Wireless Access Point List Management via Periodic Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face challenges in identifying all available wireless access points due to factors like battery conservation and temporary changes in their environment, leading to incomplete lists of accessible networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where mobile devices periodically scan for wireless access points, maintain a list of identified access points even after they are no longer detected, and decrement their count over time, allowing users to select previously accessible points even if they are out of range, thus conserving battery power and providing a more comprehensive list of potential networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices perform constant scanning for wireless access points, then the list of available networks is complete and up-to-date, but battery power is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs wireless access point scanning periodically rather than continuously. The scanning frequency is adjusted based on device movement detection - when the device is stationary, scanning occurs at a lower frequency to conserve battery power, while scanning frequency increases when movement is detected to maintain list completeness. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing complete access point information only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning frequency is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system monitors device movement and adjusts scanning frequency accordingly - increasing scanning frequency when the device moves (to maintain list accuracy) and decreasing scanning frequency when stationary (to conserve energy). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between list completeness and battery consumption based on real-time conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If mobile devices scan for wireless access points in low-power mode, then battery power is conserved, but some access points are not recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts scanning intensity based on detected device movement. When movement is detected, the system switches to higher-intensity scanning to ensure detection accuracy. When the device is stationary, it uses low-power scanning mode. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by providing accurate detection only when needed, while conserving battery power during stationary periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic scans at varying intensities. During stationary periods, low-intensity periodic scans conserve battery power. When movement is detected, the system performs more intensive periodic scans to ensure all access points are detected. This periodic action with variable intensity resolves the contradiction between power conservation and detection accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If mobile devices maintain access points on the list for extended periods, then users can reconnect to previously accessible networks, but the list contains outdated information about currently available networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages access point list entries based on current conditions. Entries are maintained longer when the device is stationary (improving reconnection capability), but removed sooner when movement is detected (maintaining information accuracy). This dynamic management resolves the contradiction by optimizing list retention behavior based on real-time device state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic reviews of the access point list to determine which entries to retain. During stationary periods, entries are retained longer to enable reconnection. When movement is detected, the system performs a review and removes outdated entries. This periodic review process resolves the contradiction between maintaining list entries for reconnection and removing them to maintain accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tracking wireless access points from a computing device. The method includes scanning in a first scan to identify wireless access points that are within wireless communication of the computing device, and scanning in one or more subsequent scans to identify wireless access points that are within wireless communication of the computing device. The method also includes creating a group of wireless access points that includes a combination of wireless access points that were identified in the first scan or in the one or more subsequent scans, and providing to a user of the computing device a list of wireless access points that includes members of the group of wireless access points that have been identified in a predetermined period of multiple scans for wireless access points.