System and method for the automatic network configuration of devices by remote communication with a server

A system and method comprising a server that automatically configures and sets up a restaurant's or business' information technology (IT) infrastructure, more specifically relating to point-of-sale devices (POS) and other networked devices such as scanners, tracking displays, and any other device that any business may use. Communication between the networked devices and the server is facilitated by a preconfigured router, wherein after initial communication with the server, the server may configure devices for a network connection, update firmware, operating parameters, and software packages of the preconfigured router and other networked devices.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Art

The disclosure relates to the field of computer setup, and more particularly to the field of remote setup of computing devices through the use of pre-generated or factory-made instructions shared through a network router.

Discussion of the State of the Art

In information technology, it is commonplace currently to ship devices with pre-installed software, with factory settings. This is known in the art sometimes as “factory defaults” or “factory default settings,” and “vendor software,” and the enterprise segment of the market is no different, shipping devices with pre-installed software sometimes which a client or customer may pick prior to ordering, but sometimes which comes in predefined hardware-software packages such as many desktops and laptops purchased from computer vendors. There are difficulties and limitations with this style of designing and shipping customer orders for computing devices. If a business is in need of a specific configuration of software that is non-standard or specialized in some way, or needs a group of devices to have a specific networking implementation installed and pre-configured, this is often not possible, but in the few cases it is possible, it is the case that the devices ship with the software and configurations, limiting the options of what is available for the customer. A customer may not, for instance, use their own hardware or devices, or design their own device configurations with this software, and then have it installed and configured for their needs, so that they are not required to have much networking or software customization and configuration knowledge. This is especially the case for restaurants, an entire industry which is slow to adopt technical changes due to the tremendous lack of ready-made and well-understood innovations in the space, despite the fact that numerous possible innovations in Point-Of-Sale (“POS”) systems and online ordering have been made in recent years. It is more common for such services to be abstracted away from the restaurants entirely, such as with UBER EATS™ simply supplying the online ordering and delivery themselves. Integration of new systems for a restaurant where they frequently have no dedicated IT staff and limited understanding of complex computing systems, and when they may not have the resources to purchase all-new systems rather than use their already-operating POS systems, are difficult.

Furthermore, a restaurant's lack of both dedicated IT staff and awareness of best practices can be burdensome when it comes to network onboarding and authentication of new devices and/or system. Even in businesses or industries which employ large, dedicated IT staff, IT teams traditionally experience a heavy workload from getting all those devices onto the network. If the onboarding process for new devices is not done securely, it can place users, devices, data and the network at risk.

What is needed is a system and method that can automatically configure devices for merchants and perform secure device network onboarding in a secure, automatically perform updates, and prioritize POS transactions over a compartmentalized network.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the inventor has conceived and reduced to practice, a system and method comprising a server that automatically configures and sets up a restaurant's or business' information technology (IT) infrastructure, more specifically relating to point-of-sale devices (POS) and other networked devices such as scanners, tracking displays, and any other device that any business may use. Communication between the networked devices and the server is facilitated by a preconfigured router, wherein after initial communication with the server, the server may configure devices for a network connection, update firmware, operating parameters, and software packages of the preconfigured router and other networked devices.

According to a first embodiment, A system for the automatic network configuration of devices by remote communication with a server is disclosed, comprising: a server comprising a first memory, a first processor, and a first plurality of programming instructions stored in the first memory and operating on the first processor, wherein the first plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the first processor, causes the server to: receive a notification of a successful delivery of physical devices to a merchant, wherein the notification triggers the server to generate a message comprising a QR code associated with a merchant account; transmit the message to the merchant using the merchant's contact information; and send new wireless operating parameters to a preconfigured router located at the merchant's premise over a compartmentalized network; and a network manager comprising a second memory, a second processor, and a second plurality of programming instructions stored in the second memory and operating on the second processor, wherein the second plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the second processor, causes the network manager to: receive the message; and initialize the compartmentalized network between the merchant and the server through the preconfigured router; and an onboarding engine, comprising a third memory, a third processor, and a third plurality of programming instructions stored in the third memory and operating on the third processor, wherein the third plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the third processor, causes the onboarding engine to: send network configuration details associated with each of the physical devices to the preconfigured router over the compartmentalized network, wherein the network configuration details for each physical device comprises at least one of a defined device role, domain accessibility, device credentials, and an operating system image; update the preconfigured router's configuration tables based on the network configuration details; and connect each of the physical devices to a local network operated by the merchant via the preconfigured router using the updated configuration tables.

According to a second embodiment, a method for the automatic configuration of devices by remote communication with a server is disclosed, comprising the steps of: receiving a notification of a successful delivery of physical devices to a merchant; generating a message comprising a QR code from a merchant profile, the merchant profile comprising contact information of the merchant; transmitting the message to the merchant using the merchant's contact information; upon receiving the message, initializing a compartmentalized network between the merchant and the server using a preconfigured router at the merchant's premise; sending new wireless operating parameters to a networked device; sending network configuration details associated with each of the physical devices to the preconfigured router over the compartmentalized network, wherein the network configuration details for each physical device comprises at least one of a defined device role, domain accessibility, device credentials, and an operating system image; updating the preconfigured router's configuration tables based on the network configuration details; and connecting each of the physical devices to a local network operated by the merchant via the preconfigured router using the updated configuration tables.

According to another embodiment, the QR code further comprises a link to download an application.

According to another embodiment, the application automatically connects to the preconfigured router.

According to another embodiment, the wireless operating parameters include new router firmware.

According to another embodiment, software packages are sent to the networked device.

According to another embodiment, the software packages are dependent on the purpose of the networked device.

According to another embodiment, the software packages are software updates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, a system and method comprising a server that automatically configures and sets up a restaurant's or business' information technology (IT) infrastructure, more specifically relating to point-of-sale devices (POS) and other networked devices such as scanners, tracking displays, and any other device that any business may use. Communication between the networked devices and the server is facilitated by a preconfigured router, wherein after initial communication with the server, the server may configure devices for a network connection, update firmware, operating parameters, and software packages of the preconfigured router and other networked devices.

Definitions

“Artificial intelligence” or “AI” as used herein means a computer system or component that has been programmed in such a way that it mimics some aspect or aspects of cognitive functions that humans associate with human intelligence, such as learning, problem solving, and decision-making. Examples of current AI technologies include understanding human speech, competing successfully in strategic games such as chess and Go, autonomous operation of vehicles, complex simulations, and interpretation of complex data such as images and video.

“Machine learning” as used herein is an aspect of artificial intelligence in which the computer system or component can modify its behavior or understanding without being explicitly programmed to do so. Machine learning algorithms develop models of behavior or understanding based on information fed to them as training sets, and can modify those models based on new incoming information. An example of a machine learning algorithm is AlphaGo, the first computer program to defeat a human world champion in the game of Go. AlphaGo was not explicitly programmed to play Go. It was fed millions of games of Go, and developed its own model of the game and strategies of play.

“Neural network” as used herein means a computational model, architecture, or system made up of a number of simple, highly interconnected processing elements which process information by their dynamic state response to external inputs, and is thus able to “learn” information by recognizing patterns or trends. Neural networks, also sometimes known as “artificial neural networks” are based on our understanding of the structure and functions of biological neural networks, such as the brains of mammals. A neural network is a framework for application of machine learning algorithms.

“Business establishment” or “place of business” as used herein mean the location of any business entity with which customers may transact business. Typically, this will be a physical location where customers may enter the location and transact business directly with employees of the business, but may also be a delivery-based business. Many examples herein use a restaurant as the business establishment, but the invention is not limited to use in restaurants, and is applicable to any business establishment.

“Menu offering” or “menu item” as used herein refer to any prepared food and beverages that may be purchased from a restaurant. Typical menu offerings may include, but is not limited to: breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees, a la carte items, appetizers, side dishes, beverages, and desserts.

“Food component” or “dish component” as used herein refer to the food items that are assembled to construct a menu item. This term should not be confused with the ingredients used to prepare a menu item, as food components are a step above ingredients. For example, a menu item may be spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread, and the components this menu item is comprised of may be spaghetti pasta, Bolognese sauce, and garlic bread. Each of these components is created using various ingredients, for instance, the garlic bread is made using the ingredients French bread, butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder. The kitchen staff prepare each food component using a recipe of ingredients, and then assemble all necessary food components to create a menu item.

“POS device” or “point-of-sale device” as used herein refer to devices used or connected to devices used in the process of taking and accomplishing a customer's order. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to.

Conceptual Architecture

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system for remote configuration of networked devices by a server through a preconfigured router. Merchant devices used by a business or restaurant104are automatically configured by a server101through a preconfigured router103. A merchant database102stores a profile of a merchant and when merchant devices104connect to the server101via the preconfigured router103, the merchant devices104are automatically associated with that merchant. The server101now automatically configures, updates, and manages the merchant devices104. The merchant devices104may be equipped with a camera by which scanning a QR code may automatically connect and update said merchant devices by the server101. According to one embodiment, merchant devices104by default connect to the preconfigured router's103Wi-Fi signal, wherein the preconfigured router103by default connects to the server101once connected to the Internet. A QR code given to a merchant may automatically install an application on a merchant mobile device or on a merchant device104, whereby the application uses the QR code to automatically configure the merchant devices104. The server101may further update the preconfigured router103with new firmware or operating parameters at any time.

The merchant profile on the merchant database102comprises contact information and authentication credentials. The contact information may include at least one of the following: an email, a phone number, a pager number, an IP address, a physical address, and other contact information not listed but otherwise obvious. Authentication credentials are created whenever a merchant places an order for the preconfigured router103and merchant devices104. The authentication credentials can use any security protocol or implementation used by computing devices and are not limited to SSH, TLS, and as their modern day cryptographic security protocols. The authentication credentials are further used to generate a QR code that serves to automatically authenticate a merchant to the server101and subsequently the merchant database102. The QR code sent to the merchant may include more than just authentication information, in some embodiments it also comprises a link to download mobile application and another embodiments may also include a link to a tutorial instructing the merchant how to plug in the merchant devices104on preconfigured router103.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a system and method for remote configuration of networked devices by a server through a preconfigured router. The following is a system and method comprising a server209that automatically configures and sets up a restaurant205or business information technology (IT) infrastructure regarding point-of-sale devices (POS)203and other devices such as scanners, tracking displays, and any other device that any business may use.

An explanation of one embodiment of the system and method is as follows: A merchant205places an order(s) to a supplier201for one or more point-of-sale and other devices needed by the merchant203. The supplier201packages said point-of-sale and other devices203, including a preconfigured router202in order to be mailed204to the merchant205. The point-of-sale and other merchant devices203are in a blank-canvas state with only security software and launcher software, while the router202is preconfigured.

Two embodiments are anticipated: the first whereby the devices202,203are sent without recording of their unique identification numbers and are recorded later when the merchant205powers the devices202,203on and they connect to the supplier's server209, which in turn associates the devices202,203with a merchant profile located on a merchant database210and associated by the QR code207. A second embodiment whereby the devices202,203packaged by the supplier201have their MAC addresses, serial numbers, and/or other unique identification numbers recorded and associated with the merchant's profile before shipping. Either embodiment will have the tracking number given by the logistics company204associated with the merchant205, wherein the merchant has a profile on the supplier's201database210with a contact phone number and email, or other messaging service and other profile information.

The supplier's server209automatically tracks the shipment204of devices202,203to the merchant205and upon successful delivery, a notification206from the logistics company causes a messaging service module on the server209to be triggered and send a message to the merchant's mobile device208with a tutorial and a QR code207. The message could be an SMS, MMS, email, or other digital or analog means by which a QR code may be sent. According to another embodiment, the QR code207may be printed and mailed. The QR code207is generated by a QR module, wherein a QR code207is generated for each merchant and when scanned installs an app on the merchant's device208, as well as containing credentials for of merchant to automatically log him or her into the app on his or her mobile device208and to automatically connect the merchant's mobile device208to the preconfigured router202. Some merchant devices and POS devices203may also have the ability to scan QR codes207and may be used in place of the merchant's mobile device208in some embodiments. The tutorial may also include instructions for the merchant to manually download the app and login via a username and password, biometrics, or the QR code207. The tutorial may further go on to instruct the merchant to open the crate, plug the preconfigured router202into a modem with Internet access, and power on the router202. Router202will automatically make communication with supplier's server209. A network manager on the supplier's server209will then create a bespoke and compartmentalized network between the preconfigured router202and the supplier's server209. In one embodiment, the server will send firmware and new credentials to the router202which may include changing the default SSID and other wireless parameters.

The tutorial may then ask the merchant to power on one or more of the point-of-sale devices (or other restaurant/business devices)203, open the launcher, wherein the launcher will ask the merchant to identify the purpose of the device, and then the launcher will automatically connect to the preconfigured router202which will facilitate communication with the server209. A software manager on the server will then upload bespoke software packages to the device based on the merchant's choices. During each initial communication between a device and the server, the server will record unique identification numbers and associate those devices with the merchant profile.

In some embodiments, the tutorial may then ask the merchant to power on one or more of the point-of-sale devices (or other restaurant/business devices)203, open the launcher, wherein the launcher will ask the merchant to identify the purpose of the device, and then the launcher will automatically connect to the preconfigured router202which will facilitate communication with the server209. Once the device is connected to the router202, the router202may communicate with an onboarding engine operating on the supplier's server209. The onboarding engine can help facilitate the network onboarding of new devices onto the local network operating at the merchants premise. In some embodiments, a plurality of tables may be stored in the preconfigured router202that can be used to facilitate network onboarding of POS203and other devices. The tables may comprise information and rules specific to a specific type of device of a plurality of devices that the merchant may receive from the supplier. The tables may comprise specific information such as, for example, network configurations, firewall rules, allowable DNS servers, and operating system (OS) constraints (e.g., add/remove certain software patches that could lead to security vulnerabilities, add/remove security software, etc.). Additionally, the tables stored in the preconfigured router202may comprise software images specific to a merchant that can be used to replace the default OS on the POS devices203or other devices that are undergoing the network onboarding process. According to some embodiments, when a QR code, or other type of activation link, is received by the merchant and scanned by the router it may trigger an OS image download onto the device currently being onboarded into the merchants network. In other embodiments, the QR code may contain configuration details specific to the device currently being onboarded. Examples of such configuration details may include, but are not limited to: defining the device's role in the network; the accessibility of the new device to the network (e.g., what domains or devices the new device may have network access to); credentials/authorizations/authentications associated with the device in regard to the network; and defining communication protocols. In this regard, the system can provide an automated process for network onboarding of new devices and also provide device software configuration and set up.

The order in which these steps take place are not bound to the order described herein. The description from above is simply exemplary and some steps are to be inferred as obvious to those with ordinary skill in the art, such as gathering merchant information when an order is placed, types of authentication i.e., TTL, HTTPS, etc., and QR code generation to name a few.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating a system for configuration of restaurant devices by remote communication with a preconfigured network router, according to one aspect. Included in the system is a setup server310, which may be a cloud service offering, a dedicated hosting solution, virtual shared server, virtual private server, or another implementation of a web server solution. Such a server may operate any one of a variety of possible operating systems, such as a LINUX™ based operating system or a WINDOWS™ based operating system. Such a server may be connected to the Internet or another network320, or a variety of networks including Local Area Networks (“LAN”), via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™. The setup server310may be connected to, or may operate, a database315, which may be one of many varying database implementations, including a SQL-based database such as MYSQL™ or MICROSOFT SQL SERVER™, a NoSQL database such as MONGODB™ or DYNAMODB™, or an ORACLE™ database, or some other form of database. It may be hosted on the same hardware or virtual instance as a server, or hosted separately and provided by a service provider, such as some cloud service providers including AMAZON™ and MICROSOFT™ offer, with their services AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ and WINDOWS AZURE™ respectively. Such a database may store configuration data, user data, user location or communications data, and data regarding VPN access. A setup server310communicates with a user device370over a network320, which may be a local area network, or a wide area network such as the Internet, capable of connecting at least two devices for communications purposes. Protocols for such communications may include TCP/IP, UDP, and may include the use of internet services and tools such as messenger programs of various social networks or communications platforms including SKYPE™ DISCORD™, FACEBOOK™, and others. A setup server310further communicates with a network router350over a VPN330, which may be a remote access VPN, or extranet-based site-to-site VPN, operating over the Internet, and which may be either managed and operated by the setup server310or by a third-party VPN provider with which the setup server310is configured to operate with. The setup server310may also be connected to, and transmit data to, a text message relay server340, such as a service provided by TWILIO™, may be a server or distributed cloud service that relays short message service (“SMS”) messages sent from a non-cellular device to either a cellular or non-cellular recipient. In some alternative embodiments, the text message relay server340may be a server that handles and routes non-SMS text messages such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ messages, emails, and other forms of internet or non-SMS communications. The network router350communicating over a VPN with the setup server310may be a wireless router such as those commonly built by companies including CISCO™ or others, or a wireless access point that connects to a separate internet router, that provides access for connected wireless devices to the internet, and communicates with at least one, but potentially a plurality of, POS devices360, which may be any device connected to or involved with the sale of a good or service for a business. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to. Such a connection is established with a LAN set up by the network router, or integrated with the network router, to enable it to set up and configure the devices based on data received or exchanged with the setup server310. A customer device370may be a cellular device such as an IPHONE™ or ANDROID™ phone or other smartphone, a tablet such as an IPAD™ or other tablet, a personal digital assistant or non-smartphone cellular phone, or even a laptop computer or desktop computer according to some embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a user may order and install the network router350, and receive a text message communication from one of the prior mentioned methods on their device370either before or after installing and turning on the network router. Upon the network router's350installation and activation, it will connect to a VPN330it is preconfigured with the credentials to access over the internet320, and, separately, set up or integrate with an existing LAN that connects to the POS device or devices360. The user, which may be an administrator, general manager, or other individual in the business, may interact with the text message received from the setup server310. Upon interacting with the text message, such as clicking or tapping on a link or scanning a QR code, the setup server sends network and POS device setup instructions to the network router350, and the POS devices are set up by the network router, allowing for up-to-date setups to be delivered to users based on the status of the setup server and database, and allowing customers to operate their own hardware configurations and physical setups without having to buy entirely new hardware, save for the network router. The POS device setup may include setting up of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) for the network router350to interact with and configure, or the network router may configure the devices and install separate software without a VM instance running on them.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a configuration of restaurant devices by remote communication with a preconfigured network router, with a rules engine dictating setup server behavior according to another aspect. Included in the system is a setup server310, which may be a cloud service offering, a dedicated hosting solution, virtual shared server, virtual private server, or another implementation of a web server solution. Such a server may operate any one of a variety of possible operating systems, such as a LINUX™ based operating system or a WINDOWS™ based operating system. Such a server may be connected to the Internet or another network320, or a variety of networks including Local Area Networks (“LAN”), via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™. The setup server310may be connected to, or may operate, a database315, which may be one of many varying database implementations, including a SQL-based database such as MYSQL™ or MICROSOFT SQL SERVER™, a NoSQL database such as MONGODB™ or DYNAMODB™, or an ORACLE™ database, or some other form of database. It may be hosted on the same hardware or virtual instance as a server, or hosted separately and provided by a service provider, such as some cloud service providers including AMAZON™ and MICROSOFT™ offer, with their services AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ and WINDOWS AZURE™ respectively. Such a database may store configuration data, user data, user location or communications data, and data regarding VPN access. A setup server310communicates with a user device370over a network320, which may be a local area network, or a wide area network such as the Internet, capable of connecting at least two devices for communications purposes. Protocols for such communications may include TCP/IP, UDP, and may include the use of internet services and tools such as messenger programs of various social networks or communications platforms including SKYPE™, DISCORD™, FACEBOOK™, and others. A setup server310further communicates with a network router350over a VPN330, which may be a remote access VPN, or extranet-based site-to-site VPN, operating over the Internet, and which may be either managed and operated by the setup server310or by a third-party VPN provider with which the setup server310is configured to operate with. The setup server310may also be connected to, and transmit data to, a text message relay server340, such as a service provided by TWILIO™, may be a server or distributed cloud service that relays short message service (“SMS”) messages sent from a non-cellular device to either a cellular or non-cellular recipient. In some alternative embodiments, the text message relay server340may be a server that handles and routes non-SMS text messages such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ messages, emails, and other forms of internet or non-SMS communications. The network router350communicating over a VPN with the setup server310may be a wireless router such as those commonly built by companies including CISCO™ or others, or a wireless access point that connects to a separate internet router, that provides access for connected wireless devices to the internet, and communicates with at least one, but potentially a plurality of, POS devices360, which may be any device connected to or involved with the sale of a good or service for a business. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to. Such a connection is established with a LAN set up by the network router, or integrated with the network router, to enable it to set up and configure the devices based on data received or exchanged with the setup server310. A customer device370may be a cellular device such as an IPHONE™ or ANDROID™ phone or other smartphone, a tablet such as an IPAD™ or other tablet, a personal digital assistant or non-smartphone cellular phone, or even a laptop computer or desktop computer according to some embodiments. A rules engine410may be a software package operating as part of the setup server310, or it may be operating on a separate device connected to the setup server310over a local or wide area network including the Internet, communicating with and serving as an intermediary between the setup server310and any networks320,330it may communicate through, as well as between the setup server310and text message relay server340.

According to an embodiment, a user may order and install the network router350, and receive a text message communication from one of the prior mentioned methods on their device370either before or after installing and turning on the network router. Upon the network router's350installation and activation, it will connect to a VPN330it is preconfigured with the credentials to access over the internet320, and, separately, set up or integrate with an existing LAN that connects to the POS device or devices360. The user, which may be an administrator, general manager, or other individual in the business, may interact with the text message received from the setup server310. Upon interacting with the text message, such as clicking or tapping on a link or scanning a QR code, the setup server sends network and POS device setup instructions to the network router350, and the POS devices are set up by the network router, allowing for up-to-date setups to be delivered to users based on the status of the setup server and database, and allowing customers to operate their own hardware configurations and physical setups without having to buy entirely new hardware, save for the network router. The POS device setup may include setting up of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) for the network router350to interact with and configure, or the network router may configure the devices and install separate software without a VM instance running on them.

According to another aspect, a rules engine410may exist in the system as part of, or separate but connected to, the setup server310, and may exist as a distinct input-output filtering device or service. In this way, the rules engine may specify what devices may connect with the setup server310or VPN330, what texts may go outbound from the setup server310, what text message interactions may be registered as valid or what response their interactions may result in, and more, adding a layer of control and abstraction from the setup server310itself.

FIG. 15is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system architecture for automatic device configuration and network onboarding. According to various embodiments, the system may comprise a preconfigured router350, a server310, one or more databases315, a POS device360or other devices, a text message relay server340, and an onboarding engine1510configured to automatically configure network connections between POS device360, or other devices, and a merchant's local network320.

According to some embodiments, an activation link may be sent from the setup server310to a user mobile device340via text message relay server340which prompts for installation of software packages and network and/or account configuration. Activation link can automatically enroll in a domain associated with network associated with the merchant and gated by network router350. Furthermore, the interaction link can be activated for a new device to provide automated context-aware onboarding, combining configuration details stored in the activation link with per-device details of the device activating the link. In some embodiments the activation link is a QR code which may be scanned by or for a new device to prompt both the installation of software packages and network onboarding of the new device. In some embodiments, the new device may be configured to connect to a network associated with a merchant. Examples of networks can include, but are not limited to, the Internet, a virtual local access network (VLAN), LAN via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™, or a VPN. In some embodiments, the network may comprise a compartmentalized network between the merchant and the server. In a further embodiment, network router350may be a layer three router wherein the compartmentalized networks are VLANs.

According to an embodiment, when POS device360or other devices are received by a merchant, the merchant may unbox and power on the devices and set up local credentials. In some embodiments, device information for each of the plurality of devices received by the merchant may be stored in a database315. When the new devices are received by the merchant a notification is generated that causes setup server310to retrieve a merchant account from the database315and send the account details to a QR module which can generate an activation link (e.g., QR code) comprising authentication credentials. A messaging service such as text message relay server340may receive the notification of successful delivery of the devices to the merchant which can trigger the text message relay server340to generate a message comprising the generate activation link and/or QR code and then transmit the message to the merchant via a merchant device such as a mobile phone, computer, tablet, smart wearable, or other computing device. Upon receiving the authentication credentials a network manager may initialize a compartmentalized network between the merchant and the server310through the preconfigured network router350located at the merchant's premise. In some embodiments, the network router is a layer three router and the compartmentalized networks are VLANs. The onboarding engine1510may send new device network configuration details and/or device-specific data (e.g., device identification, device software/firmware/hardware information, etc.) to the network router350in order to facilitate new device network onboarding.

According to some embodiments, the network configuration details may be used to update one or more configuration tables stored in the preconfigured router. The configuration tables may be stored in the RAM of the preconfigured router. These configuration tables allow for automated network onboarding of new devices, and when coupled with device specific information can allow for new devices to be autonomously and securely added to a local network associated with the merchant. In some embodiments the configuration tables can include information such as routing information comprising network destination data, netmask data, gateway data, interface data, and metric data about the cost of an indicated route. In addition to routing information, configuration tables may include OS images which can be applied to network connected devices in order to ensure standard operating procedures for the new devices in accordance with existing procedures and systems operating on the merchant's local network. In some embodiments, tables may include credential place holders for each device, which can be updated with real credentials which may be received from the server310as part of the devices' network configuration details. When a new device that is the same as an already existing device on the merchant's local network is to be onboarded, the updated configuration tables may be used to recognize that the new device matches an existing device, and based on that recognition automatically onboard the new device into the local network without having to receive device network configuration details from server310.

Onboarding engine1510may leverage network router350to use the received configuration details and device specific information to configure the new devices for a network connection with the merchant's local network of devices and systems. In some embodiments, configuring the new devices may include downloading an OS image onto the device. In such an embodiment, the image may be preconfigured based on existing images downloaded onto devices the merchant already has operating in their establishment.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Aspects

FIG. 5is a method diagram illustrating a network router being unpacked and set up, and communicating with a setup server. A network router in this context may be a complete wireless network router, or a wireless endpoint connected to a network router, or an all-in-one modem and wireless router. First, a business administrator, manager, owner, or other employee ma set up their POS devices with virtual machine software510, the virtual machine software comprising at least a network adapter and ability to install and operate software when specially instructed by the network router, for purposes such as kitchen management, inventory management, order management, and other tasks that software may be designed for, to aid a business in its operation. Once the network router is unpacked, plugged in and turned on520, the network router creates or joins a local network, which the local POS devices will be configured to join530through the use of the VM software. The network router may join a network already in existence if it is a wireless access point for another router, or may create and manage the local network itself, with the POS devices connecting to it. The network router may then connect to the Internet, and set up a VPN connection to connect with a remote setup server540. Such connections may take place over a variety of internet connection protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, OpenVPN, or others, or a combination of protocols and connectivity technologies. A text message may then be sent to the user from the setup server through a text message relay server, the text message including an interactable element such as a QR code or a hyperlink, interactions with the message initiating the setup server's transfer of instructions to the network router550. Such a sequence of operations may be, for instance, a link being transmitted to a user's phone, the user setting up the network router, and then tapping the link once the router has been set up, the network router then setting up the locally connected POS devices. The instructions to be transmitted to the network router from the setup server are queried from the setup server's connected database560, the term “database” being used here to refer to any long-term data storage solution, which may be an actual database instance, multiple database instances, a cloud data storage solution, or some other data storage and reading solution. The setup server may then transmit the network router setup instructions for local POS570, instructions which may include which software packages to install on each device, how to configure such packages, what the relationship between the devices should be with the different software packages, their inventory management software, and more580.

FIG. 6is a method diagram illustrating a setup server communicating with a network router, the network router then communicating with and setting up and configuring connected POS devices. A setup server may transmit setup instructions for local POS devices, to a network router610, after which time the network router communicates the instructions with the local network devices running compatible virtual machine software620. The setup instructions received by the network router are executed and the results of the setup instructions are sent to the local POS devices hosting the VMs, or, alternatively, the instructions themselves are sent to the virtual machines to be executed630rather than being executed on the network router first. The virtual machines may then set up and configure themselves and install any requisite or specified software, and integrate with existing software if desired640, allowing the business to now utilize fully configured VMs running on physical machines locally650, without requiring the business to buy all new hardware devices to install, instead only requiring the installation and setup of a single network router or wireless access point.

FIG. 7is a method diagram illustrating the function of a setup server, according to an aspect. A possible first step may be for the setup server to read device configuration settings from a database710, such settings being either relevant to a specific upcoming device or network setup, or perhaps there are a very limited number of configurations and they are all loaded into memory to be dispensed to network routers on-demand. The setup server may then receive communications from a network router when the network router is initially turned on and connected to the Internet720, through a VPN connection, wherein the communications from a network router includes its IP address on the virtual private network730. This essentially constitutes a heartbeat signal, whereby the network router connects to the VPN that the setup server is connected to, and sends a signal indicating where in the digital space the router is able to be reached for further communications. The setup server may then compose a text message containing at least one link or QR code or other interactable data for a user740, wherein activation of the link or other data initiates the setup and configuration data to be delivered from the setup server to the network router over the VPN750, and then send the text message to a text message relay server to be delivered to a mobile device760.

In another embodiment, the text message generation and sending may occur earlier in the process, before the network router is installed or sends its heartbeat signal to the setup server.

In yet another embodiment, it may be the case that the user does not receive the text message on a mobile device. For instance, it may be sent over a messaging client such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ or some other client, and may be receivable on any number of devices including smartphones, tablets, laptop or desktop computers, and potentially others.

In yet another embodiment, the text message may include a QR code that must be scanned by the network router, rather than a link that must be tapped or clicked to activate the network router once it is connected to the setup server.

FIG. 8is a method diagram illustrating the function of a text message relay server, as used to relay text messages from a server desiring to send them and a recipient who may or may not be a mobile device capable of ordinarily receiving short message service (“SMS”) messages, according to a preferred embodiment. A text message relay server may comprise a server or cloud service such as those offered by TWILIO™ or AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ or some other server implementation or service provider, and may be capable of accepting text data in a variety of forms including SMS messages, JSON text strings received over an internet connection, or other forms of data, and may relay them as SMS messages, emails, text messages over messaging platforms, or other forms of text messages. A text message relay server may first receive a request from a server or other device or service, to send a text message to a recipient810. Such a request may include the recipient's information, the identity of the sender, content of the message to relay, and the method to relay it to the user, wherein the message recipient is defined either by a phone number or by an internal mapping of recipient identities to an Internet Protocol address820. An alternative embodiment may have the recipient instead specified by a user identity on a messaging service such as FACEBOOK™ or another social media or messaging platform, such as SKYPE™ DISC ORD™. In either embodiment, the request to send a text message is received from a setup server830or rules engine depending on whether or not a separate rules engine is present in the system, and the text message relay server may accomplish the sending of the text message to the specified recipient840. The content of the text message may include a link, a QR code, an interactive button, or some other element which a user may interact with in order to activate their network router when it is plugged in and connected to the internet and the VPN with the setup server.

FIG. 9is a method diagram illustrating a network router setting up a Virtual Private Network and connecting to a setup server, and connecting to local POS devices, according to an embodiment. The router first, upon being activated and connected to the Internet, joins a virtual private network when initialized and connected to a location's local network and the Internet910, or may set up such a network if it does not already exist. The setup server, for creation of a new VPN, would need to be invited to or otherwise pinged by the network router, to join the VPN, in that implementation, but in either case the setup server must also become connected to the virtual private network920. The network router may then communicate with a POS device over the local network930it previously set up, and upon receiving setup or configuration instructions from a setup server, the network router may initiate transfer of configuration and setup data between the setup server and a POS device or plurality of POS devices, when instructed by a setup server940.

FIG. 10is a method diagram illustrating a POS device operating as one of several possible device types in a restaurant, and receiving data to be set up and configured as per instruction from a network router, according to a preferred embodiment. Depending on the implementation and physical location and orientations of devices, and the needs of the business, a POS device may operate as a kitchen device (such as one capable of displaying orders or other kitchen-critical information to kitchen staff), front-desk (such as for handling reservations, seating arrangements, and payments), or backend computer (such as an inventory management computer or other device in an inventory area, a manager's computer, or a POS device located elsewhere in the restaurant away from the front-desk reception), within a restaurant1010. Such devices may be identical devices (such as IPAD™ or other tablet computers), or some combination of physical device orientations and configurations that may differ from each other, or be completely non-standardized and all have different physical characteristics and setups1020. The device or devices will then, as far as they are involved in the process according to a preferred embodiment, receive setup and configuration data from the network router, when the network router is sent such data over a virtual private network from a setup server1030.

For example, a virtual machine may be installed and operate on a kitchen computer in a restaurant. The virtual machine may be a specific offering by a company, designed to be compatible with a network router that attempts to set up the computer as illustrated herein. The network router may detect the virtual machine on the local network when installed, due to, for instance, a specific ping message sent on the local network, from the virtual machine to the new router it is connected to, upon identifying the router as the network router it is compatible with. The two devices then know each other on the network and are aware that each other is a compatible device. The network router may then communicate with the POS device in the kitchen, with the virtual machine loaded onto the physical machine to be specific, to instruct it in what software to install, from where to install it, and how to configure it, in a manner specific to the network router and VM combination.

FIG. 11is a method diagram illustrating steps taken by a rules engine to filter and control access to and responses from a setup server, according to one embodiment. First, a rules engine may communicate with a setup server, to determine the stored rules for router communications and device setup1110, which may include rules and algorithms for determining behaviors for communicating between the setup server and a network router, how to connect to a VPN, what VPN connections are permitted, as well as provide firewall functionality to external connections both incoming and outgoing, depending on the implementation. A rules engine may intercept communications from a network router1120that are incoming to the setup server, as well as mediate communications between a network router and a setup server1130for outgoing communications from the setup server to the network router. The rules engine may then apply filters or rules-based changes to incoming and outgoing data to and from the setup server, such as but not limited to whitelists, blacklists, changes to configuration data or text messages, rerouting certain incoming server requests elsewhere, or other changes to incoming and outgoing data1140.

FIG. 12is a message flow diagram illustrating messages exchanged in the function of a system for configuration of restaurant devices by remote communication with a preconfigured network router, according to an embodiment. Included in the system is a setup server310, which may be a cloud service offering, a dedicated hosting solution, virtual shared server, virtual private server, or another implementation of a web server solution. Such a server may operate any one of a variety of possible operating systems, such as a LINUX™ based operating system or a WINDOWS™ based operating system. Such a server may be connected to the Internet or another network320, or a variety of networks including Local Area Networks (“LAN”), via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™. The setup server310may be connected to, or may operate, a database315, which may be one of many varying database implementations, including a SQL-based database such as MYSQL™ or MICROSOFT SQL SERVER™, a NoSQL database such as MONGODB™ or DYNAMODB™, or an ORACLE™ database, or some other form of database. It may be hosted on the same hardware or virtual instance as a server, or hosted separately and provided by a service provider, such as some cloud service providers including AMAZON™ and MICROSOFT™ offer, with their services AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ and WINDOWS AZURE™ respectively. Such a database may store configuration data, user data, user location or communications data, and data regarding VPN access. A setup server310communicates with a user device370over a network320, which may be a local area network, or a wide area network such as the Internet, capable of connecting at least two devices for communications purposes. Protocols for such communications may include TCP/IP, UDP, and may include the use of internet services and tools such as messenger programs of various social networks or communications platforms including SKYPE™, DISCORD™, FACEBOOK™, and others. A setup server310further communicates with a network router350over a VPN330, which may be a remote access VPN, or extranet-based site-to-site VPN, operating over the Internet, and which may be either managed and operated by the setup server310or by a third-party VPN provider with which the setup server310is configured to operate with. The setup server310may also be connected to, and transmit data to, a text message relay server340, such as a service provided by TWILIO™, may be a server or distributed cloud service that relays short message service (“SMS”) messages sent from a non-cellular device to either a cellular or non-cellular recipient. In some alternative embodiments, the text message relay server340may be a server that handles and routes non-SMS text messages such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ messages, emails, and other forms of internet or non-SMS communications. The network router350communicating over a VPN with the setup server310may be a wireless router such as those commonly built by companies including CISCO™ or others, or a wireless access point that connects to a separate internet router, that provides access for connected wireless devices to the internet, and communicates with at least one, but potentially a plurality of, POS devices360, which may be any device connected to or involved with the sale of a good or service for a business. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to. Such a connection is established with a LAN set up by the network router, or integrated with the network router, to enable it to set up and configure the devices based on data received or exchanged with the setup server310. A customer device370may be a cellular device such as an IPHONE™ or ANDROID™ phone or other smartphone, a tablet such as an IPAD™ or other tablet, a personal digital assistant or non-smartphone cellular phone, or even a laptop computer or desktop computer according to some embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a user may order and install the network router350, and receive a text message communication from one of the prior mentioned methods on their device370either before or after installing and turning on the network router. Upon the network router's350installation and activation, it will connect to a VPN330it is preconfigured with the credentials to access over the internet320, and, separately, set up or integrate with an existing LAN that connects to the POS device or devices360. The user, which may be an administrator, general manager, or other individual in the business, may interact with the text message received from the setup server310. Upon interacting with the text message, such as clicking or tapping on a link or scanning a QR code, the setup server sends network and POS device setup instructions to the network router350, and the POS devices are set up by the network router, allowing for up-to-date setups to be delivered to users based on the status of the setup server and database, and allowing customers to operate their own hardware configurations and physical setups without having to buy entirely new hardware, save for the network router. The POS device setup may include setting up of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) for the network router350to interact with and configure, or the network router may configure the devices and install separate software without a VM instance running on them. A network router350in this context may be a complete wireless network router, or a wireless endpoint connected to a network router, or an all-in-one modem and wireless router. First, a business administrator, manager, owner, or other employee ma set up their POS devices with virtual machine software, the virtual machine software comprising at least a network adapter and ability to install and operate software when specially instructed by the network router, for purposes such as kitchen management, inventory management, order management, and other tasks that software may be designed for, to aid a business in its operation. Once the network router is unpacked, plugged in and turned on, the network router creates or joins a local network1210, which the local POS devices will be configured to join through the use of the VM software. The network router may join a network already in existence if it is a wireless access point for another router, or may create and manage the local network itself, with the POS devices connecting to it. The network router may then connect to the Internet, and set up a VPN connection to connect with a remote setup server1215. Such connections may take place over a variety of internet connection protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, OpenVPN, or others, or a combination of protocols and connectivity technologies. A text message may then be sent to the user from the setup server through a text message relay server1220, the text message including an interactable element such as a QR code or a hyperlink, interactions with the message initiating the setup server's transfer of instructions to the network router1225. Such a sequence of operations may be, for instance, a link being transmitted to a user's phone, the user setting up the network router, and then tapping the link once the router has been set up, the network router then setting up the locally connected POS devices. The instructions to be transmitted to the network router from the setup server are queried from the setup server's connected database, the term “database” being used here to refer to any long-term data storage solution, which may be an actual database instance, multiple database instances, a cloud data storage solution, or some other data storage and reading solution. The setup server may then transmit the network router setup instructions for local POS1230, instructions which may include which software packages to install on each device, how to configure such packages, what the relationship between the devices should be with the different software packages, their inventory management software, and more. The setup instructions received by the network router are executed and the results of the setup instructions are sent to the local POS devices hosting the VMs1235, or, alternatively, the instructions themselves are sent to the virtual machines to be executed rather than being executed on the network router first. The virtual machines may then set up and configure themselves and install any requisite or specified software, and integrate with existing software if desired, allowing the business to now utilize fully configured VMs running on physical machines locally, without requiring the business to buy all new hardware devices to install, instead only requiring the installation and setup of a single network router or wireless access point.

FIG. 13is a message flow diagram illustrating messages exchanged in the function of a system for configuration of restaurant devices by remote communication with a preconfigured network router, using QR codes to scan data rather than an activation link sent to a user, according to an embodiment. Included in the system is a setup server310, which may be a cloud service offering, a dedicated hosting solution, virtual shared server, virtual private server, or another implementation of a web server solution. Such a server may operate any one of a variety of possible operating systems, such as a LINUX™ based operating system or a WINDOWS™ based operating system. Such a server may be connected to the Internet or another network320, or a variety of networks including Local Area Networks (“LAN”), via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™ The setup server310may be connected to, or may operate, a database315, which may be one of many varying database implementations, including a SQL-based database such as MYSQL™ or MICROSOFT SQL SERVER™, a NoSQL database such as MONGODB™ or DYNAMODB™, or an ORACLE™ database, or some other form of database. It may be hosted on the same hardware or virtual instance as a server, or hosted separately and provided by a service provider, such as some cloud service providers including AMAZON™ and MICROSOFT™ offer, with their services AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ and WINDOWS AZURE™ respectively. Such a database may store configuration data, user data, user location or communications data, and data regarding VPN access. A setup server310communicates with a user device370over a network320, which may be a local area network, or a wide area network such as the Internet, capable of connecting at least two devices for communications purposes. Protocols for such communications may include TCP/IP, UDP, and may include the use of internet services and tools such as messenger programs of various social networks or communications platforms including SKYPE™, DISCORD™, FACEBOOK™, and others. A setup server310further communicates with a network router350over a VPN330, which may be a remote access VPN, or extranet-based site-to-site VPN, operating over the Internet, and which may be either managed and operated by the setup server310or by a third-party VPN provider with which the setup server310is configured to operate with. The setup server310may also be connected to, and transmit data to, a text message relay server340, such as a service provided by TWILIO™, may be a server or distributed cloud service that relays short message service (“SMS”) messages sent from a non-cellular device to either a cellular or non-cellular recipient. In some alternative embodiments, the text message relay server340may be a server that handles and routes non-SMS text messages such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ messages, emails, and other forms of internet or non-SMS communications. The network router350communicating over a VPN with the setup server310may be a wireless router such as those commonly built by companies including CISCO™ or others, or a wireless access point that connects to a separate internet router, that provides access for connected wireless devices to the internet, and communicates with at least one, but potentially a plurality of, POS devices360, which may be any device connected to or involved with the sale of a good or service for a business. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to. Such a connection is established with a LAN set up by the network router, or integrated with the network router, to enable it to set up and configure the devices based on data received or exchanged with the setup server310. A customer device370may be a cellular device such as an IPHONE™ or ANDROID™ phone or other smartphone, a tablet such as an IPAD™ or other tablet, a personal digital assistant or non-smartphone cellular phone, or even a laptop computer or desktop computer according to some embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a user may order and install the network router350, and receive a text message communication from one of the prior mentioned methods on their device370either before or after installing and turning on the network router. Upon the network router's350installation and activation, it will connect to a VPN330it is preconfigured with the credentials to access over the internet320, and, separately, set up or integrate with an existing LAN that connects to the POS device or devices360. The user, which may be an administrator, general manager, or other individual in the business, may interact with the text message received from the setup server310. Upon interacting with the text message, such as clicking or tapping on a link or scanning a QR code, the setup server sends network and POS device setup instructions to the network router350, and the POS devices are set up by the network router, allowing for up-to-date setups to be delivered to users based on the status of the setup server and database, and allowing customers to operate their own hardware configurations and physical setups without having to buy entirely new hardware, save for the network router. The POS device setup may include setting up of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) for the network router350to interact with and configure, or the network router may configure the devices and install separate software without a VM instance running on them. A network router350in this context may be a complete wireless network router, or a wireless endpoint connected to a network router, or an all-in-one modem and wireless router. First, a business administrator, manager, owner, or other employee ma set up their POS devices with virtual machine software, the virtual machine software comprising at least a network adapter and ability to install and operate software when specially instructed by the network router, for purposes such as kitchen management, inventory management, order management, and other tasks that software may be designed for, to aid a business in its operation. Once the network router is unpacked, plugged in and turned on, the network router creates or joins a local network1310, which the local POS devices will be configured to join through the use of the VM software. The network router may join a network already in existence if it is a wireless access point for another router, or may create and manage the local network itself, with the POS devices connecting to it. The network router may then connect to the Internet, and set up a VPN connection to connect with a remote setup server1315. Such connections may take place over a variety of internet connection protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, OpenVPN, or others, or a combination of protocols and connectivity technologies. A text message may then be sent to the user from the setup server through a text message relay server, the text message in this use case comprising at least either a QR code or a link to obtain a QR code, or some other method of transmitting QR code data to the user1320, at which point the user may scan the QR code into the network router1325. After scanning the QR code in, the network router350communicates with the setup server310over their VPN, to confirm the QR code scan and request setup instructions1330, the request being potentially dynamically based on the data contained in the QR code1325. Such a sequence of operations may be, for instance, a QR code or QR code link being transmitted to a user's phone, the user setting up the network router, and then scanning the QR code into the router once the router has been set up, the network router then setting up the locally connected POS devices. The instructions to be transmitted to the network router from the setup server are queried from the setup server's connected database, the term “database” being used here to refer to any long-term data storage solution, which may be an actual database instance, multiple database instances, a cloud data storage solution, or some other data storage and reading solution. The setup server may then transmit the network router setup instructions for local POS1335, instructions which may include which software packages to install on each device, how to configure such packages, what the relationship between the devices should be with the different software packages, their inventory management software, and more. The setup instructions received by the network router are executed and the results of the setup instructions are sent to the local POS devices hosting the VMs1340, or, alternatively, the instructions themselves are sent to the virtual machines to be executed rather than being executed on the network router first. The virtual machines may then set up and configure themselves and install any requisite or specified software, and integrate with existing software if desired, allowing the business to now utilize fully configured VMs running on physical machines locally, without requiring the business to buy all new hardware devices to install, instead only requiring the installation and setup of a single network router or wireless access point.

FIG. 14is a message flow diagram illustrating messages exchanged in the function of a system for configuration of restaurant devices by remote communication with a preconfigured network router, using a rules engine, according to an embodiment. Included in the system is a setup server310, which may be a cloud service offering, a dedicated hosting solution, virtual shared server, virtual private server, or another implementation of a web server solution. Such a server may operate any one of a variety of possible operating systems, such as a LINUX™ based operating system or a WINDOWS™ based operating system. Such a server may be connected to the Internet or another network320, or a variety of networks including Local Area Networks (“LAN”), via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™. The setup server310may be connected to, or may operate, a database315, which may be one of many varying database implementations, including a SQL-based database such as MYSQL™ or MICROSOFT SQL SERVER™, a NoSQL database such as MONGODB™ or DYNAMODB™, or an ORACLE™ database, or some other form of database. It may be hosted on the same hardware or virtual instance as a server, or hosted separately and provided by a service provider, such as some cloud service providers including AMAZON™ and MICROSOFT™ offer, with their services AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ and WINDOWS AZURE™ respectively. Such a database may store configuration data, user data, user location or communications data, and data regarding VPN access. A setup server310communicates with a user device370over a network320, which may be a local area network, or a wide area network such as the Internet, capable of connecting at least two devices for communications purposes. Protocols for such communications may include TCP/IP, UDP, and may include the use of internet services and tools such as messenger programs of various social networks or communications platforms including SKYPE™, DISCORD™, FACEBOOK™ and others. A setup server310further communicates with a network router350over a VPN330, which may be a remote access VPN, or extranet-based site-to-site VPN, operating over the Internet, and which may be either managed and operated by the setup server310or by a third-party VPN provider with which the setup server310is configured to operate with. The setup server310may also be connected to, and transmit data to, a text message relay server340, such as a service provided by TWILIO™, may be a server or distributed cloud service that relays short message service (“SMS”) messages sent from a non-cellular device to either a cellular or non-cellular recipient. In some alternative embodiments, the text message relay server340may be a server that handles and routes non-SMS text messages such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ messages, emails, and other forms of internet or non-SMS communications. The network router350communicating over a VPN with the setup server310may be a wireless router such as those commonly built by companies including CISCO™ or others, or a wireless access point that connects to a separate internet router, that provides access for connected wireless devices to the internet, and communicates with at least one, but potentially a plurality of, POS devices360, which may be any device connected to or involved with the sale of a good or service for a business. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to. Such a connection is established with a LAN set up by the network router, or integrated with the network router, to enable it to set up and configure the devices based on data received or exchanged with the setup server310. A customer device370may be a cellular device such as an IPHONE™ or ANDROID™ phone or other smartphone, a tablet such as an IPAD™ or other tablet, a personal digital assistant or non-smartphone cellular phone, or even a laptop computer or desktop computer according to some embodiments. A rules engine410may be a software package operating as part of the setup server310, or it may be operating on a separate device connected to the setup server310over a local or wide area network including the Internet, communicating with and serving as an intermediary between the setup server310and any networks320,330it may communicate through, as well as between the setup server310and text message relay server340.

According to an embodiment, a user may order and install the network router350, and receive a text message communication from one of the prior mentioned methods on their device370either before or after installing and turning on the network router. Upon the network router's350installation and activation, it will connect to a VPN330it is preconfigured with the credentials to access over the internet320, and, separately, set up or integrate with an existing LAN that connects to the POS device or devices360. The user, which may be an administrator, general manager, or other individual in the business, may interact with the text message received from the setup server310. Upon interacting with the text message, such as clicking or tapping on a link or scanning a QR code, the setup server sends network and POS device setup instructions to the network router350, and the POS devices are set up by the network router, allowing for up-to-date setups to be delivered to users based on the status of the setup server and database, and allowing customers to operate their own hardware configurations and physical setups without having to buy entirely new hardware, save for the network router. The POS device setup may include setting up of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) for the network router350to interact with and configure, or the network router may configure the devices and install separate software without a VM instance running on them.

According to another aspect, a rules engine410may exist in the system as part of, or separate but connected to, the setup server310, and may exist as a distinct input-output filtering device or service. In this way, the rules engine may specify what devices may connect with the setup server310or VPN330, what texts may go outbound from the setup server310, what text message interactions may be registered as valid or what response their interactions may result in, and more, adding a layer of control and abstraction from the setup server310itself.

First, a business administrator, manager, owner, or other employee may set up their POS devices with virtual machine software, the virtual machine software comprising at least a network adapter and ability to install and operate software when specially instructed by the network router, for purposes such as kitchen management, inventory management, order management, and other tasks that software may be designed for, to aid a business in its operation. Once the network router is unpacked, plugged in and turned on, the network router creates or joins a local network1410, which the local POS devices will be configured to join through the use of the VM software. The network router may join a network already in existence if it is a wireless access point for another router, or may create and manage the local network itself, with the POS devices connecting to it. The network router may then connect to the Internet, and set up a VPN connection to connect with a remote setup server, mediated by a rules engine that determines whether or not the connection may go through1415. If the connection is denied, the network router may retry the connection, try alternative configurations for the connection if it is programmed with such, or may simply fail to connect, resulting in the user having to contact the setup server provider to inquire as to next steps. Such connections may take place over a variety of internet connection protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, OpenVPN, or others, or a combination of protocols and connectivity technologies. A text message may then be sent to the user from the setup server through a text message relay server1420, mediated and potentially modified by the rules engine410, the text message including an interactable element such as a QR code or a hyperlink, interactions with the message initiating the setup server's transfer of instructions to the network router1425, if the rules engine allows the transmission. Such a sequence of operations may be, for instance, a link being transmitted to a user's phone, the user setting up the network router, and then tapping the link once the router has been set up, the network router then setting up the locally connected POS devices. The instructions to be transmitted to the network router from the setup server are queried from the setup server's connected database, the term “database” being used here to refer to any long-term data storage solution, which may be an actual database instance, multiple database instances, a cloud data storage solution, or some other data storage and reading solution. The setup server may then transmit the network router setup instructions for local POS1430, the transmission being moderated or altered or formatted by the rules engine410, instructions which may include which software packages to install on each device, how to configure such packages, what the relationship between the devices should be with the different software packages, their inventory management software, and more. The setup instructions received by the network router are executed and the results of the setup instructions are sent to the local POS devices hosting the VMs1435, or, alternatively, the instructions themselves are sent to the virtual machines to be executed rather than being executed on the network router first. The virtual machines may then set up and configure themselves and install any requisite or specified software, and integrate with existing software if desired, allowing the business to now utilize fully configured VMs running on physical machines locally, without requiring the business to buy all new hardware devices to install, instead only requiring the installation and setup of a single network router or wireless access point.

Examples of rule engine functionality may include preventing certain messages from reaching the setup server, altering their formatting or content to ensure malicious or malformed messages do not get received by the setup server, sanitizing data, and more, as well as possibly acting as a separate (or additional) firewall for the setup server.

FIG. 16is a method diagram illustrating the function of an onboarding engine, according to an aspect. A possible first step may be for the onboarding engine to read device network configuration details and/or settings from a database1610, such settings being either relevant to a specific upcoming device or network setup, or perhaps there are a very limited number of network configurations and they are all loaded into memory to be dispensed to network routers on-demand. The onboarding engine may then receive communications from a network router when an activation link (i.e., QR code) associated with a device (e.g., POS device360or other device) that is to be connected to the merchant's network is activated/scanned at step1620. In other embodiments, the onboarding engine1510may receive communication from a network router when a POS device360or other device is initially turned on and tries to establish a network connection with a preconfigured router. As a next step1630, onboarding engine1510may send to the preconfigured router the read device network configuration details (e.g., settings and parameters) associated with the device that the QR code was associated with and/or which tried to establish a connection with the router. Examples of network configuration details can include, but are not limited to, a defined device role within the merchant's local network, domain accessibility granted to the device, device credentials, and an operating system image. As a next step1640, onboarding engine may update one or more configuration tables stored on the preconfigured router based on the network configuration details associated with each device that is to be connected to the merchant's network. As a last step1650, each device may be connected to the merchant's local network via the preconfigured router using the updated configuration tables. As a result of these steps, the onboarding engine1510may facilitate automatic network onboarding and configuration of new devices into an existing merchant's local network.

FIG. 17is a message flow diagram illustrating messages exchanged in the function of a system for automated network configuration of restaurant devices by remote communication with a preconfigured network router, using an onboarding engine, according to an embodiment. Included in the system is a setup server310, which may be a cloud service offering, a dedicated hosting solution, virtual shared server, virtual private server, or another implementation of a web server solution. Such a server may operate any one of a variety of possible operating systems, such as a LINUX™ based operating system or a WINDOWS™ based operating system. Such a server may be connected to the Internet or another network320, or a variety of networks including Local Area Networks (“LAN”), via at least one network adapter that may operate over a physical cable connection or wirelessly such as with WIFI™. The setup server310may be connected to, or may operate, a database315, which may be one of many varying database implementations, including a SQL-based database such as MYSQL™ or MICROSOFT SQL SERVER™, a NoSQL database such as MONGODB™ or DYNAMODB™, or an ORACLE™ database, or some other form of database. It may be hosted on the same hardware or virtual instance as a server, or hosted separately and provided by a service provider, such as some cloud service providers including AMAZON™ and MICROSOFT™ offer, with their services AMAZON WEB SERVICES™ and WINDOWS AZURE™ respectively. Such a database may store configuration data, user data, user location or communications data, and data regarding VPN access. A setup server310communicates with a user device370over a network320, which may be a local area network, or a wide area network such as the Internet, capable of connecting at least two devices for communications purposes. Protocols for such communications may include TCP/IP, UDP, and may include the use of internet services and tools such as messenger programs of various social networks or communications platforms including SKYPE™, DISCORD™, FACEBOOK™, and others. A setup server310further communicates with a network router350over a VPN330, which may be a remote access VPN, or extranet-based site-to-site VPN, operating over the Internet, and which may be either managed and operated by the setup server310or by a third-party VPN provider with which the setup server310is configured to operate with. The setup server310may also be connected to, and transmit data to, a text message relay server340, such as a service provided by TWILIO™, may be a server or distributed cloud service that relays short message service (“SMS”) messages sent from a non-cellular device to either a cellular or non-cellular recipient. In some alternative embodiments, the text message relay server340may be a server that handles and routes non-SMS text messages such as FACEBOOK MESSENGER™ messages, emails, and other forms of internet or non-SMS communications. The network router350communicating over a VPN with the setup server310may be a wireless router such as those commonly built by companies including CISCO™ or others, or a wireless access point that connects to a separate internet router, that provides access for connected wireless devices to the internet, and communicates with at least one, but potentially a plurality of, POS devices360, which may be any device connected to or involved with the sale of a good or service for a business. Examples may include tablets held and used by wait-staff in a restaurant, computers in a restaurant kitchen that display orders to kitchen staff for production, and computers used by administrative staff or ownership for the restaurant's operations, if they are connected to the system or network that other sales-oriented and production-oriented devices are connected to. Such a connection is established with a LAN set up by the network router, or integrated with the network router, to enable it to set up and configure the devices based on data received or exchanged with the setup server310. A customer device370may be a cellular device such as an IPHONE™ or ANDROID™ phone or other smartphone, a tablet such as an IPAD™ or other tablet, a personal digital assistant or non-smartphone cellular phone, or even a laptop computer or desktop computer according to some embodiments. An onboarding engine1510may be a software package operating as part of the setup server310, or it may be operating on a separate device connected to the setup server310over a local or wide area network including the Internet, communicating with and serving as an intermediary between the setup server310and any networks320,330it may communicate through, as well as between the setup server310and text message relay server340.

According to an embodiment, a user may order and install the network router350, and receive a text message communication from one of the prior mentioned methods on their device370either before or after installing and turning on the network router. Upon the network router's350installation and activation, it will connect to a VPN330it is preconfigured with the credentials to access over the internet320, and, separately, set up or integrate with an existing LAN that connects to the POS device or devices360. The user, which may be an administrator, general manager, or other individual in the business, may interact with the text message received from the setup server310. Upon interacting with the text message, such as clicking or tapping on a link or scanning a QR code, the onboarding engine1510sends network configuration details associated with a device to the network router350, and the POS devices are set up by the network router, allowing for up-to-date setups to be delivered to users based on the status of the setup server, the onboarding engine, and database, and allowing customers to operate their own hardware configurations and physical setups without having to buy entirely new hardware, save for the network router. The POS device setup may include setting up of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) for the network router350to interact with and configure, or the network router may configure the devices and install separate software without a VM instance running on them.

According to another aspect, an onboarding engine1510may exist in the system as part of, or separate but connected to, the setup server310. In this way, the onboarding engine may specify what devices may connect with the setup server310or VPN330, as well as the local network via the preconfigured router. The onboarding engine1510may retrieve network configuration details for a specific device from a database and send the network configuration details to the preconfigured router in order for the router to automatically connect a specific device to a local network operated by the merchant.

First, a business administrator, manager, owner, or other employee may set up their POS devices with virtual machine software, the virtual machine software comprising at least a network adapter and ability to install and operate software when specially instructed by the network router, for purposes such as kitchen management, inventory management, order management, and other tasks that software may be designed for, to aid a business in its operation. Once the network router is unpacked, plugged in and turned on, the network router creates or joins a local network1710, which the local POS devices will be configured to join through the use of the VM software, network configuration details specific to the POS devices, and updated configuration tables stored in network router. The network router may join a network already in existence if it is a wireless access point for another router, or may create and manage the local network itself, with the POS devices connecting to it. The network router may then connect to the Internet, and set up a VPN connection to connect with a remote setup server1715. If the connection is denied, the network router may retry the connection, try alternative configurations for the connection if it is programmed with such, or may simply fail to connect, resulting in the user having to contact the setup server provider to inquire as to next steps. Such connections may take place over a variety of internet connection protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, OpenVPN, or others, or a combination of protocols and connectivity technologies. A text message may then be sent to the user from the setup server through a text message relay server1720, the text message including an interactable element such as a QR code or a hyperlink, interactions with the message initiating the setup server's transfer of instructions to the network router and the onboarding engine's transfer of network configuration details1725. Such a sequence of operations may be, for instance, a link being transmitted to a user's phone, the user setting up the network router, and then tapping the link once the router has been set up, the network router then setting up the locally connected POS devices using received network configuration details to update configuration tables stored in the network router. The network configuration details to be transmitted to the network router from the onboarding engine are queried from the setup server's connected database, the term “database” being used here to refer to any long-term data storage solution, which may be an actual database instance, multiple database instances, a cloud data storage solution, or some other data storage and reading solution. The onboarding engine may then transmit the network configuration details for local POS1730, network configuration details which may include which OS image to download to each device, an allowed role for each device within the merchant's network, device credentials, domain accessibility, and what the relationship between the devices should be. The network configuration details received by the network router are used to update configuration tables stored in the network router and the results of the configuration instructions are sent to the local POS devices hosting the VMs1735, or, alternatively, the configuration instructions themselves are sent to the virtual machines to be executed rather than being executed on the network router first. The virtual machines may then set up and configure themselves and install any requisite or specified software, and integrate with existing software if desired, allowing the business to now utilize fully configured VMs running on physical machines locally, without requiring the business to buy all new hardware devices to install, instead only requiring the installation and setup of a single network router or wireless access point.

Hardware Architecture

In addition, in some aspects, servers32may call external services37when needed to obtain additional information, or to refer to additional data concerning a particular call. Communications with external services37may take place, for example, via one or more networks31. In various aspects, external services37may comprise web-enabled services or functionality related to or installed on the hardware device itself. For example, in one aspect where client applications24are implemented on a smartphone or other electronic device, client applications24may obtain information stored in a server system32in the cloud or on an external service37deployed on one or more of a particular enterprise's or user's premises. In addition to local storage on servers32, remote storage38may be accessible through the network(s)31.