Prior art

Here are three of the most relevant prior art citations for US Patent 8,972,576, based on their titles and likely subject matter, which closely align with the core aspects of the claims in 8,972,576. These patents were cited by the examiner (*).

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 8,972,576

1. US20040046868A1

   • Full Citation: US20040046868A1, "Automatically configuring a web-enabled digital camera to access the Internet", Inventor: Eric C. Anderson, Assignee: Anderson Eric C.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Published: 2004-03-11, Priority Date: 2000-07-26.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes methods for automatically configuring a web-enabled digital camera to access the Internet, aiming to simplify the user experience by reducing manual setup. This concept directly relates to making devices connect to networks without continuous manual configuration. The detailed description of US8972576 also uses a digital camera as an example for automatic functions enabled by a "home" relationship.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent, by the same inventor, strongly anticipates the clause "such that no additional configuration is required by the mobile device to communicate over the network once the relationship has been established" found in independent claims 1(d), 17(d), and 34(d) of US8972576. It teaches the automatic configuration of a specific mobile device (digital camera) for network access. The primary distinction of US8972576 would likely rest on its specific two-step authorization process (network administrator then mobile device user) for establishing this persistent relationship, and the explicit reciprocal nature of the "home" relationship where the network is also granted access to the device for automated tasks.

2. US6119001A

   • Full Citation: US6119001A, "Roamer service auto-activation and deactivation in a home location register", Inventor: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 2000-09-12, Priority Date: 1997-04-28.
   • Brief Description: This patent pertains to the automatic activation and deactivation of roaming services within a telecommunications network, utilizing a Home Location Register (HLR) to manage subscriber information and facilitate service provision in either "home" or "visited" networks. This system establishes mechanisms for identifying a home network and providing services automatically based on this identification.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates elements of US8972576 related to the concept of a "home" network and the "auto-activation" or "automatic access" for a device in its home environment, as mentioned in independent claims 1(d), 17(d), and 34(d). While it covers automatic service provision in a "home" context, it typically applies to known subscribers and their existing home network registrations within a traditional cellular framework. It does not explicitly disclose the specific multi-step process of establishing such a relationship for an unrecognized device, involving dual authorization by a network administrator and then the device user, nor the explicit reciprocal grant of network access to the device.

3. US20010054101A1

   • Full Citation: US20010054101A1, "Server and method to provide access to a network by a computer configured for a different network", Inventor: Tim Wilson, Assignee: Tim Wilson
   • Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 2001-12-20, Priority Date: 1999-12-23.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a server and an associated method designed to enable a computer to gain access to a network, even if that computer was originally configured for a different network. This addresses the challenge of integrating "foreign" or "unrecognized" devices into a new network environment.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the problem of providing network access to devices not native to a given network, which aligns with US8972576's objective for "unrecognized" devices. It could potentially anticipate aspects of detecting an unrecognized device and providing it with access, as found in independent claims 1(a), (b), 17(a), (b), and 34(a), (b). However, its title does not suggest the specific two-step authorization process (network administrator then mobile device user) for establishing a persistent "home" relationship that also explicitly grants the network access to the device for automatic functions, which are key distinguishing features of US8972576.