Location-Based Wireless Network Profile Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Client devices lack access to necessary network performance parameters for selecting the best available wireless network, leading to an inefficient network selection process.

Innovation Solution

A client device collects wireless network parameters from relevant locations and determines a quality score for each network, enabling informed selection based on collected data, either locally or through a server, to connect to the highest quality wireless network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a client device selects a wireless network without access to network performance parameters, then the selection process is simple, but the network selection efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection efficiencyVSAvoidselection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting network performance parameters (signal strength, data rates, latency, etc.) from multiple wireless networks at relevant locations before the actual network selection occurs. This advance data collection enables informed decision-making during the selection process, resolving the contradiction between simple selection and efficient selection by preparing performance data in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A server acts as an intermediary between the client device and multiple wireless networks. The server collects performance parameters from networks, processes the data, and provides recommendations to the client device. This intermediary handles the complexity of parameter collection and analysis, allowing the client device to make efficient selections without bearing the full complexity burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the client device collects and analyzes network parameters locally, then the selection is informed and efficient, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection efficiencyVSAvoiddata collection and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server serves as an intermediary that performs the complex tasks of collecting performance parameters from multiple wireless networks, processing the data, and generating selection recommendations. The client device receives pre-processed information from the server, which resolves the contradiction by transferring the complexity burden from the client device to the server while maintaining efficient, informed network selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the client device to autonomously select networks based on performance parameters provided by the server. The device uses the processed data to automatically make informed decisions without requiring manual user input or complex local analysis, balancing efficiency with reduced device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3284289B1Profile switching powered by location
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3284289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3284289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3284289B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device and method for profile switching based on location and wireless network quality are provided. A client device determines relevant locations for a user of the client device based on a variety of factors. After determining that a location is of particular relevance to the user, the client device will proceed to collect wireless network parameters for each available wireless network at each of the relevant locations for the user. The client device then determines a quality score for each wireless network at each relevant location and proceeds to utilize the quality score to make wireless network profile switching decisions as the client device travels between the relevant locations.