Network Switch Notification for Tethered Device Disconnection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices experience network service disconnections when switching from one network access technology to another, such as during offloading from cellular to WLAN, leading to potential service disruptions for tethered devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that provide notifications to users and served devices indicating an impending network service disconnection before switching from a first network access technology to a second, allowing users to delay or prevent the switch and enabling served devices to prepare for alternative connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If offloading is performed to reduce network load on cellular networks, then network efficiency is improved, but served devices experience network service disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying served devices of the upcoming network switch before it occurs. This allows served devices to proactively establish alternative network connections or prepare for the disconnection, thereby maintaining service continuity while enabling the gateway device to perform offloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring the gateway device's network connection status and detecting when a switch from cellular to WLAN is impending. This feedback information is then communicated to served devices, enabling them to adjust their network operations accordingly and maintain reliable connectivity throughout the transition.
2Use of energy by moving object
If network access technology switching is performed, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but service disruption occurs for tethered devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary notification to served devices about the upcoming network access technology switch. This advance notice enables served devices to prepare alternative network paths or adjust their data transmission patterns, thereby reducing service disruption while allowing the gateway device to effectively utilize available bandwidth through offloading.
3Loss of energy
If connection switching from first network access technology to second is performed, then network load reduction is achieved, but tethered devices experience disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary notification to tethered devices about the impending connection switch before the gateway device transitions from the first network access technology to the second. This allows tethered devices to proactively maintain or establish alternative connections, ensuring connection stability is maintained while the gateway device successfully reduces network load through offloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring the gateway device's connection status and detecting when a network access technology switch is impending. This feedback is communicated to tethered devices, enabling them to adjust their connection strategies and maintain stable connectivity throughout the network load reduction process.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for providing notification of a network access technology switching event. A method may include determining, at a communication device having an established connection to a network via a first network access technology and serving as a gateway to the network for a served device, that the connection between the communication device and the network is to be switched from the first network access technology to a second network access technology. The method may further include, responsive to the determination, causing a notification indicating that the served device will experience a network service disconnection to be provided prior to the connection between the communication device and the network being switched from the first network access technology to a second network access technology. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.