Multi-mode Communication Device Mode Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Developing software applications for multi-mode wireless devices is challenging due to the need for consistent behavior across different wireless operation modes and the complexity of delivering data, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a programming tool and gateway to configure multi-mode communication devices to operate in response to available modes, with a design tool architecture that assists developers in creating component-based applications that specify message delivery properties and automatically maintain runtime mode information, allowing for tailored behavior based on the current mode of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If developers create applications for multi-mode devices, then the applications can offer different usage models depending on the mode of operation, but the development process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The application is divided into multiple mode-specific versions (e.g., Wi-Fi version, cellular version) that can be independently developed and configured. Each mode version contains only the necessary components for that specific communication mode, reducing the complexity of managing all modes in a single application.
Solution Approach 2:
A mode detection and routing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and different application versions. This intermediary automatically detects the current communication mode and routes the user to the appropriate mode-specific application or interface, shielding developers from the complexity of multi-mode management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is delivered to devices with restricted resources, then the application can run on more devices, but the complexity of delivering large amounts of data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application provides different quality levels of data delivery optimized for specific device types and communication modes. For example, it delivers compressed data over cellular networks while providing full-resolution data over Wi-Fi connections, matching the data delivery characteristics to the local resource constraints of each device and network.
3Ease of operation
If application behavior is tailored based on the current mode of operation, then the user experience is optimized, but the development and configuration effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
Developers pre-configure mode-specific behaviors, interfaces, and data delivery parameters during the application development phase. The system stores these pre-configured settings for different communication modes, so that at runtime, the application can immediately switch to the appropriate pre-configured behavior without requiring complex real-time decision logic or additional development effort.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-mode communication devices capable of wLAN and WAN wireless network communication modes and/or wired modes can be configured to communicate for backend services (e.g. Web Services, database, events) via a network gateway to operate in response to available modes. For example, for some activities (e.g. notification messages), the devices may be configured to communication in any available mode (WAN or wLAN) while for other activities (e.g. high bandwidth communications), the devices may be restricted to one mode only (e.g. wLAN). Component applications for execution by the devices can specify message delivery properties to indicate the mode(s) to may used for a particular message. Runtime mode information may be provided and maintained automatically by a communications subsystem interface for determining mode availability. A programming tool and gateway are also described.