Abstract: A system and method synchronizes network data for a device registered to a user. The network data includes a list of a plurality of known wireless networks and authentication data associated with each of the known wireless networks. The method includes establishing a connection to a server of a synchronization network. The method includes transmitting identification data to the server. The identification data indicates the network data corresponding to the user to which the device is registered. The method includes receiving the list of known wireless networks from the server via the synchronization network. The method includes receiving a secure file including the authentication data from the server via the synchronization network.

Abstract: After detecting an access-intent operation, an electronic device establishes a connection with a second electronic device using a communication protocol. The electronic devices exchange identifiers, and the second electronic device provides information specifying a preferred channel to use with a second communication protocol. Based at least in part on the preferred channel of the second electronic device and on communication contexts of the electronic devices, the electronic device selects a channel and transmits to the second electronic device information specifying the selected channel. The electronic device remotely accesses credential information based on the exchanged identifiers, and using the credential information, the electronic devices establish a secure connection via the selected channel using the second communication protocol. The electronic device determines a distance to the second electronic device using wireless ranging via the secure connection.

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.

Abstract: A method automatically connects a device to a WiFi network. The method includes determining WiFi networks that are available for a connection thereto. The method includes categorizing each of the WiFi networks as a private WiFi network or a public WiFi network in which the private WiFi network utilizes a first association process while the public WiFi network utilizes a second association process. The method includes executing a first automatic connection process using the first association process until a successful connection is established to one of the private WiFi networks based upon a first prioritized list. The method includes executing a second automatic connection process until a successful connection is established to one of the public WiFi networks based upon a second prioritized list when the first automatic connection process to the private wireless networks is unsuccessful.

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.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

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.

Abstract: A system, method and station used to establish a guest connection to a WiFi network. A first station establishes a first connection to a second station using a first communication mechanism, receives a data block from the second station, the data block including network information based upon a Basic Service Set (BSS) identification (BSSID) corresponding to a access point of a WiFi network to which the second station has connected, authentication information for connecting to the WiFi network and a time field indicating an amount of time the first station is allowed to access the WiFi network using the data block, establishes a second connection to the WiFi network using a second communication mechanism based upon the network information and authentication information of the data block and disconnects the second connection when the amount of time expires.

Abstract: A method and system are described for determining parameters of an access point (AP). In the described embodiments, during a first time period, a portable electronic device (PED) scans for APs on a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel. Then, when an AP is detected on the WLAN channel, the PED determines if the AP includes a general advertisement service (GAS) protocol to make available information related to services provided by the AP. If the AP includes the GAS protocol, then the PED transmits a GAS request frame to the AP. If a response to the GAS request frame is not received from the AP within the first time period, then the PED extends the dwell time to wait for the response for a second time period, wherein a duration of the second time period is determined based on a total allowable time to scan for APs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prioritizing network selection for overlapping networks. Overlapping networks include multiple networks with, for instance, different bandwidth limitations. For example, a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) can broadcast two (2) overlapping networks in the same location: (i) a public network, and (ii) a private network. In one exemplary embodiment, a Wi-Fi client device performs fast scans to quickly locate one or more preferred networks (e.g., the last connected to public network). If the located preferred network is also identified as an overlapping network (e.g., based on location information, etc.), then the client device performs a comprehensive scan to identify all available networks, and applies a prioritization scheme to determine the highest priority network available (e.g., a private network).

Abstract: An electronic device connects to a network associated with a service provider via a router at a home location. During a time interval, the electronic device provides information specifying a network address of the router to an authentication computer when the electronic device is connected to a network. The authentication computer uses the received information to determine a connection pattern of the electronic device. Moreover, the authentication computer identifies that the electronic device is at the home location based on the connection pattern. Then, the authentication computer provides, to an accounting computer associated with the service provider, a request to allow the electronic device to access a wireless network associated with the service provider at a remote location (which is other than the home location).

Abstract: A method automatically connects a device to a WiFi network. The method includes determining WiFi networks that are available for a connection thereto. The method includes categorizing each of the WiFi networks as a private WiFi network or a public WiFi network in which the private WiFi network utilizes a first association process while the public WiFi network utilizes a second association process. The method includes executing a first automatic connection process using the first association process until a successful connection is established to one of the private WiFi networks based upon a first prioritized list. The method includes executing a second automatic connection process until a successful connection is established to one of the public WiFi networks based upon a second prioritized list when the first automatic connection process to the private wireless networks is unsuccessful.

Abstract: A system and method synchronizes network data for a device registered to a user. The network data includes a list of a plurality of known wireless networks and authentication data associated with each of the known wireless networks. The method includes establishing a connection to a server of a synchronization network. The method includes transmitting identification data to the server. The identification data indicates the network data corresponding to the user to which the device is registered. The method includes receiving the list of known wireless networks from the server via the synchronization network. The method includes receiving a secure file including the authentication data from the server via the synchronization network.

Abstract: A method and system are described for determining parameters of an access point (AP). In the described embodiments, during a first time period, a portable electronic device (PED) scans for APs on a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel. Then, when an AP is detected on the WLAN channel, the PED determines if the AP includes a general advertisement service (GAS) protocol to make available information related to services provided by the AP. If the AP includes the GAS protocol, then the PED transmits a GAS request frame to the AP. If a response to the GAS request frame is not received from the AP within the first time period, then the PED extends the dwell time to wait for the response for a second time period, wherein a duration of the second time period is determined based on a total allowable time to scan for APs.

Abstract: In order to facilitate access to a wireless network, access information (and, more generally, credentials) may be provided to an electronic device via an image. In particular, the electronic device may capture an image that includes a representation of the access information. For example, the electronic device may scan a two-dimensional representation of the access information, such as a Quick Response (QR) code. Then, the electronic device may analyze the image to extract the access information. Next, the access information may be used to access the wireless network. This communication technique allows a user of the electronic device to access the wireless network with less effort, thereby improving the user's experience.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prioritizing network selection for overlapping networks. Overlapping networks include multiple networks with, for instance, different bandwidth limitations. For example, a Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) can broadcast two (2) overlapping networks in the same location: (i) a public network, and (ii) a private network. In one exemplary embodiment, a Wi-Fi client device performs fast scans to quickly locate one or more preferred networks (e.g., the last connected to public network). If the located preferred network is also identified as an overlapping network (e.g., based on location information, etc.), then the client device performs a comprehensive scan to identify all available networks, and applies a prioritization scheme to determine the highest priority network available (e.g., a private network).