Cellular Telephone as WiFi Access Point for Network Fallback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network access systems, such as cellular telephones and laptops, face limitations in accessing networks when out of range of hotspots, leading to interruptions in Internet and Intranet connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables a cellular telephone to function as a wireless access point, interfacing with both cellular and packet networks to provide continuous network access by prioritizing WiFi connections and utilizing the cellular network as a fallback when WiFi is unavailable, with a presence server managing the activation and deactivation of this access point based on user status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cellular telephone uses the cellular network for Internet access, then connectivity is maintained, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the network interface parameter by switching between cellular network and WiFi network based on availability and cost considerations. The cellular telephone monitors WiFi network presence and automatically transitions to the lower-cost WiFi interface when available, while maintaining cellular connectivity as backup.
2Reliability
If a laptop or cellular telephone 802.11 interface is out of range of a hot spot, then wireless network access is lost, but using cellular network as fallback increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular telephone acts as an intermediary device between the laptop and the network infrastructure. It establishes a wireless connection with the laptop using its 802.11 interface and simultaneously maintains a cellular network connection, thereby mediating network access for the laptop through the cellular network when WiFi hotspots are unavailable.
3Reliability
If a cellular telephone functions as a wireless access point, then continuous network access is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular telephone is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a standard cellular phone, a WiFi client for Internet access, and a wireless access point for other devices. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide continuous network access in various scenarios without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications processing device (110) includes a wireless network interface (120); and a processor (401) operably coupled to an auto detect module (121) configured to maintain a prioritized WiFi network connection list; wherein said processor (401) is programmed to attempt access a wireless packet network (102) using said wireless network interface (120) via a wireless network access point defined on said prioritized WiFi network connection list in a first mode and is programmed to access the wireless packet network (102) using said wireless network interface (120) via a cellular telephone (108) programmed to function as a wireless network access point in a second mode.