Dynamic AP List Arrangement Based on Device Roaming State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices provide AP lists arranged by signal strength or alphabetically, without considering the device's state information, leading to potentially irrelevant APs being listed before the required ones.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device determines an arrangement criterion for its AP list based on state information, such as location, network tariff plans, and roaming status, to prioritize relevant APs and improve user selection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the AP list is arranged according to signal strength or alphabetical order without considering device state information, then the arrangement is simple and universal, but the relevance of listed APs to user needs decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability of AP list arrangement to device stateVSAvoidComplexity of AP list arrangement logic
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic arrangement of the AP list by changing the sorting criterion based on the electronic device's current state. When the device is in a roaming state, APs matching the roaming network operator are prioritized. When not roaming, conventional sorting (signal strength or alphabetical) is used. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible to different operational contexts without requiring completely separate systems for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the arrangement parameter of the AP list based on the device's roaming state parameter. The sorting criterion is adjusted according to whether the device is roaming or not, allowing the system to adapt to different network conditions. This parameter-based adaptation enables the system to provide relevant APs in roaming scenarios while maintaining simple conventional sorting in normal scenarios, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the AP list includes all detectable APs regardless of device state, then the completeness of AP information is improved, but the efficiency of user selection decreases due to irrelevant APs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLoss of relevant AP informationVSAvoidTime for user to find suitable AP
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and prioritizes APs that are relevant to the device's current state by detecting the roaming status and filtering/AP-prioritizing those matching the roaming network operator. This extraction of relevant information from the complete AP list reduces information loss for users while minimizing the time needed to find suitable APs by placing them at the top of the list.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary arrangement of the AP list based on the device's roaming state before user selection. By pre-sorting or prioritizing relevant APs according to the current state, the system reduces the time users need to spend searching for suitable APs while ensuring no relevant information is lost in the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the AP list arrangement is fixed without considering roaming state, then the system is simple to implement, but the connectivity efficiency in roaming scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveReliability of connection in roaming stateVSAvoidComplexity of state-based arrangement logic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the AP list arrangement based on the device's roaming state. The system detects whether the device is in a roaming state and adjusts the sorting criterion accordingly, prioritizing APs that match the roaming network operator. This dynamic approach improves connection reliability in roaming scenarios while adding only the necessary complexity to detect state and apply appropriate sorting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the arrangement parameter of the AP list based on the roaming state parameter. By adjusting the sorting criterion according to the device's operational state, the system improves connection reliability when roaming without requiring complete redesign of the arrangement logic, thus balancing reliability improvement with acceptable complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3791634B1Electronic device for providing AP list and method for operating electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3791634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3791634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3791634B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a

AI summary

An electronic device and method are disclosed herein. The electronic device includes a communication module, a display, a memory and a processor which implements the method. The method includes receiving access point (AP) information from at least one AP through the communication module, generating an AP list including an AP communicatively connectable with the electronic device based on the received AP information, storing the AP list in the memory, identifying a state of the electronic device, determining an arrangement criterion for arranging a display order of Aps included in the AP list based on state information about the electronic device, and controlling the display to arrange the AP list according to the determined arrangement criterion.