Abstract:
A system and methods for joining the correct wireless network are provided. The invention allows a device connecting to an unsecure wireless network to choose the correct network from many available wireless networks which are in range. A piece of code is executed on one of the PCs already on the network, then the device connects to each unsecure wireless network in range and sends a small message. If that message receives a reply from the code running on the PC that is already on the wireless network, that particular wireless network is determined to be the correct wireless network.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains generally to the field of computer networks and more particularly to a mechanism for simplifying the process of joining the correct computer network.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of data communication networks continues to grow. In small as well as large corporate settings, wired local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) have become an established feature of conducting business, and wireless networks are being increasingly employed. The use of network technology in the home, both wired and wireless, is a more recent phenomenon and has been slower to develop. In addition to facilitating Internet connectivity, home networking permits personal computing devices and various consumer electronic devices and appliances within the home to communicate with each other. Wireless technology, such as IEEE 802.11 wireless networks and networks of Bluetooth-enabled devices, is attractive in home as well as corporate environments for reasons of convenience, mobility and flexibility.  
         [0003]     A principal impediment to the wider adoption of networking technology in the home and other non-corporate environments has been the difficulty experienced by non-expert users in configuring network devices for use on pre-existing wireless networks. Often users do not know or remember their wireless network connection information. In these cases, the user has to go back to the PC and log into the wireless access point&#39;s (WAP) configuration utility to determine the network settings. Even this can be problematic because the configuration utility often requires you to enter a user name and password, which are generally set by the manufacturer. Most users would be forced to look in the documentation that came with the WAP, or consult the WAP manufacturer&#39;s website.  
         [0004]     Thus, initial setup of a wireless network is difficult even for those familiar with the technology. Connecting to an existing wireless network is also difficult because, even if the network is purposefully unsecure (unprotected, unencrypted), there may be multiple wireless networks within range of the PC or device trying to connect to the wireless network. Thus, the device does not know which network to join. The problem is exacerbated when the wireless device is a thin client device, possessing limited means for input and therefore preventing the user from manually selecting the correct wireless network. Accordingly, there is a need to simplify the procedure for additional devices to find and join the correct wireless network.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In view of the foregoing, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for automatically joining a correct wireless network from among a plurality of detected wireless networks, the method comprising detecting a first wireless network, joining the first wireless network, broadcasting a message on the first wireless network, determining that the first wireless network is the correct wireless network if an expected response to the message is received from a device on the first wireless network, and determining that the first wireless network is not the correct wireless network if the expected response to the message is not received.  
         [0006]     In keeping with the features of the invention, after determining that the first network is not the correct network, a search is initiated to locate the correct network. The search process comprises (1) detecting another wireless network, (2) joining the other wireless network, (3) broadcasting the message on the other wireless network, and (4) deciding whether the other wireless network is the correct network by determining whether the response to the broadcast message is the expected response. The search process repeats for each available wireless network until the correct wireless network is determined. The plurality of wireless networks may be unsecure wireless networks. The expected response may include a unique identifier. Determining that the different wireless network is not the correct wireless network may include waiting for the expected response for a predetermined amount of time.  
         [0007]     In keeping with another aspect of the invention, a wireless device system is automatically joined to the identified correct wireless network The wireless device includes a wireless transmitter/receiver, wherein the wireless device iteratively joins each of the plurality detected wireless networks and broadcasts a message on each of the plurality detected wireless networks until the correct wireless network is determined. A portable computer-readable media device associated with the wireless device includes instructions for instructing a computer system connected to the correct wireless network to listen on the correct wireless network for the message, and to broadcast a response to the message on the correct wireless network. The wireless device is associated with a unique identifier made available to a user. The portable computer-readable media device includes instructions for instructing the computer system to prompt the user for the unique identifier and include the unique identifier in the response, which will then result in the automatic connection of the device to the wireless network.  
         [0008]     Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a method for connecting a wireless device to a correct wireless network from among a plurality of available wireless networks. The method comprises (1) installing a wireless device within range of the correct wireless network, wherein the wireless device iteratively joins each of the available wireless networks and broadcasts a message on each of the available wireless networks, and (2) installing a portable computer-readable media device in a computer connected to the correct wireless network, wherein the portable computer-readable media device causes the computer to listen for the message on the correct wireless network, and to transmit a response to the message on the correct wireless network to the wireless device. The wireless device determines the correct wireless network by receiving the response on the correct wireless network. The method may further comprise obtaining a unique identifier from the wireless device, and entering the unique identifier in the computer when prompted for the unique identifier, wherein the computer includes the unique identifier in the response.  
         [0009]     Additional features and advantages of the invention are made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic generally illustrating an exemplary network environment across which the present invention operates.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a block diagram generally illustrating an exemplary computer system on which the present invention resides;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a typical scenario where the invention is used;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating the procedure for a wireless device to find the correct wireless network to join; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating the procedure for a user to allow the wireless device to find the correct wireless network. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Turning to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, the present invention is illustrated as being implemented in a suitable computing environment. The following description is based on embodiments of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the invention with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein.  
         [0017]     In the description that follows, the present invention is described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations that are performed by one or more computing devices, unless indicated otherwise. As such, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are at times referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulation by the processing unit of the computing device of electrical signals representing data in a structured form. This manipulation transforms the data or maintains them at locations in the memory system of the computing device, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of the device in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The data structures are where data are maintained and are physical locations of the memory having particular properties defined by the format of the data. However, while the invention is being described in the foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting as those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various acts and operations described hereinafter may also be implemented in hardware.  
         [0018]     An example of a networked environment in which the invention may be used will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1A . The example network includes several computers  110  communicating with one another over a network  111 , represented by a cloud. Network  111  may include many well-known components, such as routers, gateways, hubs, etc. and allows the computers  110  to communicate via wired and/or wireless media. When interacting with one another over the network  111 , one or more of the computers may act as clients, network servers, or peers with respect to other computers. Accordingly, the various embodiments of the invention may be practiced on clients, network servers, peers, or combinations thereof, even though specific examples contained herein do not refer to all of these types of computers.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment  100  on which the invention may be implemented. The computing system environment  100  is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment  100  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary computing environment  100 .  
         [0020]     The invention is operational with numerous other general-purpose or special-purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set-top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.  
         [0021]     The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer-storage media including memory-storage devices.  
         [0022]     With reference to  FIG. 1B , an exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of a computer  110 , which may act as a client, network server, quarantine server, or peer within the context of the invention. Components of the computer  110  may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit  120 , a system memory  130 , and a system bus  121  that couples various system components including the system memory  130  to the processing unit  120 . The system bus  121  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture bus, Micro Channel Architecture bus, Enhanced ISA bus, Video Electronics Standards Associate local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect bus, also known as Mezzanine bus.  
         [0023]     The computer  110  typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer  110  and include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for the storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer  110 . Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information-delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.  
         [0024]     The system memory  130  includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM)  131  and random access memory (RAM)  132 . A basic input/output system  133  (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer  110 , such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM  131 . RAM  132  typically contains data and program modules that are immediately accessible to or presently being operated on by the processing unit  120 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1B  illustrates an operating system  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 .  
         [0025]     The computer  110  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,  FIG. 1B  illustrates a hard disk drive  141  that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile, magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive  151  that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile, magnetic disk  152 , and an optical disk drive  155  that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk  156  such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary computing environment  100  include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive  141  is typically connected to the system bus  121  through a non-removable memory interface such as the interface  140 , and the magnetic disk drive  151  and the optical disk drive  155  are typically connected to the system bus  121  by a removable memory interface, such as the interface  150 .  
         [0026]     The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 1B  provide storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computer  110 . In  FIG. 1B , for example, the hard disk drive  141  is illustrated as storing an operating system  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147 . Note that these components can either be the same as or different from the operating system  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 . The operating system  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147  are given different numbers to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies.  
         [0027]     A user may enter commands and information into the computer  110  through input devices such as a keyboard  162  and a pointing device  161 , commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  120  through a user input interface  160  that is coupled to the system bus  121 , but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus. A monitor  191  or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus  121  via an interface, such as a video interface  190 . In addition to the monitor  191 , the computer  110  may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers  197  and a printer  196  which may be connected through an output peripheral interface  195 .  
         [0028]     The computer  110  operates in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  180 . The remote computer  180  may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or other common network node and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the personal computer  110  although only a memory storage device  181  has been illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The logical connections depicted in  FIG. 1B  include a local area network (LAN)  171  and a wide area network (WAN)  173  but may also include other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. Furthermore, LAN  171  includes both wired and wireless connections.  
         [0029]     When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer  110  is connected to the LAN  171  through a network interface or adapter  170 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer  110  typically includes a modem  172  or other means for establishing communications over the WAN  173 , such as the Internet. The modem  172 , which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus  121  via the user input interface  160  or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer  110 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device  181 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1B  illustrates the remote application programs  185  as residing on the memory device  181 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary, and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.  
         [0030]     In a typical scenario where the invention is practiced, the user has an unsecure wireless network installed and running. In one embodiment, the wireless network is an IEEE 802.11 standard wireless network. A device such as a personal computer (PC) is connected to the wireless network through an Ethernet connection. A user brings home a new device that they would like to connect to the wireless network. The user powers up the device, which then starts looking for wireless networks. For example, the device may detect multiple secure and unsecure networks. The device could connect to any of the unsecure networks, but presumably the user wants to connect it to the user&#39;s own wireless network. The device begins automatically scanning through the unsecure wireless networks. It tunes to a wireless network, and then sends out a broadcast message on that network and waits for a response. If no response is received after a certain time, the device tunes to the next network and repeats the process. When it reaches the end of the list of unsecure wireless networks, the device returns to the top of the list and starts over.  
         [0031]     A portable computer-readable media device is provided with the wireless device. In one embodiment, the portable computer-readable media device is a compact disk (CD). In another embodiment, the portable computer-readable media device is a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive. While the device is scanning, after setting up the device, the user installs the CD in the PC. Software on the CD executes and causes the PC to start listening for broadcast messages of a specific type. Eventually, the wireless device will connect to the actual wireless network that this PC is connected to and send the broadcast message. The software running on the PC receives the message and replies back to the device. The device now knows that it has found the correct wireless network and additional setup processes can take place (if necessary) now that the wireless device and the PC are on the same network.  
         [0032]     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the invention is now described in greater detail.  FIG. 2  illustrates four home networks (such as the network shown in  FIG. 1   a ), each comprising at least a PC (such as the computing system shown in  FIG. 1   b ) and a wireless access point (WAP). In one embodiment, a PC is connected to a WAP via an Ethernet connection. In other embodiments, the PC may be connected to the WAP via other wired connections such as a USB connection, or wireless connections such as an IEEE 802.11 standard connection. A user&#39;s wireless network is labeled “MyNetwork” and is located in “My House.” Surrounding wireless networks that are within range of My House include the unsecure wireless network “NeighborNet1” in the house labeled “Neighbor #1,” the secure wireless network “NeighborNet2” in the house labeled “Neighbor #2,” and the unsecure wireless network “NeighborNet3” in the house labeled “Neighbor #3.” The user has a wireless device, including a wireless transmitter/receiver, labeled “device” that is to join MyNetwork. When the wireless device looks for wireless networks to join, MyNetwork, NeighborNet1, NeighborNet2, and NeighborNet3 are visible. However, because NeighborNet2 is a secure network, the wireless device cannot join that network unless configured with the appropriate network encryption key.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates the procedure followed by the device once it is powered on. At step  310 , the wireless device detects all available wireless networks. For example, the device may detect that it can join MyNetwork, NeighborNet1, and/or NeighborNet3. At step  320 , the device picks a network from the available networks, for example NeighborNet1, and joins the network by obtaining an internet protocol (IP) address from the network. At step  330 , the wireless device broadcasts a message that is specific to device over NeighborNet1. At step  340 , the wireless device waits for a predetermined amount of time, for example 30 seconds, for a response to the message from a PC on the correct network. If no response is received before timing out, the wireless device determines the NeighborNet1 is not the correct network. At step  345  the wireless devices joins another wireless network from the list of available networks, for example MyNetwork. Again the wireless device broadcasts the device-specific message over MyNetwork at step  330 . In this instance, the wireless device does receive a response from a PC on the correct network at step  340 . The wireless device then determines that MyNetwork is the correct network at step  350  because the response is a predetermined answer to the broadcast message of step  330 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates the procedure followed by the user to allow the wireless device to find the correct wireless network. At step  410  the wireless device is powered on and set up to scan for available wireless networks. In one embodiment, the user may obtain a device identifier from the wireless device at step  420 . While the wireless device is scanning, the user installs a portable computer-readable media device (e.g., a CD), which is associated to the wireless device, into a PC on the correct wireless network (e.g. MyNetwork in  FIG. 2 ) at step  430 . Where the user has obtained a device identifier from the wireless device, software on the CD may prompt the user to enter that identifier into the PC at step  440 .  
         [0035]     Software on the CD executes on the PC and causes the PC to start listening for the device-specific broadcast message of the wireless device on MyNetwork. At step  450 , the user waits for the wireless device to begin broadcasting the device-specific message on MyNetwork. When the wireless device does begins broadcasting on MyNetwork, the software executing on the PC recognizes the device-specific message, and transmits a predetermined response to the wireless device. The wireless device uses receipt of this response to determine that it has found the correct wireless network. In one embodiment, the device identifier is included in the response to verify the authenticity of the wireless network. In another embodiment, the device identifier is sent in a separate message that is a response to the wireless device&#39;s request for the identifier.  
         [0036]     In the various embodiments of the invention the wireless device is a wireless device running on the Microsoft Windows® WinCE Operating System, though the wireless device may be any device capable of connection to a wireless network. Likewise, the device first connected to the correct wireless network is a PC running on the Microsoft Windows® Operating System, but may be any device capable of connecting to a wireless network and executing code received from a portable media device.  
         [0037]     The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Numerous modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.