Mobile Device AP Position Association via Optical Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large wireless local area networks, accurately collecting and managing the positioning information of wireless access points (APs) is challenging due to discrepancies between planned and actual deployment positions, which hinders effective channel utilization, maintenance, and debugging.

Innovation Solution

A network appliance controller establishes a connection with a mobile device to receive identification and position information, either through barcode scanning or digital image processing, associating the identification information with the captured position to determine the deployment position of network appliances within the WLAN.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual pin placement on maps is used to input AP position information, then position data can be collected, but the positions indicated may differ from actual AP deployment positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of position information inputVSAvoidaccuracy of AP position data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical pin placement with automated optical recognition technology. The mobile device captures images of AP labels through a camera, and optical character recognition (OCR) automatically extracts position information from the images, eliminating the need for manual map pin placement while improving position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the AP label information through photography. Instead of manually entering position data, the system captures an image copy of the label containing the AP identifier and position information, then automatically processes this copy to extract accurate position data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If automated planning tools are used to calculate AP placement, then deployment plans can be generated, but actual deployment positions may differ from planned positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of network deploymentVSAvoidaccuracy of AP position data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual deployment positions are automatically captured and verified against the planned positions. The mobile device scans AP labels at their actual deployment locations, providing real-time feedback data that can be used to update and refine the deployment plan, ensuring position accuracy throughout the deployment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If position information is not accurately collected, then network management can proceed without detailed location data, but channel utilization optimization and maintenance planning are hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of network managementVSAvoidloss of position information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the network appliances to effectively self-report their position information. The mobile device automatically scans labels on APs and extracts position data without requiring manual intervention or complex data collection procedures, allowing the system to maintain simplicity while preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9986387B2Associating position information collected by a mobile device with a managed network appliance

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 FORTINET INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for obtaining and managing network appliance position information are provided. According to one embodiment, a network appliance controller establishes a network connection with a mobile device. The network appliance controller receives via the network connection from the mobile device identification information associated with a network appliance and position information. The network appliance controller associates the identification information with the position information as a deployment position of the network appliance within the wireless local area network (WLAN).