Patent Abstract:
A network device such as a wireless network device is configured using information obtained at the point of sale (POS) for a specific home network to which the device will belong. This may be accomplished by obtaining from the buyer at the POS account information, which is sent to a configuration server that automatically sets up the device for network use without the buyer&#39;s further direct involvement.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for the network set-up of wireless devices at the point of sale of the devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As network technologies are being adopted in consumer electronics (CE) products such as digital TVs, video recorders, digital still/video cameras, other wireless digital CE devices, etc. to enable these devices to communicate with other like devices in a home network, the network setup process becomes an obstacle for ease of use in these products. This is essentially because network setup is a computer-oriented procedure, which is cumbersome and unfamiliar to most non-technical users. 
         [0003]    For example, even when a home has wireless network installed, each time a user adds a new wireless device, the user must undertake the cumbersome setup process to input network configuration. This typically includes typing in network ID and password, sometimes referred to as a service set identifier (SSID) and wired equivalent piracy (WEP) keys, respectively. Although this may be a common process for a PC-based network, as understood herein the following issues arise when the same process is applied to CE products. 
         [0004]    A user must have knowledge about the nature and location of network configuration information (e.g., SSID and WEP keys) that is required, as well as knowing when and how to input the information. Also, each network product must have an input/output device such as a keypad to type in the necessary information and to display confirmation. Providing such I/O devices, however, is not practical for many CE products. Moreover, because the user interface or setup menu typically varies from product to product, a non-technical user can become further confused. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, with the above in mind users frequently encounter difficulty in connecting new devices to their home networks. As recognized herein, when a user has difficulty completing the setup process, the user typically calls customer support of the manufacturer for assistance. This, however, does not guarantee ease in identifying the cause of the difficulty so that a solution can be quickly provided over the phone, and moreover customer support is costly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention configures a network device such as a wireless network device at the point of sale (POS) for a specific home network to which the device will belong. This may be accomplished by obtaining from the buyer at the POS account information, which is sent to a configuration server that automatically sets up the device for network use without the buyer&#39;s further direct involvement. In this way, manufacturers as well as users benefit, since the cost of customer support associated with user-conducted setup is eliminated. Moreover, a sales model is provided by which a network device is automatically configured at the point of sales, thus also providing a benefit to retailers as it is regarded as an additional service and value. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a method for configuring a network device for a network includes, at a point of sale of the device, receiving a device identification (ID) unique to the device and providing the device ID to an Internet server. The method further includes sending the device ID from the server to a network component in the network, using the device ID as a temporary network ID to establish communication between the component and the device, and sending a main network ID from the component to the device. The main network ID subsequently is used in communication between the device and the network. 
         [0008]    In some implementations the device is a wireless device, the temporary network ID is a service set identifier (SSID), and the main network ID is a SSID. In non-limiting implementations the main network ID is for a main channel and initially is sent to the device on a subchannel using the temporary network ID. If desired, the subchannel can be deactivated after communication is established with the device using the main network ID. The method can also include deriving a password such as a wired equivalent piracy (WEP) key as a function of the device ID. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a network device associated with a unique device ID executes logic that includes using the device ID as a network ID to obtain a main network ID over a subchannel of a home network. The device sets the device ID to be the main network ID and then subsequently communicates with a main channel of the home network using the main network ID. 
         [0010]    In still another aspect, a system includes means for providing a device ID unique to a network device at a point of sale of the network device. The system also includes means for providing the device ID to a home network, and means for communicating a main network ID to the device over the home network using the device ID as a temporary network ID. Means are provided for subsequently using the main network ID to establish communication between the device and at least one component on the network. 
         [0011]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a non-limiting system in accordance with present principles; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a logic chart illustrating non-limiting steps in accordance with present principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a system is shown, generally designated  100 , which includes one or more points of sales (POS)  101 . A POS  101  can be a retail location or online website at which a user can purchase a digital network device such as a wireless network product (WNP)  102  that may be vended with the below-described device ID stored in it. Without limitation the WNP  102  may be a digital still or video camera, digital music player, wireless digital TV, etc. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a computerized retail sales terminal  103  may be used to input data at the POS. Sales information (product type, unique device ID, cost, etc.) as well as user data (credit card number from a card  109  via a card reader  110 , name, address, and other registration information) may be input by, e.g., a sales clerk at the terminal  103 . In the case of Internet sales, the terminal  103  may be a user&#39;s home PC into which the user inputs the sales and registration information. In any case, the terminal  103  communicates data to a server  104  through a network such as the Internet. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows that a home network  105 , to which the WNP  102  is to belong and/or to be used, communicates with the network using, e.g., a modem  106 . As shown, the modem  106  can be connected to the Internet and also to a wireless access point (WAP)  107  to facilitate wireless connection among devices including the WNP  102  in the home network  105 . In non-limiting embodiments the WAP  107  has a capability to accommodate two wireless channels (main and subchannel), each of which is specified by SSID and WEP key. In one implementation the SSID of the main channel may be designated “N a ”, and the WEP key can be calculated by a specific function F(x), which is commonly implemented in the WNP  102  as well. 
         [0017]    As shown, a personal computer (PC)  108  or other coordinating server-type device may be provided in the home network  105 . The PC  108  preferably has a wireless connection to the WAP  107  via the main channel, and also has access to the server  104  on the Internet through the modem  106 . It is to be understood that without limitation the PC  108 , server  104 , and WNP  102  may have digital processors that execute logic stored on computer-readable media such as disks or solid state media in accordance with the logic of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0018]    A user of the home network  105  is assumed to have an account that may be obtained by registration of some network device and/or for some network service. The server  104  stores the user account information. In the following example, the user account is assumed to be associated with the PC  108  and/or an application executed by it. 
         [0019]    With the above in mind, reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which shows a sequence of logic in accordance with present principles. The WNP  102  is vended with an initial temporary device identification designated herein N b , which is unique to each product and which may be in the form of an SSID in, e.g., non-limiting wireless applications. 
         [0020]    At step ( 1 ), at the POS  101  the user&#39;s account information (e.g., account name and password that among other things identify the user&#39;s home network) are input to the terminal  103 . The account information may be provided by the user directly and input to the terminal  103  manually. Or, the account information may be borne on the user card  109  which can be issued by the manufacture or service provider. The user account information can be recorded on the card  109  on a magnetic strip thereof, or using optical code, IC memory, etc. In this case, the terminal  103  is connected to the card reader  110  to retrieve those data. Alternatively, when the purchase order is placed online, the user may input the account information together with making the purchase. 
         [0021]    At step ( 2 ), the temporary device ID N b  is also input through the terminal  103 . Then, at step ( 3 ) the user account information and the temporary device ID N b  are both transferred to the server  104 . 
         [0022]    Moving to step ( 4 ), the server  104  accesses its user account database and to retrieve corresponding data for the account identified by the account information received at step ( 3 ), also associating the unique device ID with the corresponding home network. The server  104  adds new data to the account record, specifically that a new device with device ID=N b  is in a pending status for network set up. In other words, the server  104  sets the “device registration status” to “pending”, and then waits for the user to access the account. 
         [0023]    This access is shown at step ( 5 ) of  FIG. 2 , wherein the user by means of the PC  108  accesses the server with the user account information. In response, at step ( 6 ) the server  104  notifies the PC  108  (or equivalently an application running thereon) that a new device is in the setup pending status, with the server delivering the temporary device ID N b  to the PC  108 . 
         [0024]    At step ( 7 ) the PC  108  records the device ID N b  to a registered device list, categorizing it as, e.g., “suspended”. The PC  108  also sends the device ID N b  to the WAP  107  preferably using the main channel already established with an SSID=N a . 
         [0025]    At step ( 8 ), upon receiving the device ID N b , the WAP  107  sets the SSID of the subchannel mentioned above to be equal to the device ID N b , also calculating the subchannel WEP key to be a function of N b . The function used to calculate the WEP key may be a secret function commonly implemented for or by the WAP  107  and WNP  102 . 
         [0026]    Proceeding to step ( 9 ), the WNP  102  searches for the WAP  107  by scanning for access points in accordance with WAP scanning principles known in the art. This may be invoked by the user from a setup menu, or alternatively it may be started automatically when the power is turned on first time by the user. By scanning, the WNP  102  discovers the subchannel with an SSID=N b . Additionally, at step ( 10 ) the WNP  102  also sets its SSID to be the device ID N b  and its WEP key to be the above-discussed function of the device ID N b . As a consequence, the WNP  102  can establish a wireless communication connection with the WAP  107  over the subchannel. 
         [0027]    With the subchannel communication established, at step ( 11 ) the WAP  107  sends the SSID N a  of the main channel to the WNP  102  via the subchannel. Now having the main channel SSID, at step ( 12 ) the WNP  102  changes its SSID to be the main channel SSID N a  and also sets its WEP key to be a function of the main channel SSID N a , establishing communication with the WAP  107  through the main channel. In this way, security of the main channel SSID and WEP keys of the home network is preserved. 
         [0028]    Completing the logic, at step ( 13 ) the WNP  102  sends a message to the WAP  107  to notify the WAP  107  that communication with the WNP  102  is now over the main channel with SSID=N a . Upon receiving the message, at step ( 14 ) the WAP  107  deactivates the subchannel and preferably erases the SSID of the subchannel. The WAP  107  then notifies the PC  108  that the WNP  102  is now added to the network and available for communication. If desired, at step ( 15 ) the PC  108  can change the status of the WNP  102  in the registered device list from “suspended” to “active”. 
         [0029]    It may now be appreciated that using the logic of  FIG. 2 , advantageously the user is requested to do nothing beyond the purchase steps to add a new device to the home network other than to provide user account information at the time of purchase. 
         [0030]    It is to be understood that while in the above example the PC accesses the server to learn of the new device, in other implementations the server can push the new device information to the PC without being asked. It is to be further understood that while a wireless network with SSID is described above in the non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the invention is not limited to wireless networks, but can be applied to other types of networks such as powerline or phoneline communication networks. In these cases, network identification ID is used, corresponding to SSID in the case of wireless, and it depends on each network type and can be transferred in the same way as the SSID described above. It is to be further understood that the WAP  107  may be incorporated into the PC  108 . 
         [0031]    While the particular SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK SETUP OF WIRELESS DEVICE AT POINT OF SALE is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7