US 2014/0192795 A1 · Secure wireless network-based activation for table-side information and point-of-sale devices

Abstract

A new table-side device is seamlessly and securely integrated to an existing (primary) Wi-Fi network within an operating environment at a restaurant location. The location includes a data management server (DMS) for managing the local operations of devices operating there. The device being installed at the location is auto-configured into the primary Wi-Fi network by being provided with a default Wi-Fi profile that only enables the device to be activated on an activation Wi-Fi network also available at the location. Once the device activates to the Wi-Fi activation network, it requests activation onto the primary Wi-Fi network from a cloud-based data center. The data center requests an activation password from the local DMS. The local DMS generates an activation bundle, which is then returned and eventually instantiated on the device to complete the activation. Once activated, the device updates its Wi-Fi profile to now executed on the primary Wi-Fi network.

Claims17

Dependent claims

Apparatus to configure a table-side device into a first Wi-Fi network operative at a physical location, comprising:

a hardware processor;
computer memory that stores computer program instructions, the computer program instructions executed in the hardware processor and comprising:
program code operative upon receipt of an activation request to verify an activation code included in the activation request and to generate an activation response, the activation code having been received at the table-side device upon association of the table-side device with a second Wi-Fi network operative at the physical location and that is distinct from the first Wi-Fi network, the table-side device being restricted from associating with the first Wi-Fi network based on a default Wi-Fi profile initially configured into the table-side device;
program code to output the activation response, the activation response including a new Wi-Fi profile adapted to replace the default Wi-Fi profile upon instantiation at the table-side device to activate the table-side device for use on the first Wi-Fi network.

1 more element

A method to configure a table-side device into a first Wi-Fi network operative at a physical location, comprising:

receiving an activation request associated with a table-side device having a default Wi-Fi profile and no other active Wi-Fi profile, the table-side device having associated with a second Wi-Fi network using the default Wi-Fi profile, the second Wi-Fi network operative at the physical location, and the default Wi-Fi profile being restricted for use except to enable association of the table-side device with the second Wi-Fi network using the default Wi-Fi profile;
verifying an activation code included in the activation request, the activation code having been received at the table-side device upon association of the table-side device with a second Wi-Fi network using the default Wi-Fi profile;
and
upon verification, generating an activation response, the activation response including a new Wi-Fi profile adapted to replace the default Wi-Fi profile upon instantiation at the table-side device to activate the table-side device for use on the first Wi-Fi network;
wherein at least one of the receiving, verifying and generating steps is carried out in software executing in a hardware element.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Secure wireless network-based activation for table-side information and point-of-sale devices

Life of this patent

Secure wireless network-based activation for table-side information and point-of-sale devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17