Wireless Client AP Selection via Extended 802.11 Information Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networking technologies lack the ability for wireless clients to obtain detailed information about access points and networks, making it difficult for them to intelligently select the best access point for their needs, leading to inefficient connections and potential re-associations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves communicating additional information about setup features and services between wireless clients and access points using extended 802.11 information elements in beacons and probe requests, allowing clients to select the most suitable access point before association and optimizing connections on a per-client basis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional 802.11 beacon and probe response protocols are used, then wireless clients can discover basic network information (SSID, security status, country code), but clients cannot obtain detailed information about setup features and services offered by the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information exchange process into two phases: initial discovery using traditional 802.11 beacons/probe responses for basic information, and subsequent detailed information exchange using custom information elements for setup features and services. This segmentation allows clients to first identify candidate networks efficiently, then obtain detailed information only when needed, reducing overall protocol complexity while improving information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having access points include custom information elements in their beacon and probe response messages during the initial discovery phase. This allows clients to obtain detailed information about setup features (such as WPS support, captive portal requirements, VLAN configuration) and services before attempting connection, preventing wasted connection attempts and enabling informed selection.
2Productivity
If wireless clients connect to access points without detailed information about network capabilities, then connection setup is simpler, but clients may select suboptimal access points leading to re-associations and reduced network utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling clients to obtain and evaluate detailed network capability information (setup features and services) during the beacon/probe phase, before association. Clients can pre-determine the best access point based on their specific requirements (e.g., needing WPS for easy setup, requiring specific VLAN configuration, looking for particular services), thereby avoiding connection failures and re-associations that would otherwise occur after connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing wireless clients to autonomously evaluate multiple access points based on detailed capability information received in beacons and probe responses. Clients can independently determine the optimal access point match for their needs without requiring manual configuration or post-connection reconfiguration, thereby improving network utilization efficiency and reducing setup time simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access points broadcast detailed information about setup features and services in beacons, then clients can make informed selection decisions, but the beacon message size and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the inclusion of custom information elements optional and context-dependent. Access points can selectively include detailed setup feature and service information in their beacons and probe responses based on local conditions (e.g., whether the AP supports these features, whether the client requested this information). This allows clients to gain enhanced selection capability where available while maintaining compatibility and reduced complexity where not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by modifying the existing 802.11 information element structure to include additional fields for setup features and services. Rather than creating a completely new protocol, the patent changes parameters within the existing message format (adding fields for WPS support, captive portal status, VLAN information, service announcements) to enable detailed information exchange while maintaining compatibility with existing 802.11 infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for facilitating communication between a wireless client and a network is disclosed. The method comprises communicating information between the wireless client and the network prior to associating the wireless client to the network. The information can be related to setup features or services.