Session-Based Wireless Device Configuration via Network Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring personal mobile devices for enterprise wireless networks is complicated due to the variety of devices and capabilities, making it challenging to optimize performance during communication sessions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing session-based device configuration techniques, where a network controller dynamically configures device settings on a per-session basis by applying network policies to optimize performance, including parameters for off-channel scanning, power management, and quality of service, using a communication API to notify and configure client devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If personal mobile devices are allowed to connect to enterprise wireless networks, then cost savings and user convenience are achieved, but device configuration complexity increases due to variety of devices and capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing devices to automatically receive and apply configuration parameters without manual user intervention. The configuration broker autonomously manages the distribution of network settings, authentication credentials, and policy parameters to devices based on their identity and session context, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex enterprise network settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration broker acts as an intermediary between the enterprise network infrastructure and diverse mobile devices. It translates network policies into device-specific configuration parameters and manages the distribution process, serving as a mediator that handles the complexity of device variety and capability differences while presenting a simplified interface to both users and network administrators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If devices are configured with enterprise network settings, then network connectivity is enabled, but optimization of device performance during communication sessions becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoiddevice performance optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic configuration where device settings are not static but are continuously adjusted based on real-time session attributes and network conditions. Configuration parameters such as QoS policies, power management settings, and off-channel scanning intervals are dynamically modified during communication sessions to optimize device performance while maintaining reliable connectivity, adapting to changing session requirements and network state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If static device configuration is used, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different communication sessions and network states is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration simplicityVSAvoidsession adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration actions by pre-establishing device profiles and configuration templates before communication sessions begin. The configuration broker prepares session-specific parameters and policies in advance based on device identity and session type, allowing rapid adaptation when sessions start without requiring complex real-time configuration decisions during active communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3114818B1Session-based device configuration
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3114818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3114818B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3114818B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for session-based device configuration are described. According to one or more implementations, various settings of a wireless device are configured to optimize device performance while participating in a communication session via a wireless network. The settings, for instance, are configured dynamically and on a per-session basis.