Connected Flight Mode for Selective Wireless Network Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airplane modes on portable devices do not provide selective network connection configurations, leading to inefficient use of limited inflight network resources and potential battery drain, as they often disable all radio-frequency connections without distinguishing between types of devices or network qualities.

Innovation Solution

A connected flight mode that automatically switches on based on detected environmental and contextual factors, such as altitude and Wi-Fi signal strength, to selectively enable or disable specific wireless connections like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while disabling cellular networks, optimizing network usage and battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If airplane mode disables all radio-frequency connections, then cellular network transmission is blocked, but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also disabled even when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellular network interferenceVSAvoidselective network connection configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the traditional airplane mode by creating a connected flight mode that divides network connections into separate controllable components. Instead of disabling all radio-frequency connections simultaneously, the system allows selective management of cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections independently, enabling users to maintain beneficial connections while blocking harmful ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic connection management where network connection states can change based on flight phase, user preferences, and environmental factors. The connected flight mode automatically adjusts which connections are active or blocked, transitioning from static airplane mode to a dynamic system that adapts to changing conditions during the flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If airplane mode disables all wireless connections, then cellular transmission is prevented, but users must manually modify individual settings increasing operation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellular network transmissionVSAvoidmanual configuration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connected flight mode implements self-service by automatically detecting when the device is on an airplane and autonomously configuring appropriate network connections. The system monitors environmental factors, determines flight status, and automatically enables or disables connections without requiring users to manually adjust each setting, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining cellular blockage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If devices operate without distinguishing flight mode, then all Wi-Fi networks are treated equally, but inflight Wi-Fi resources are depleted by bandwidth-intensive tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connection flexibilityVSAvoidinflight network resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by treating inflight Wi-Fi connections differently from ground-based Wi-Fi. When connected flight mode is active, the device modifies its network behavior specifically for inflight environments, prioritizing certain tasks and limiting bandwidth-intensive operations to conserve limited onboard network resources, while maintaining flexible connection management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If airplane mode is always on, then cellular interference is prevented, but battery is drained faster due to managing multiple connection states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellular network transmissionVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connected flight mode applies partial action by selectively enabling only the necessary connection management features during flight. Instead of continuously managing all possible radio-frequency connections, the system activates cellular blocking and Wi-Fi management only when flight conditions are detected, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while still preventing cellular interference when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11588932B2Activating a connected flight mode

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for determining, by a mobile computing device while a cellular connection mode remains activated and a second wireless connection mode remains activated, that a sensor of the mobile computing device has detected information indicating that the mobile computing device is located on an airplane. The mobile computing device transitions, in response to having determined that the sensor has detected information indicating that the mobile computing device is located on the airplane, the mobile computing device into a connected flight mode, including by terminating the cellular connection mode while allowing the second wireless connection mode to remain activated.