Automated Network Selection via Air-Time Auction
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Solution Overview
Problem
User devices often cannot readily access alternative service provider networks, even when registered networks have poor coverage or high costs, due to lack of coverage or poor signal strength, and may not be able to select more affordable or reliable networks.
Innovation Solution
A bid application that enables user devices to dynamically select service provider networks based on air-time rates, signal strength, and quality, allowing for automated switching to the best available network, by communicating with a mobile virtual network operator server to identify and connect to the most cost-effective or signal-strong network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user devices register with service provider networks based on subscription rates and air-time prices, then service access is established, but the user device cannot readily access other service provider networks with better coverage or lower costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network selection where the user device automatically monitors and switches between service provider networks based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically adjusts network registration by evaluating coverage quality, signal strength, and cost parameters, allowing the device to adapt to changing network environments without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the automated selection system) that mediates between the user device and multiple service provider networks. This intermediary evaluates network conditions and manages the switching process, simplifying the complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic rather than requiring the device to manually manage multiple network registrations.
2Reliability
If user devices are locked to a registered service provider network, then stable service access is maintained, but the device cannot switch to networks with better signal strength or lower prices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors network conditions including signal strength, coverage quality, and cost parameters. Based on this feedback, the automated selection system determines when to switch networks, maintaining stable service access during normal operation while enabling transitions when conditions warrant improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of alternative networks before switching occurs. By pre-assessing coverage quality, signal strength, and cost parameters of available networks, the system ensures that switching decisions are made with complete information, maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If manual network selection is required, then user control is maintained, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the user device automatically performs network selection and switching without requiring user intervention. The system independently evaluates network parameters, makes selection decisions, and executes switching operations, dramatically reducing the time and complexity associated with manual network selection while maintaining optimal service access.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is configured to store user preferences relating to selection of a network, from a group of networks, via which to establish a connection, where the user preferences includes information for selecting the network based on rates and information for selecting the network based on signal strength or quality levels; receive, from a server device that communicates with the group of networks, a set of rates associated with use of the group of networks; detect signals transmitted by the group of networks; determine, for the group of networks, signal strength or quality levels associated with the signals transmitted by the group of networks; select a particular network, of the group of networks, based on the user preferences, the set of rates, and the signal strength or quality levels; and establish a connection via the particular network.