Network-Unassisted Inter-Device Handoff via Vehicle Modem Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in conserving energy and improving link performance, particularly in scenarios where mobile devices need to hand off communications between different nodes without network assistance, leading to potential signal degradation and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method for inter-device handoff, where a communication is transferred between a first wireless communications device and a second device using a common identity associated with a WWAN, without assistance from the network, involving a synchronization period and timer management to ensure seamless handoff and energy conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a mobile device uses its own WWAN modem for communication, then communication independence is maintained, but energy consumption increases and link quality may degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication devices (mobile device, tablet, laptop, vehicle modem) into a unified communication system that shares a single WWAN connection. The vehicle modem acts as a gateway that consolidates WWAN access for multiple devices, eliminating the need for each device to maintain separate WWAN connections and reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle modem serves multiple functions: it acts as a WWAN gateway for multiple devices, provides wireless connectivity to various devices simultaneously, and enables handoff capabilities between devices. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for each device to have dedicated WWAN modem functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If communication is handed off between devices without network assistance, then energy efficiency improves, but handoff reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the gateway monitors communication quality metrics (signal strength, data throughput, error rates) from connected devices and uses this information to determine when handoff is necessary. The gateway also receives confirmation from devices about their communication status, enabling reliable handoff decisions without network assistance while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway pre-establishes communication links and maintains readiness states for multiple devices before handoff is needed. Devices are pre-authenticated and connection parameters are prepared in advance, allowing rapid and reliable handoff execution when triggered by quality degradation or energy conservation requirements.
3Productivity
If multiple devices share a common WWAN identity, then network resource utilization improves, but device identification and management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle modem gateway acts as an intermediary between multiple devices and the WWAN network. It manages the common WWAN identity and authentication credentials, presenting a single unified interface to the network while handling multiple device connections. This mediator approach simplifies identity management compared to each device maintaining separate credentials, as the gateway centralizes security management and device identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects describe infrastructure unassisted inter-device handoff. A method performed by a wireless communications apparatus for inter-device handoff is disclosed. A wireless communications apparatus that performs a network unassisted inter-device handoff is disclosed. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium that includes codes for carrying out inter-device handoff is disclosed. At least one processor configured to perform a network unassisted communication handoff is disclosed.