Multimedia Handoff via Background Network Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular service providers face challenges such as high infrastructure costs, poor signal penetration in buildings, and users' lack of awareness about available wireless networks and their services, leading to suboptimal communication experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for seamless hand-off of multimedia call sessions using background network scanning, allowing mobile access devices to detect and switch between wireless networks, providing users with options based on quality of service and cost, and enabling transparent communication across different network types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellular service providers build infrastructure such as cellular towers, then network coverage and service quality are improved, but infrastructure costs and real estate acquisition expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wireless networks (cellular, WLAN, PAN) into a unified communication system where a single access device can operate across different network types. This merging eliminates the need for separate infrastructure for each network type, reducing overall infrastructure costs while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The access device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple wireless network types simultaneously. By incorporating multiple wireless interfaces and background scanning capabilities, the device can universally connect to various networks (cellular, WLAN, PAN) without requiring separate dedicated devices for each network type.
2Reliability
If cellular towers are built to improve signal penetration in buildings, then communication quality inside buildings is improved, but real estate acquisition and leasing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces background scanning as an intermediary mechanism that enables the access device to detect and evaluate multiple available networks. This scanning capability acts as a mediator between the device and various networks, allowing the device to automatically select the best available network for maintaining communication quality without requiring physical infrastructure inside buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary network scanning and evaluation in the background before a handoff is needed. By continuously monitoring available networks and pre-evaluating their quality, the system prepares alternative communication paths in advance, ensuring seamless transitions when signal penetration becomes insufficient without requiring additional infrastructure deployment.
3Loss of information
If users manually search for available wireless networks, then awareness of network options is improved, but time consumption and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access device performs automatic background scanning and network evaluation without requiring user intervention. The device independently monitors available networks, assesses their quality, and manages handoffs autonomously, enabling the system to serve itself in terms of network discovery and selection, thereby eliminating user time consumption while maintaining comprehensive network awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous background scanning that provides real-time feedback about available networks and their quality metrics. This feedback mechanism allows the access device to automatically adjust its network selection based on current conditions, ensuring users are always connected to the optimal network without requiring them to manually search or make decisions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If background network scanning is performed continuously, then network handoff capability is improved, but device energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous scanning, the system performs background network scanning periodically at predetermined intervals. This periodic action maintains the ability to detect network changes and perform handoffs while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous scanning. The scanning frequency is optimized to balance handoff capability with power conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The background scanning operates at a reduced level during normal conditions, performing only essential monitoring functions. When network conditions change or handoff becomes necessary, the scanning intensity increases to ensure accurate detection. This partial action approach maintains adequate handoff capability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during stable network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system supporting handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning is disclosed. A mobile multimedia handset may engage in the exchange of a multimedia information stream via a first wireless network, and may sniff a portion of radio frequency spectrum for a second wireless network. Information about available services and network quality of service for the second network may be received by querying the second wireless network or from advertising by the second wireless network. Hand-off between the two networks may be based upon the results of the comparison and one or more user-defined criteria, and the handoff may be synchronized according to predefined events in the stream of multimedia information.