Network Allocation for Wireless Communication Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Simultaneous communication methods using both cellular networks and wireless LANs can lead to unintended operations in applications, resulting in user disadvantages, such as unexpected charges and operation errors, due to difficulties in specifying the communication network for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal allocates data packets between Wi-Fi and LTE networks based on quality measurements, notifying applications about the available network to prevent errors, by establishing connections through both networks and determining the allocation ratio to ensure accurate network recognition and usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If simultaneous communication method using both cellular network and wireless LAN is employed, then communication quality is improved, but application operation accuracy deteriorates due to inability to specify network type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidapplication operation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network type specification mechanism as an intermediary between the simultaneous communication system and applications. This mediator provides explicit network type information (cellular or wireless LAN) to applications, enabling them to make accurate operational decisions based on the current network environment while maintaining simultaneous communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network communication function into distinct network type specifications (cellular network type and wireless LAN type). By dividing the communication system into identifiable network type components, applications can selectively operate based on specific network types, resolving the ambiguity caused by simultaneous communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If wireless LAN connection is used, then high-speed communication is achieved, but communication stability deteriorates due to congestion and backbone limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidcommunication quality stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic network selection by enabling applications to switch between cellular network and wireless LAN based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain high-speed communication when wireless LAN is available and stable, while automatically transitioning to cellular network when wireless LAN becomes congested or unstable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where applications monitor communication quality and network conditions, then adjust their network selection accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to changes in wireless LAN congestion and backbone status, maintaining stable communication by switching networks when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If manual switching between wireless systems is required, then application control accuracy is improved, but user operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication control accuracyVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables applications to automatically determine and select appropriate network types based on their specific requirements and current network conditions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual user intervention in network switching, maintaining application control accuracy while significantly reducing user operation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary network type specification mechanisms that prepare and provide network type information to applications in advance. This preliminary action allows applications to make informed network selection decisions without requiring real-time user input, balancing control accuracy with ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2931003B1Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication method, and wireless communication program
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 FUJITSU CONNECTED TECH LTD
  • EP2931003B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2931003B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2931003B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A wireless communication apparatus (10) allocates data to a first communication network and a second communication network and performs wireless communication. In this state, the wireless communication apparatus (10) determines the first communication network or the second communication network to be a communication network available for an application, on the basis of the radio quality of the first communication network, the radio quality of the second communication network, and a type of the application. Then, the wireless communication apparatus (10) notifies the application of network information for specifying the determined available communication network.