Router Backup Path via Mobile Device Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote management of end-user devices is hindered when connectivity between customer premises equipment (CPE) and remote servers is disabled, disrupting both device management and home network communications.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device is paired with a local router to establish a bidirectional backup path using a local network connection and mobile broadband, enabling continued communications by forwarding traffic through the mobile device when the primary network link fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary network connection is used for remote management of CPE, then normal communications are maintained, but communications are disrupted when the connection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures a backup communication path through a mobile device before primary network failure occurs. The mobile device is paired with the CPE in advance, and backup path settings are configured beforehand, enabling immediate failover without adding complex real-time decision-making logic to the network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the CPE and external networks when the primary connection fails. It receives paired information from the CPE and establishes alternative communications through its own network connection, acting as a mediator that simplifies the failover process compared to direct CPE-recovery attempts.
2Reliability
If remote management is disabled due to connection failure, then communication stability is maintained, but device management and diagnostics are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device activates backup communication path functionality only when primary network connection fails, rather than continuously. The paired information is stored and ready for immediate use, but full backup path operation is triggered only when needed, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring remote management availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's existing mobile device for backup communications rather than deploying dedicated backup infrastructure. The mobile device leverages its own network connection and processing capabilities to serve as the backup communication path, eliminating the need for separate backup hardware and reducing overall system energy requirements.
3Reliability
If a backup path using mobile device is established, then continuous communications are enabled, but device pairing and configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it serves as both the user's regular communication device and the backup communication path for CPE. The paired information structure is designed to work with standard mobile device capabilities, eliminating the need for specialized backup hardware or complex proprietary pairing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the necessary communication credentials and paired information and stores it on the mobile device. This copied information enables the mobile device to act as a substitute for the primary network connection without requiring complex real-time synchronization or authentication mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A local router for a home network pairs with a mobile device via a local network connection. The local router is also connected to a wide area network. The local router receives, from the mobile device and over the local network connection, configuration settings for a backup path for the wide area network. The backup path includes the local network connection and a mobile broadband connection using the mobile device. The local router detects an interruption with the local router's connection to the managed wide area network and forwards, based on the detecting, critical traffic from the home network via the backup path.