Mobile Device Access Point Selection for Wi-Fi GAS Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large Wi-Fi hotspots, the existing method of network discovery by mobile devices, as described by WFA Hotspot 2.0, leads to flooding of airwaves and strains on advertisement servers due to multiple access points sending redundant GAS requests, resulting in delayed network discovery and selection.

Innovation Solution

A method where a mobile device scans for access points belonging to specific extended service sets, builds a list of these access points, and selects one to relay messages to the advertisement server, reducing redundant requests and messages, thereby optimizing network discovery and reducing server burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple access points send GAS requests in large Wi-Fi hotspots, then network coverage is improved, but airwave flooding and server strain occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidairwave flooding

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple access points into a single selected access point for GAS request transmission. Instead of each access point independently sending GAS requests, the mobile device selects one access point from the extended service set to relay all GAS requests to the advertisement server, consolidating communication channels and eliminating redundant transmissions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a selected access point as an intermediary between the mobile device and the advertisement server. This intermediary access point relays GAS requests and responses, reducing direct communication overhead from multiple access points and minimizing airwave flooding while maintaining network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple access points send GAS requests, then network discovery capability is improved, but advertisement server load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork discovery capabilityVSAvoidserver load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple access points into a single selected access point for GAS request relay. This merging reduces the quantity of GAS requests reaching the advertisement server from multiple sources to a single consolidated channel, thereby reducing server load while preserving network discovery capability through the selected access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the GAS request relay function from multiple access points and concentrates it in a single selected access point. This extraction eliminates redundant GAS requests from non-selected access points, reducing the total volume of requests processed by the advertisement server while maintaining discovery functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple access points relay GAS messages, then network coverage is improved, but network discovery speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidnetwork discovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple access point communications into a single selected access point for GAS message relay. This consolidation eliminates redundant message exchanges and reduces communication overhead, thereby accelerating network discovery speed while the selected access point maintains coverage across the extended service set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the mobile device to skip unnecessary communication with non-selected access points and rush through the network discovery process by directly utilizing the selected access point for GAS requests. This skipping of redundant steps reduces network discovery time while the selected access point ensures continued coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS9813981B2Techniques for selecting an access point for wireless network discovery

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Examples are disclosed for selecting an access point for network discovery by a mobile device. In some examples, a mobile device may scan access points belonging to one or more extended service sets (ESSs) belonging to one or more networks. The one or more networks may have advertisement servers capable of providing a generic advertising service (GAS) to the mobile device. The mobile device may select a single access point from among each of the ESSs to relay messages to advertisement servers of the one or more networks for the advertisement servers to provide the GAS to the mobile device. Other examples are described and claimed.