Barcode initiated hotspot auto-login mechanism for WLAN-based access networks

Thousands of WLAN-based hotspots have been deployed all over the world. Most of them are able to provide broadband Internet access. Beside broadband Internet access, hotspots are able to support off-loading of mobile networks. However, today´s hotspot solutions lack comfort to obtain login information and flexibility, such as point of time and duration of hotspot use. Furthermore, in most cases the user has to enter user name and password manually on the hotspot login page. This paper introduces a barcode initiated hotspot auto-login approach for WLAN-based hotspots which overcomes the drawbacks of today´s hotspot solutions and enables flexible and user-friendly hotspot login on demand. Moreover, the requirement of traceability of hotspot use is kept in mind by this solution.