Terminal Device Tethering to WLAN Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication technologies face challenges in promptly switching from tethering to WLAN communication due to limited WLAN coverage and lower communication speeds, increased radio resource consumption, and power consumption, as well as difficulties in selecting the most desirable WLAN connection from multiple available options.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication terminal device that selects and connects to the most desirable WLAN by acquiring and analyzing network information, use situation, and disposition situation data from a network information providing device, allowing for efficient switching from tethering to WLAN communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the apparatus attempts to connect to various WLANs to switch from tethering, then communication switching is enabled, but connection time becomes long and switching cannot be prompt

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication switching capabilityVSAvoidconnection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the apparatus store connection information (SSIDs, passwords, and connection status) of WLANs in advance before switching is needed. When tethering communication is established, the apparatus automatically switches to a stored WLAN without performing real-time connection attempts, thereby reducing connection time and enabling prompt communication switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the user manually selects a WLAN to switch from tethering, then connection accuracy is improved, but operation complexity increases and switching cannot be prompt

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWLAN selection accuracyVSAvoidswitching operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the apparatus to automatically select and switch to a WLAN based on stored connection information without requiring manual user input. The apparatus autonomously determines which WLAN to connect to using pre-stored SSID and password information, thereby maintaining selection accuracy while simplifying operation and enabling prompt switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If tethering communication is used to extend WLAN coverage area, then communication area is expanded, but communication speed decreases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication areaVSAvoidcommunication speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the apparatus to dynamically switch between tethering communication and WLAN communication based on real-time communication needs and environmental conditions. When a WLAN is available and suitable, the apparatus switches to WLAN communication to achieve higher speeds and lower power consumption, while using tethering only when necessary to extend coverage, thereby optimizing both communication area and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3070967B1Terminal device for tethering
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3070967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3070967B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3070967B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a terminal device including a mobile communication unit configured to perform mobile communication of a mobile communication network, an acquisition unit configured to acquire state information indicating a state of each of one or more wireless networks for wireless communication that is different from the mobile communication, a selection unit configured to select one wireless network among the one or more wireless networks based on the state information, and a providing unit configured to provide information regarding the one selected wireless network to another terminal device that performs the wireless communication.