Abstract: The disclosure describes a device control method. A close-range communication connection between a terminal and a target device is established. A feature description of the target device is obtained through the close-range communication connection. The feature description corresponds to a function of the target device. An operation permission regarding the feature description is queried. The function is controlled by the terminal using the feature description according to the operation permission regarding the feature description.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling peripheral devices via a social networking platform includes a method and device for registering a peripheral device on a social networking platform, which includes: at a user device having one or more processors and memory: executing a social networking client application of the social networking platform on the user device; through the social networking client application, receiving an input identifying a peripheral device; and in response to receiving the input identifying the peripheral device: sending a request to establish a social networking identity for the peripheral device; and upon successful establishment of the social networking identity for the peripheral device, presenting the peripheral device as a social network contact of the user account in a user interface of the social networking client application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating access to a network (e.g., the Internet) are disclosed herein. A server with processor(s) and memory receives a request from a client device to download a network access configuration file, where the network access configuration file is configured to enable access to the Internet via a respective Internet access point. In accordance with the received request, the server identifies a first account in a social networking platform corresponding to a provider of the respective Internet access point. The server determines a relationship between the first account and a second account corresponding to a user of the client device in the social networking platform. In accordance with a first determination that the relationship satisfies one or more predetermined access criteria, the server provides the network access configuration file to the client device.

Abstract: An information transmitting method and device, and an information receiving method and device are provided. The information transmitting method includes: obtaining authentication information; converting the authentication information into a binary sequence; encoding the binary sequence into optical signals based on a correspondence between a binary number and an optical signal; and transmitting the optical signals to a receiving device, wherein the receiving device receives the optical signals, obtains the authentication information carried in the optical signals, and performs an information authentication based on the authentication information.

Abstract: A service terminal, which is communicatively coupled to a remote server, communicates with an offline mobile phone located nearby via a short-range wireless communication protocol to complete a service request initiated by the mobile phone. The service terminal repeatedly broadcasts, via a short-range wireless transceiver, a service message to neighboring mobile terminals until after receiving a service purchase request message from one of the mobile terminals. The service terminal then suspends the broadcast of the service message and submits the service purchase request to the remote server and then receives a purchase confirmation message from the remote server. Next, the service terminal transmits, via the short-range wireless transceiver, the purchase confirmation message back to the user terminal.

Abstract: This application discloses a data communication method implemented at an electronic device. The electronic device obtains a sequence of data packets. Each data packet complies with a first data format corresponding to a network access protocol and comprises a respective header that further includes a data length field for specifying a length of the respective data packet. Data are then assigned to the data length fields of the sequence of data packets according to a second data format. The electronic device encrypts the sequence of data packets including the assigned data. The encrypted data packets are then sent to a receiver device that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device via a wireless network. The receiver device is configured to retrieve the assigned data from the data length fields of the data packets according to the first and second data formats and perform operations in accordance with the retrieved data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating access to a network (e.g., the Internet) are disclosed herein. A server with processor(s) and memory receives a request from a client device to download a network access configuration file, where the network access configuration file is configured to enable access to the Internet via a respective Internet access point. In accordance with the received request, the server identifies a first account in a social networking platform corresponding to a provider of the respective Internet access point. The server determines a relationship between the first account and a second account corresponding to a user of the client device in the social networking platform. In accordance with a first determination that the relationship satisfies one or more predetermined access criteria, the server provides the network access configuration file to the client device.

Abstract: An IoT communication method, including: receiving via an account of the communication end, access information or control information sent from an account of a user end. The access information includes an identifier of a source terminal and an access command which accesses status information of the source terminal. The control information includes the identifier of the source terminal and a control command which controls the source terminal, the account of the communication end and the account of the user end are bound to each other in instant messaging software; sending the access command or the control command to the source terminal specified by the identifier of the source terminal; obtaining source information which the source terminal returns in response to receiving the access command or the control command from the communication end; sending, via the account of the communication end, the source information to the account of the user end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating access to a network (e.g., the Internet) are disclosed herein. A server with processor(s) and memory receives a request from a client device to download a network access configuration file, where the network access configuration file is configured to enable access to the Internet via a respective Internet access point. In accordance with the received request, the server identifies a first account in a social networking platform corresponding to a provider of the respective Internet access point. The server determines a relationship between the first account and a second account corresponding to a user of the client device in the social networking platform. In accordance with a first determination that the relationship satisfies one or more predetermined access criteria, the server provides the network access configuration file to the client device.

Abstract: Method and device of encrypting communication between a server and a peripheral device are disclosed. The method includes: a server receiving a session request from a control device, the session request including a predetermined device ID of a peripheral device associated with the control device; generating a first session key for encrypting and decrypting future communication between the peripheral device and the server; identifying a pre-stored encryption key corresponding to the predetermined device ID from a database, wherein the pre-stored encryption key is also pre-stored in the peripheral device; encrypting the first session key using the pre-stored encryption key; sending the encrypted first session key to the peripheral device via the control device; and encrypting communication to the peripheral device in a respective communication session using the first session key.

Abstract: Method and device of encrypting communication between a server and a peripheral device are disclosed. The method includes: a server receiving a session request from a control device, the session request including a predetermined device ID of a peripheral device associated with the control device; generating a first session key for encrypting and decrypting future communication between the peripheral device and the server; identifying a pre-stored encryption key corresponding to the predetermined device ID from a database, wherein the pre-stored encryption key is also pre-stored in the peripheral device; encrypting the first session key using the pre-stored encryption key; sending the encrypted first session key to the peripheral device via the control device; and encrypting communication to the peripheral device in a respective communication session using the first session key.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling peripheral devices via a social networking platform includes a method and device for registering a peripheral device on a social networking platform, which includes: at a user device having one or more processors and memory: executing a social networking client application of the social networking platform on the user device; through the social networking client application, receiving an input identifying a peripheral device; and in response to receiving the input identifying the peripheral device: sending a request to establish a social networking identity for the peripheral device; and upon successful establishment of the social networking identity for the peripheral device, presenting the peripheral device as a social network contact of the user account in a user interface of the social networking client application.

Abstract: Method and device of encrypting communication between a server and a peripheral device are disclosed. The method includes: a server receiving a session request from a control device, the session request including a predetermined device ID of a peripheral device associated with the control device; generating a first session key for encrypting and decrypting future communication between the peripheral device and the server; identifying a pre-stored encryption key corresponding to the predetermined device ID from a database, wherein the pre-stored encryption key is also pre-stored in the peripheral device; encrypting the first session key using the pre-stored encryption key; sending the encrypted first session key to the peripheral device via the control device; and encrypting communication to the peripheral device in a respective communication session using the first session key.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling peripheral devices via a social networking platform includes a method and device for registering a peripheral device on a social networking platform, which includes: at a user device having one or more processors and memory: executing a social networking client application of the social networking platform on the user device; through the social networking client application, receiving an input identifying a peripheral device; and in response to receiving the input identifying the peripheral device: sending a request to establish a social networking identity for the peripheral device; and upon successful establishment of the social networking identity for the peripheral device, presenting the peripheral device as a social network contact of the user account in a user interface of the social networking client application.

Abstract: This application discloses a data transfer method for transferring information concerning a service set associated with a communication network. An electronic device obtains a plurality of data packets that comply with a specific data format corresponding to a network access protocol, and each data packet includes a respective header that further includes at least one data field. A service set identifier (SSID) data set is arranged in the at least one data field of the plurality of data packets according to a link layer data structure. The SSID data set at least includes a SSID and a SSID password, and identifies a wireless network that transmits the plurality of data packets and is accessible when the SSID password is verified. The data packets that include the SSID data set are encrypted, and to a receiver device that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device via the identified wireless network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting peripheral devices are disclosed. The method is performed at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory, and includes: scanning, through a user interface of a social networking application, an image containing encoded information associated with a first peripheral device that provides a first wireless communication interface; retrieving, based on the encoded information, a first identity information item of the first peripheral device from a server hosting a social networking platform associated with the social networking application; and in accordance with the retrieved first identity information item, establishing a wireless connection between the electronic device and the first peripheral device via the first wireless communication interface of the first peripheral device.

Abstract: An input device includes an input module and a fixing module matching the input module. The input module is a sphere having a cavity, the input module includes a signal detection unit and a signal output unit, the signal detection unit and the signal output unit are placed in the cavity after being electrically connected, the signal detection unit is configured to generate a corresponding input signal according to a preset operation performed by a user on the input module, and the signal output unit is connected to an external terminal and configured to output the input signal to the terminal. The fixing module is configured to fix the input device on a preset flat surface.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a device control method. A near field communication connection between a terminal and a target device is established. A feature description of the target device is obtained through the communication connection. The feature description corresponds to a function of the target device. An operation permission regarding the feature description is queried. The function is controlled by the terminal using the feature description according to the operation permission regarding the feature description.

Abstract: This application discloses a data transfer method for transferring information concerning a service set associated with a communication network. An electronic device obtains a plurality of data packets that comply with a specific data format corresponding to a network access protocol, and each data packet includes a respective header that further includes at least one data field. A service set identifier (SSID) data set is arranged in the at least one data field of the plurality of data packets according to a link layer data structure. The SSID data set at least includes a SSID and a SSID password, and identifies a wireless network that transmits the plurality of data packets and is accessible when the SSID password is verified. The data packets that include the SSID data set are encrypted, and to a receiver device that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device via the identified wireless network.

Abstract: This application discloses a data communication method implemented at an electronic device. The electronic device obtains a sequence of data packets. Each data packet complies with a first data format corresponding to a network access protocol and comprises a respective header that further includes a data length field for specifying a length of the respective data packet. Data are then assigned to the data length fields of the sequence of data packets according to a second data format. The electronic device encrypts the sequence of data packets including the assigned data. The encrypted data packets are then sent to a receiver device that is communicatively coupled to the electronic device via a wireless network. The receiver device is configured to retrieve the assigned data from the data length fields of the data packets according to the first and second data formats and perform operations in accordance with the retrieved data.