Master Service Management Module for Multi-Aggregator Network Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices face limitations in easily and efficiently accessing multiple aggregator services across different WLAN hotspots due to specific login requirements and lack of flexibility in managing network connections, with existing solutions being specific to each aggregator and requiring client software installation.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication device is configured with a 'master' service management module and a prioritized list of multiple aggregator service profiles, allowing it to scan for available networks, select appropriate profiles, and establish connections to access various aggregator services using a master service management module and aggregator service application modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional client software is used for each aggregator service, then authentication and network selection for that specific aggregator is simplified, but device complexity increases and flexibility to access multiple aggregator services is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication and network selectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal service management module that can manage multiple aggregator services through a single interface. Instead of requiring separate client software for each aggregator, the system uses a unified architecture where the service management module handles authentication and network selection for any aggregator service, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation across multiple services

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The service management module acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and multiple aggregator services. It receives authentication requests from the network, determines the appropriate aggregator service, and coordinates the authentication process centrally. This intermediary approach simplifies the device architecture by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate client applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional client software seizes control over WLAN selection mechanism, then control over network selection is centralized for that aggregator, but flexibility for the mobile device to utilize multiple aggregator services is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over network selectionVSAvoidflexibility to utilize multiple aggregator services
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control where the service management module can flexibly switch between different aggregator services based on current network conditions and user needs. Rather than being locked into a single aggregator's network selection mechanism, the system dynamically adapts its behavior to accommodate multiple aggregator services, maintaining reliability for each while enabling versatility across the board

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the network selection control by creating separate service profiles for each aggregator service within the unified service management module. This segmentation allows the device to maintain specialized control mechanisms for each aggregator while keeping the overall architecture modular and flexible, enabling easy switching between services without compromising reliability of any single one

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If existing solutions are specific to each aggregator, then authentication process for that aggregator is optimized, but ease of accessing multiple aggregator services is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication processVSAvoidease of accessing multiple aggregator services
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The service management module provides a universal interface that handles authentication for multiple aggregator services through a single unified process. Instead of requiring users to manually configure or switch between different authentication mechanisms for each aggregator, the system presents a consistent authentication experience while maintaining the optimized authentication processes of individual aggregators underneath the unified interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2421304B1Network selection with use of a prioritized list of multiple aggregator service profiles and wireless network profiles
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2421304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2421304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2421304B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device is configured to store one or more aggregator service application modules (312,314,316) for use in accessing one or more different aggregator services. Each aggregator service offers access through a plurality of offered wireless networks identified by a plurality of offered wireless network identifiers (310). The communication device maintains a prioritized list of profiles (320) which include one or more aggregator service profiles associated with the one or more aggregator services. A scanning operation (602) is performed for identifying one or more available wireless networks in a geographic area of the device, for producing a scan list of one or more available wireless network identifiers corresponding to the one or more available wireless networks. One of the aggregator service profiles is selected from the prioritized list (604), causing one of the aggregator service application modules corresponding to the selected profile to be invoked (608). The invoked module causes one of the available wireless network identifiers from the scan list that matches (612) one of the offered wireless network identifiers to be selected, if such matching identifier exists. A connection is established (614) with one of the available wireless networks corresponding to the selected available wireless network identifier, for accessing a selected aggregator service corresponding to the selected aggregator service profile.