Method of securely pairing devices with an access point for an IP-based wireless network
First Claim
1. A wireless router system that facilitates the installation and pairing of a wireless router to create an access point to an IP-based wireless telecommunications network, the wireless router solution comprising:
- a wireless router comprising;
a communication component for wirelessly communicating Internet Protocol (IP) formatted data with a remote device,wherein the remote device is configured to transmit and receive communications via a wireless connection;
a security component coupled to the communication component for encrypting the IP-formatted data in accordance with a security key;
a first key storage area containing a pre-determined security key that is chosen by a manufacturer of the wireless router;
a second key storage area which is suitable for storing a user-created security key that is received from a user, andwherein the user-created security key differs from the pre-determined security key;
a first control that allows a user to select whether the pre-determined security key or the user-created security key is used as the security key to encrypt the IP-formatted data by the security component, andwherein selection of the first control enables use of the user-created security key;
a second control that when enabled, causes the selected security key to be transmitted to the remote device to permit the remote device to pair with the wireless router and to communicate with the wireless router in a secure fashion,wherein the first control is selected prior to selecting the second control; and
a label associated with the wireless router that contains a passphrase that corresponds to the pre-determined security key stored in the first key storage area,wherein the passphrase allows the pre-determined security key to be generated by the remote device when the passphrase is used in a key derivation function that is executed by the remote device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless access point and method of using a wireless access point to allow a user to use a pre-determined security key provided with the access point or a personal security key that is provided by the user. The access point is purchased with a pre-determined security key. A user of the access point may press a pairing button on the access point to automatically pair other devices with the access point using the pre-determined security key. A label with a passphrase that corresponds to the pre-determined security key is provided with the access point, allowing the user to manually enter the passphrase into devices that cannot automatically pair with the access point. The wireless access point also has a “security on/off” button. When the user presses the security on/off button, the access point may cease use of the pre-determined security key in favor of a personal security key.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A wireless router system that facilitates the installation and pairing of a wireless router to create an access point to an IP-based wireless telecommunications network, the wireless router solution comprising:
a wireless router comprising; a communication component for wirelessly communicating Internet Protocol (IP) formatted data with a remote device, wherein the remote device is configured to transmit and receive communications via a wireless connection; a security component coupled to the communication component for encrypting the IP-formatted data in accordance with a security key; a first key storage area containing a pre-determined security key that is chosen by a manufacturer of the wireless router; a second key storage area which is suitable for storing a user-created security key that is received from a user, and wherein the user-created security key differs from the pre-determined security key; a first control that allows a user to select whether the pre-determined security key or the user-created security key is used as the security key to encrypt the IP-formatted data by the security component, and wherein selection of the first control enables use of the user-created security key; a second control that when enabled, causes the selected security key to be transmitted to the remote device to permit the remote device to pair with the wireless router and to communicate with the wireless router in a secure fashion, wherein the first control is selected prior to selecting the second control; and a label associated with the wireless router that contains a passphrase that corresponds to the pre-determined security key stored in the first key storage area, wherein the passphrase allows the pre-determined security key to be generated by the remote device when the passphrase is used in a key derivation function that is executed by the remote device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method that facilitates the installation and pairing of a wireless router to create an access point for a remote device to wirelessly communicate with an IP-based wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:
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retrieving a pre-determined security key that is stored in a first storage area of the wireless router, wherein the pre-determined security key is chosen by a manufacturer of the wireless router; using the retrieved pre-determined security key to encrypt Internet Protocol (IP) formatted data for communication with one or more remote devices via a wireless communication link; detecting a first selection of a first control that allows a user to select whether the pre-determined security key or a user-created security key is to be used as the security key to encrypt the IP-formatted data by the security component, and wherein selection of the first control enables use of the user-created security key; upon selection of the first control, receiving a user-created security string from the user, wherein the user-created security string differs from the pre-determined security key; using the received user-created security string to generate and store a user-created security key in a second storage area; and detecting a second selection of a second control that, when enabled, causes the user-created security key to be transmitted to the remote device to permit the remote device to pair with the wireless router and to communicate with the wireless router in a secure fashion, wherein the first control is selected prior to selecting the second control. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification