Dynamic Wireless Network Blacklisting Based on User Activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless devices often face connectivity issues with networks due to factors like location, security credentials, or access point malfunctions, leading to repeated failed attempts that drain battery life, and aggressive blacklisting can negatively impact user experience by preventing connections to temporarily problematic networks.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically adjust the aggressiveness of network blacklisting based on user activity levels, prioritizing connectivity during interactive use and power savings during non-interactive periods, using activity indicators like display status and networking application activity to set different thresholds for blacklisting criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the device aggressively blacklists problematic networks, then battery life is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to preventing connections to temporarily problematic networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blacklisting policy is made dynamic by adjusting its aggressiveness based on detected user activity levels. When user activity is detected, the system adopts a less aggressive blacklisting policy that allows more connection attempts. When no user activity is detected, the system adopts a more aggressive blacklisting policy that prevents battery-draining connection attempts. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the blacklisting behavior to current usage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of blacklisting aggressiveness based on user activity detection. By monitoring activity indicators and adjusting the blacklisting threshold parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between battery conservation and connection reliability according to actual usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the device attempts to connect to discoverable networks, then connectivity is improved, but battery life deteriorates due to repeated failed attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by monitoring connection outcomes and user activity levels. When connection failures are detected combined with user activity indicators, the system adjusts its behavior to allow retry attempts. When connection failures occur without user activity, the system blacklists the network to prevent further battery-draining attempts. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by using outcome information to dynamically adjust connection behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the device maintains a strict blacklisting policy, then battery drainage is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when networks become temporarily available again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery drainageVSAvoidnetwork reconnection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blacklisting policy dynamically adapts its strictness based on real-time user activity detection. Networks that were blacklisted due to connection failures can have their status reevaluated when user activity is detected, allowing the system to attempt reconnection to networks that may have become temporarily available. This dynamic approach maintains energy efficiency while preserving adaptability to changing network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically reevaluates blacklisted networks based on user activity cycles. Instead of maintaining permanent blacklists, the system uses periodic activity-based reassessment to determine whether previously blacklisted networks should be attempted again, balancing energy conservation with the ability to reconnect when conditions improve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8718644B2Automatically modifying wireless network connection policies based on user activity levels

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 APPLE INC

AI summary

Modifying network connection policies of a wireless device based on user activity levels. One or more activity indicators of the wireless device may be monitored. One or more criteria for wireless network blacklisting may be selected based on the one or more activity indicators. The criteria may include different types of connectivity problems. A wireless network may be detected. The wireless network may be monitored for connectivity problems. The wireless network may be blacklisted if connectivity problems meeting the selected criteria for wireless network blacklisting are determined to have occurred.