Group Network Acquisition for Mobile Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile communication devices experience rapid battery depletion when connected to unreliable or weak mobile networks, as existing solutions do not effectively manage power consumption during such conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system for distributed network acquisition among communication devices, where devices form groups based on connection status, share network acquisition duties, and negotiate schedules to conserve power by assigning connection periods and ceasing attempts during unassigned times, using multiple radio transceivers to adapt to signal conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If network polling frequency is decreased to conserve power when no signal is present, then power consumption is reduced, but network polling frequency does not affect battery usage for a weak signal condition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network acquisition task by forming groups of devices and assigning different connection periods to different group members. This segmentation allows the network acquisition function to be distributed across multiple devices rather than each device attempting continuous acquisition independently, thereby reducing individual device power consumption while maintaining reliable network connectivity for the group.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by assigning specific connection periods to group members during which they attempt network acquisition, and unassigned periods during which they conserve power. This periodic approach replaces continuous power-consuming network attempts with scheduled intermittent attempts, reducing overall power consumption while ensuring network acquisition occurs regularly through the coordinated efforts of group members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If multiple devices attempt network acquisition simultaneously, then network connection reliability is improved, but battery power is depleted rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connection reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network acquisition task by forming groups of devices and assigning different connection periods to different group members. This segmentation allows the network acquisition function to be distributed across multiple devices rather than each device attempting continuous acquisition independently, thereby reducing individual device power consumption while maintaining reliable network connectivity for the group.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the network acquisition efforts of multiple devices by forming groups and coordinating their connection attempts. Instead of devices operating independently and consuming power separately, their acquisition attempts are merged into a coordinated group effort where resources are shared and power consumption is distributed, achieving reliable network connection while conserving individual device battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a device turns off to conserve battery power, then power consumption is reduced, but the device becomes unusable for other purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by assigning specific connection periods to group members during which they attempt network acquisition, and unassigned periods during which they conserve power. This periodic approach replaces continuous power-consuming network attempts with scheduled intermittent attempts, reducing overall power consumption while ensuring network acquisition occurs regularly through the coordinated efforts of group members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables devices to serve themselves by allowing group members to share network connection responsibilities. When one device is in an unassigned connection period and conserving power, other group members can acquire and share network connections, allowing the conserving device to remain operational for local tasks while still maintaining network connectivity through group sharing, thus preserving device usability without continuous power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9854611B2Group network acquisition

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

For group network acquisition, systems, apparatus, methods, and program products are disclosed. The apparatus may include a radio transceiver for communicating on a mobile communication network, a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. In one embodiment, the processor detects a connection status of the radio transceiver and forms a group with a communication device based on the network status. In a further embodiment, the processor attempts network acquisition for the group during an assigned connection period and ceases network acquisition attempts during an unassigned connection period.