Automated Access Interface Selection for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing communication systems lack automation in selecting the appropriate access network for network-based applications, leading to user inconvenience and potential connectivity issues due to the manual selection process, which can result in inefficient use of available access technologies and mobility limitations.

Innovation Solution

A communication device is configured with a processor that determines the suitability of access interfaces by processing information about available access interfaces and external applications, using service network identification and configuration control protocols like DHCP, to automatically select or suggest the most suitable access network for a particular service, ensuring required connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual selection of access network is used, then user control over network choice is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates and connectivity failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the access network to automatically provide service network identification information to the communication device, eliminating the need for manual user configuration. The device autonomously determines suitability and selects networks based on automated compatibility assessment, resolving the contradiction between user convenience and automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring service network identification information in the access networks before communication occurs. This advance preparation enables the communication device to automatically determine suitability without manual intervention, improving ease of operation while maintaining high automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual configuration of access network is required, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming setup

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having the communication device determine suitability based on service network identification information, then selecting and connecting to appropriate networks. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual configuration steps, significantly improving connection establishment speed while the standardized feedback mechanism keeps system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Service network identification information acts as an intermediary that enables automatic compatibility assessment between access networks and applications. This intermediary mechanism allows rapid connection establishment by pre-establishing compatibility criteria, improving productivity without requiring complex real-time analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If blind selection of access interface is used, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to connectivity failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidselection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring service network identification information in access networks before communication occurs. This advance preparation enables the communication device to automatically determine suitability without manual intervention, improving ease of operation while maintaining high automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the communication device determine suitability based on service network identification information, then select and connect to appropriate networks. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual configuration steps, significantly improving connection establishment speed while the standardized feedback mechanism keeps system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2057790B1Apparatus and method for selecting an access interface dependent on the services offered in the available networks
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2057790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2057790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2057790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus configured for communication via a plurality of access interfaces. The apparatus comprises a processor configured to process information regarding access interfaces received from an access system. The processing is for determining the suitability of at least one access interface for communication with an application based on said information regarding access interfaces and information regarding the application.