Abstract:
A method of integrating setting up a residential gateway or access point and setting up a client network adapter into a single software process. The method eliminates inconsistent and confusing terminology and methods of interfacing different client adapter setups with different residential gateways and access points by using a common user interface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention generally relates to software integration, and specifically, to a method for integrating a client network adapter setup with a residential gateway or access point setup.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Certain descriptions of the terminology used in the application are given. A gateway is a communications device which manages the flow of information between two networks. A wireless gateway is a device that connects broadband access to a local wireless network. A network adapter (also called a network interface card or NIC) is typically installed within a slot of the PC to connect the PC with a local area network. An access point, the wireless equivalent of a hub, is a means of entry into a controlled security area, consisting of a card reader, monitor switches and/or latches and is wired to an access control panel. WEP is wired equivalent privacy encryption based on the RC4 encryption algorithm.  
           [0003]    Currently, wireless configuration changes, including specifying different profiles, network names, and encryption settings, are performed on a PC-by-PC basis. To further complicate matters for the user, if an access point or wireless residential gateway is used, its settings must stay in sync with that of wireless clients, otherwise the clients will be cut off from the network. If the customer is connected wirelessly to the access point, and opens the access point&#39;s user interface and changes the settings, he is at that point in time cut off from the access point and the rest of the network. If he cannot subsequently make the same changes on his client (perhaps he forgot to write down the encryption key) he is out of luck, and must reset the access point. If the access point is in a router, the hardware reset will reset everything, including his WAN settings, so his Internet access is lost. Another problem with this situation is that often the user interfaces among different client adapter setups and different access points and residential gateways use inconsistent methods and terminology, i.e., “SSID”(service set identifier), “ESSID”, and “Network name” are all names for the same thing, and must be set to the same text on each device.  
           [0004]    Therefore, a method and apparatus for integrating a client network adapter setup with a residential gateway or access point setup, so the customer only deals with a single user interface that accepts encryption and network name information is needed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides a method for integrating a client network adapter setup with a residential gateway or access point setup, so the customer only deals with a single user interface that accepts encryption and network name information, then programs both the client network adapter and the RG or access point. The programming action may be a single, self-synchronized algorithm that first programs the RG or access point, then programs the client adapter, then checks to make sure that the connection has been maintained.  
           [0006]    In a first aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for changing configurations having the steps of programming a residential gateway or access point and programming a client network adapter which corresponds to the residential gateway or access point. The setting up of the client network adapter and the setting up of the residential gateway or access point is performed through a single software program.  
           [0007]    In a second aspect of the present invention, a computer program of instructions is disclosed which includes code for setting up a residential gateway or access point and code for setting up a client network adapter which corresponds to the residential gateway or access point. The code for setting up the residential gateway or access point and the code for setting up the client network adapter is a single integrated program.  
           [0008]    In a third aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for facilitating setting up a computer to a network which includes the steps of setting up components internal to the computer and setting up components external to the computer in which the method is performed through a single integrated software program. The internal components include a network adapter and the external components include a residential gateway or an access point. Alternatively, the internal components include a network interface component and the external components include a network connection component. A single user interface is used for implementing the method.  
           [0009]    The present invention integrates the client network adapter setup with the residential gateway or access point setup, so the customer only deals with a single user interface that accepts encryption and network name information, then programs both the client network adapter and the residential gateway (RG) or access point.  
           [0010]    An advantage of the present invention is that the customer does not need to be aware of the existence of the access point, or that there is a synchronization requirement, and that he only has to type the information once rather than twice. If a common user interface is used on all client devices, then there is never inconsistent terminology or methods.  
           [0011]    An advantage of the present invention is that if a customer has a wireless RG, but no wireless client adapters, he need not be bothered at all with the encryption settings. These only need to be applied (and encryption, or even the RG&#39;s radio itself enabled) once a wireless device is introduced.  
           [0012]    It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of the method steps found in the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a pre-wizard setup process of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a client setup process of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless/wired diagnostics flow of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a thin RG setup flow of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a password flow of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 illustrates an options menu flow of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 illustrates a change file/print sharing flow and a configure wireless connection flow of the present invention; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 illustrates a change internet access status flow of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0024]    Referring generally now to FIGS. 1 through 12, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown  
         [0025]    The present invention integrates the client network adapter setup with the residential gateway or access point setup, so the customer only deals with a single user interface that accepts encryption and network name information, then programs both the client network adapter and the residential gateway (RG) or access point. The programming action may be a single, self-synchronized algorithm that first programs the RG or access point, then programs the client adapter, then checks to make sure that the connection has been maintained. Instead of a residential gateway, any common network node may be used, such as a server, a router, a bridge, a brouter, or a network PC.  
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the action must always start from a working connection. The client software must know the out-of-box default settings for the RG or access point (often, it is “encryption disabled”). If the customer provides an encryption key before the RG has been initially set up, it configures itself to match the RG&#39;s out-of-box default, connects, reprograms the RG and then itself, and checks its connection. If the RG has already been setup from another wireless client, the user types the encryption information. The software finds that it cannot connect with the “out-of-box” default, so it tries the encryption code supplied by the user. Assuming the user correctly typed the same encryption code, the client will be able to connect and everything is okay.  
         [0027]    The client network adapter setup may be implemented through a client PC setup wizard which automates basic network configuration on existing PCs. The client PC setup wizard may be bundled with an external wireless networking kit or with add on PCs having internal network adapters. The client PC setup wizard may ensure that the driver for the NIC (internal network adapter) is installed and configured, the network stack configured, and file and print sharing enabled, and wireless network security is configured with the absolute minimum user interface possible. In addition to setting up basic networking, the client PC setup wizard may launch the installation program for a network console which provides instant visual feedback as the client PC setup wizard enables each networked PC. The network console provides a graphical representation of a home network, displaying images of all supported devices and peripherals on the network.  
         [0028]    The residential gateway setup wizard simplifies the initial configuration of a thin residential gateway. Unlike methods found in the prior art, the residential gateway setup wizard of the present invention makes the process simpler, removes the risk of user pilot errors, and guarantees that all users configure the device the same way. The residential gateway setup wizard may define and enforce a defined default network configuration that is safe and simple for the customer and that will support add on features that may be transparent to the user. It may limit user options to what is only absolutely necessary and minimal. It may combine all required options into a sequence of residential gateway setup wizard pages having one or two simple options per page, eliminating the need to navigate individual pages on the web interface. The residential gateway setup wizard may also confirm correct operation, utilize internal functions of the RG to diagnose problems, suggest solutions, and direct customers to appropriate user assistance resources.  
         [0029]    Certain assumptions may be made regarding the hardware and software. There is a minimum of one client PC and a thin residential gateway that provides access to a network such as the Internet. The client setup wizard may configure networking on all added PCs to the network and support legacy PCs such as with a networking kit (e.g., USB wireless). The client setup wizard may assume that the residential gateway is a thin RG or an XP-based RG PC. Various peripheral devices may be networked directly or may be connected to the client PC. As for software, the client PCs may use an operation system such as Windows, including Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, and XP. An AOL client may be installed on one or more client PCs.  
         [0030]    The present invention may be implemented through a single CD which contains a single installation program that installs both the setup wizards and the network console. The integrated software program may reside in its entirety on the PC.  
         [0031]    In the case where there are two or more network adapters present, the setup wizards determines which adapter is attached to an ICS host. If the setup wizards cannot make the determination, the user will be queried for his choice of network adapter.  
         [0032]    The user may connect the RG and wire the network prior to running a setup wizard. Each sequential screen may present only a single question or parameter setting or a very small set of closely related settings. After networking is enabled, the network console is automatically installed. If the software detects that a thin RG is present, and that it has not been configured, the thin RG setup wizard is automatically run or an option menu appears before the user.  
         [0033]    Client PCs may have certain functional requirements. A driver for the supported network adapter may be installed. TCP/IP networking is installed, enabled, and tested for the network adapter. The client for networking is installed and enabled. File sharing is installed and enabled (such as Windows). Print sharing is installed and enabled and the user&#39;s printer is shared. A web connection sharing client capability is enabled. If the client connection is wireless, the wireless device is configured for secure access. Other client related software is installed. The user has assigned the BIOS or NETBIOS name and descriptive name. The user has specified whether web access is to be blocked for the client PC. A diagnostic has confirmed that the client installation has been successful and that the residential gateway is present.  
         [0034]    The thin residential gateway may have certain function requirements. In one embodiment, the user must be able to configure the thin RG from a wireless client PC, the thin RG setup wizard must verify that it is communicating with the correct model and version of the thin RG before it attempts to configure it, each screen that displays user options must display the state of those options as currently configured on the thin RG not default values, and the user cannot run the thin RG setup wizard on a client PC unless the client PC setup wizard has successfully completed its client PC installation and setup on that PC.  
         [0035]    Generally, the following function requirements are found. The WAN access is configured and is working. Print sharing is configured and enabled. The thin RG device&#39;s local IP address has been pre-assigned. The DHCP server is configured and enabled. The firewall is configured and enabled. The thin RG&#39;s security password is assigned. The thin RG&#39;s wireless access point is configured for secure access.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the method steps of a single integrated software process of the present invention. In one embodiment, the single software process installs both setup wizards and the network console. A standard operating system installation process may be used to install the setup wizards and the network console before execution of the setup wizards. An autorun process may define and control the sequencing during installation and configuration. The single software process may allow the user to see, and optionally modify, a single path specifying the location of the code for the setup wizards and the network console. The network console may be used as the launching point for rerunning the setup wizards from the hard drive.  
         [0037]    A CD autorun starts the process, step  10 . A determination is made by the PC as to whether the integrated software is installed on the PC, step  10 . If it is not, a welcome screen is displayed, step  30 , the setup wizards and network console are installed, step  40 , and the client PC is run from the hard drive, step  50 . A determination is then made as to whether the residential gateway has already been setup, step  60 . If it has not, then the thin RG setup is run from the hard drive, step  70 . Afterward, the network console is displayed with context sensitive text overlay, step  80 . If the determination at step  60  is that the residential gateway has already been setup, step  80  is immediately performed. The setup process then stops.  
         [0038]    If in step  20 , it is determined that the setup wizards and the network console have already been installed on the PC, a display options menu appears, step  100 . The user is given three options: exit the process in step  130 , uninstall the setup wizards and network console in step  110 , or install the wizards and network console. The wizard options menu permits running of the client PC setup in step  140 , running the thin RG setup in step  150 , changing print or file sharing in step  160 , changing the Internet blocking status in step  170 , changing the client wireless settings in step  180 , and changing the RG wireless settings in step  190 .  
         [0039]    FIGS.  2 - 12  show in greater detail the steps of installing the setup wizards and the network console. In FIG. 2, a pre-wizard setup process is shown. In FIGS. 3 and 4, a client setup process is illustrated. FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless/wired diagnostics flow. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a thin RG setup flow. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a password flow. FIG. 10 illustrates an options menu flow. FIG. 11 illustrates a change file/print sharing flow and a configure wireless connection flow. FIG. 12 illustrates a change internet access status flow.  
         [0040]    It is believed that the method of client-centered WEP settings on a LAN of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.