Location-Aware Captive Guest Portal for Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networking systems face challenges in managing and optimizing multiple access points across large areas, leading to difficulties in providing location-specific guest portal experiences for clients, as they typically require multiple separate networks to tailor content and advertisements based on physical location.
Innovation Solution
A location-aware captive guest portal system that determines the physical location of client devices within a wireless network and processes requests using zone-specific profiles, allowing for a single common network to provide location-tailored content and advertisements by selecting the appropriate captive guest portal based on the device's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate networks are used to provide location-specific guest portal experiences, then the ability to tailor content and advertisements to physical location is improved, but the network management complexity and device quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple location-specific guest portals into a single unified network infrastructure. The system uses a common network with multiple access points, where a centralized controller determines client device locations and dynamically redirects requests to appropriate location-specific portals. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate networks while maintaining the ability to deliver location-tailored content and advertisements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary between client devices and guest portals. This controller receives requests from client devices, determines their physical locations using access point signal data, and intelligently redirects requests to the appropriate location-specific portal. This intermediary layer enables a single network to provide multiple location-specific experiences without requiring separate network infrastructures for each location.
2Device complexity
If a single common network is used to cover large areas, then the network management is simplified, but the ability to provide location-specific experiences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic portal selection within a static network infrastructure. The centralized controller continuously monitors client device locations by analyzing access point signal strengths and dynamically redirects client requests to different location-specific portals based on real-time position data. This dynamic adaptation allows a single common network to provide location-specific experiences by changing the logical portal assignment rather than the physical network structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the portal assignment parameter based on client device location. The centralized controller determines the physical location of each client device and modifies the portal selection parameter dynamically, redirecting requests to appropriate location-specific portals. This parameter-based approach enables a single network to deliver location-tailored content by changing which portal serves which client, rather than creating separate networks for each location.
3Measurement precision
If manual position map creation is used to track client devices, then the location tracking capability is achieved, but the time and effort required for setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service location tracking where the system automatically creates and maintains position maps without requiring manual intervention. The centralized controller automatically discovers access points, determines their physical locations through automated processes, and builds position maps dynamically. This self-service approach eliminates the time-consuming manual position map creation process while maintaining accurate location tracking capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary automated setup actions to establish location tracking infrastructure. The system pre-configures access points with location data and automatically generates position maps before actual client device tracking begins. This preliminary automated action reduces the time and effort required for manual position map creation by having the system perform these setup tasks automatically in advance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for providing a location-aware captive guest portal are described. Embodiments include receiving, from a client device, a request to access a wireless network for a physical environment, the network comprising a plurality of wireless access points configured to provide a common network. A physical location of the client device is then determined within the physical environment. Embodiments also determine a location profile corresponding to the physical location of the client device. The request to access the wireless network is then processed using a captive guest portal selected based on the determined location profile.