Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
1901
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY CONNECTING AN ELECTRONICS
DEVICE TO A WIRELESS NETWORK
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to Canadian Patent Application No. 2,646,871
filed on 17 December 2008, entitled "Handheld Electronic Device and Docking
Station Wireless
System," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100021 Embodiments of this invention relate to a method for connecting a
wireless
electronic device, henceforth known as a station, to a wireless network by
utilizing another
device, henceforth known as a client. The method addresses and overcomes
certain key
limitations of both the station and the client, such as, no input means on the
station to select and
access dedicated networks itself, and the inability of some clients to detect
all available
networks, in the case of a wireless networks. In the practice of the
embodiments of the invention,
the user of the client need only know the password of the network to connect
to it, and in the
cases of unprotected networks would not need even the password in order to
connect. The client
obtains all the network configuration data, such as network name and
encryption, however not
the password, from the station and, in return, sends the password of the
encrypted network it
desires to connect to back to the station so it can then connect to that
network. The embodiments
of the invention include the network configuration data receiving client and
the network
configuration data transmitting station.
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100031 Today there are many networks, many being wireless utilizing a user-
configurable network name, or SSID, such that if a new device wants to join a
specific network it
needs to scan the area, detect the available networks and then connect to it.
It is even more
complicated if the desired network is password protected. However, such
networks suffer from
several problems.
100041 One problem is that connecting to a wireless network is intimidating
for many
people and a serious technical challenge for anyone who is not comfortable
with such technology
or networks. Many people would not have any idea how to detect a network and
then provide the
relevant information to the device that wants to connect in order to allow it
to connect. This is
much worse for the user if the network is encrypted with a password.
100051 Further, it requires the user to know the details of the network to
which they
want to connect. For example, for an encrypted network, they need to know the
network name,
or SSID, the password and the encryption protocol used on the network, such as
the WPA or
WEP encryption schemes.
100061 Further, more and more electronic devices within the home and office
are
using both wired and wireless protocols such as Wi-FI or Bluetooth to
communicate across
both wide and local area networks. Users wanting to connect to those devices
need to be able to
connect to, and often switch between, these networks quickly and easily.
100071 Further, wireless devices that desire to connect to encrypted wireless
network
must have an input means, such as a keyboard and display, that allow a user to
input the
password to the encrypted network. This is not always feasible or appropriate
for some
2
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
electronics devices, such as consumer electronics devices like music player
stations. It adds cost,
complexity and can impact the esthetic appeal of these consumer electronics.
100081 Further, clients, for example handheld wireless devices such as
smartphones,
could be used to tell the station which network to connect to and provide it
with the password.
However, many clients have limited or no support to connect to point to point
networks as they
are designed for business users with the primary purpose of working in shared
network
environments. In addition, some clients cannot detect certain networks around
them and
therefore may not be able to detect a desired network. If the client cannot
detect the networks
around them, then they are not capable of instructing the station.
100091 There is, therefor, a need for a method to allow wireless stations to
connect to
networks quickly, easily and without having to add additional complexity added
to them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100101 In order that the embodiments of the invention may be better
understood, a
preferred embodiment will now be described by way of example only wherein
100111 Fig. 1 is a block diagram representing the architecture of a handheld
device
according to the prior art;
100121 Fig. 2 is a diagram representing the existing method of connecting a
station to
a wireless network via an external client according to the prior art;
100131 Fig. 3 is a diagram representing the existing method of connecting a
station to
a wireless network utilizing direct inputs to the station according to the
prior art;
3
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
100141 Fig. 4 is a diagram representing an embodiment of the invention wherein
a
client wirelessly communicates with a station to connect the station to a
wireless network;
100151 Fig. 5 is a diagram representing an embodiment of the invention wherein
a
client communicates with a station via wired means to connect the station to a
wireless network;
100161 Fig. 6 is a software flowchart representing the operational
relationship within
and between a client and the station in order to connect the station to a
wireless network, per an
embodiment of the invention; and
100171 Fig. 7 represents a software flowchart representing the operational
relationship
within and between a music station and a client.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
100181 It is an object of the embodiments of the present invention to provide
a
method to allow users to connect their wireless electronics device, henceforth
known as a station,
to a desired network quickly and easily through communication with another
wireless device,
henceforth known as a client. The station, which has no user input means such
as a keyboard, is
much more capable of receiving the list of available wireless networks than
the client, therefore
sends the network data, sans encryption password, to the client, which does
have user input
means such as a keyboard. The user selects which network they desire the
station to connect to
and if it is encrypted, they also enter the password of that network. The
selected network and
potential password are sent back to the station thereby allowing the station
to connect to the
desired wireless, and potentially encrypted, network.
4
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
100191 Accordingly, in one aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a
client
comprising
[00201 a housing;
100211 activation on-off means;
100221 display face;
100231 means for receiving and transmitting data;
100241 user controls and instructing means to enable device to perform tasks;
100251 characterized in further comprising
[00261 network identification data storage means for storing network
identification
data;
100271 means for receiving said network identification data for storage in
said storage
means;
100281 means for operably using to said network identification data to
wirelessly
transmit complete network data to connect to a network; and
100291 means for wirelessly transmitting complete network data to other
devices.
100301 By the term "network identification data" in this specification and
claims is
meant digital data that comprises network name and other configuration
settings to identify a
specific network and may optionally include network encryption type.
100311 By the term "complete network data" in this specification and claims is
meant
digital data that comprises said network identification data and associated
password or similar
type data that allows user access to the network.
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
100321 Accordingly, in one aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a
station comprising
100331 a housing;
100341 means for receiving and transmitting data;
100351 network data storage means for wirelessly receiving and storing a
plurality of
network identification data and complete network data;
100361 means for transmitting said network identification data to other
devices;
100371 means for receiving complete network data for storage in said network
data
storage means; and
[00381 means for operably using to said complete network data to wirelessly
connect
to a network.
100391 The connection means further comprises wired or wireless means.
100401 In a preferred aspect, the station, as hereinabove defined, in
communication
with speaker means external of said station.
100411 In one embodiment, the station comprises a printed circuit board (PCB)
in
which resides a central processor unit (CPU) connected to input/output
peripherals.
100421 There are five significant stages in setting up the connections for
both the
client and the station. Firstly, the station scans for available networks and
obtains the network
identification data for each. Secondly, it sends all the network
identification data to the client.
Thirdly, the client allows the user to select a network and input a password
if required, thereby
creating the complete network data. Fourthly, the complete network data is
transmitted back to
the station. Finally, the station uses the complete network data to connect to
the network.
6
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
100431 In a yet further aspect, the embodiments of the invention provide a
music data
wirelessly transmittable and receivable system comprising in combination a
handheld device, as
hereinabove defined, with a wirelessly receivable station as hereinabove
defined. Thus, the
embodiments of the present invention allow a user to overcome the shortcomings
of existing
systems by removing the need to physically connect the wireless device to the
media station to
connect both devices to a network. This is done by adding wireless support to
the media station,
either by integrating the technology directly into the media station, or by
creating a peripheral
accessory that can interface and transfer data to existing media stations. The
embodiments of the
present invention provide wireless support, and also preferably offers
numerous processes, such
as, to ensure security over risky networks; to ensure protocols and procedures
are in place should
the connection between the media station and the wireless device be lost; to
manage multiple
wireless devices potentially connected to the media station at the same time,
to support multiple
wireless handset manufacturers; notwithstanding each have different software
operating systems,
to minimize wireless handset power dissipation; and to minimize complexity of
installation or
use.
100441 The preferred method operation involves a music station with Wi-Fi
capabilities that should preferably be connected to wireless access point that
offers access
however user communication means such as a keyboard or display. This reduces
cost and
complexity however makes it more difficult to configure to user needs. A
client, such as an
Apple iPhone g, iPod touch or BlackBerry device will preferably connect to
the music station
through Wi-Fi means via the music station's independent, henceforth known as
ad hoc, Wi-Fi
connection. However, there is no limitation in having the client connect to
the music station
7
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
through wired means, such as an Ethernet cable. If done wirelessly, the client
will disconnect
temporarily from the Wi-Fi network to join the music stations' ad hoc network
in order to control
it.
100451 Once connected to the music station, the client can receive a list of
all the Wi-
Fi wireless networks that it sees, including whether it is encrypted, and if
so, what encryption
scheme it uses, such as WPA, WPA2 or WEP, however it does not receive the
password to the
network. The client allows the user to see a list of these networks from a
pull down list so that
the user never even needs to type in the name of the network and then to
choose which network
the user would like to connect to.
100461 If the user selects a non-encrypted network the client informs the
music
station and the music station proceeds to connect to the desired wireless
network, without the
user ever having to have actually typed the network name, thereby reducing any
change of user
input error.
100471 If the user selects an encrypted network, the client requests the user
to input
the password to the desired network. Once entered, the desired network, the
encryption type
(which is transparent to the user as they never need to worry what type of
encryption format is
used) and the password are sent to the music station to allow it to access the
desired encrypted
network. Once again, the user only needs to type the minimum amount of data
required to access
the network. The name of the network and the encryption time never need to be
actually type in.
100481 Once the music station connects to the desired network, the client
proceeds to
also connect to this network and even if it could not detect it earlier, it
now knows the name and
encryption time so once again, only the password needs to be entered if the
client desires to
8
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
connect to the same network as the music station, in order to further control
it, for example. If
the client and music station were physically connected via an Ethernet wire or
some other means,
the physical connection can be removed if the client no longer needs to
control the music station
or if the client intends to join the same wireless network as the music
station.
[00491 The embodiments of the invention obviate the need for the client to be
capable
of being able to detect all available networks or being able to forced to
understand and select the
network specifics, such as the network name and possible encryption format,
and to type theme
in manually.
100501 Further, the embodiments of the invention obviate the need for the
station
have to input or display means to allow users to manually type, at minimum,
the password to the
desired network thereby saving complexity, cost and potential esthetic issues.
Minimal
interaction with users minimizes the possibility of human error and
significantly reduces the
complexity required to manage such errors.
100511 Fig. 1 is a block diagram representing the architecture of a handheld
device
according to the prior art. The prior art handheld device architecture may
include a CPU 1, a
network data Storage media 2, a CPU memory Frame buffer 3, a user interface 4,
an I/O
interface 5, and a wireless modem 6.
100521 Fig. 2 is a diagram representing the existing method of connecting a
station to
a wireless network according via an external client to the prior art shown
generally as 20. A
client 22 manually types in, at minimum, the network name, the encryption type
and the
password to the network. The complete network data 24 is the transmitted to
the station 26 which
receives the data and then uses the network data 28 to obtain access to the
network 30.
9
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
100531 Fig. 3 is a diagram representing the existing method of connecting a
station to
a wireless network according via an external client to the prior art shown
generally as 40. A
client 42 manually types in, at minimum, the network name, the encryption type
and the
password to the network. The complete network data 44 is the transmitted to
the station 46 which
receives the data and then uses the network data 48 to obtain access to the
network 50.
100541 Fig. 4 is a diagram representing the existing method of connecting a
station to
a wireless network utilizing direct inputs according to the prior art shown
generally as 60. A
station 62 requires the user to type in, at minimum, the network name, the
encryption type and
the password to the network via a station and human bi-directional
communication means 64.
The complete network data 66 is then used to obtain access to the network 68.
100551 Fig. 5 is a diagram of a wireless network generally shown as 80, with a
music station 82 that desires to become a part of the wireless network 84
within the grouping
available wireless networks 86 that may or may not be completely visible to
client 88. Music
station 82 wirelessly transmits to network identification data 90 thereby
allowing Client 88 to
add necessary encryption details (i.e. password) to network identification
data 90 thereby
creating complete network data 92 and return it to music station 82 to allow
it to wirelessly
provide complete network data to network 84 in order to wirelessly join
network 84.
100561 Fig. 6 is a diagram of a wireless network generally shown as 100, with
a
music station 102 that desires to become a part of the wireless network 104
within the grouping
available wireless networks 106 that may or may not be completely visible to
client 108. Music
station 102 wirelessly transmits to network identification data via wired
connection 90 thereby
allowing Client 108 to add necessary encryption details (i.e. password) and
return complete
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
network data along wired connection 90 to allow it to wirelessly provide
complete network data
114 to network 104 in order to wirelessly join network 104.
100571 Fig. 7 represents a software flowchart representing the operational
relationship
within and between a music station and client according to an embodiment of
the invention
wherein 200 is in respect of the station and 300 of the client. The client may
request a direct
connection to the station, and the station may accept the client's request.
The client may request
that the station provide the client with a list of surrounding wireless access
points, and the station
may accept the client's request. The station may perform a wireless scan for
any surrounding
wireless access points. The station may then send a list of any available
wireless access points
found during the scan to the client. The client may accept the list of
available wireless access
points from the station and present the list to the end user of the client.
The client may request
that the station connect to a wireless access point selected from the list,
for example, by the end
user. The client may receive connection credentials from the end user, if
required for the
selected wireless access point, and send them to the station. The station may
accept the client's
request, and may verify that it can connect to the selected wireless access
point using the
credentials sent by the client. The station may send the results of the
connection verification
back to the client.
100581 The client may receive the results of the attempted verification from
the
station, and, if the results indicate that the station cannot connect to the
selected wireless access
point, the client may request that the end user verify the connection
credentials. After the end
user verifies the connection credentials, for example, by re-entering them
into the client, the
client may send the connection credentials back to the station with a request
to verify the
11
CA 02688181 2009-12-11
connection again. If the results of the attempted verification indicate that
the station can connect
to the selected wireless access point, the client may send a confirmation to
the station of the
request to connect to the selected wireless access point. The station may
accept the confirmed
request from the client, and may disconnect from the client and connect to the
selected wireless
access point. The client may disconnect from the station and also connect to
the selected
wireless access point.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred
embodiments of
the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to
those particular
embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are
functional or physical
equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described
and illustrated.
12
