Wireless Hotspot Selection via Server-Mediated Credential Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in identifying and selecting the correct SSID and password for wireless hotspots from a long list of available access points, leading to inconvenience and reduced willingness to use hotspots, which hampers the diversion of 3G network data to Wi-Fi, resulting in low service quality and customer complaints.
Innovation Solution
A method where a mobile terminal device performs a site survey, sends a probe request, and receives terminal identifier information from nearby hotspot devices, which is then verified against a user database by a server. If registered, the server sends a text message with SSID and password information, allowing the device to automatically or manually connect to the hotspot, eliminating the need for users to memorize long credentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile terminal device performs site survey and receives a long list of SSIDs from nearby hotspots, then the device can identify available wireless networks, but the user finds it difficult to identify and select the correct SSID and password from the long list
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the mobile terminal device and the hotspot devices. The server receives terminal identifiers from hotspots, verifies user registration status, and sends simplified connection information (SSID and password) back to the mobile device. This intermediary system filters and processes the complex list of available SSIDs, presenting only the relevant connection information to the user, thereby resolving the difficulty in selecting from long lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary verification of user registration status with the server before the actual connection process. The mobile device first sends its terminal identifier to the server, which pre-verifies whether the user is registered and sends the appropriate connection information. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually browse and select from long lists of SSIDs, as the connection information is already prepared and sent in advance.
2Reliability
If users manually select SSID and input password from long lists, then connection accuracy is improved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mobile terminal device to perform self-service by automatically receiving and processing connection information from the server. Instead of requiring users to manually select SSIDs and input passwords, the system automatically sends the verified connection information (SSID and password) to the mobile device, which can then automatically connect. This self-service mechanism maintains connection accuracy while dramatically reducing the time required for manual selection.
3Productivity
If telecommunication providers deploy many hotspots to divert 3G traffic, then network load is reduced, but the complexity of managing and selecting hotspots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that manages the complexity of hotspot deployment and selection. The server receives terminal identifiers from numerous hotspot devices, verifies user registration status, and sends simplified connection information to mobile devices. This intermediary system allows telecommunication providers to deploy many hotspots for traffic diversion while abstracting the complexity from the user side, maintaining high productivity without increasing perceived device complexity.
4Area of stationary object
If the list of available access points is extended to include more hotspots, then network coverage is improved, but the user's ability to identify and select the correct hotspot deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a server as an intermediary that processes information from multiple hotspots across a wide coverage area. The server receives terminal identifiers from numerous hotspot devices, verifies user registration, and sends filtered connection information to the mobile device. This intermediary system enables extensive network coverage while simplifying the user's task of identifying the correct hotspot, as the server has already processed and presented only the relevant connection information.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a selection method for rapidly obtaining hotspot information, which is applicable to a wireless communication system including at least one mobile terminal device capable of performing a site survey and transmitting a probe request, a plurality of wireless hotspot devices each capable of receiving the probe request, reading a terminal identifier in the probe request and sending the terminal identifier out, and a server of a telecommunication company capable of receiving the terminal identifier. After receiving the terminal identifier, the server compares the terminal identifier against user data in a user database and then sends a text message to the mobile terminal device when determining that the terminal identifier is already registered in the user database, wherein the text message includes SSID and password of a wireless hotspot device to which the mobile terminal device can currently choose to connect for interconnecting the Internet.