Enterprise Controller Handover Management for Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in managing seamless handovers of wireless user equipment between radio access point devices within an enterprise environment, particularly in maintaining continuous communication capabilities as users move between different access points without notifying the external network infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

An enterprise controller apparatus is configured to generate and map context identifiers for wireless user devices, allowing for autonomous handover management between radio access point devices without informing the external network, by remapping identifiers when a user device switches from one access point to another, ensuring continuous communication without disrupting the external network's awareness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the enterprise controller autonomously manages handover between RAP devices without notifying external network infrastructure, then service continuity and mobility management within the enterprise are improved, but the complexity of identifier mapping and handover management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoididentifier mapping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary identifier mapping mechanism where the enterprise controller maintains a mapping between global identifiers (used by external network) and local identifiers (used internally among RAP devices). This intermediary layer allows autonomous handover management while keeping the external network unaware, resolving the contradiction by adding controlled complexity only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the identifier system into two distinct parts: global identifiers for external network communication and local identifiers for internal RAP device communication. This segmentation allows independent management of each identifier type, enabling autonomous handover within the enterprise while maintaining simple interactions with the external network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the enterprise controller generates and remaps context identifiers for each handover event, then seamless mobility management is achieved, but the processing overhead and time for handover operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management capabilityVSAvoidhandover processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the identifier mapping structure and maintaining ready-to-use mapping tables before handover events occur. When a handover is needed, the controller can quickly remap identifiers using pre-prepared mappings rather than creating new mappings from scratch, reducing handover processing time while maintaining full mobility management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the controller maintains separate identifier systems for internal and external network communications, then autonomous handover management is enabled, but the device complexity and operational overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous handover managementVSAvoidcontroller operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary mapping layer that automatically translates between global and local identifiers, enabling autonomous handover management without requiring complex manual configuration. The mapping mechanism operates transparently, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high automation in handover management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The enterprise controller performs self-service by automatically maintaining and updating the identifier mapping tables based on handover events. The system manages its own identifier mappings without external intervention, enabling autonomous operation while keeping the operational interface simple for network operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8611901B2Enterprise controller handover management of wireless user devices between radio access point devices

Publication Date: 2013.12.17 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Techniques are provided for transmitting and receiving communications on behalf of wireless user equipment devices between a plurality of radio access point (RAP) devices and a gateway apparatus through a controller apparatus. A controller apparatus generates a plurality of first identifiers used for communications on behalf of corresponding wireless user devices between the controller apparatus and respective RAPs. Each first identifier identifies a wireless user device and a RAP to which the wireless user device is associated. The controller apparatus maps each first identifier to a corresponding one of a plurality of second identifiers for communications exchanged on behalf of the wireless user devices between the controller apparatus and a gateway apparatus in the wireless cellular communication network. The controller apparatus remaps a new first identifier to an existing second identifier when a particular wireless user device has handed over from a first RAP to a second RAP.