Ad hoc wireless network create/join user experience
A user interface for creating and joining meetings over a peer-to-peer network involves presentation of user interface windows including windows for selecting parameters corresponding to the ad-hoc network, activating sharing of Internet connections and joining an existing ad-hoc network by entering network name and optional password. The user interface further provides for entry of a country to select an appropriate wireless network protocol for use in that country when an attached wireless device supports such agility, for example, an 802.11(d) wireless network adapter.
1. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing a method for presenting a user interface for creating an ad-hoc network on a peer-to-peer network infrastructure comprising: presenting a first window comprising: a first data entry field for receiving a network name; a second data entry field for receiving a selection of a security type; a third data entry field for receiving zero or more password characters; a selection button for initiating creation of the ad-hoc network; and creating the ad-hoc network in accordance with data received via the first window.
2. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1 , wherein the first window further comprises a fourth data entry field for receiving a selection of a country for determining wireless network configuration parameters.
3. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1 , wherein the first window further comprises a selection box for persisting the network beyond a timeout period.
4. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1 , wherein the second data entry field is a drop-down box offering a selection of security types including at least one of wired equivalent privacy (WEP), WiFi Protected Access (WPA2), and no encryption.
5. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1 , further comprising: presenting a second window indicating activity in progress related to creation of the ad-hoc network, the second window comprising: a selection button for canceling the creation of the ad-hoc network.
6. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 1 , further comprising: presenting a third window indicating activation of the ad-hoc network, the third window comprising: a first selector for initiating sharing of an Internet connection when available; and a second selector for sharing a data folder when currently inactive.
7. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 6 , further comprising: presenting a fourth window responsive to selection of the first selector for initiating sharing of an Internet connection, the fourth window comprising: a drop-down box presenting a selection of available network connections providing access to the Internet.
8. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer-executable instructions implementing the method of claim 7 , further comprising: presenting a fifth window responsive to successful connection to the Internet using a selected network connection, the fifth window comprising: an indication that Internet connectivity is available.
9. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer executable instructions for implementing a method of presenting a user interface for joining an existing ad-hoc network comprising: presenting a first window comprising: a list of networks available for connection; a selection highlight indicating a selected network, the selection highlight scrollable through the list of networks available for connection; and a selection box for activating a supplemental network selection screen; whereby an activation signal triggers a process for connection to the selected network; and presenting an other window including a message indicating successful connection to the selected network.
10. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer executable instructions for implementing the method of claim 9 , further comprising: presenting a second window responsive to the activation signal, the second window comprising: a first data entry field for entering a password; a character display selection for setting suppression of characters of the password; and a second data entry field for receiving a selection of a country for determining wireless network configuration parameters when supported by the selected network.
11. A computer-readable memory storage medium having computer executable instructions for implementing the method of claim 9 , wherein presenting the other window comprises: presenting at least one of a hot spot for triggering a process to open a meeting support tool, a hot spot for sharing a data folder, and a hot spot for connecting to a data display.
12. A method of presenting a user interface for participation in ad-hoc wireless networks comprising:
displaying a window having a plurality of input fields corresponding to participation in the ad-hoc wireless network;
receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network name used for one of selecting an existing wireless network from a list of available wireless networks and receiving characters comprising a name to be associated with a new ad-hoc wireless network;
receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network password;
wherein the ad-hoc wireless network name and ad-hoc wireless network password are passed to a process supporting participation in the ad-hoc wireless network.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising presenting a selection region associated with displaying suppressed password characters.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising presenting a selection region for sharing an Internet connection among participants in the ad-hoc wireless network.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising presenting a selection region for sharing a data folder among participants in the ad-hoc wireless network.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network password comprises receiving zero or more characters for use by another participant in accessing a new ad-hoc wireless network.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving a selection of a security type for defining security conditions associated with a new ad-hoc wireless network.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein receiving a selection of the ad-hoc wireless network password comprises receiving characters associated with a password for an existing ad-hoc wireless network.