Wireless communication network, sub-system therefor and method of configuring a non-native network device employing an adapter
First Claim
1. A wireless communication network comprising:
- a server including a wireless port;
a number of native network devices, each of said native network devices comprising a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless port of said server and a second port;
a non-native network device comprising a wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless port of said server;
an adapter; and
a fob comprising;
a portable housing,a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless port of said server,a second port structured to communicate with the second port of one of said native network devices when the second port of said fob engages or is proximate to said second port of one of said native network devices, anda processor operatively associated with the first wireless port and the second port of said fob, said processor being structured to receive engagement or proximity information from the second port of said fob, and to send information to the wireless port of said server from the first wireless port of said fob, said sent information pertaining to one of said native network devices or said non-native network device,wherein said adapter is structured to engage or be proximate to the second port of said fob when connecting said non-native network device to said wireless communication network,wherein the second port of said fob is structured to sense said adapter when the second port of said fob engages or is proximate to said adapter, andwherein the second port of said fob is not structured to sense said non-native network device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sub-system for a wireless communication network includes a fob and an adapter. The fob includes a portable housing, a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with a server, a second port structured to communicate with a native network device when the second port engages or is proximate to the native network device, and a processor operatively associated with the first wireless port and the second port. The processor is structured to receive engagement or proximity information from the second port, and send information to the server from the first wireless port. The sent information pertains to the native network device or to a non-native network device. An adapter includes a housing having a target. When the second port is properly positioned with respect to the target, the fob responsively participates in a joining procedure of the non-native network device to the server.
20 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A wireless communication network comprising:
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a server including a wireless port; a number of native network devices, each of said native network devices comprising a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless port of said server and a second port; a non-native network device comprising a wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless port of said server; an adapter; and a fob comprising; a portable housing, a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless port of said server, a second port structured to communicate with the second port of one of said native network devices when the second port of said fob engages or is proximate to said second port of one of said native network devices, and a processor operatively associated with the first wireless port and the second port of said fob, said processor being structured to receive engagement or proximity information from the second port of said fob, and to send information to the wireless port of said server from the first wireless port of said fob, said sent information pertaining to one of said native network devices or said non-native network device, wherein said adapter is structured to engage or be proximate to the second port of said fob when connecting said non-native network device to said wireless communication network, wherein the second port of said fob is structured to sense said adapter when the second port of said fob engages or is proximate to said adapter, and wherein the second port of said fob is not structured to sense said non-native network device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sub-system for a wireless communication network including a server, a number of native network devices, and a number of non-native network devices, said sub-system comprising:
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a fob comprising; a portable housing, a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with said server, a second port structured to communicate with one of said native network devices when the second port of said fob engages or is proximate to said one of said native network devices, and a processor operatively associated with the first wireless port and the second port of said fob, said processor being structured to receive engagement or proximity information from the second port of said fob, and to send information to said server from the first wireless port of said fob, said sent information pertaining to one of said native network devices or said non-native network device; and an adapter comprising a housing including a target, wherein when the second port of said fob is properly positioned with respect to said target, said fob responsively participates in a joining procedure of one of said non-native network devices to said server. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of configuring a non-native network device of a wireless communication network including a server, said method comprising:
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employing a fob; engaging said fob with or placing said fob proximate an adapter; responsive to said engaging said fob with or placing said fob proximate an adapter, communicating a wireless message from said fob to said server in order to configure said non-native network device; communicating a wireless message from said non-native network device to said server in order to configure said non-native network device; and receiving a confirmation from said server and responsively displaying said confirmation at said fob that said non-native network device was configured as part of said wireless communication network. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification