Time based wireless access provisioning

• US 20050043021A1
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommWorks Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: AOL LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roskind, James A., Robinson, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,177,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/422.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/10 of transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for the time-based provisioning of wireless devices. A network access point monitors operation of wireless devices within a service region. When provisioning logic is activated at the network access point, the access point determines if the tracked parameter (such as power on or the onset of signal transmission) of the wireless device occurs within a designated time interval from the time of the provisioning activation. If the tracked device qualifies, the network access point proceeds with provisioning the device. In one system embodiment, the network access point tracks the power on time of wireless devices. When a wireless device to be authorized is powered on, the provisioning logic at the network access point notes the power on time. The user then activates the provisioning access at the network access point, and the network access point provisions the wireless device if it is recently powered on.

Claims

1. A process for provisioning between a wireless device and a network, comprising the steps of:

tracking an operating parameter of the wireless device within a service area, wherein the operating parameter of the wireless device comprises any of a power on, an activation, and a transmission of an output signal; and

initiating provisioning of the wireless device if the tracked operating parameter occurs within a time interval.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises any of a computer, a portable computer, a printer, a portable phone, a personal digital assistant, a wireless picture frame, a video recording device, an electronic game device, a television, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and a digital music player.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises any of an IEEE 802.11 compliant device and a BLUETOOTH™

compliant device.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the provisioning is prevented if the tracked operating parameter occurs outside the time interval, comprising any of before the time interval and after the time interval.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein the provisioning is prevented if the tracked operating parameter occurs repeatably.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the provisioning is performed automatically.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the network comprises any of an intranet, a local area network, a wireless local area network, and a wireless personal area network.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the provisioning comprises transmitting information to the wireless device, wherein the transmitted information comprises any of setup information, handshaking information, and encryption information.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the provisioning comprises receiving information from the wireless device.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the received information comprises a device identifier.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the device identifier comprises a MAC address.

12. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing an access point which tracks the operating parameter of the wireless device.

13. The process of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

activating the time interval through the access point.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein the access point comprises means for activating the time interval, wherein the activation means comprises any of a button and a switch.

15. The process of claim 13, wherein the access point comprises an access control list.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the access control list comprises an identification of one or more wireless devices that have access to the network.

17. The process of claim 12, wherein the access point communicates with one or more wired devices.

18. The process of claim 17, wherein the access point is connected to the wired devices through a local area network (LAN).

19. The process of claim 12, wherein the access point communicates with at least one other wireless device which operates within the service area.

20. The process of claim 12, wherein the access point further comprises a network connection to one or more networks.

21. The process of claim 20, wherein the connected network comprises any of a local area network (LAN) and the Internet.

22. A system for provisioning between a wireless device and a network, comprising:

means for tracking an operating parameter of the wireless device within a service area, wherein the tracked operating parameter of the wireless device comprises any of a power on, an activation, and a transmission of an output signal; and

logic for initiating provisioning of the wireless device if the tracked operating parameter occurs within a time interval.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless device comprises any of a computer, a portable computer, a printer, a portable phone, a personal digital assistant, a wireless picture frame, a video recording device, an electronic game device, a television, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and a digital music player.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the wireless device comprises any of an IEEE 802.11 compliant device and a BLUETOOTH™

compliant device.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the provisioning is prevented if the tracked operating parameter occurs outside the time interval, comprising any of before the time interval and after the time interval.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the provisioning is prevented if the tracked operating parameter occurs repeatably.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the provisioning is performed automatically.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the network comprises any of an intranet, a local area network, a wireless local area network, and a wireless personal area network.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the provisioning comprises transmitting information to the wireless device, wherein the transmitted information comprises any of setup information, handshaking information, and encryption information.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the provisioning comprises a reception of information from the wireless device.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the received information comprises a device identifier.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the device identifier comprises a MAC address.

33. The system of claim 22, wherein the tracking means comprises an access point.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

an activation of the time interval through the access point.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the access point comprises means for activating the time interval, wherein the activation means comprises any of a bufton and a switch.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the access point comprises an access control list.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the access control list comprises an identification of one or more wireless devices that have access to the network.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the access point communicates with one or more wired devices.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the access point is connected to the wired devices through a local area network (LAN).

40. The system of claim 33, wherein the access point communicates with at least one other wireless device which operates within the service area.

41. The system of claim 33, wherein the access point further comprises a network connection to one or more networks.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the connected network comprises any of a local area network (LAN) and the Internet.

43. An access point, comprising:

means for tracking an operating parameter of a wireless device, wherein the tracked operating parameter of the wireless device comprises any of a power on, an activation, and a transmission of an output signal; and

logic for initiating an association of the device with a network if the tracked operating parameter occurs within a time interval.

44. The access point of claim 43, wherein the wireless device comprises any of a computer, a portable computer, a printer, a portable phone, a personal digital assistant, a wireless picture frame, a video recording device, an electronic game device, a television, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and a digital music player.

45. The access point of claim 43, wherein the wireless device comprises any of an IEEE 802.11 compliant device and a BLUETOOTH™

compliant device.

46. The access point of claim 43, wherein the association is prevented if the tracked operating parameter occurs outside the time interval, comprising any of before the time interval and after the time interval.

47. The access point of claim 43, wherein the association is prevented if the tracked operating parameter occurs repeatably.

48. The access point of claim 43, wherein the initiation of the association is automatically performable.

49. The access point of claim 43, wherein the network comprises any of an intranet, a local area network, a wireless local area network, and a wireless personal area network.

50. The access point of claim 43, wherein the association comprises a transmission of information to the wireless device, wherein the information comprises any of setup information, handshaking information, and encryption information.

51. The access point of claim 43, wherein the association comprises a reception of information from the device.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the received information comprises a device identifier.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the device identifier comprises a MAC address.

54. The access point of claim 43, wherein the time interval is activatible through the access point.

55. The access point of claim 54, wherein the access point comprises means for activating the time interval, comprising any of a button and a switch.

56. The access point of claim 43, further comprising:

an access control list.

57. The access point of claim 56, wherein the access control list comprises an identification of one or more wireless devices that have access to the network.

58. The access point of claim 43, wherein the access point is in communication with one or more wired devices.

59. The access point of claim 58, wherein the access point is connected to the wired devices through a local area network (LAN).

60. The access point of claim 43, wherein the access point is in communication with at least one other wireless device which operates within the region.

61. The access point of claim 43, further comprising:

a connection to at least a second network.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the second network comprises any of a local area network (LAN) and the Internet.