METHODS THEREOF

Technical field

The invention relates to an electrical charger for a wireless- communications device, a wireless-communications device, a method performed by an electrical charger for a wireless-communications device, a method performed by a wireless-communications device, corresponding computer programs, and corresponding computer program products.

Background

Many Wireless-Communications Devices (WCDs) such as

smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and laptops, support communications over a Wireless Local Arena Networks (WLAN), e.g., Wi-Fi. For these types of devices, WLAN access may either be the sole means for wirelessly accessing a communications network, such as a Local Arena Network (LAN), a corporate network, or the Internet, or an alternative to using a cellular mobile communications network. In the latter case, a WLAN connection may, e.g., be used for offloading data traffic, when roaming, or in case of insufficient cellular coverage.

Access to WLANs is oftentimes protected by means of a passphrase or a network key. If a passphrase is used, the user of a WCD is required to manually enter the passphrase, which is a plain text alphanumeric or hexadecimal character string in order to access, i.e., connect to, a specific WLAN. For instance, when visiting someone’s home, the user may receive the passphrase from the home owner in order to connect to the WLAN which is maintained by the home owner. Similarly, users of WCDs who are visiting restaurants, cafes, airports, train stations, hotels, or travelling on buses, airplanes, trains, and the like, are typically offered access to a WLAN.

Oftentimes, the passphrase is handed to users on a receipt or paper slip or is displayed on a sign. Manually entering the passphrase is a tedious procedure, in particular if the passphrase is chosen to not resemble a dictionary word, e.g., as a string of randomly selected characters, and/or if the passphrase is typed on a keyboard of the size which is displayed on a smartphone touchscreen. In addition, sharing the passphrase in plain text implies revealing the passphrase. Summary

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved alternative to the above techniques and prior art.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved solution for sharing key material, in particular a network key or a passphrase, for accessing a Wireless Local Area network (WLAN) with a Wireless-Communications Device (WCD). In the present context, a WCD may, e.g., be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a gaming console, or a media player.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by means of different aspects of the invention, as defined by the independent claims. Embodiments of the invention are characterized by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an electrical charger for a WCD is provided. The electrical charger comprises a charging-interface circuit configured to provide a charging current to the WCD. The charging- interface circuit is further configured to exchange data with the WCD. The electrical charger further comprises processing means which is operative to transmit credentials for accessing a WLAN to the WCD. The credentials are transmitted via the charging-interface circuit. According to a second aspect of the invention, a WCD is provided.

The WCD comprises a charging-interface circuit configured to receive a charging current from an electrical charger. The charging-interface circuit is further configured to exchange data with the electrical charger. The WCD further comprises a network-interface circuit configured to access a WLAN. The WCD further comprises processing means which is operative to receive credentials for accessing the WLAN from the electrical charger. The credentials are received via the charging-interface circuit. The processing means is further operative to connect to the WLAN using the received credentials.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method performed by an electrical charger for a WCD is provided. The method comprises transmitting credentials for accessing a WLAN to the WCD. The credentials are transmitted via a charging-interface circuit comprised in the electrical charger. The charging-interface circuit is configured to provide a charging current to the WCD and to exchange data with the WCD.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method performed by a WCD is provided. The method comprises receiving credentials for accessing a WLAN from an electrical charger. The credentials are received via a charging-interface circuit configured to receive a charging current from the electrical charger and to exchange data with the electrical charger. The method further comprises connecting to the WLAN using the received credentials and a network-interface circuit comprised in the WCD and configured to access the WLAN.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a computer program is provided. The computer program comprises computer-executable

instructions for causing a device to perform the method according to an embodiment of the third or fourth aspect of the invention, when the computer- executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the device. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product comprises a computer- readable storage medium which has the computer program according to the fifth aspect of the invention embodied therein.

Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in that users of

WCDs are relieved from manually entering a passphrase when attempting to connect to a WLAN. In addition, owners of WLANs do not need to share passphrases for gaining access in plain text, thereby reducing the risk that passphrases are revealed to others.

Even though advantages of the invention have in some cases been described with reference to embodiments of the first and second aspects of the invention, corresponding reasoning applies to embodiments of other aspects of the invention.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following. Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an electrical charger and a wireless-communications device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an electrical charger and a wireless-communications device, in accordance with other embodiments of the invention. Fig. 3 shows a sequence diagram illustrating embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a sequence diagram illustrating other embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates querying a user to select a WLAN, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows embodiments of the processing means comprised in the electrical charger.

Fig. 7 shows embodiments of the processing means comprised in the wireless-communications device.

Fig. 8 shows flow charts illustrating methods performed by an electrical charger, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 9 shows flow charts illustrating methods performed by a wireless- communications device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

Detailed description

The invention will now be described more fully herein after with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Embodiments of the invention relate to provisioning a Wireless- Communications Device (WCD) capable of effecting communications with a WLAN, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a gaming console, a media player, or the like, with credentials for accessing, i.e., connecting to, a specific WLAN. The WLAN may, e.g., be a Wi-Fi network in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards.

In the present context, such credentials, herein also referred to as a set of credentials, comprise key material which is required for accessing a specific WLAN by authenticating the WCD which is attempting to connect to the WLAN. The key material may, e.g., be a network key (e.g., a digital certificate) or a passphrase. The passphrase may be stored, processed, and transmitted, as a plain-text alphanumeric or hexadecimal character string.

A set of credentials may additionally comprise an identifier of the WLAN associated with the key material. The WLAN identifier may, e.g., be a Service Set Identifier (SSID), which WCDs use to establish and maintain wireless connectivity. SSIDs are case sensitive and can contain up to 32 alphanumeric characters.

A set of credentials may further comprise information specifying a wireless-security protocol which is used for protecting a WLAN against unauthorized access. Known wireless-security protocols are, e.g., Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), and WPA2.

Depending on the wireless-security protocol which is used for protecting a WLAN, certain restrictions on the key material, such as a length of the passphrase, may be enforced.

Embodiments of the invention are based on the understanding that, instead of manually entering a passphrase for connecting to a specific WLAN, credentials which are required for connecting to a specific WLAN may be transferred from an electrical charger to a WCD which is operatively connected to the electrical charger. In particular, the credentials are transferred via the connection which is used for transferring the charging current from the electrical charger to the WCD. This may either be a wired connection, i.e., the electrical charger and the WCD are interconnected by a cable, or a wireless connection relying on a wireless coupling as is known from wireless-charging technologies. The wireless coupling may, e.g., be realized based on inductive coupling (with an effective charging distance of a few millimeters to a few centimeters) or resonant inductive coupling, aka magnetic-resonance coupling (with an effective charging distance of a few centimeters to a few meters).

Embodiments of the invention also relieve the owner of a WLAN from sharing the passphrase for his/her WLAN with visiting users of WCDs, e.g., in the form of a receipt or paper slip which is commonly used in restaurants, hotels, cafes, airports, and the like, offering wireless Internet access to their patrons. Advantageously, the passphrase does not need to be shared in plain text, thereby reducing the risk of disclosing the passphrase to others.

In Fig. 1 , embodiments of the electrical charger 110 and the WCD 120 are illustrated as a conventional charger of a type which is commonly shipped with smartphones and tablets, and a smartphone, respectively.

The electrical charger 110 comprises a charging-interface circuit 111 which is configured to provide a charging current to the WCD 120, via a corresponding charging-interface circuit 121 comprised in the WCD 120. The charging-interface circuit 111 may be configured to provide the charging current to the WCD 120 via a wired connection 115, i.e., using a cable. For instance, charging-interface circuit 111 may comprise any one, or a combination of, a port, a connector, and a cable, preferably of Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Lightning type, for operatively interconnecting the charging-interface circuits 111 and 121.

Alternatively, the charging-interface circuit 111 may be configured to provide the charging current to the WCD 120 via an inductive coupling 215, i.e., using wireless charging. This is illustrated in Fig. 2, which shows the electrical charger 110 in the form of wireless-charging pad. In general, wireless charging uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy from a charging device (the power transmitter) to a charged device (the power receiver) through electromagnetic induction. The charged device may use the received energy to charge a battery comprised in the charged device. The charging-interface circuits 111 and 121 may be based on any known wireless-charging standard, such as Qi of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), a Power Matters Alliance (PMA) standard, AirFuel Resonant, or an Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) standard. For instance, the charging- interface circuit 111 may comprise an induction coil for creating an alternating electromagnetic field which is received by an induction coil comprised in the charging-interface circuit 121. Wireless charging technologies which are based on inductive coupling typically require that the two induction coils are in proximity, e.g., by placing the WCD 120 on the top of the wireless-charging pad 110.

The charging-interface circuit 111 is further configured to exchange data with the WCD 120, via the corresponding charging-interface circuit 121. In the present context, exchanging data is to be understood as

encompassing transmitting data from the electrical charger 110 to the

WCD 120 (receiving data by the WCD 120 from the electrical charger 110), and optionally vice versa, i.e., transmitting data from the WCD 120 to the electrical charger 110 (receiving data by the electrical charger 110 from the WCD 120).

It will be appreciated that connectors, ports, and cables, which are commonly used for operatively interconnecting electrical chargers with battery-powered devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, are typically capable of exchanging data between the interconnected devices. In particular, this is the case for USB- and Lightning-type ports, connectors, and cables.

For embodiments of the invention which rely on wireless charging, i.e., the charging-interface circuit 111 is configured to provide the charging current to the WCD 120 via the inductive coupling 215, it is noted that at least some of the known wireless-charging standards prescribe that the charged device, in the present context the WCD 120, can transmit data to the charging device, in the present context the electrical charger 110. This transfer of data is used by the charged device to control the power which is transmitted by the charging device over the inductive coupling. That is, the charged device transmits power-control commands to the charging device.

For instance, the Qi standard utilizes a switchable resonance modulator on the power-receiver side to cause changes in the resonant frequency of the coupled system, which comprises the power-transmitting induction coil and the power-receiving induction coil. These changes in the resonance frequency may be detected on the power-transmitter side as a corresponding change in the delivered power. Hence, by applying a modulation on the power-receiver side, in the present context charging- interface circuit 121 , the resonant frequency of the coupled system is modulated accordingly, and data can be transferred from the WCD 120 to the electrical charger 110, via the inductive coupling 215 between the charging- interface circuits 121 and 111.

It will be appreciated that the resonant frequency of the coupled system may likewise be modulated by using a switchable resonance modulator on the power-transmitter side to cause changes in the resonant frequency of the coupled system which can be detected at the power- receiver side. Hence, by applying a modulation on the power-transmitter side, in the present context the charging-interface circuit 111 , the resonant frequency of the coupled system is modulated accordingly, and data can be transferred from the electrical charger 110 to the WCD 120, via the inductive coupling 215 between the charging-interface circuits 111 and 121. It is noted that extensions have been proposed to at least some of the wireless- charging standards which aim at enabling data transfer in the direction from the charging device (power transmitter) to the charged device (power receiver). Further with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the electrical charger 110 further comprises processing means 113 which is operative to cause the electrical charger 110 to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention set forth herein. More specifically, the electrical charger 110 is operative to transmit credentials for accessing a WLAN 130 via the charging- interface circuit 111 to the WCD 120. The WLAN 130 may comprise one or more access points and optionally network nodes for providing WCDs accessing the WLAN 130, such as WCD 120, with connectivity to other communications networks, such as the Internet. The WLAN 130 may further optionally comprise, or provide access to, a network node for managing access to the WLAN 130, e.g., by generating and/or revoking credentials.

The WCD 120 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a charging-interface circuit 121 which is configured to receive a charging current from the electrical charger 110, via the corresponding charging-interface circuit 111 comprised in the electrical charger 110. The charging-interface circuit 121 is further configured to exchange data with the electrical charger 110, via the charging-interface circuit 111. It will be appreciated that, in order to transfer the charging current from charging-interface circuit 111 to charging-interface circuit 121 , and to exchange data between the charging-interface circuits 111 and 121 , they need to be of the same or at least of compatible types.

The WCD 120 further comprises a network-interface circuit 122 which is configured to access the WLAN 130. In particular, the network-interface circuit 122 may be configured to effect wireless communications with an access point of the WLAN 130, preferably in accordance with IEEE 802.11 standards. The network-interface circuit 122 may optionally be further configured to access a cellular communications network, i.e., a mobile telephony network, such as a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, or a New Radio (NR) network. The WCD 120 further comprises processing means 123 which is operative to cause the WCD 120 to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention set forth herein. More specifically, the WCD 120 is operative to receive credentials for accessing the WLAN 130 via the charging-interface circuit 121 from the electrical charger 110, and to connect to the WLAN 130 using the received credentials.

It will be appreciated that the WCD 120 may comprise additional components which are not necessarily illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In particular, the WCD 120 may comprise components which are configured to provide a user interface for the WCD 120, to enable a user to interact, i.e., control, the WCD 120, as is known in the art. Such components may, e.g., comprise a keyboard, one or more buttons, a display, a touchscreen, a microphone, or a loudspeaker.

The credentials transferred from the electrical charger 110 to the WCD 120 may comprise at least one set of credentials, where each set of credentials comprises key material, either a network key or a passphrase, for a corresponding WLAN. Each set of credentials may further comprise an identifier of the corresponding WLAN, such as an SSID. In addition, each set of credentials may further comprise information specifying the authentication method to be used for accessing the WLAN, such as WEP, WPA, or WPA2, and/or information specifying an encryption method for decrypting the key material by the WCD 120, if the key material is encrypted.

The exchange of data between the electrical charger 110 and the WCD 120, including the exchange of credentials, may be effected via any suitable protocol.

As an example, if the charging-interface circuits 111 and 121 are based on USB, the operating system of the WCD 120 may be shipped with an Application Programming Interface (API) which facilitates establishing a connection and exchanging data between the WCD 120 and an external USB device, such as the electrical charger 110, which is connected to the

WCD 120 via a USB connection 115.

For instance, if the WCD 120 is based on the Android operating system, embodiments of the invention may be implemented based on the android. hardware. usb Android package (added in API level 12) which supports communication of an Android-based device with USB hardware peripherals. Depending on implementation, the WCD 120 may either act as “USB host” and the electrical charger 110 as“USB accessory”, or vice versa. The device implementing the USB host may use class UsbDevice (in android. hardware. usb. UsbDevice) to communicate with the interconnected device implementing the USB accessory. The device implementing the USB accessory may use class UsbAccessory (in

android. hardware. usb. UsbAccessory) to communicate with interconnected device implementing the USB host. More specifically, class

UsbDeviceConnection (in android. hardware. usb. UsbDeviceConnection) may be used by a USB host for communicating, i.e., exchanging data, with an interconnected device implementing the USB accessory. In particular, class UsbDeviceConnection provides a member bulkTransferQ which performs a bulk transfer of data (from/to a data buffer) in a selectable direction.

As a further example, if the WCD 120 is based on the iOS operating system, embodiments of the invention may be implemented based on the ExternalAccessory iOS Framework (introduced in iOS 3.0) which provides support for communicating with external hardware connected to an iOS- based device through Apple Lightning, such as the electrical charger 110 connected to the WCD 120 via a Lightning connection 115. More specifically, the WCD 120 may communicate with the electrical charger 110 by means of classes EAAccessory and EASession. The latter provides two streams, inputStream and outputStream, for receiving data from the accessory (the electrical charger 110) and sending data to the accessory, respectively. The exchange of data between the WCD 120 and the electrical charger 110 in accordance with embodiments of the invention, e.g., credentials, WLAN identifiers, request messages, and so forth, utilizes an available communication channel which is established between the two devices, such as the Android bulkTransferQ or the iOS inputStream and outputStream described above.

Whereas embodiments of the electrical charger are mainly described with reference to the conventional electrical charger 110 or the wireless- charging pad 110 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the electrical charger may alternatively be comprised in a computer, a laptop, a charging station, a charging hub, a television, an internet modem, a home hub, or a WLAN access point. Likewise, embodiments of the WCD are not limited to the smartphone 120 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the WCD may alternatively be embodied as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a gaming console, or a media player.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4, which illustrate the provisioning of credentials in further detail.

With reference to Fig. 3, the electrical charger 110 may be operative to transmit the credentials 335 in response to receiving 311 a user instruction, such as pressing a button 116 on the electrical charger 110. Alternatively, the user instruction may be received 311 from a computing device, such as a tablet, a smartphone, a computer, or the like, which is operated by an owner of the WLAN 130. For instance, the owner of the WLAN 130 may utilize an app (i.e., a software application) for managing access to the WCD 120. In this case, the electrical charger 110 further comprises a network-interface circuit 114 which is configured to receive 311 such an instruction from the app. For instance, the network-interface circuit 114 may be configured to access the WLAN 130, similar to network- interface circuit 122 comprised in the WCD 120. As a further example, if the electrical charger 110 is comprised in a television, e.g., in a hotel room, the user of the WCD 120 may initiate provisioning of the credentials by selecting a menu item displayed as part of an on-screen menu.

The electrical charger 110 may alternatively or additionally be operative to transmit the credentials 335 in response to detecting 312 that the WCD 120 is operatively connected to the electrical charger 110. In the present context, being operatively (inter)connected encompasses that the cable 115 is plugged in on both the electrical charger 110 and the WCD 120, or that both the electrical charger 110 and the WCD 120 are brought in proximity to establish the inductive coupling 215 between the electrical charger 110 and the WCD 120, so that the charging current can be transferred from the electrical charger 110 to the WCD 120 and that data exchange between the two devices can commence. Optionally, a handshake procedure may commence between the electrical charger 110 and the WCD 120, in particular between the charging-interface circuits 111 and 121 , so as to verify that both devices are capable of provisioning WLAN

credentials in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

The WCD 120 may optionally be operative to transmit a request 325 for credentials to the electrical charger 110. Correspondingly, the electrical charger 110 may alternatively or additionally be operative to receive the request 325 for credentials from the WCD 120, and to transmit 335 the credentials in response thereto.

Optionally, the request 325 for credentials may comprise at least one WLAN identifier, such as an SSID, where each WLAN identifier corresponds to a WLAN which is accessible by the WCD 120. Herein, a WLAN is considered accessible by a WCD if the WCD can connect to the WLAN given that it is successfully authenticated. In practice, this means that the WCD is within the coverage area of the WLAN. If the request 325 for credentials comprises at least one WLAN identifier, the electrical charger 110 is operative to transmit at least one set of credentials 335 which corresponds to the received (in the request 325 for credentials) at least one WLAN identifier. This may, e.g., be the case if the electrical charger 110 has stored several (sets of) credentials for different WLANs, or if the credentials are generated or acquired from a credentials-managing entity, as is described further below.

The identifier of the WLAN which is received with the request 325 for credentials may, e.g., be one out of several WLANs which are accessible by the WCD 120. The WCD 120 may optionally be operative to query 321 a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access, e.g., by displaying a list of accessible WLANs from which the user can select a WLAN, as is known in the art. In this case, the request 325 for credentials comprises the WLAN identifier which corresponds to the selected WLAN.

If the credentials 335 received by the WCD 120 comprise more than one set of credentials, the WCD 120 may further be operative to query 341 a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access from the WLANs corresponding to the received more than one set of credentials. For instance, the WCD 120 may be operative to display a list of WLANs which are accessible by the WCD 120 and for which the WCD 120 has received corresponding credentials. The user can select a WLAN from the list, as is known in the art.

The WCD 120 is further operative to connect 342 to the WLAN which is selected by the user of the WCD 120. Optionally, if only one set of credentials is received, or if among the credentials received only one corresponding WLAN is accessible by the WCD 120, the WCD 120 may be operative to connect 342 to that WLAN without requiring a selection by the user.

With reference to Fig. 4, illustrating alternative embodiments of the invention, the electrical charger 110 may be operative to transmit at least one WLAN identifier 435 to the WCD 120, where each WLAN identifier

corresponds to a WLAN for which the electrical charger 110 is able to transmit credentials. Correspondingly, the WCD 120 may be operative to receive the at least one WLAN identifier 435 from the electrical charger 110.

Optionally, the electrical charger 110 may be operative to transmit the at least one WLAN identifier 435 in response to receiving 411 a user instruction, similar to what has been described with reference to Fig. 3.

Alternatively or additionally, the electrical charger 110 may be operative to transmit the at least one WLAN identifier 435 in response to detecting 412 that the WCD 120 is operatively connected to the electrical charger 110, similar to what has been described with reference to Fig. 3. Further alternatively or additionally, the electrical charger 110 may be operative to transmit the at least one WLAN identifier 435 in response to receiving a request 425 for WLAN identifiers from the WCD 120. In this case, the

WCD 120 may be operative to transmit the request 425 for WLAN identifiers to the electrical charger 110, e.g., in response to detecting 422 that the two devices are operatively connected.

The WCD 120 is further operative to transmit a request 445 for credentials to the electrical charger 110. The request 445 for credentials comprises a WLAN identifier of the at least one WLAN identifier which the WCD 120 has received from the electrical charger 110 and which

corresponds to a WLAN which the WCD 120 attempts to access. The

WCD 120 may optionally be operative to query 421 a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access. In this case, the request 445 for credentials comprises the WLAN identifier which corresponds to the selected WLAN.

Querying 421 a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access is further illustrated in Fig. 5, which exemplifies the WCD 120 displaying a list 501 of WLANs which are accessible by the WCD 120. Optionally, the WCD 120 may be operative to indicate the accessible WLANs for which the electrical charger 110 can provide credentials, based on the received WLAN identifiers 435. The availability of credentials for an accessible WLAN may, e.g., be indicated by a symbol 502 (in Fig. 5 shown as a key) which is displayed adjacent to the corresponding WLAN identifier. As an alternative, the WCD 120 may be operative to only display WLANs for selection which are accessible by the WCD 120 and for which the electrical charger 110 is able to transmit credentials.

Further with reference to Fig. 4, the electrical charger 110 is operative to receive the request 445 for credentials from the WCD 120, and to transmit the credentials 455 corresponding to the received WLAN identifier (which is received in request 445 for credentials) in response to receiving the request 445 for credentials. Correspondingly, the WCD 120 may be operative to receive the credentials 455 corresponding to the transmitted WLAN identifier from the electrical charger 110.

Similar to what has been described with reference to Fig. 3, the WCD 120 is further operative to connect 462 to the WLAN which is selected by the user of the WCD 120 as a result of querying 421 the user to select a WLAN. Optionally, if only one set of credentials 455 is received, or if among the credentials 455 received only one corresponding WLAN is accessible by the WCD 120, the WCD 120 may be operative to connect 462 to that WLAN without requiring a selection by the user.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the electrical charger 110 may further comprise a memory configured to store at least one set of credentials. The memory may, e.g., be comprised in the processing means 113 or may alternatively be a separate memory (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2). The electrical charger 110 may further be operative to acquire 331/451 the credentials for transmission to the WCD 120 from the memory. In particular, this may be the case if static credentials are used, e.g., in a consumer-home scenario. In such case, the electrical charger 110 may be operative to receive the credentials from a computing device which is operated by an owner of the WLAN during a setup process. For instance, the owner may use an app which is provided by the manufacturer of the electrical charger 110 for transferring one or more sets of credentials to the electrical charger 110 where they are stored. The one or more sets of credentials may either be transferred through WLAN to which the electrical charger 110 is connected, via network-interface circuit 114, or via charging-interface circuit 111 if the electrical charger 110 is operatively connected, via the cable 115 or the inductive coupling 215, to the computing device operated by the owner of the WLAN.

The electrical charger 110 may alternatively or additionally be operative to generate 331/451 the credentials. This may be the case if non- static credentials are used, e.g., credentials which are valid for accessing the WLAN during a limited duration of time, or credentials which are unique for a specific WCD 120. The latter may be achieved by utilizing an identifier which is received from, and associated with, the WCD 120 in generating 331/451 the credentials. The identifier may, e.g., be a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), an Apple ID, a user account, a user email address, or the any other identifier which is unique to the WCD 120.

The electrical charger 110 may alternatively or additionally be operative to acquire 331/451 the credentials from a separate network node which is used for managing credentials for accessing the WLAN 130, before transmitting the credentials 335/455 to the WCD 120. In this case, the electrical charger 110 further comprises a network-interface circuit 114 which is configured to request and receive one or more sets of credentials from such a network node via communications network to which the electrical charger 110 is connected, via network-interface circuit 114. The network- interface circuit 114 may, e.g., be configured to access the same WLAN 130 as the WCD 120. The network node which is used for managing credentials may, e.g., be a WLAN access point, a dedicated node for managing access to a WLAN, e.g., within a hotel, airport, or the like, or a home hub.

The WCD 120 may optionally be operative to discard the credentials in response to disconnecting from the WLAN 130. In this way, the owner of the WLAN 130 may grant access to the WLAN 130 only while the WCD 120 is within coverage of the WLAN 130, e.g., the owner’s home or the premises of a restaurant or airport.

In the following, embodiments of the processing means 113

comprised in embodiments of the electrical charger 110 are described with reference to Fig. 6.

A first embodiment 610 of the processing means 113, shown in Fig. 6, comprises a processing unit 612, such as a general-purpose processor, and a computer-readable storage medium 613, i.e., a memory, such as a

Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Flash memory, or the like. In addition, the processing means 610 comprises one or more interfaces 611 (“I/O” in Fig. 6) for controlling and/or receiving information from other components comprised in the electrical charger 110, such as the charging-interface circuit 111 , the network-interface circuit 113, and a user interface which, e.g., may comprise one or more buttons 116 or a display configured to display an on-screen menu, as is described hereinbefore. The memory 613 contains computer- executable instructions 614, i.e., a computer program or software, to cause the electrical charger 110 to become operative to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention as described herein, when the computer- executable instructions 614 are executed on the processing unit 612.

A second embodiment 620 of the processing means 113, shown in Fig. 6, comprises one or more interfaces 621 (“I/O” in Fig. 6) which are similar to the interfaces(s) 611 comprised in processing means 610, for controlling and/or receiving information from other components comprised in the electrical charger 110, such as the charging-interface circuit 111 , the network-interface circuit 113, and a user interface which. The processing means 620 further comprises a credentials module 622 and an optional user- interface module 623, which are configured to cause the electrical

charger 110 to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention as described herein. In particular, the credentials module 622 is configured to transmit credentials for accessing a WLAN 130 via the charging-interface circuit 111 to the WCD 120.

Optionally, the credentials module 623 is configured to transmit the credentials in response to receiving a user instruction via the user-interface module 623. The credentials module 623 may alternatively or additionally be configured to transmit the credentials in response to detecting that the WCD 120 is operatively connected to the electrical charger 110. The credentials module 622 may alternatively or additionally be configured to transmit the credentials in response to receiving a request for credentials from the WCD 120. The request for credentials may optionally comprise at least one WLAN identifier, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN which is accessible by the WCD, and the credentials module 622 may be configured to transmit at least one set of credentials which corresponds to the received at least one WLAN identifier.

Optionally, the credentials module 622 may be configured to transmit at least one WLAN identifier to the WCD 120, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN for which the electrical charger 110 is able to transmit credentials, to receive a request for credentials from the WCD 120, the request for credentials comprising a WLAN identifier of the at least one WLAN identifier transmitted to the WCD 120 and corresponding to a WLAN which the WCD 120 attempts to access, and to transmit the credentials corresponding to the received WLAN identifier in response to receiving the request for credentials.

Optionally, the credentials module 622 is further configured to acquire the credentials for transmission to the WCD from a memory configured to store at least one set of credentials. Alternatively, the credentials module 622 may be configured to generate the credentials. As a further alternative, the credentials module 622 may be configured to acquire the credentials via a communications network from a network node managing credentials for accessing the WLAN.

The modules 622 and 623 comprised in the processing means 620 may further be configured to perform additional or alternative operations in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as described herein.

The interfaces 611 and 621 , and the modules 622 and 623, as well as any additional modules comprised in the processing means 620, may be implemented by any kind of electronic circuitry, e.g., any one, or a

combination of, analogue electronic circuitry, digital electronic circuitry, and processing means executing a suitable computer program, i.e., software.

In the following, embodiments of the processing means 123

comprised in embodiments of the WCD 120 are described with reference to Fig. 7.

A first embodiment 710 of the processing means 123, shown in Fig. 7, comprises a processing unit 712, such as a general-purpose processor, and a computer-readable storage medium 713, i.e., a memory, such as a

Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Flash memory, or the like. In addition, the processing means 710 comprises one or more interfaces 711 (“I/O” in Fig. 7) for controlling and/or receiving information from other components comprised in the WCD 120, such as the charging-interface circuit 121 , the network- interface circuit 122, and a user interface which may, e.g., comprise a display, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a trackpad, or the like. The memory 713 contains computer-executable instructions 714, i.e., a computer program or software, to cause the WCD 120 to become operative to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention as described herein, when the computer-executable instructions 714 are executed on the processing unit 712.

A second embodiment 720 of the processing means 123, shown in Fig. 7, comprises one or more interfaces 721 (“I/O” in Fig. 7) which are similar to the interfaces(s) 711 comprised in the processing means 710, for controlling and/or receiving information from other components comprised in the WCD 120, such as the charging-interface circuit 121 , the network- interface circuit 122, and a user interface. The processing means 720 further comprises a credentials module 722 and an optional user-interface module 723, which are configured to cause the WCD 120 to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention as described herein.

In particular, the credentials module 722 is configured to receive credentials for accessing the WLAN 130 via the charging-interface circuit 121 from the electrical charger 110, and to connect to the WLAN 130 using the received credentials.

The credentials module 722 may further be configured to transmit a request for credentials to the electrical charger 110. Optionally, the request for credentials may comprise at least one WLAN identifier, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN which is accessible by the WCD 120.

The credentials module 722 may further be configured to receive at least one WLAN identifier from the electrical charger 110, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN for which the electrical charger 110 is able to transmit credentials, to transmit a request for credentials to the electrical charger 110, the request for credentials comprising a WLAN identifier of the at least one WLAN identifier received from the electrical charger 110 and corresponding to a WLAN 130 which the WCD attempts to access, and to receive the credentials corresponding to the transmitted WLAN identifier from the electrical charger 110.

The user-interface module 723 may be configured to query a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access, and the request for credentials transmitted by the credentials module 722 comprises the WLAN identifier corresponding to the selected WLAN.

The user-interface module 723 may further be configured, if the credentials received by the credentials module 722 comprise more than one set of credentials, to query a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access from the WLANs corresponding to the received more than one set of credentials.

The credentials module 722 may further be configured to discard the credentials in response to disconnecting from the WLAN 130.

The modules 722 and 723 comprised in the processing means 720 may further be configured to perform additional or alternative operations in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as described herein.

The interfaces 711 and 721 , and the modules 722 and 723, as well as any additional modules comprised in the processing means 720, may be implemented by any kind of electronic circuitry, e.g., any one, or a

combination of, analogue electronic circuitry, digital electronic circuitry, and processing means executing a suitable computer program, i.e., software.

In the following, embodiments 800 of the method of performed by an electrical charger 110, are described with reference to Fig. 8.

The method 800 comprises transmitting 809 credentials for accessing a WLAN 130 to the WCD 120 via the charging-interface circuit 111.

Preferably, the credentials comprise at least one set of credentials, each set of credentials comprising key material for a corresponding WLAN. Optionally, each set of credentials may further comprise an identifier of the

corresponding WLAN.

Method 800 may further comprise receiving 801 a user instruction, and the credentials are transmitted 809 in response thereto.

Method 800 may further comprise detecting 802 that the WCD 120 is operatively connected to the electrical charger 110, and the credentials are transmitted 809 in response thereto.

Method 800 may further comprise receiving 805 a request for credentials from the WCD 120, and the credentials are transmitted 809 in response thereto. Optionally, the request for credentials may comprise at least one WLAN identifier, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN which is accessible by the WCD 120, and the at least one set of credentials which is transmitted 809 to the WCD 120 corresponds to the received at least one WLAN identifier.

Method 800 may further comprise transmitting 804 at least one WLAN identifier to the WCD 120, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN for which the electrical charger 110 is able to transmit credentials, and receiving 805 a request for credentials from the WCD 120, the request for credentials comprising a WLAN identifier of the at least one WLAN identifier transmitted to the WCD 120 and corresponding to a WLAN which the

WCD 120 attempts to access, wherein the credentials corresponding to the received WLAN identifier are transmitted 809 in response to receiving 805 the request for credentials.

Method 800 may further comprise acquiring 806 the credentials for transmission to the WCD from a memory comprised in the electrical charger 110 and configured to store at least one set of credentials.

Method 800 may further comprise generating 807 the credentials.

Method 800 may further comprise acquiring 808 the credentials via a communications network from a network node managing credentials for accessing the WLAN.

It will be appreciated that the method 800 may comprise additional, or modified, steps in accordance with what is described throughout this disclosure. An embodiment of the method 800 may be implemented as software, such as the computer program 614, to be executed by the processing unit 612 comprised in the electrical charger 110, whereby the electrical charger 110 becomes operative to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention described herein.

In the following, embodiments 900 of the method of performed by the WCD 120 are described with reference to Fig. 9.

The method 900 comprises receiving 905 credentials for accessing a WLAN 130 from an electrical charger 110 via the charging-interface circuit 121. The method 900 further comprises connecting 907 to the WLAN 130 using the received credentials and the network-interface circuit 122. Preferably, the credentials may comprise at least one set of credentials, each set of credentials comprising key material for a

corresponding WLAN. Optionally, each set of credentials may further comprise an identifier of the corresponding WLAN.

The method 900 may further comprise transmitting 904 a request for credentials to the electrical charger 110. Optionally, the request for credentials may comprise at least one WLAN identifier, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN which is accessible by the WCD 120.

The method 900 may further comprise receiving 902 at least one

WLAN identifier from the electrical charger 110, each WLAN identifier corresponding to a WLAN for which the electrical charger is able to transmit credentials, and transmitting 904 a request for credentials to the electrical charger 110, the request for credentials comprising a WLAN identifier of the at least one WLAN identifier received 902 from the electrical charger 110 and corresponding to a WLAN 130 which the WCD 120 attempts to access, wherein the received 905 credentials correspond to the transmitted WLAN identifier. Optionally, the method 900 may further comprise querying 903 a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access, wherein the request for credentials comprises the WLAN identifier corresponding to the selected WLAN.

The method 900 may further comprise, if the received 905 credentials comprise more than one set of credentials, querying 906 a user of the WCD 120 to select a WLAN for access from the WLANs corresponding to the received more than one set of credentials.

The method 900 may further comprise discarding the credentials in response to disconnecting from the WLAN 130.

It will be appreciated that the method 900 may comprise additional, or modified, steps in accordance with what is described throughout this disclosure. An embodiment of the method 900 may be implemented as software, such as the computer program 714, to be executed by a processing unit 712 comprised in the WCD 120, whereby the WCD 120 becomes operative to perform in accordance with embodiments of the invention described herein.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the invention by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.