GB2433393A

GB2433393A - Wireless network sharing device with enhanced setup

Info

Publication number: GB2433393A
Application number: GB0525440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chi-Chung Chen; Tzu-Li Huang
Original assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Giga Byte Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2005-12-14
Publication date: 2007-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-14
Also published as: GB2433393B; GB0525440D0

Abstract

A wireless access sharing device which allows multiple other devices (eg PCs, laptops, PDAs, mobile phones) to connect to its wired ports (eg. ethernet, IEEE 1394, USB) and thereby obtain access to a wireless network (eg. IEEE 802.11, Hiper LAN, HomeRF or Bluetooth (rtm)) is disclosed. The access sharing device monitors its wired connections to detect the presence of connected devices and opens an interface for user setup when a device is discovered. The user then sets the desired wireless network parameters (eg SSID, channel, transmission rate) using the interface and gains wireless network access via the wireless sharing device. Setup may involve manually entering parameters into a web page presented by the wireless device or by automatically loading pre-recorded sets of parameters.

Description

A WIRELESS NETWORK SHARING SYSTEM AND A LINKING METHOD

THEREOF

The present invention relates to a wireless network sharing system and a linking s method thereof. In particular, this invention uses a wireless network accessing device and a setting method for a general wireless network card to link with another wireless network accessing device or another wireless network sharing system.

On the Internet, a wireless network client workstation communicates with another network or wireless network client workstation via a wireless network access point. The wireless network structure is defined in the IEEE 802.11, HiperLAN, HomeRF or Bluetooth standards. A wireless network access point is a typical hardware device and is used as a router that allows the users connect to the Internet.

A company usually installs a plurality of wireless network access points in a wireless network that is based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. However, if the wireless network access points are too close to each other, problems, such as interference arise. At the same time, a setting procedure needs to be executed in the wireless network access points before the wireless network access points can communicate with other wireless devices. The setting procedure includes selecting a communication mode (such as ad-hoc mode or basic structure mode), a communication channel, an ESS-ID and an encryption code (such as WEP). It is quite complicated when the setting procedure is performed to make the wireless network access points cover the entire communication range.

U S patent application US2002/01 96763A1, entitled "Wireless network system software protocol" discloses a software protocol. The software protocol makes the wireless network access points automatically communicate with the server when the wireless network access points are linking to the wireless network. The protocol eliminates the need for the setting procedure to be performed.

U.S. patent application US2003/0092395A1, entitled "Wireless communication device" discloses a communication implementation technology that is implemented between wireless communication devices. The device allows a computer embedded with a wireless network card to communicate with the wireless network access points. FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of the communication implementation technology. The steps include setting a parameter transmitting procedure (S 100), inputting the setting parameter (S102), receiving the setting command (S104), turning on a short distance communication module (S106), transmitting the setting parameter (S108) and turning on a standard communication module (SIlO).

is U.S. patent application US2004/0166897A1, entitled "Wireless base station, control method for the same, program for implementing the method" discloses a method that ensures wireless communication devices can communicate with each other when they are operating in an overlapping communications package.

U.S patent US2005/0078624, entitled " Method and apparatus for automatic configuration of wireless networks" discloses a method that automatically sets the configuration for a wireless network (such as a wireless LAN). The apparatus requires that a soft wireless network accessing point be embedded into a computer. The computer links with a plurality of computers via Ethernet linking ports and links with a plurality of computers having wireless network cards via wireless accessing points. Therefore, these computers communicate with each other. FIG. 2 shows the schematic diagram of the apparatus for automatic configuration of wireless networks. The apparatus includes a host computer 10, a plurality of wire network computers 12 having a wire network function and a plurality of wireless network computers 14 having a wireless network function.

The host computer 10 has Ethernet linking ports 100 and soft wireless network accessing points 102. The host computer 10 establishes a communication link between the Ethernet linking ports 100 and the soft wireless network accessing points 102 according to wireless communication protocol 1020. The wired s network computers 12 having a network function are connected to the host computer 10 via the Ethernet linking ports 100. The wireless network computers 14 are connected to the host computer 10 via the soft wireless network accessing points 102 and transmit data according to the wireless communication protocol 1020.

However, if a single wireless LAN is built between two locations using the above mentioned methods, both locations need to set up wireless network access points and set the complicated parameters of the wireless network or bridge with each other via a wireless distribution system. The above method requires two is wireless network access points and the user must understand the principles underlying a wireless distribution system well as well as how to set up the wireless network access points. After the user sets the parameters of the two wireless network access points, the wireless networks can be linked together.

However, as is clear from the above description, setting the parameters, maintaining the wireless network and solving any problem that may arise is extremely complex and inconvenient for a user.

The present invention aims to provide a simpler method that overcomes or alleviates many of the problems caused by the prior art.

The invention is defined in the independent claims.

One particular aim of the present invention is to provide a wireless network sharing method that makes it easier for setting up a single wireless network between two locations. The user can use a simplified setting method for a general wireless network card to set up the wireless network via a wireless network sharing system of the present invention. Thereby, the wireless network sharing system can be linked to another wireless network access point or another wireless network sharing system.

In one embodiment the wireless network sharing system includes a wireless network sharing device, a wireless network access device, a plurality of portable devices and a server host. The wireless network access device connects with the wireless network sharing device via a wireless method The plurality of portable devices connect with the wireless network sharing device via a wireless method.

The server host connects with the wireless network access device via a LAN.

The present invention also provides a linking method for the wireless network sharing system.

For further understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description illustrating the embodiments and examples of the invention.

The description is only for illustrating the invention and is not intended to limit of the scope of the claims.

The drawings included herein provide a further understanding of the preferred embodiments. A brief introduction of the drawings is as follows: FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for setting up wireless communication between wireless communication apparatuses of the prior art; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a wireless network auto-setting apparatus of the

prior art,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a wireless network sharing system of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a linking method for the wireless network sharing system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a wireless network sharing system in accordance with the present invention. The wireless network sharing system includes a wireless network sharing device 20, a wireless network access device 22, a plurality of portable devices 24 and a server host 26. The wireless network access device 22 connects with the wireless network sharing device 20 via a wireless method The wireless method is according to a wireless communication protocol, such as IEEE 802.1X. The plurality of portable devices 24 can be desktop PCs, laptops, personal digital assistants or cell phones that have connecting interface ports. The plurality of portable devices 24 connect with the wireless network sharing device 20 via the connecting interface ports using a wired method. The connecting interface ports can be IEEE 1394, Ethernet or USB ports. The server host 26 connects with the wireless network access device 22 via a LAN.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a linking method for the wireless network sharing system in accordance with the present invention. Firstly, the first wireless sharing device of the wireless network sharing system that is located within the same network is turned on (S200). The turning on operation is executed by triggering firmware stored in the first wireless sharing device via an external triggering signal. Next, at least one computer that is located within the same network is detected and is connected with the first wireless sharing device using a wired method (S202). The wired method means that the computer connects directly with the first wireless sharing device by using a cable via a USB, IEEE 1394 or Ethernet connecting port. If a connection is made, a user setting interface of the first wireless sharing device is opened (S204). If a connection is not made, the step S202 is repeated. According to the type of the connecting port of the first wireless sharing device, corresponding driving software that is stored in the first wireless sharing device is used to drive the first wireless sharing device. The user setting interface is opened by using an Internet browser to open a web page.

Next, a plurality of setting parameters are filled into a plurality of parameter blank tables of the user setting interface for a wireless network card (S206). The step of filling out the plurality of setting parameters can be done either automatically or manually. The manual method involves the user inputting the setting parameters into a corresponding location in the user setting interface. The automatic method involves a user recorded file directly loading the selling parameters into the corresponding location in the user setting interface. The user recorded file records the setting parameter of the first wireless sharing device in advance (including an operation mode, a channel, an SSID and a transmission rate). After the setting parameters are set, the wireless network function of the first wireless sharing device is initialized via the user setting interface (S208). Next, the wireless network function of the first wireless sharing device is executed (S210).

The next step involves scanning and searching for a wireless accessing point or a second wireless sharing device within the same network (S212). Next, the first wireless sharing device is linked with the wireless accessing point or the second wireless sharing device (S214). The next step involves accessing the network resource and service of the wireless accessing point or the second wireless sharing device via the computer that is connected with the first wireless sharing device (S216).

The most important characteristic of the present embodiment is that the user can link to the wireless accessing point or another wireless sharing device via the wireless sharing device and a setting method of a general wireless network card.

The user does therefore not need to learn a complicated procedure required by the prior art method. Therefore, the range of the wired network is enlarged and more network resources can be accessed via the wireless network sharing system of the described embodiment. A computer linking with the wireless sharing device can still use a general network service; for example, obtaining a dynamic IP The present embodiment can allow a computer or a device (such as, a cell phone, a PDA or a laptop) that only has a wired network card to access the wireless network resource. For example, in a public wireless network, a lot of users can link to the wireless sharing device via the cable and link to the wireless network.

The described linking method for the wireless network sharing system uses at least one network apparatus (such as a computer or a apparatus having a network card) to link with the setting interface of the wireless sharing device via a is cable The setting parameters of a general wireless network card can then be filled in Therefore, the wireless sharing device links to the wireless access point or another wireless sharing device via a wireless station. Thereby, many of the network apparatuses that link with the wireless sharing device can access the remote network resource and service via the sharing device and the access point.

The description above only illustrates specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A wireless network sharing system, comprising: a wireless network sharing device; S a wireless network access device, arranged to connect with the wireless network sharing device by a wireless method; a plurality of portable devices, arranged to connect with the wireless network sharing device by a wired method; and a server host, arranged to connect with the wireless network access device via a

LAN

2. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable devices are desk computers, laptops, PDAs or cell phones.

is 3. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the portable devices have a connection interface port.

4. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection interface port is an IEEE 1394, an Ethernet or a USB connection port.

5. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the portable devices link the wireless network sharing device via the connection interface port using a wired method.

6. A linking method for a wireless network sharing system, comprising: turning on the first wireless sharing device of the wireless network sharing system that is located within the network; detecting whether at least one computer that is located within the same network connects with the first wireless sharing device using a wired method; opening a user setting interface of the first wireless sharing device; filling in the user setting interface with a plurality of setting parameters for a linking the first wireless sharing device with a wireless accessing point or a second wireless sharing device; and accessing the network resource and service of the wireless accessing point or the second wireless sharing device via the computer that connects with the first wireless sharing device.

7. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the result of the step of detecting whether at least one computer that is located within the same network connects with the first wireless sharing device by a wired method is affirmative, opening a user setting interface of the first wireless sharing device.

is 8. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the wired method uses the computer to connect directly with the first wireless sharing device by using a cable via a USB, an IEEE 1394 or an Ethernet connecting port.

9. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the user setting interface is opened by using an Internet browser.

10. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the step of filling is an automatic method or a manual method.

11. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the manual method means the user inputs the setting parameters into the corresponding location in the user setting interface.

12. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the automatic method is a user recorded file directly loads the setting parameters into the corresponding location in the user setting interface.

13. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user recorded file records the setting parameter of the first wireless sharing device in advance.

14. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the setting parameter comprises an operation mode, a channel, an SSID and a transmitting rate.

15. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in any is of claims 6 to 14, wherein the step of filling in the user setting interface with a plurality of setting parameters of a wireless network card further comprises: initializing the wireless network function of the first wireless sharing device via the user setting interface; executing the wireless network function of the first wireless sharing device; and scanning and searching a wireless accessing point or a second wireless sharing device within the same network.

16. A a wireless network sharing system substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A linking method for a wireless network sharing system, the method being substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been made as follows 1. A wireless network sharing system, comprising: a wireless network sharing device; a wireless network access device, arranged to connect with the wireless network sharing device by a wireless method; a plurality of portable devices, arranged to connect with the wireless network sharing device by a wired method; and a server host, arranged to connect with the wireless network access device via a LAN.

2. A wireless network sharing system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of portable devices are arranged to connect with the wireless network by directly loading, from a user recorded file, previously recorded setting parameters into is the corresponding locations in a user setting interface.

3. A wireless network sharing system according to claim 2 wherein the setting parameters comprise an operation mode, a channel, an SSID and a transmitting rate.

4. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the portable devices are desk computers, laptops, PDAs or cell phones.

5. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the portable devices have a connection interface port.

6. The wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connection interface port is an IEEE 1394, an Ethernet or a USB connection port.

7. A linking method for a wireless network sharing system, comprising: turning on the first wireless sharing device of the wireless network sharing system that is located within the network; detecting whether at least one of a plurality of portable devices that is located within the same network connects with the first wireless sharing device using a wired method; opening a user setting interface of the first wireless sharing device; filling in the user setting interface with a plurality of setting parameters for a linking the first wireless sharing device with a wireless accessing point or a io second wireless sharing device; and accessing the network resource and service of the wireless accessing point or the second wireless sharing device via the portable device that connects with the first wireless sharing device.

8. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the result of the step of detecting whether at least one portable

CC

device that is located within the same network connects with the first wireless sharing device by a wired method is affirmative, opening a user setting interface of the first wireless sharing device.

9. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim S 7 or claim 8, wherein the wired method uses the portable device to connect directly with the first wireless sharing device by using a cable via a USB, an IEEE 1394 or an Ethernet connecting port.

10. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the user setting interface is opened by using an Internet browser.

11. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the step of filling is an automatic method.

12. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the automatic method utilises a user recorded file which directly loads the previously recorded setting parameters into the corresponding locations in the user setting interface.

13. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the setting parameters comprise an operation mode, a channel, an SSID and a transmitting rate.

14. The linking method for a wireless network sharing system as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein the step of filling in the user setting interlace with a plurality of setting parameters of a wireless network card further comprises: is initializing the wireless network function of the first wireless sharing device via the user setting interface; executing the wireless network function of the first wireless sharing device; and scanning and searching a wireless accessing point or a second wireless sharing device within the same network.

15. A wireless network sharing system substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A linking method for a wireless network sharing system, the method being substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

B