The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 2014
Filed:
Jan. 13, 2009
Wallace J. Elston, Iii, Paw Paw, MI (US);
Anthony E. Jenkins, Covert, MI (US);
Gregory S. Lieto, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Richard A. Mccoy, Stevensville, MI (US);
Michael A. Morrell, Hudsonville, MI (US);
Wallace J. Elston, III, Paw Paw, MI (US);
Anthony E. Jenkins, Covert, MI (US);
Gregory S. Lieto, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Richard A. Mccoy, Stevensville, MI (US);
Michael A. Morrell, Hudsonville, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods for commissioning a home network and inhibiting unaffiliated wireless communication devices that are physically proximate to each other from forming a wireless network. A wireless communication device may include a transceiver capable of communicating with at least a second device, a non-volatile memory capable of storing a network name, a controller, and a user input acceptance element capable of placing the controller in a network set-up mode. The controller may have a plurality of modes including the network set-up mode, as well as a status indicator for providing an indication of whether the device is operating with one of a parent status and a child status. A method for joining a wireless network may include entering a network set up mode, and scanning for a second device operating with a parent status. If the second device is operating with the parent status, the network name of the second device may be adopted as the network name. However, if there is no second device operating with the parent status, the network name may be established as either a new name or an existing name.