Mobility Layer for Seamless WiFi Network Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile Internet users face challenges with continuous connectivity as they need to manually disconnect and reconnect to different WiFi networks at various access locations, disrupting existing connections and lacking seamless transitions.
Innovation Solution
A mobility layer within a wireless network capable and GPS-enabled mobile communication apparatus, connected to a mobility server, enables seamless transitions between WiFi networks by maintaining an internal network protocol address and routing capability, allowing continuous internet access even without available WiFi coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile user manually disconnects and reconnects to different WiFi networks at various access locations, then the user can access different WiFi networks, but the existing connections are disrupted and continuous connectivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobility layer as an intermediary component between the application layer and the physical WiFi networks. This mobility layer maintains a persistent tunnel connection to a mobility server, which acts as a mediator that routes traffic across different WiFi networks. When transitioning between networks, the application layer doesn't need to reestablish connections because the mobility server maintains the tunnel, thus preserving continuous connectivity while enabling access to multiple WiFi networks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile user manually manages WiFi connections at each access location, then the user can connect to available networks, but user intervention is required and seamless transitions cannot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility layer implements self-service by automatically detecting available WiFi networks, selecting appropriate networks for connection, and managing the tunnel establishment and maintenance without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously handles network transitions by monitoring signal strength and connectivity status, seamlessly switching between networks while maintaining active sessions, thus eliminating the need for manual user actions.
3Ease of operation
If a mobility layer with internal routing capability is implemented, then seamless transitions between WiFi networks are enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimensional layer (the mobility layer) between the existing application layer and network infrastructure, rather than modifying existing components. This dimensional addition encapsulates the complexity of routing and tunnel management within a dedicated layer, allowing the upper application layers to remain simple and unchanged while the mobility layer handles the sophisticated network transition logic independently.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system for seamless transition between WiFi networks (including in particular WiFi Internet networks) includes within a mobile communication apparatus a mobility layer that is tunneled to a mobility server within a network infrastructure. The mobile communications apparatus includes a wireless network capability, a global positioning system capability, an internal network protocol address and a routing capability. The apparatus and system also provide that the mobility layer is programmed to sequentially and automatically tunnel to the mobility server at an available geographically defined WiFi network access location predicated upon a global positioning system determined position of the mobile communication apparatus. Embodiments also provide seamless transitions between WiFi networks and cellular networks.