Automated Tethering with Data Usage Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethering techniques are cumbersome for users to set up and manage, especially in terms of security and data transmission rates and amounts, and most users are unaware of the capability to use a smartphone or WWAN-capable device for network connectivity, leading to potential data overruns.
Innovation Solution
An automated tethering process is implemented, allowing users to register permitted devices for WWAN connectivity, facilitating secure and monitored connections, and actively synchronizing network details to prefer Wi-Fi over WWAN, with alerts and actions to prevent data plan overages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated tethering process is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors data usage, sends alerts, and manages tethering connections without requiring user intervention. The electronic device performs self-service functions including automated data tracking, alert generation, and connection management, eliminating the need for manual configuration and monitoring by users.
2Loss of information
If data usage monitoring is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors data usage and provides feedback to users through alerts and notifications. The electronic device tracks data consumption in real-time, compares it against predetermined thresholds, and sends alerts to both the user and the service provider when thresholds are approached or exceeded, ensuring users maintain awareness of their data usage.
3Reliability
If secure tethering connections are established, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes predetermined data usage thresholds and alert preferences before tethering begins. Users configure their data limits, alert methods, and contact information in advance, allowing the system to automatically manage secure connections and enforce data limits without requiring real-time user decisions or complex security negotiations during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a method, including: establishing, using a wireless wide area network (WWAN) device of an electronic device, a WWAN connection; communicating, using the WWAN device, data over the WWAN connection; tethering, using the WWAN device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) device of the electronic device, another user device; communicating, using a processor of the electronic device, data according to the tethering; and determining, using a processor of the electronic device, a separate data usage value for data communicated over the WWAN for the another user device. Other aspects are described and claimed.