Hotspot Access Point Session Continuity via Cellular Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hotspot wireless systems fail to maintain service sessions with mobile devices when they leave the coverage area, cannot recognize previously served devices upon re-entry, and lack the ability to continue consumer relations or provide alternative communication links, leading to increased hardware and communication costs.
Innovation Solution
A hotspot access point uses a short-range communication link to couple with mobile devices via the Internet, maintaining sessions by scanning for devices, identifying MAC addresses, and using hashed codes of MAC addresses and MSISDN numbers as identifiers for wide-area communication, allowing service providers to continue sessions via cellular links when devices leave the coverage area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hotspot wireless systems use short-range communication links for service provision, then service coverage is limited to physical proximity, but service sessions cannot be maintained when devices leave coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service provider server as an intermediary that bridges the short-range hotspot communication and long-range cellular communication. When a mobile device leaves the hotspot coverage area, the server uses the mapped cellular identifier to maintain the service session through cellular networks, thus resolving the contradiction between limited physical coverage and continuous service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the service provision from two-dimensional short-range wireless coverage to three-dimensional coverage by incorporating cellular network capabilities. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain service sessions beyond the physical hotspot coverage area through cellular infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hotspot systems only use short-range wireless identifiers, then device identification is simple, but service providers cannot recognize devices after they leave coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by mapping the cellular identifier to the short-range wireless identifier during the initial device registration phase. This pre-established mapping allows the system to recognize and track devices even after they leave the hotspot coverage area, enhancing adaptability without requiring complex real-time identification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the service provider server stores and retrieves device identification information. When a device re-enters the hotspot coverage area, the server uses the stored mapping information to recognize the device and restore the service session, enabling continuous service provision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hotspot services rely on SMS/MMS messaging, then terminal compatibility is improved, but service provider cannot maintain established service sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the hotspot access point universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: providing short-range wireless services within coverage area and maintaining service sessions through cellular networks when devices are outside coverage. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliable service sessions while accommodating various terminal types through standardized cellular protocols.
4Ease of manufacture
If service providers operate as separate entities from access points, then service functionality is comprehensive, but hardware and communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the service provider functionality with the hotspot access point by integrating cellular communication capabilities into the access point device. This consolidation allows the access point to directly manage service sessions through both short-range and cellular links, reducing hardware costs and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive service adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A hotspot access point enables a mobile wireless device to resume a service with a network server when service is interrupted by the mobile device moving out of the coverage area of the access point. A short-range communication link is established by the access point with the mobile device based on a local identification of the device. The access point requests additional information from the wireless device. The additional information relates to a wide area network identification of the device. The mobile device transmits additional information to the access point which stores the local area identification and additional identification. The access point transmits to the mobile device a coded identificator of the wireless device based upon the local area identification and a network identification of the device. The access point determines whether service with the mobile device is open and establishes a wide area connection with the mobile device.