Server-Based Carrier Switching for MVNO Connectivity

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) face challenges in seamlessly switching between different cellular carriers when outages occur, leading to potential connectivity losses and increased data costs due to conventional techniques that often switch networks unnecessarily.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented technique that detects outages in a cellular network and transmits a carrier switch instruction to a mobile device via an alternate communication channel, enabling it to terminate the current connection and initiate a new one with a different cellular carrier, thereby minimizing user disruption and conserving resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional network switching techniques are used, then device connectivity can be maintained during outages, but unnecessary network switches occur increasing data costs and battery consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting outages proactively before they affect the user's connection. The server monitors network status and identifies outages in advance, then sends switch instructions to devices through alternate communication channels (WiFi, SMS, email) before the primary cellular connection fails, allowing devices to switch networks preemptively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring cellular network status and device connection states. The server receives feedback about network outages from multiple sources including network operators and user reports, then uses this feedback to determine when and where to send carrier switch instructions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conventional network switching techniques are used, then device connectivity can be maintained during outages, but unnecessary network switches occur increasing data costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoiddata costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting outages proactively before they affect the user's connection. The server monitors network status and identifies outages in advance, then sends switch instructions to devices through alternate communication channels (WiFi, SMS, email) before the primary cellular connection fails, allowing devices to switch networks preemptively rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring cellular network status and device connection states. The server receives feedback about network outages from multiple sources including network operators and user reports, then uses this feedback to determine when and where to send carrier switch instructions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to real-time network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system transmits carrier switch instructions via alternate communication channels, then connectivity disruptions are minimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary server that acts as a mediator between cellular networks and end devices. This server handles the complexity of monitoring multiple network carriers, detecting outages, selecting appropriate alternate communication channels (WiFi, SMS, email), and sending switch instructions. The intermediary absorbs the system complexity while presenting a simple interface to end devices that only need to listen for and execute switch instructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3937546A1Techniques for remotely managing device connectivity in response to cellular network outages

Publication Date: 2022.01.12 GOOGLE LLC

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Figure 3

AI summary

Computer-implemented techniques involve detecting, by a server having one or more processors, a first cellular connection between a computing device and a first cellular network of a first cellular carrier associated with a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), detecting, by the server, an outage of at least the first cellular network of the first cellular carrier, in response to detecting the outage of the first cellular network, determining, by the server, an alternate communication channel by which to communicate with the computing device, and transmitting, by the server, a carrier switch instruction to the computing device via the alternate communication channel, wherein receipt of the carrier switch instruction causes the computing device to: (i) terminate the first cellular connection and (ii) initiate a second cellular connection with another cellular network of different second cellular carrier associated with the MVNO.