System and method for achieving zero-configuration wireless and wired computing and computing device incorporating same
First Claim
1. A method for connecting a computing device of a computer user to at least one network of a type selected from a group comprising a wireless telephone network, a wired infrastructure computer network, a wireless infrastructure computer network, and a wireless ad hoc computer network, the method comprising:
- checking user preferences for network connectivity, wherein checking user preferences comprises the step of checking for an authentication mode setting and a default mode setting, the default mode setting including an infrastructure mode allowing connectivity only with wireless infrastructure computer networks, an ad hoc mode allowing connectivity only with wireless ad hoc computer networks, an auto infrastructure preferred mode allowing connectivity with wireless infrastructure computer networks and wireless ad hoc computer networks with a preference for the wireless infrastructure computer networks, and an auto ad hoc preferred mode allowing connectivity with wireless infrastructure computer networks and wireless ad hoc computer networks with a preference for wireless ad hoc computer networks;
scanning for network presence of the at least one network;
connecting the computing device to the at least one network based on the user preferences, wherein connecting to the at least one network comprises the steps of associating with a wireless infrastructure computer network, and connecting as a valid user with credentials;
if connecting the computing device to the at least one network fails, selecting an ad hoc mode of operation when the default mode setting is set to auto mode; and
operating the computing device in an off-line mode when network connectivity is not available.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for enabling a zero configuration nomadic wireless and wired computing environment presenting a just works experience is presented. The system examines predefined user preference or profile settings to determine to which of a competing number of wireless networks available it should connect, and what type of authentication should be used for such connection. Nomadic wireless computing between infrastructure wireless networks and ad hoc wireless networks may be accomplished without further user intervention required in an auto mode. Also, both infrastructure only and ad hoc only modes are available through the system of the invention. Further, the user may set a preference for infrastructure or ad hoc modes in the auto mode. With an infrastructure mode preference set, the system will automatically detect and transfer connectivity to a newly available infrastructure wireless network if the user was previously operating off-line or in ad hoc mode.
63 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for connecting a computing device of a computer user to at least one network of a type selected from a group comprising a wireless telephone network, a wired infrastructure computer network, a wireless infrastructure computer network, and a wireless ad hoc computer network, the method comprising:
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checking user preferences for network connectivity, wherein checking user preferences comprises the step of checking for an authentication mode setting and a default mode setting, the default mode setting including an infrastructure mode allowing connectivity only with wireless infrastructure computer networks, an ad hoc mode allowing connectivity only with wireless ad hoc computer networks, an auto infrastructure preferred mode allowing connectivity with wireless infrastructure computer networks and wireless ad hoc computer networks with a preference for the wireless infrastructure computer networks, and an auto ad hoc preferred mode allowing connectivity with wireless infrastructure computer networks and wireless ad hoc computer networks with a preference for wireless ad hoc computer networks; scanning for network presence of the at least one network; connecting the computing device to the at least one network based on the user preferences, wherein connecting to the at least one network comprises the steps of associating with a wireless infrastructure computer network, and connecting as a valid user with credentials; if connecting the computing device to the at least one network fails, selecting an ad hoc mode of operation when the default mode setting is set to auto mode; and operating the computing device in an off-line mode when network connectivity is not available. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for connecting a computing device of a computer user to at least one network of a type selected from a group comprising a wireless telephone network, a wired infrastructure computer network, a wireless infrastructure computer network, and a wireless ad hoc computer network, the method comprising:
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checking user preferences for network connectivity, wherein checking user preferences comprises the step of checking for an authentication mode setting and for a default mode setting; scanning for network presence of the at least one network; connecting the computing device to the at least one network based on the user preferences, wherein connecting to the at least one network comprises the steps of associating with a wireless infrastructure computer network, and connecting as a valid user with credentials; if connecting the computing device to the at least one network fails, selecting an ad hoc mode of operation when the default mode setting is set to auto mode; and operating the computing device in an off-line mode when network connectivity is not available. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification