Wireless Device Unlicensed Network Failure Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices often remain connected to unlicensed wireless local area networks even when service is unavailable, leading to power wastage and prolonged network access denial due to unlicensed mobile access network controller failures.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that detect connection failures to unlicensed wireless local area network controllers, allowing the release of access point connections and enabling the device to attempt wireless wide area network access, thereby conserving power and restoring network access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless communication device maintains connection to the unlicensed wireless local area network access point during controller failure, then network access is blocked and service downtime increases, but power consumption also increases due to maintaining the link

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access availabilityVSAvoidservice downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the connection state based on controller availability. When controller failure is detected, the device transitions from maintaining a connected state to a disconnected state, allowing it to access alternative networks. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the connection behavior to current network conditions rather than statically maintaining connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduces an intermediary alternative network (licensed wireless wide area network) that mediates between the failed unlicensed network and the need for network access. When the primary unlicensed network controller fails, the intermediary licensed network provides continued service availability, thus reducing service downtime while allowing the device to release the failed connection and conserve power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the wireless communication device maintains connection to the unlicensed wireless local area network access point during controller failure, then network access is blocked, but power consumption increases due to maintaining the link

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts or removes itself from the failed unlicensed network connection when controller failure is detected. By releasing the access point connection, the device stops consuming power maintaining a non-functional link while still achieving network access through alternative licensed networks, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the connection state parameter from connected to disconnected based on controller availability detection. This parameter change allows the device to stop power consumption associated with maintaining the link while preserving network access capability through alternative networks, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous connection and power savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple registration and discovery attempts are made with doubled timer intervals, then comprehensive network recovery checking is performed, but total attempt time exceeds 1 hour causing significant service downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork recovery verificationVSAvoidtotal attempt duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously attempting recovery on the failed unlicensed network with increasingly long delays, the invention inverts the approach by releasing the connection and switching to alternative licensed networks. This inversion allows immediate service restoration through available networks while periodically checking for unlicensed network recovery, thus verifying network recovery without incurring excessive service downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If the wireless communication device continuously attempts to reacquire services on the failed unlicensed network, then network recovery is eventually detected, but power is wasted maintaining the connection during failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice recovery detectionVSAvoidpower wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device implements periodic checking of unlicensed network availability rather than continuous connection maintenance. By releasing the connection and periodically attempting to reacquire services, the device detects network recovery while avoiding continuous power consumption during failure periods. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between reliable recovery detection and energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS7822438B2Apparatus and method for responding to unlicensed network failure

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An apparatus and method for responding to unlicensed network failure. A failure in a connection to an unlicensed wireless local area network controller can be detected. A wireless local area network access point connection to the unlicensed wireless local area network controller can be released. An attempt can be made to access wireless wide area network services.