Wireless docking with out-of-band initiation

• US 8,462,734 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2010
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Laine, Tuomas, Bacioccola, Andrea, Suumki, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Chung, Hoon J
• Application Number:
  US12/908,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20120099566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/310.2, 370328-339, 370/349, 455/422.1, 709220-222, 709227-229
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Example method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed to enable out-of-band communications to be used in out-of-band initialization methods for simplified configuring of an in-band wireless docking environment for wireless devices. An example embodiment of the invention includes composing a wireless configuration for a plurality of devices in an in-band short-range wireless docking environment, by using out-of-band connections from a mobile device to the plurality of devices to send in-band short-range communication connection parameters including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band short-range communication.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

initiating out-of-band connections by a mobile wireless device to a plurality of wireless devices;

sending, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

receiving, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections; and

composing a configuration for the plurality of devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the out-of-band connections are based on an NFC Forum logical link control protocol and the mobile wireless device and the plurality of wireless devices use an NFC Forum connection handover protocol to exchange the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the in-band wireless short-range communication is via a Wi-Fi wireless network and a carrier configuration record includes an IEEE 802.11 service set identifier, authentication and encryption type deployed by the Wi-Fi wireless network, a network key that a wireless station needs to authenticate with the Wi-Fi wireless network, and a MAC address of a device receiving the configuration, if known.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the in-band wireless short-range communication is via a Bluetooth wireless network and a carrier configuration record includes a Bluetooth piconet identifier, authentication and encryption type deployed by the Bluetooth wireless network, a network key that a wireless station needs to authenticate with the Bluetooth wireless network, and an address of a device receiving the configuration, if known.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile wireless device performs the step of composing the optimal wireless configuration for the plurality of wireless devices to enable them to operate in the wireless docking environment, wherein the wireless docking environment is a distributed wireless docking environment.

6. The method of claim 5, which further comprises:

establishing by the wireless mobile device, in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices, based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the received information;

applying by the mobile wireless device, the optimal wireless configuration to the plurality of wireless devices, via the in-band wireless short-range communication connections, to enable the plurality of wireless devices to operate in the wireless docking environment; and

communicating by the mobile wireless device, with the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment, via the in-band wireless short-range communication connections.

7. A method, comprising:

initiating out-of-band connections by a mobile wireless device to a plurality of wireless devices;

sending, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

receiving, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections;

composing a configuration for the plurality of devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment;

sending, by the mobile wireless device, an indication that another device will perform a connection setup with one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

receiving, by the mobile wireless device, connectivity settings from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connection;

initiating, by the mobile wireless device, another out-of-band connection with the another device; and

sending by the mobile wireless device, additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters including one or more parameters indicating the timer value related to the expected completion time of the connection handover, the information from the plurality of wireless devices for the wireless docking environment, and the connectivity settings, to the another device via the another out-of-band connection, to enable the another device to setup in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices according to the additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, after the expected completion time.

8. A device, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to;

initiate by the device as a mobile wireless device, out-of-band connections to a plurality of wireless devices;

send, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections; and

compose a configuration for the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the out-of-band connections are based on an NFC Forum logical link control protocol and the mobile wireless device and the plurality of wireless devices use an NFC Forum connection handover protocol to exchange the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the in-band wireless short-range communication is via a Wi-Fi wireless network and a carrier configuration record includes an IEEE 802.11 service set identifier, authentication and encryption type deployed by the Wi-Fi wireless network, a network key that a wireless station needs to authenticate with the Wi-Fi wireless network, and a MAC address of a device receiving the configuration, if known.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the in-band wireless short-range communication is via a Bluetooth wireless network and a carrier configuration record includes a Bluetooth piconet identifier, authentication and encryption type deployed by the Bluetooth wireless network, a network key that a wireless station needs to authenticate with the Bluetooth wireless network, and an address of a device receiving the configuration, if known.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the mobile wireless device performs the step of composing the optimal wireless configuration for the plurality of wireless devices to enable them to operate in the wireless docking environment, wherein the wireless docking environment is a distributed wireless docking environment.

13. The device of claim 12, which further comprises:

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to;

establish by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices, based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the received information;

apply by the mobile wireless device, the optimal wireless configuration to the plurality of wireless devices, via the in-band wireless short-range communication connections, to enable the plurality of wireless devices to operate in the wireless docking environment; and

communicate by the mobile wireless device, with the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment, via the in-band wireless short-range communication connections.

14. A device, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to;

initiate by the device as a mobile wireless device, out-of-band connections to a plurality of wireless devices;

send, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections;

compose a configuration for the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment;

send, by the mobile wireless device, an indication that another device will perform a connection setup with one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, connectivity settings from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

initiate, by the mobile wireless device, another out-of-band connection with the another device; and

send by the mobile wireless device, additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters including one or more parameters indicating the timer value related to the expected completion time of the connection handover, the information from the plurality of wireless devices for the wireless docking environment, and the connectivity settings, to the another device via the another out-of-band connection, to enable the another device to setup in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices according to the additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, after the expected completion time.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the out-of-band connections are based on an NFC Forum logical link control protocol and the mobile wireless device, the plurality of wireless devices, and the another device use an NFC Forum connection handover protocol to exchange the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters.

16. A device, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to;

initiate by the device as a mobile wireless device, out-of-band connections to a plurality of wireless devices;

send, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections;

compose a configuration for the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment;

send, by the mobile wireless device, an indication that another device will perform a connection setup with one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, connectivity settings from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

initiate, by the mobile wireless device, another out-of-band connection with the another device;

send by the mobile wireless device, additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters including one or more parameters indicating the timer value related to the expected completion time of the connection handover, the information from the plurality of wireless devices for the wireless docking environment, and the connectivity settings, to the another device via the another out-of-band connection, to enable the another device to setup in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices according to the additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, after the expected completion time;

wherein the out-of-band connections are based on an NFC Forum logical link control protocol and the mobile wireless device, the plurality of wireless devices, and the another device use an NFC Forum connection handover protocol to exchange the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters; and

wherein the in-band wireless short-range communication connection is via a Wi-Fi wireless network and the carrier configuration record includes an IEEE 802.11 service set identifier, authentication and encryption type deployed by the Wi-Fi wireless network, a network key that a wireless station needs to authenticate with the Wi-Fi wireless network, and a MAC address of a device receiving the configuration, if known.

17. A device, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to;

initiate by the device as a mobile wireless device, out-of-band connections to a plurality of wireless devices;

send, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections;

compose a configuration for the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment;

send, by the mobile wireless device, an indication that another device will perform a connection setup with one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

receive, by the mobile wireless device, connectivity settings from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

initiate, by the mobile wireless device, another out-of-band connection with the another device;

send by the mobile wireless device, additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters including one or more parameters indicating the timer value related to the expected completion time of the connection handover, the information from the plurality of wireless devices for the wireless docking environment, and the connectivity settings, to the another device via the another out-of-band connection, to enable the another device to setup in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices according to the additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, after the expected completion time;

wherein the out-of-band connections are based on an NFC Forum logical link control protocol and the mobile wireless device, the plurality of wireless devices, and the another device use an NFC Forum connection handover protocol to exchange the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters; and

wherein the in-band wireless short-range communication connection is via a Bluetooth wireless network and the carrier configuration record includes a Bluetooth piconet identifier, authentication and encryption type deployed by the Bluetooth wireless network, a network key that a wireless station needs to authenticate with the Bluetooth wireless network, and an address of a device receiving the configuration, if known.

18. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising:

code for initiating out-of-band connections by a mobile wireless device to a plurality of wireless devices;

code for sending, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

code for receiving, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections; and

code for composing a configuration for the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment.

19. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising:

code for initiating out-of-band connections by a mobile wireless device to a plurality of wireless devices;

code for sending, by the mobile wireless device, in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters to two or more of the plurality of wireless devices over one or more of the out-of-band connections, including a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover to in-band wireless short-range communication;

code for receiving, by the mobile wireless device, information from the plurality of wireless devices regarding a wireless docking environment, via the out-of-band connections; and

code for composing a configuration for the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless docking environment based on the in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters and the information regarding the wireless docking environment;

code for sending, by the mobile wireless device, an indication that another device will perform a connection setup with one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

code for receiving, by the mobile wireless device, connectivity settings from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices, via the out-of-band connections;

code for initiating, by the mobile wireless device, another out-of-band connection with the another device; and

code for sending by the mobile wireless device, additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters including one or more parameters indicating the timer value related to the expected completion time of the connection handover, the information from the plurality of wireless devices for the wireless docking environment, and the connectivity settings, to the another device via the another out-of-band connection, to enable the another device to setup in-band wireless short-range communication connections with the plurality of wireless devices according to the additional in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, after the expected completion time.

20. A method, comprising:

forming, by a wireless docking station device, an out-of-band connection with a mobile wireless device;

receiving, by the wireless docking station device, first in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters for a timer value related to an expected completion time of a connection handover, connectivity settings of a second device, and information from the second device for a wireless docking environment, from the wireless mobile device via the out-of-band connection, to enable setting up a first in-band wireless short-range communication connection with the second device according to the first in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, after the expected completion time;

receiving, by the wireless docking station device, second in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters, connectivity settings of a third device, and information from the third device for the wireless docking environment, from the mobile wireless device via the out-of-band connection, to enable setting up a second in-band wireless short-range communication connection with the third device according to the second in-band wireless short-range communication connection parameters;

composing, by the wireless docking station device, a wireless configuration for the mobile wireless device, the second device, and the third device to operate in the wireless docking environment, based on the information from the second device and the third device for the wireless docking environment;

establishing, by the wireless docking station device the first in-band wireless short-range communication connection with the second device in accordance with the timer value interval, and the second in-band wireless short-range communication connection with the third device;

applying, by the wireless docking station device, the wireless configuration to the second device and the third device to enable them to operate in the wireless docking environment; and

communicating, by the wireless docking station device, with the wirelessly configured second and third devices in the wireless docking environment.