Mobile Device Wireless Access Point Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for identifying and managing wireless networks are inadequate, particularly in detecting home and work networks, as they rely on SSID identification and geolocation, which fail in dense population areas and with private routers or older devices.

Innovation Solution

A connection management resource tracks multiple wireless access points used by a mobile device and assigns default access points based on frequent usage, location, and usage patterns to provide reliable connectivity, classifying networks as home or work without requiring explicit location information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods using SSID identification and geolocation are used to detect home and work networks, then network identification can be performed, but accuracy deteriorates in dense population areas and with private routers or older devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork identification accuracyVSAvoidcompatibility with various network types

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device autonomously performs network classification by tracking its own connection history and analyzing usage patterns without requiring external configuration or GPS data. The device self-determines which access points are home or work networks based on its own behavioral data, eliminating dependency on provider-controlled systems or location services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors and analyzes connection feedback data from the mobile device, tracking which access points are connected to most frequently and under what conditions. This feedback loop enables the device to learn and adapt its network classification over time, improving accuracy without requiring explicit location information or provider configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If backend system configuration commands are sent to wireless routers to pull user configuration, then network detection can be performed, but device complexity and dependency on provider infrastructure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic network detectionVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the network detection functionality from the provider's backend system and relocates it to the mobile device itself. By taking out the dependency on carrier infrastructure, the solution enables automatic network detection without requiring complex backend systems or provider cooperation, significantly simplifying the overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device serves as an intermediary that performs network classification locally using its own connection history and usage patterns. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct communication between the device and provider backend systems, reducing architectural complexity while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If GPS-based geolocation is used to identify user location and associate with SSID, then network identification can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates in dense population areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation-based network association accuracyVSAvoidlocation accuracy in dense areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location system with a software-based approach that uses connection history analysis and usage pattern recognition. Instead of relying on physical location data that fails in dense areas, the system uses digital traces of device behavior to identify home and work networks, achieving accurate classification without location information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from spatial dimension (GPS coordinates) to temporal and behavioral dimensions (connection timing, frequency, and patterns). By analyzing when and how the device connects to different access points over time, the system identifies network types without relying on geographic precision, effectively adding new dimensions of analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20230276400A1Wireless connection monitoring, classification, and priority

Publication Date: 2023.08.31 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A connection management resource tracks multiple instances of a mobile communication device wirelessly connecting to each of multiple wireless access points at different times to access a remote network. Based on the tracking, the connection management resource determines a set of the multiple wireless access points that reside in a first geographical region. The connection management resource then assigns a selected wireless access point such as a first wireless access point from the set as being a default wireless access point in which to provide the mobile communication device wireless connectivity to the remote network. In one situation, the connection management resource assigns the first wireless access point as the default wireless access point in response to detecting that the mobile communication device most frequently, amongst the multiple instances, establishes wireless connectivity with the first wireless access point to access the remote network.