METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SOLICITED ACTIVATION FOR PROTECTED WIRELESS NETWORKING

• US 20110211219A1
• Filed: 08/31/2010
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gharahgouzloo, Mohammad, Bradley, Bob
• Granted Patent: US 8,830,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/12 Digital output to print unit , e.g. line printer, chain printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/004 in the uplink, i.e. towards network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus that enable solicited access to a secure wireless network having complex security protocols. In one embodiment, such solicited access is performed using a streamlined or reduced number of user actions and includes an exemplary active/passive scanning protocol and use of an optimized service discovery protocol (SDP).

Claims

1. A method for enrolling a printing device onto a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a computer system, information from an access point regarding a printing device that has requested enrollment onto a wireless network managed by the access point;

determining, by the computer system, whether the printing device is supported based on the information regarding the printing device;

indicating to the access point, by the computer system, that the printing device is to be enrolled onto the wireless network; and

establishing, by the computer system, operation with the printing device via the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information regarding the printing device is included in a service discovery record.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information regarding the printing device includes one or more of manufacturer information for the printing device, model information for the printing device, or standard printing language support information for the printing device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the standard printing language is PostScript.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the printing device is supported comprises determining whether a software driver is available for the printing device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the printing device is supported comprises determining whether the printing device supports a standard printing language.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a message to a user, the message indicating whether the printing device is supported.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing operation with the printing device comprises automatically configuring a software driver for the printing device.

9. An apparatus for use in a wireless network, the apparatus comprising:

a processor capable of executing one or more computer executable instructions; and

a memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

receive information from an access point regarding a printing device that has requested enrollment onto a wireless network managed by the access point;

determine whether the printing device is supported based on the information regarding the printing device;

indicate to the access point that the printing device is to be enrolled onto the wireless network; and

establish operation with the printing device via the wireless network.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein determination of whether the printing device is supported comprises determining whether a software driver is available for the printing device.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein determination of whether the printing device is supported comprises determining whether the printing device supports a standard printing language.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computer program, when executed, further causes the processor to generate a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface indicating whether the printing device is supported.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computer program, when executed, further causes the processor to receive a personal identification number for the printing device.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein establishment of operation with the printing device comprises automatically retrieving a software driver for the printing device.

15. A method of joining a wireless network, the method comprising:

performing, by a printing device, a detection protocol to detect available wireless networks;

determining, in the printing device, if a detected wireless network supports a security protocol based at least in part on the detection protocol;

requesting, by the printing device, joinder of the printing device to the detected wireless network if the security protocol is supported;

providing, by the printing device, information about the printing device pursuant to the request; and

establishing, by the printing device, operation with the wireless network according to a security protocol if the printing device is determined to be supported.

18. An apparatus for use in a wireless network, the apparatus comprising:

a processor capable of executing one or more computer executable instructions; and

a memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to;

perform a detection protocol to detect available wireless networks;

determine if a detected wireless network supports a security protocol based at least in part on the detection protocol;

request joinder to the detected wireless network if the security protocol is supported;

provide information about the apparatus pursuant to the request; and

establish operation with the wireless network according to a security protocol if the apparatus is determined to be supported.

16. The method of claim 18, wherein the printing device is determined to be supported if a software driver is available for the printing device.

17. The method of claim 18, wherein the printing device is determined to be supported if the printing device supports a standard printing language.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is determined to be supported if a software driver is available for the apparatus.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is determined to be supported if the apparatus supports a standard printing language.