Dual Wireless Module AP Selection via Base Station Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communication devices face inefficiencies in connecting to the best available Access Point (AP) due to manual scanning and potential suboptimal channel or signal quality, leading to wasted time and power.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication device with dual wireless modules and a controller module that receives distance information from a base station to determine suitable APs for connection, optimizing the connection process by scanning for APs at similar distances to the base station, thereby reducing power consumption and improving connection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the WiFi module performs a full scan for every possible AP nearby, then the device can find available APs, but it consumes excessive time and power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary work by determining the locations of APs in advance and providing this information to the mobile station. The mobile station then uses distance calculation based on uplink timing adjustment to directly identify suitable APs without performing a full scan, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the device manually and randomly determines an AP for connection, then the connection process is simple, but the channel quality or signal quality may be suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidconnection quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the base station regarding AP locations and distances to guide the mobile station in selecting the optimal AP. The base station provides distance information and location data, enabling the mobile station to make informed decisions about which AP to connect to, ensuring both simplicity and optimal connection quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the device uses GPS to determine location for AP selection, then accurate AP matching is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary that provides location and distance information to the mobile station. Instead of the mobile station using power-intensive GPS to determine its location, the base station calculates distances using uplink timing adjustment and provides this information directly, achieving accurate AP matching without the need for GPS usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables mobile devices to efficiently connect to the most suitable APs, reducing power consumption and connection time by determining optimal APs without the need for continuous scanning or GPS usage, ensuring stable and efficient wireless services.

Implementation Method 1

The wireless module performs wireless transmission and reception to and from a mobile communication device using a telecommunication technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless transmission: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

determining a first distance from the mobile communication device to the base station according to an uplink timing adjustment received from the base station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUplink timing adjustment: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 3

scans for the APs which have the corresponding second distances approximate to the first distance, to connect to one of the scanned APs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless signal scanning: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS9813980B2Methods for assisting mobile communication devices in connecting to an access point (AP), and mobile communication devices and base stations using the same

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 ACER INC

AI summary

A mobile communication device is provided with two wireless modules and a controller module. The first and second wireless modules perform wireless transmission and reception using a telecommunication technology and an SRW technology, respectively. The controller module receives distance information of one or more APs, or location information of the APs and the base station, from a base station via the wireless module, and determines a first distance from the mobile communication device to the base station according to an uplink timing adjustment received from the base station via the wireless module. Also, the controller module determines one or more second distances from the APs to the base station according to the received distance information or location information, and scans for the APs which have the corresponding second distances approximate to the first distance, to connect to one of the scanned APs via the second wireless module.