Per-Application Network Selection for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in efficiently selecting the most appropriate radio access network for different applications based on availability, user mobility, and quality of service requirements, leading to suboptimal network connectivity and performance.
Innovation Solution
Mobile devices are equipped with circuitry to connect to multiple radio access networks (WiFi, 3G, and 4G) and maintain data structures for access network availability and application preferences, allowing them to dynamically select the best network for each application based on real-time conditions and user mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices connect to multiple radio access networks simultaneously, then network availability and connectivity options are improved, but device complexity and network selection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network selection process by creating separate data structures for different applications. Each application has its own preferred access network type stored in a data structure, allowing the device to select networks on a per-application basis rather than using a single complex selection mechanism for all applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a data structure that stores application preferences and access network availability information. This intermediary layer mediates between the multiple available radio access networks and the applications, simplifying the selection process by providing structured preference data.
2Reliability
If mobile devices dynamically select access networks based on real-time conditions, then quality of service is improved, but processing overhead and decision complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing access network preference information in data structures before actual network selection is needed. Applications declare their preferred access network types in advance, and this preference data is stored and retrieved during network selection, reducing real-time decision complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring access network availability and using this information to adjust network selection. The system checks which access networks are currently available and cross-references this with stored application preferences, creating a feedback loop that optimizes quality of service based on real-time conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mobile devices prioritize access networks based on application needs, then connection stability is improved, but data structure complexity and memory usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific data structures tailored to different application needs. Instead of a generic network selection mechanism, the system maintains separate preference data for each application, allowing each application to have customized network selection criteria that match its specific stability requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device may monitor availability of access networks that provide connectivity for the mobile device. The mobile device may also store preference information, on a per-application basis, relating to preferences for using the access networks by applications executed by the mobile device. The mobile device may additionally select, in response to a request from an application to connect to the network, one of the access networks, based on the preference information for the application; and provide a communication channel for the application using the selected access network.