Patent ID: 7684783
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of authenticating a client device for inclusion in a wireless network including the steps of: responsive to a user action at the client device and at one other device in the wireless network, determining a distance between the client device and the at least one other device in the wireless network, including transmitting a signal to the client device at less than full power and determining whether the client device responds to that signal; and authenticating the client device if the distance is within a preselected range that is less than maximum communication range of the network; wherein determining the distance between the client device and the at least one other device includes the steps of waiting for a received a signal from the at least one other device; and wherein the client device is not authenticated if more than one signal is received during the step of waiting including the step of measuring a strength of the signal received from the at least one other device and associating the strength of the signal with a measured distance and determining whether the measured distance is within the predetermined range of distances.