Patent Abstract:
A network device such as a wireless network device is configured using information input from a user computer or a user telephone for a specific home network to which the device will belong. This may be accomplished by obtaining from the user account information which is sent to a configuration server that automatically sets up the device for network use without the users further direct involvement.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for the network set-up of wireless devices from the wireless network itself or an external user computer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     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 passwords 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. 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. 
     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 
     A method is disclosed for configuring a network device for a network. The network includes, at a user computer or user telecommunication device, receiving as input a device identification (ID) unique to the network device, and using the user computer or telecommunication device to provide the device ID to an Internet server. The device ID is sent from the server to a network component in the network and used as a temporary network ID to establish communication between the component and the device. The method then includes sending a main network ID from the component to the device, and subsequently using the main network ID in communication between the device and the network. 
     In non-limiting implementations the main network ID may be for a main channel and initially may be sent to the device on a subchannel using the temporary network ID. In some embodiments the subchannel is deactivated after communication is established with the device over the main channel. The network device can be a wireless device, in which case the temporary network ID can be a service set identifier (SSID), and the main network ID can be a SSID. A password such as a wired equivalent piracy (WEP) key can be derived as a function of the device ID. 
     In another aspect, a network device associated with a unique device ID input by a user from inside or outside a home network uses the device ID as a network ID to obtain a main network ID over a subchannel of a home network. The network device also sets the device ID to be the main network ID, and subsequently communicates with a main channel of the home network using the main network ID. 
     In still another aspect, a system includes means for providing a device ID unique to a network device. The means for providing is established by a user computer or user telecommunication apparatus. The system also has means for providing the device ID to a home network, means for communicating a main network ID to the device over the home network using the device ID as a temporary network ID, and means for subsequently using the main network ID to establish communication between the device and at least one component on the network. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a non-limiting system in accordance with present principles; 
         FIG. 2  is a logic chart illustrating non-limiting steps in accordance with present principles; and 
         FIG. 3  is yet another logic chart illustrating non-limiting steps in accordance with present principles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a system is shown, generally designated  50 , which includes a home network, generally designated  100 . The system  50  includes a user computer  101  communicating within the home network  100  using a wireless access point (WAP)  102 . In turn, the WAP  102  receives data through a modem  103  that has the ability to communicate directly with a server  106 . The home network  100  can also include one or more wireless network devices (WND)  104 . In any case, it will readily be appreciated that the home network  100  communicates with external components, including the Internet, through the modem  103 . 
     Additionally,  FIG. 1  shows that a user computer  105  which is external to the home network  100  may be provided and may communicate directly with a server  106  over the Internet. Either user computer  101 ,  105  can be a users home personal computer, laptop computer, or any other device capable of bilateral communication with the server  106 . 
     The wireless network device (WND)  104  requires wireless network access to achieve functionality. At least a unique device ID can be stored in the WND  104 . Without limitation the WND  104  may be a digital still or video camera, digital music player, wireless digital TV, etc. 
     In addition to the user computer  105  that is external to the home network  100 , the logic of  FIGS. 2 and 3  below may envision use of; a telecommunication device  107  that also can be external to the home network and that has the capability to communicate with a phone registration system  108  that in turn has the capability to communicate bilaterally with the server  106 . 
     As set forth further below, the user computer  101 , external user computer  105 , or telecommunication device  107  may be used to transmit data about the WND  104  to the server  106 . Sales and product information (product type, unique device ID, cost, etc.) as well as user data (name, address, and other registration information) are non-limiting examples of the types of data that may be input using the user computer  101 , external user computer  105 , or telecommunication device  107  such as a wireless telephone. 
     In non-limiting embodiments the WAP  102  has a capability to communicate at least with the WND  104  over two wireless channels (main and subchannel), each of which is specified by a respective SSID and WEP key. In one implementation the SSID of the main channel may be designated “Na”, and the WEP key can be calculated by a specific function F(x), which is commonly implemented in the WND  104  as well. 
     It is to be understood that without limitation the user computer  101 , WND  104 , external user computer  105 , server  106 , and phone registration system  108  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  and/or  FIG. 3 . 
     As an initial matter prior to discussing the logic of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a user of the home network  100  can have an account that may be obtained by registration of some network device and/or for some network service. The server  106  can store the user account information. In the following example, the user account is assumed to be associated with the user computer  101 , even if a user initiates communication with the server  106  from the computer  105  or telecommunication device  107  that are external to the home network  100 , and/or an application executed by any of the three devices referenced above. 
     With the above in mind, reference is now made to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which show embodiments of logic in accordance with present principles. The WND  104  is associated with an initial temporary device identification designated herein Nb, which is unique to each product and which may be in the form of an SSID in, e.g., non-limiting wireless applications. 
     With specific reference to  FIG. 2 , the steps for registering the WND  104  from a user computer  101  inside the home network  100  are shown. At step ( 1 ), the user enters registration information from the user computer  101 , and then at step ( 2 ), this information is submitted to the server  106  through the internet. The information can include the temporary device ID Nb and user account information (e.g., account name and password that among other things identify the user&#39;s home network). 
     Moving to step ( 3 ), the user is notified of the completion of the registration for the WND  104 . The user computer  101  may record the device ID Nb to a registered device list, categorizing it as, e.g., “suspended”. The user computer  101  then sends the device ID Nb to the WAP  102  over the main channel described above. 
     At step ( 4 ), upon receiving the device ID Nb, the WAP  102  sets the SSID of the subchannel mentioned above to be equal to the device ID Nb, also calculating the subchannel WEP key to be a function of Nb. The function used to calculate the WEP key may be a secret function commonly implemented for or by the WAP  102  and WND  104 . 
     Proceeding to step ( 5 ), the WND  104  searches for the WAP  102  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 WND  104  discovers the subchannel with an SSID=Nb. Additionally, at step ( 6 ) the WND  104  also sets its SSID to be the device ID Nb and its WEP key to be the above-discussed function of the device ID Nb. As a consequence, the WND  104  can establish a wireless communication connection with the WAP  102  over the subchannel. 
     With the subchannel communication established, at step ( 7 ) the WAP  102  sends the SSID Na of the main channel to the WND  104  via the subchannel. Now having the main channel SSID, at step ( 8 ) the WND  104  changes its SSID to be the main channel SSID Na and also sets its WEP key to be a function of the main channel SSID Na, establishing communication with the WAP  102  through the main channel. In this way, security of the main channel SSID and WEP keys of the home network is preserved. 
     Completing the logic, at step ( 9 ) the WND  104  sends a message to the WAP  102  to notify the WAP  102  that communication with the WND  104  is now over the main channel with SSID=Na. Upon receiving the message, at step ( 10 ) the WAP  102  deactivates the subchannel and preferably erases the SSID of the subchannel. The WAP  102  then notifies the user computer  101  that the WND  104  is now added to the network and available for communication. If desired, at step ( 11 ) the user computer  101  can change the status of the WND  104  in the registered device list from “suspended” to “active”. 
     Moving to  FIG. 3 , the steps for registering the WND  104  from all external user computer  105  outside the home network  100  are shown. At step ( 1 ), the user enters the users account information (e.g., account name and password that among other things identify the user&#39;s home network) from the external user computer  105 . At step ( 2 ), the temporary device ID Nb is also input through the external user computer  105 . Then, at step ( 3 ) the user account information and the temporary device ID Nb are both transferred to the server  106 . 
     Moving to step ( 4 ), the server  106  accesses its user account database to retrieve corresponding data for the account identified by the account information received at step ( 3 ), associating the user account information received at step ( 3 ) with the user computer  101 . The server  106  adds new data to the account record, specifically that a new device with device ID=Nb is in a pending status for network set up. In other words, the server  106  sets the “device registration status” to “pending”, and then waits for the user to access the account from the user computer  101 . 
     This access is shown at step ( 5 ) of  FIG. 3 , wherein the user by means of the user computer  101  accesses the server  106  with the user account information. In response, at step ( 6 ) the server  106  notifies the user computer  101  (or equivalently an application running thereon) that a new device is in the setup pending status, with the server delivering the temporary device ID Nb to the user computer  101 . 
     At step ( 7 ) the user computer  101  records the device ID Nb to a registered device list, categorizing it as, e.g., “suspended”. The user computer  101  also sends the device ID Nb to the WAP  102  preferably using the main channel already established with an SSID=Na. 
     At step ( 8 ), upon receiving the device ID Nb, the WAP  102  sets the SSID of the subchannel mentioned above to be equal to the device ID Nb, also calculating the subchannel WEP key to be a function of Nb. The function used to calculate the WEP key may be a secret function commonly implemented for or by the WAP  102  and WND  104 . 
     Proceeding to step ( 9 ), the WND  104  searches for the WAP  102  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 WND  104  discovers the subchannel with an SSID=Nb. Additionally, at step ( 10 ) the WND  104  also sets its SSID to be the device ID Nb and its WEP key to be the above-discussed function of the device ID Nb. As a consequence, the WND  104  can establish a wireless communication connection with the WAP  102  over the subchannel. 
     With the subchannel communication established, at step ( 11 ) the WAP  102  sends the SSID Na of the main channel to the WND  104  via the subchannel. Now having the main channel SSID, at step ( 12 ) the WND  104  changes its SSID to be the main channel SSID Na and also sets its WEP key to be a function of the main channel SSID Na, establishing communication with the WAP  102  through the main channel. In this way, security of the main channel SSID and WEP keys of the home network is preserved. 
     Completing the logic, at step ( 13 ) the WND  104  sends a message to the WAP  102  to notify the WAP  102  that communication with the WND  104  is now over the main channel with SSID=Na. Upon receiving the message, at step ( 14 ) the WAP  102  deactivates the subchannel and preferably erases the SSID of the subchannel. The WAP  102  then notifies the user computer  101  that the WND  104  is now added to the network and available for communication. If desired, at step ( 15 ) the user computer  101  can change the status of the WND  104  in the registered device list from “suspended” to “active”. 
     The logic of  FIG. 3  may be executed using the telecommunication device  107  instead of the external user computer  105 . For a user to register the WND  104  from a telecommunication device  107 , the WND  104  manufacturer can provide a telecommunication system that may communicate bilaterally with the server  106  through an automated phone registration system (PRS)  108 . When the telecommunication device  107  is used, the information in steps  1 - 3  of  FIG. 3  are input using, e.g., a keypad on the telecommunications device  107 . 
     It may now be appreciated that using the logic of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , advantageously the user is requested to do nothing beyond the purchase steps to add a new device to the home network other than to initially provide basic user account information using a familiar device such as a computer or telephone when first connecting the WND  104 . 
     It is to be understood that while in the above examples the user 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  102  may be incorporated into the user computer  101 . 
     While the particular SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NETWORK SETUP OF WIRELESS DEVICE 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