Base Station Wireless LAN Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication networks face challenges in managing access between cellular networks and wireless LANs, leading to potential overloading of cellular networks and unnecessary power consumption due to the lack of effective linkages and validation of accessible wireless LAN access points.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a base station broadcasts connection restriction parameters to user equipment, allowing controlled access to cellular networks based on wireless LAN intensity and validity, and updates lists of accessible wireless LAN access points to prevent unnecessary connections to malfunctioning APs, using a connection prohibition list, preferred, and non-preferred connection lists.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment attempts to switch to cellular network from wireless LAN, then connectivity option is provided, but cellular network overload occurs and satisfaction of cellular users is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity optionVSAvoidcellular network satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station monitors wireless LAN signal strength and connection status of user equipment, and provides feedback by broadcasting connection restriction parameters (allowing or prohibiting access) based on real-time network conditions. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary switches to cellular network during wireless LAN outages, thereby avoiding cellular network overload while maintaining connectivity options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs preliminary assessment of wireless LAN connection status and signal strength before allowing user equipment to access cellular network. By evaluating whether wireless LAN can reliably provide connectivity in advance, the system prevents premature or unnecessary switches to cellular network, thus avoiding overload conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If cellular network transmits list of all access points to user equipment, then access point information is provided, but unnecessary power consumption and connection delay occur due to scanning non-functional APs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess point informationVSAvoiduser equipment power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station extracts and transmits only the list of functional and accessible access points to user equipment, filtering out non-functional or unavailable APs from the complete list. This extraction of useful information reduces the number of APs user equipment needs to scan, thereby decreasing power consumption and connection delay while maintaining necessary access point information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary that validates access point functionality and serves as a filter between the full AP list and what is transmitted to user equipment. By intermediary processing, the base station ensures only reliable APs are shared, preventing user equipment from wasting resources scanning non-functional APs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3641401B1Method and device for controlling cell connection from wireless LAN in wireless communication system and providing valid information on peripheral wireless LAN access points
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3641401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3641401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for controlling access of a terminal if the terminal accesses from a wireless LAN network to a mobile communication network, when the mobile communication network (for example, UMTS, LTE and the like) and the wireless LAN network are linked in a wireless communication system. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for transmitting information on connectable peripheral wireless LAN networks. Thus, the present invention can reduce a load of a network since the network can control the access of a terminal, and can reduce unnecessary power consumption and solve a connection delay problem by providing a valid wireless LAN network list to the terminal.