# US 8,572,700 B2 · Method and system for exchanging setup configuration protocol information in beacon frames in a WLAN > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,572,700 B2 - Document ID: US8572700B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/190,053 - Filed: 2011-07-25 - Published: 2011-12-22 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-18 - Assignees: Broadcom Corporation - Applicants: Henry Ptasinski; Edward Carter; Manoj Thawani; Manas Deb; Jeff Vadasz; Mahesh Iyer - Inventors: Henry Ptasinski; Edward Carter; Manoj Thawani; Manas Deb; Jeff Vadasz; Mahesh Iyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8572700B2 ## CPC - H04W 12/06: Authentication - H04L 41/0816: the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events - H04L 63/0846: {using time-dependent-passwords, e.g. periodically changing passwords} - H04L 63/12: {Applying verification of the received information (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32)} - H04W 12/50: Secure pairing of devices - H04W 24/02: Arrangements for optimising operational condition - H04L 63/162: {at the data link layer} - H04W 8/22: Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities - H04W 8/245: {from a network towards a terminal} - H04W 12/10: Integrity - H04W 12/12: Detection or prevention of fraud - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Certain aspects of a method for enabling exchange of information in a secure communication system may comprise configuring at least one 802.11 client station via authentication enablement information comprising data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed. The data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed may comprise a configuration window open field, which indicates a period when a configuration setup window is open. At least one client station may be configured via the authentication enablement information comprising recently configured data, which indicates whether at least one configurator has configured at least one other client station within the time period during which the configuration is allowed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for enabling communication of information, the method comprising: configuring a wireless LAN (WLAN) client station based on a received beacon frame, wherein said received beacon frame indicates whether at least one other WLAN client station has been configured within a current configurator timing window. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said received beacon frame comprises authentication enablement information when said current configurator timing window is open. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising disallowing said configuration of said WLAN client station, if said received beacon frame indicates at least one other WLAN client station has been configured within said current configurator timing window. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising configuring said WLAN client station based on version data that indicates a version of a configuration protocol. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising authenticating said WLAN client station based on an encrypted passphrase. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising identifying said WLAN client station based on at least one service set identifier. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising authenticating said WLAN client station based on exchanging a plurality of public keys. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, comprising configuring said WLAN client station based on status data that indicates a status of messages exchanged between a configurator and said WLAN client station. ### Claim 9 A method for enabling communication of information, the method comprising: communicating, from a configurator, a beacon frame to a wireless LAN (WLAN) client station, wherein said communicated beacon frame indicates whether at least one other WLAN client station has been configured within a current configurator timing window. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, comprising configuring said configurator based on at least one service set identifier and/or a passphrase. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, comprising enabling said WLAN client station to establish an association with an access point based on said communicated beacon frame. ### Claim 12 A system for enabling communication of information, the system comprising: one or more processors and/or circuits for use in a wireless LAN (WLAN) client station, said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to configure said WLAN client station based on a received beacon frame, wherein said received beacon frame indicates whether at least one other WLAN client station has been configured within a current configurator timing window. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said received beacon frame comprises authentication enablement information when said current configurator timing window is open. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to disallow said configuration of said WLAN client station, if said received beacon frame indicates at least one other WLAN client station has been configured within said current configurator timing window. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to configure said WLAN client station based on version data that indicates a version of a configuration protocol. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to authenticate said WLAN client station based on an encrypted passphrase. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to identify said WLAN client station based on at least one service set identifier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to authenticate said WLAN client station based on exchanging a plurality of public keys. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to configure said WLAN client station based on status data that indicates a status of messages exchanged between a configurator and said WLAN client station. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to establish an association with an access point based on said received beacon frame.