Automatically configuring a web-enabled portable device to access the internet

• US 8,572,663 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mind Fusion, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: KDL Scan Designs LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Anderson, Eric C., Morris, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG H
• Application Number:
  US13/183,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20110271000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 725/105, 348/211.3, 348/211.12, 348/143, 348/156, 348/157
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00151 with selective access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00196 Creation of a photo-montage, e.g. photoalbum H04N1/0019 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00236 using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer image input to or image output from a computer via a network H04N1/00209
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

Automatically configuring a portable electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to at least one server for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the at least one server. The at least one server sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is stored on the device for use the next time the device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network or, if the user account is not completely set up, to establish the user account a next time the device connects to the at least one server.

Claims

1. A method for configuring an imaging device, comprising:

automatically transmitting, by the imaging device, information uniquely identifying the imaging device to at least one server to enable the at least one server to at least partially set up a user account to access a website on a public network based on the information;

receiving, via the imaging device, user account information associated with the at least partially set-up user account from the at least one server; and

storing the user account information on the imaging device;

wherein the imaging device is configured to use the stored account information to establish a connection with the public network or to complete set up of the user account a next time the imaging device connects to the at least one server; and

wherein the imaging device is configured to establish a connection with the at least one server using wireless communication.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication comprises cellular wireless communication.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the imaging device further comprises a cell phone.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the information comprises at least a partial serial number configured to uniquely identify the imaging device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising providing the imaging device with a default Information Service Provider (ISP) access number, user ID, or password.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the imaging device is further configured to upload images to the at least one server.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

providing the imaging device with default Information Service Provider (ISP) information; and

establishing a connection to an ISP using the default ISP information.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising terminating the connection with the ISP when the imaging device completes uploading the images to the at least one server.

9. An imaging device, comprising:

a memory device configured to store instructions; and

a processing device configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to;

establish a connection to at least one server using wireless communication;

automatically transmit identification information uniquely identifying the imaging device to the at least one server to enable the at least one server to at least partially set up an account to access a website on a network based on the identification information;

store account information associated with the at least partially set up account received from the at least one server on the memory device; and

in response to the at least one server having completed set up of the account, establish at least one connection to the network using the account information stored in the memory device, otherwise complete set up of the account a next time the imaging device connects to the at least one server.

10. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication comprises cellular wireless communication.

11. The imaging device of claim 9, further comprising a cell phone.

12. The imaging device of claim 11, wherein the identification information comprises at least a partial serial number uniquely identifying the imaging device.

13. The imaging device of claim 11,

wherein the processing device is further configured to upload images to the at least one server.

14. The imaging device of claim 13, wherein the processing device is further configured to establish a connection to an Information Service Provider (ISP) using default ISP information stored in the memory device.

15. The imaging device of claim 14, wherein the processing device is further configured to terminate the connection with the ISP in response to completing upload of the images to the at least one server.

16. The imaging device of claim 14, wherein the default ISP information comprises a default ISP access number, user ID, or password.