Providing network access via communal device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11627462-B2
Application number	US-202017070640-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2020
Priority date	Oct 14, 2019
Publication date	Apr 11, 2023
Grant date	Apr 11, 2023

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are provided that allow for access to a wireless computer network, such as a home or business network, via a communal device. The communal device retrieves network access information such as a PSK and provides a machine-readable code such as a QR code or bar code that automatically provides the access information to a user's device, thereby allowing access to the network with little or no user input required.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
receiving, at a communal device, a voice command from a user that is nearby the communal device, wherein the voice command includes a request for network access to a guest network that is managed by a network access device, wherein the communal device is connected to a private network that is managed by the network access device and wherein the guest network and the private network are separate networks supported by the network access device;
retrieving, by the communal device, network connection information representative of a network identifier that identifies the guest network and a passcode that provides access to the guest network from the network access device, wherein the communal device is not connected to the guest network, wherein the network connection information is stored temporarily by the communal device;
determining, by the communal device, a machine-readable code that encodes the network connection information for the guest network; and
in response to the received voice command from the user that is nearby the communal device, presenting the machine-readable code on a display of the communal device, wherein the communal device discards the machine-readable code after it is no longer shown on the display of the communal device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine-readable code comprises a sound.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the sound is emitted at one or more frequencies that are not within the range of human hearing.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communal device discards the network connection information after the machine-readable code is generated.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network access device is a local network hub.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communal device comprises a user interface to a home system that does not require individual user authentication for access.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the communal device is provided via a touchscreen connected to the home system.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein private network is not accessible from the guest network.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the guest network comprises a wireless network that is protected by a passcode different than a passcode that provides access to the private network.

10. A communal device comprising:
an input configured to receive a voice command from a user that is nearby the communal device, wherein the voice command includes a request for network access to a guest network that is managed by a network access device, wherein the communal device is connected to a private network that is managed by the network access device and wherein the guest network and the private network are separate networks supported by the network access device;
a communication interface configured to obtain network connection information representative of a network identifier that identifies the guest network and a passcode that provides access to the guest network from the network access device, wherein the communal device is not connected to the guest network, wherein the network connection information is stored temporarily by the communal device;
a processor configured to determine a machine-readable code that encodes the network connection information for the guest network; and
a display configured to present the machine-readable code to a computing device in response to the received voice command from the user that is nearby the communal device, wherein the communal device discards the machine-readable code after it is no longer shown on the display of the communal device.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a computer processor, cause the computer processor to perform a method comprising:
receiving a voice command from a user that is nearby a communal device, wherein the voice command includes a request for network access to a guest network that is managed by a network access device, wherein the communal device is connected to a private network that is managed by the network access device and wherein the guest network and the private network are separate networks supported by the network access device;
retrieving network connection information representative of a network identifier that identifies the guest network and a passcode that provides access to the guest network from the network access device, wherein the communal device is not connected to the guest network, wherein the network connection information is stored temporarily by the communal device;
determining a machine-readable code that encodes the network connection information for the guest network; and
in response to the received voice command from the user that is nearby the communal device, presenting the machine-readable code on a display of the communal device, wherein the communal device discards the machine-readable code after it is no longer shown on the display of the communal device.

Assignees

• Google Llc

Inventors

• Conover Christopher
• Knapp Matthew

Classifications

• H04W48/08

  Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery (signalling during connection H04W76/00) · CPC title

• H04W12/77 Primary

  Graphical identity · CPC title

• G06K7/1413

  1D bar codes · CPC title

• H04W84/12

  WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks] · CPC title

• H04W12/37

  Managing security policies for mobile devices or for controlling mobile applications · CPC title