logical network parameter of the second wireless device to the predetermined configuration;

selecting, at the first wireless device, a configuration logical network parameter;

sending a configuration packet including the selected configuration logical network parameter from the first wireless device and an address of the second wireless device to the second wireless device;

selecting, at the first wireless device, an encryption key for encrypting communication between the first and second wireless devices;

sending an encryption packet including the selected encryption key and the address of the second wireless device from the first wireless device to the second wireless device;

setting the logical network parameter of the first and second wireless devices to the configuration logical network parameter; and

encrypting data sent between the first and second wireless devices with the selected encryption key,

wherein the configuration packet comprises;

an Internet Protocol (IP) header with a target IP address, the target IP address being broadcast; and

a device addressing protocol (DAP) header with a target DAP address and a source DAP address, the target DAP address being broadcast and the source DAP address being a DAP address of the first wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a public key exchange wherein the encryption key sent from the first wireless device to the second wireless device is encrypted by a public key of the second device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a Diffie-Hellman key exchange wherein the encryption key sent from the first wireless device to the second wireless device is sent in an encrypted form.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the first device, a response from the second wireless device, the response including the DAP address of the second wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the encryption key is sent from the first wireless device to the second wireless device within an encryption packet that comprises:

an encryption IP header with a target encryption IP address; and

an encryption device addressing protocol (DAP) header with a target encryption DAP address, the target encryption DAP address being the DAP address of the second wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration command received by at least one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device is received in response to activation of a physical mechanism on the at least one of the first wireless device and the second wireless device.