Mobile Device Connectivity Verification via Test Server Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices lack information about the connectivity of newly discovered wireless access networks, leading to difficulties in determining whether to save connections for future use and potential connection failures due to unknown authentication requirements.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device generates predetermined requests to a connectivity test server in the destination network to determine the level of connectivity and authentication requirements, using methods like HTTP and UDP requests to receive responses and record user interactions for future authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile device automatically joins newly discovered WLANs without preconfiguration, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unknown authentication requirements and connectivity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by sending test requests to a connectivity test server before fully establishing the connection. This allows the mobile device to verify network accessibility and authentication requirements in advance, preventing unreliable connections from being established without proper verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring responses from the connectivity test server and using this information to determine whether to maintain or terminate the connection. The mobile device continuously checks connectivity status and adjusts its connection state based on the feedback received, ensuring reliable operation
2Productivity
If the mobile device saves connection profiles for future use, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when authentication information is missing or incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication verification by sending test requests before saving the connection profile. This ensures that authentication credentials are valid and the network is accessible before committing the connection settings for future use, preventing unreliable profiles from being stored
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically verifying connectivity and authentication requirements without user intervention. The mobile device independently tests the network, obtains authentication information if needed, and saves the profile only when verification succeeds, improving both productivity and reliability
3Speed
If the mobile device indicates connection availability immediately upon joining WLAN, then the speed is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to premature indication before authentication completion
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the connectivity test server to determine when to indicate connection availability. Instead of indicating availability immediately upon joining the WLAN, the mobile device waits for confirmation from the test server that the connection is actually functional, ensuring accurate connectivity status information
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs an additional verification step (sending test requests to the connectivity test server) beyond the basic WLAN joining process. This extra action ensures reliable connectivity indication by confirming that the network is actually accessible before notifying applications and users
Data Source
AI summary
For supporting an access to a destination network by a mobile device via a wireless access network, the mobile device generates a predetermined request, which is addressed to a connectivity test server in the destination network. The predetermined request is transmitted to the wireless access network. In case the predetermined request reaches the connectivity test server, it generates a predetermined response and transmits it to the mobile device via the wireless access network. The mobile device determines whether a response to the predetermined request is received from the wireless access network and whether a received response corresponds to the predetermined response.