Method for operating a network device

• US 9,380,042 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eht Vermogensverwaltung Ug
• Original Assignee: Eht Vermogensverwaltung Ug
• Inventors: Horst, Matthias, Ernst, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, Brandon
• Application Number:
  US14/131,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20140298429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for releasing a network device of a network system that comprises at least the one network device and at least one server. At least one second identifier that is assigned to a mobile computing device is stored in a database of the server. The method has the steps of detecting a first identifier, which is installed on the network device to be released, using the mobile computing device; transmitting the detected first identifier and a second identifier, which is assigned to the detecting mobile computing device, from the mobile computing device to the server; comparing the transmitted second identifier with the at least one second identifier stored in the database; and releasing the network device by means of the server if the result of the check is positive.

Claims

1. A method for releasing a network device of a network system, which comprises at least the one network device and at least one server, wherein the network device is a computer, printing device, scanner, copier and/or fax machine, wherein at least one second identifier assigned to a mobile computing device is stored in a database of the server, wherein the second identifier is a unique code, which is unambiguously assigned to the corresponding mobile computing device, comprising:

detecting a first identifier installed on the network device by means of the mobile computing device, wherein the network device is unequivocally identified by way of the first identifier,

transmitting the detected first identifier and the second identifier assigned to the detecting mobile computing device from the mobile computing device to the server,

comparing the transmitted second identifier with the at least one second identifier stored in the database, and

releasing the network device through the server if the result of the check is positive,

wherein for releasing the network device, a release signal is transmitted from the server to the network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first identifier is a barcode, in particular a two-dimensional barcode.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first identifier is detected by taking a photograph with the mobile computing device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the release signal comprises a third identifier assigned to the user.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second identifier is a serial number, in particular an international mobile station equipment identity.

6. A method for registering a mobile computing device in a network system having at least one network device and at least one server, comprising:

transmitting a third identifier assigned to a user from a network device to a server,

transmitting a code to the network device, wherein the code together with the third identifier is stored in a database of the server,

detecting the code transmitted to the network device by means of a mobile computing device,

transmitting the detected code and a second identifier assigned to the mobile computing device to the server,

comparing the received code with the at least one code stored in the database, and

storing the third identifier together with the second identifier in the database if the result of the check is positive.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the code is a random number, in particular in the form of a barcode.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the code to be detected by the mobile computing device is displayed by the network device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the indicated code is detected by taking a photograph using the mobile computing device.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the second identifier is a serial number, in particular an international mobile station equipment identity.

11. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that prior to transmitting the third identifier from the network device to the server an authentication of a user is carried out on the network device.

12. A computer program with instructions executable on a processor such that a network device is released by means of the method for releasing a network device of a network system, which comprises at least the one network device and at least one server, wherein the network device is a computer, printing device, scanner, copier and/or fax machine, wherein at least one second identifier assigned to a mobile computing device is stored in a database of the server, wherein the second identifier is a unique code, which is unambiguously assigned to the corresponding mobile computing device, comprising:

detecting a first identifier installed on the network device by means of the mobile computing device, wherein the network device is unequivocally identified by way of the first identifier,

transmitting the detected first identifier and the second identifier assigned to the detecting mobile computing device from the mobile computing device to the server,

comparing the transmitted second identifier with the at least one second identifier stored in the database, and

releasing the network device through the server if the result of the check is positive,

wherein for releasing the network device, a release signal is transmitted from the server to the network device.

13. The computer program of claim 12 wherein said program is a commercial product comprising a computer program with instructions executable on a processor.

14. Server, comprising:

a database, wherein at least one second identifier assigned to a mobile computing device is stored in the database,

a receiver configured to receive a detected first identifier assigned to a network device and a second identifier assigned to a mobile computing device from the mobile computing device, wherein the second identifier is a unique code, which is unambiguously assigned to the corresponding mobile computing device, wherein the network device is a computer, printing device, scanner, copier and/or fax machine, and wherein the network device is unequivocally identified by way of the first identifier,

a comparator configured to compare the received second identifier with the at least one second identifier stored in the database, and

a transmitter configured to release the network device if the result of the check is positive by sending a release signal to the network device.

15. A computer program with instructions executable on a processor such that a mobile computing device is registered in a network system having at least one network device and at least one server, comprising:

transmitting a third identifier assigned to a user from a network device to a server,

transmitting a code to the network device, wherein the code together with the third identifier is stored in a database of the server,

detecting the code transmitted to the network device by means of a mobile computing device,

transmitting the detected code and a second identifier assigned to the mobile computing device to the server,

comparing the received code with the at least one code stored in the database, and

storing the third identifier together with the second identifier in the database if the result of the check is positive.

16. A computer program of claim 15 wherein said program is a commercial product comprising a computer program with instructions executable on a processor.