Mobile Device Info Synchronization via Roaming Neighbor Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large wireless communication networks face challenges in synchronizing mobile device information across access points due to memory and performance constraints, especially in scenarios where roaming between different controllers is required, and existing solutions either incur additional costs or are limited to devices supporting proprietary protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method that preemptively distributes mobile device information across access points predicted to have a future need for this information, allowing synchronization only with neighboring access points, reducing memory and processor requirements without the need for a centralized controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If every access point stores complete mobile device information, then information synchronization is achieved, but memory and performance constraints are violated in large deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into controller domains, where each controller manages a subset of access points and mobile devices. Instead of every access point storing all mobile device information, information is segmented and stored only at relevant controllers, reducing memory requirements while maintaining synchronization within each domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the network architecture by adding controllers as an intermediate layer between access points and mobile devices. This dimensional change allows information to be stored and managed at the controller level, eliminating the need for every access point to maintain complete information about all devices.
2Quantity of substance
If a centralized controller is implemented to store mobile device information, then memory constraints are reduced, but additional cost and complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing access points multi-functional by enabling them to act as both access points and potential controllers. This universal design allows the system to scale flexibly, where controllers are not separate dedicated devices but can be any access point that takes on the additional function of storing and managing mobile device information for its domain.
3Ease of manufacture
If mobile device cooperation is required for information synchronization, then proprietary protocols can be used, but compatibility is limited to devices supporting those protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces controllers as intermediaries between access points and mobile devices. The controllers handle the complex synchronization and authentication processes, using standard protocols like IEEE 802.11u that mobile devices already support. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for proprietary device-specific protocols while maintaining efficient information synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for synchronization of mobile device information in a wireless communication network includes associating 300 a mobile device (MD) to a first access point (AP). A next step includes transmitting 302 a roam notification message from the first AP to all APs in network. A next step includes associating 304 the MD to a second AP. A next step includes establishing 306 that the first and second APs are roaming neighbors. A next step includes building 308 a roaming neighbor list in the associated first and second APs for the MD, wherein the list includes those neighboring APs where the MD has been associated. A next step includes determining 310 that the MD is currently associated with an AP. A next step includes preemptively pushing 312 information about the MD to those APs in the list of the determined AP for synchronization.