US Patent 7260616 Communication hub with automatic device registration

A communication hub that includes a control system, a mode selection interface, and an interface system. The control system is configured to switch between a configuration mode and an operation mode. In response to switching to the configuration mode, the control system receives a registration request from unauthorized communication device. The control system processes the registration request to automatically authorize the communication device for use with the communication hub. In response to switching to the operation mode, the control system controls the exchange of communications between a plurality of previously authorized communication devices, the newly authorized communication device, and a network system. The mode selection interface is configured to receive a user input that selects one of the configuration mode or the operation mode and cause the control system to enter the selected one of the configuration mode or the operation mode. The interface system is configured to exchange communications with the network system, receive the registration request from the communication device and provide the registration request to the control system.