Location-Based Wireless Link Aggregation With Interface Toggling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile devices face issues with conflicting link selection and aggregation policies across cellular and enterprise wireless networks, leading to increased power consumption and resource usage due to the need to maintain multiple interfaces in active states.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for controlling link selection and aggregation across multiple wireless networks based on the location of a mobile device, selectively toggling interfaces to optimize access based on the device's location within a physical environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless interfaces are maintained in active states to support both cellular and enterprise wireless networks, then network access capability is improved, but power consumption and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic interface management where the mobile device selectively activates or deactivates wireless interfaces (cellular and WiFi) based on current network conditions, location, and policy requirements. Instead of maintaining both interfaces permanently active, the system dynamically transitions interfaces between active and inactive states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining network access capability and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If both cellular and WiFi interfaces are activated to estimate access quality for link selection, then network selection accuracy is improved, but power consumption and air-time usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess quality estimation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary interface for access quality estimation based on current needs. Instead of always activating both cellular and WiFi interfaces for measurement, the system activates only one interface at a time or only the relevant interface according to policy, achieving sufficient measurement accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption and air-time usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If HetNet approaches are used to control link selection across networks, then network optimization is improved, but policy conflict with enterprise wireless network operators arises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork optimizationVSAvoidpolicy compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying different selection policies to different network types and locations. Instead of a uniform HetNet approach, the system applies WiFi-preferential policies within enterprise coverage areas and cellular-preferential policies outside those areas. This localized policy application resolves the contradiction by optimizing network selection for each specific context while maintaining compatibility with enterprise operator preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4078910B1Multi-wireless access systems and methods for efficient link selection and aggregation
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP4078910B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4078910B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4078910B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for controlling link selection and aggregation across multiple wireless networks based on a location of a mobile device are provided. A location of a mobile device in a physical environment can be identified. At least portions of the physical environment can be in wireless range of a first wireless network and a second wireless network. Whether to access network services through either or both the first wireless network and the second wireless network can be determined based on the location of the mobile device in the physical environment. Further, a first interface at the mobile device to the first wireless network and a second interface at the mobile device to the second wireless network can be selectively toggled according to whether it is determined to access the network services through either or both the first wireless network and the second wireless network based on the location.