Mobile Device Velocity-Based WLAN Scanning Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices experience high power consumption during scanning operations for wireless networks, as they repeatedly search through numerous networks until a connection is established, which is inefficient and wasteful, especially when the device is in motion.
Innovation Solution
The device identifies its velocity and adjusts its scanning protocol by prioritizing either stationary or mobile wireless network profiles based on this velocity, reducing the number of networks to search and thus minimizing power consumption by focusing on subsets of profiles specific to the device's state (stationary or moving).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device performs repeated scanning operations to search for wireless networks, then the device can establish a connection with a wireless network, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network profiles into two distinct categories: stationary network profiles and mobile network profiles. This segmentation allows the device to selectively scan only the relevant subset of profiles based on its motion state, rather than scanning all available networks. By dividing the scanning task into targeted subsets, the device reduces the number of probe requests transmitted and received, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining reliable connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the scanning behavior based on the device's velocity. The system continuously monitors the device's motion state and dynamically switches between scanning stationary network profiles (when velocity is below threshold) and mobile network profiles (when velocity exceeds threshold). This dynamic adjustment optimizes the scanning process in real-time, preventing unnecessary scans and reducing energy consumption while ensuring connection reliability under varying motion conditions.
2Reliability
If the mobile device scans through numerous wireless networks repeatedly, then the device can identify an available network, but the time required for connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting network profiles into stationary and mobile categories, the patent reduces the search space from all available networks to only the relevant subset. This segmentation enables faster network identification by eliminating unnecessary scans of irrelevant networks, directly reducing scanning time while ensuring the device identifies appropriate available networks for connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary classification of wireless network profiles into stationary and mobile categories before the actual scanning process. This preliminary action organizes the network profiles in advance based on their characteristics, so that when scanning is needed, the device can immediately access the pre-sorted relevant subset without having to evaluate all networks. This preparation significantly accelerates network identification while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the mobile device scans all wireless network profiles, then the device can ensure comprehensive network coverage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the scanning protocol by segmenting network profiles into two clear categories with distinct scanning rules. Instead of implementing a complex protocol that handles all possible network scenarios uniformly, the system uses simple segmentation to create two straightforward scanning paths: one for stationary networks and one for mobile networks. This segmentation reduces protocol complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage within the relevant network subset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the scanning approach to the specific motion state of the device. Rather than using a single complex scanning protocol for all conditions, the system adjusts the scanning behavior locally based on whether the device is stationary or moving. This localized adaptation simplifies the overall protocol structure by creating context-specific scanning rules that are easier to implement and manage.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for efficient scanning for WLANs based on mobile device velocity are described. In one illustrative example, a mobile device identifies whether its velocity is less than or greater than a threshold value. While it is identified that the velocity of the mobile device is less than the threshold value, the mobile device scans to search for one or more WLANs identified in a first subset of WLAN profiles (e.g. “stationary” WLANs). While it is identified that the velocity of the mobile device is greater than the threshold value, the mobile device scans to search for the one or more WLANs identified in a second subset of WLAN profiles (e.g. “mobile” WLANs). Advantageously, a suitable WLAN may be more efficiently identified with use of a technique which reduces power consumption of the mobile device.