Networked Mobile Router Server Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices in vehicles face limited mobility due to the need to stay within wireless communication range of access points, and existing solutions like cellular networks are not universally available for all devices.
Innovation Solution
A networked mobile router system that includes an interface for wireless communications, memory for configuration and server information, and a communications agent to establish connections with a main server and group servers, allowing for dynamic server selection and failover, ensuring continuous connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices use wireless access points for network connection, then network connectivity is achieved, but mobility is constrained due to limited wireless communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cellular network as an intermediary between the mobile device and the wireless LAN. The mobile device connects to the cellular network, which in turn provides access to the wireless LAN through the mobile router. This intermediary approach allows the device to maintain connectivity while moving beyond the limited range of direct wireless access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wireless LAN coverage area to a three-dimensional cellular network coverage area. By utilizing cellular networks, the mobile device can access the network not only within the physical range of access points but also extends to the broader cellular coverage area, adding a new dimension to mobility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile devices are equipped with cellular network interfaces, then mobility is improved, but device complexity increases and not all devices can use this solution
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile router acts as an intermediary device that bridges the cellular network and wireless LAN. Instead of requiring cellular interfaces in every mobile device, the solution uses a dedicated mobile router with cellular capabilities to provide wireless access to other devices, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile router serves multiple functions: it provides cellular network connectivity, acts as a wireless access point, and functions as a router. This multi-functionality allows standard mobile devices without cellular interfaces to benefit from enhanced mobility through the universal mobile router system.
3Reliability
If mobile routers maintain continuous network connection, then connectivity reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple servers and configuration management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the server architecture into a main server that manages configuration and authentication, and group servers that handle specific communication tasks. This segmentation allows the system to maintain continuous connections while distributing complexity across multiple manageable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile router performs preliminary actions by storing configuration information and group server identification information in its memory. This pre-stored information enables the router to establish connections and switch between servers without requiring complex real-time configuration management, simplifying the overall system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile router, comprises a communications agent operable such that its initial communication to the network utilizes the main server information to establish a first communication with the main server. The mobile router further comprises a microprocessor operable with the communications agent to interact with the main server to upload configuration information to the main server. The communications agent is operable to receive group server identification information from the main server when communicating with the main server a second time. The microprocessor is operable to store the group server identification information. The group server information comprises information identifying one or more servers corresponding with a predetermined group assigned by the main server. The communications agent utilizes the group server identification information for subsequent communication via the network.