Detecting and connecting to Wi-Fi™ networks
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsArtiom Shamis, Kapil Chhabra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and methods are provided for automatically detecting and connecting to a WI-FI™ network. In these methods, a wireless device listens for beacons that are sent using a low-power wireless protocol. Once the wireless device detects a first beacon at a first location, the wireless device extracts a first beacon region identifier from the beacon and correlates the first beacon region identifier with a first WI-FI™ network that is located at the first location. Next, the wireless device retrieves a first set of credentials for connecting to the first WI-FI™ network. Once the first set of credentials is retrieved, the wireless device uses the first set of credentials to connect to the first WI-FI™ network.
Claims26
A wireless device comprising:
- a memory;
- a low-power wireless interface;
- a interface;
- and
- at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
- listen for beacons transmitted using a low-power wireless protocol;
- detect a beacon at a location;
- receive a set of credentials prior to detecting the beacon;
- correlate an identifier contained in the beacon with a first network, wherein the first network is located at the location;
- retrieve the set of credentials for connecting to the first network;
- and
- connect to the first network using the set of credentials.
A wireless device comprising:
- a memory;
- a user input mechanism configured to receive a user input;
- a low-power wireless interface;
- a interface;
- and
- at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
- in response to the user input, initialize a network and broadcast a beacon comprising an identifier associated with the network to enable a second wireless device to:
- detect the beacon;
- retrieve a set of credentials for connecting to the network, wherein the second wireless device has the set of credentials prior to detecting the beacon;
- and
- connect to the network.
A computer-implemented method for detecting and connecting to a first network, the method comprising:
- listening, by a wireless device, for beacons that are sent using a low-power wireless protocol;
- detecting a beacon at a first location;
- receiving a set of credentials prior to detecting the beacon;
- correlating an identifier contained in the beacon with a first network, wherein the first network is located at the location;
- retrieving the set of credentials for connecting to the first network;
- and
- connecting to the first network using the set of credentials.
A computer-implemented method for forming and advertising a network, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a first wireless device, a user input;
- and
- in response to the user input, broadcasting a beacon comprising an identifier associated with the network provided by the first wireless device to enable a second wireless device to:
- detect the beacon;
- retrieve a set of credentials for connecting to the network, wherein the second wireless device has the set of credentials prior to detecting the beacon;
- and
- connect to the network.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:
- listening, by a wireless device, for beacons that are sent using a low-power wireless protocol;
- detecting a beacon at a location;
- receiving a set of credentials prior to detecting the beacon;
- correlating an identifier contained in the beacon with a network, wherein the network is located at the location;
- retrieving the set of credentials for connecting to the network;
- and
- connecting to the network using the set of credentials.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:
- receiving, by a first wireless device, a user input;
- and
- in response to the user input, broadcasting a beacon comprising an identifier associated with a network provided by the first wireless device to enable a second wireless device to:
- detect the beacon;
- retrieve a set of credentials for connecting to the network, wherein the second wireless device has the set of credentials prior to detecting the beacon;
- and
- connect to the network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.