TVWS Database Query for Wireless Terminal Network Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless terminals face challenges in determining the availability and connecting to different access network technologies when moving between locations, as they need to identify and establish connections with various access networks efficiently, which is not effectively addressed by existing solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a TVWS database to store and provide information about connectivity capabilities and requirements for TVWS access networks, allowing wireless terminals to retrieve this information before attempting a connection, thereby optimizing network access and conserving battery power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If wireless terminals attempt to connect to access networks without pre-retrieving connectivity information, then they can establish connections when available, but they waste battery power and time making unnecessary connection attempts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidconnection establishment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having wireless terminals query a database for access network connectivity information before attempting to connect. The terminal sends a query message containing its location and access technology type, receives connectivity status information in advance, and only attempts connection when the database indicates availability. This pre-check mechanism eliminates wasted battery power from unsuccessful connection attempts while maintaining high connection establishment efficiency for available networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If wireless terminals support multiple communication modes and move between locations, then they can access different network technologies, but they face difficulty determining which access networks are available without extensive searching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-access network capabilityVSAvoidnetwork discovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between wireless terminals and access networks. The database stores pre-collected connectivity information for multiple access network technologies at various locations and responds to terminal queries with availability status. This intermediary eliminates the need for terminals to perform extensive active searching or scanning across multiple communication modes, significantly reducing network discovery time while maintaining adaptability to different network technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If wireless terminals actively scan for access networks at each location, then they can discover available networks, but they consume excessive energy and time performing repeated scanning operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess network availability informationVSAvoidscanning energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements copying by having the database store copies of access network connectivity information that can be quickly retrieved and distributed to multiple terminals. Instead of terminals performing energy-intensive active scanning to discover network availability, they query the database for pre-collected connectivity status copies. This approach maintains accurate information about access network availability while dramatically reducing the energy consumption associated with repeated scanning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3429274B1Methods and apparatus to provide network capabilities for connecting to an access network
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3429274B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3429274B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3429274B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Example methods and apparatus to provide network capabilities for connecting to an access network are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves receiving a request at a first access network of a first network type. The request is addressed to a database and requests network connectivity information for connecting a wireless terminal to a second access network of a second network type different from the first network type. The example method also involves sending a response to the wireless terminal via the first access network. The response includes the network connectivity information for connecting the wireless terminal to the second access network.