Method for selecting an access point and apparatus for using the same

1. A method for selecting an access point (AP), comprising the steps of:

deleting a non Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) AP from a candidate list if the non-WPS AP is listed on the candidate list;

deleting a push button configuration (PBC) enabled AP from the candidate list if the PBC-enabled AP is listed on the candidate list;

sorting the candidate list after deleting the non-WPS AP or the PBC-enabled AP; and

verifying the candidate list so as to select an AP by a wireless station.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising scanning a plurality of channels and generating the candidate list.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein an active scanning operation is utilized for scanning a plurality of the channels.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein a passive scanning operation is utilized for scanning a plurality of the channels.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sorting step comprises the steps of: placing an AP at a high priority position if the AP is a personal identification number (PIN) enabled AP.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting an expiration time.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the expiration time is 120 seconds.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting a start-up AP to be verified.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the verifying step comprises the steps of:

stopping verification of an AP if a station forwards an EAPOL-Start frame to the AP and does not receive an EAP-Request/Identity frame forwarded by the AP within a first period of time;

stopping verification of the AP if the station forwards an EAP-Response/Identity frame to the AP and does not receive an EAP-Request (Start) frame forwarded by the AP within a second period of time;

stopping verification of the AP if the station forwards an EAP-Response (M 1 ) frame to the AP and does not receive an EAP-Request (M 2 ) frame forwarded by the AP within a third period of time; and

stopping verification of the AP if the station receives a Negative Acknowledgement frame forwarded by the AP.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the AP selected with the verifying step is a PIN-enabled AP.

11. An apparatus for selecting an access point (AP), comprising:

a generating unit configured to generate a candidate list in accordance with a scanning result;

a setting unit configured to set a start-up AP to be verified and an expiration time in accordance with the candidate list; and

a verifying unit configured to verify in order in accordance with the candidate list so as to select an AP;

wherein a non Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) or a push button configuration (PBC) enabled AP is deleted from the candidate list if the non-WPS AP or the PBC enabled AP is listed on the candidate list.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a scanning unit configured to scan a plurality of channels and thus obtain the scanning result.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a timer coupled to the setting unit and the verifying unit for counting the time the verifying unit uses for verifying.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein an active scanning mode is set for the scanning unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a passive scanning mode is set for the scanning unit.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the expiration time is 120 seconds.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the AP selected with the verifying unit is a personal identification number (PIN) enabled AP.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 , which is implemented with software, firmware, hardware, or a platform with single processor or with multiple processors.