System and method for network configuration and behavior control by proximity enabled devices

#In recent years, wireless communication methods such as wireless local area network (LAN) and Bluetooth have been increasingly used as means for communication between electronic devices such as cellular phone terminals, gaming devices, and television receivers and as means for communication between such a device and an access point. However, wireless communication involves the risk that the content of a communication may be intercepted and the risk that an outsider may invade the network.

#In order to avoid such risks, an “authentication” process is normally performed for a terminal that connects to a wireless network. In order to further enhance the security of the wireless LAN, the authentication operation itself is occasionally encrypted. Since wireless networks utilize radio waves for communication, network devices must be configured according to various wireless settings in order to communicate with a wireless access point. Hence, in order to make initial settings for starting communication, a user is required to perform operations such as checking an SSID (Service Set IDentifier) of a device to input the SSID, or selecting an SSID from a list, a password or key associated with wireless encryption settings required for secure communications with a wireless client computing device, and so forth.

#Typically, the required configuration settings are manually entered utilizing software on each client computing device desired to be connected to a wireless network. Manual wireless configuration methods however, suffer from a number of drawbacks. One drawback is that configuration settings must be entered each time a new device is added to a wireless network which requires a user to have an understanding of and access to the required settings. Further, technical knowledge is required to perform such operations, and therefore it is difficult for a user without such knowledge to even make settings.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for achieving network configuration and behavior control functionality, by proximity enabled devices, according to an embodiment.

#FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart example of a process for configuring and controlling a network, according to an embodiment.

#FIG. 3 depicts various embodiments of a mobile device for using the systems and processes described in this document.

#This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, methodologies or protocols described, as these may vary. The terminology used in this description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

#As used in this document, any word in singular form, along with the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the,” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in this document have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. All publications mentioned in this document are incorporated by reference. Nothing in this document is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this document are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”

#A “mobile device” refers to a portable computing device that includes an acceleration sensor, a processor, one or more wireless communication subsystems, and non-transitory, computer-readable memory. The memory may contain programming instructions in the form of a software application that, when executed by the processor, causes the device to perform one or more network configuration and control operations according to the programming instructions. Examples of suitable devices include portable electronic devices such as smartphones, personal digital assistants, tablet devices, electronic readers, personal computers, media players, satellite navigation devices and the like.