Wireless Relay Device Dynamic Network Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless terminals can only connect to specific access networks and lack the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple access networks with different wireless interfaces, limiting portability and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A wireless relay device with multiple wireless interfaces and a connection control section that monitors signal levels and service fees to switch connections to the access network with the best signal and lowest costs, ensuring optimal connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless terminals are provided with functions to connect to all access networks, then connectivity versatility is improved, but terminal cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity versatilityVSAvoidterminal complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless relay device as an intermediary between the terminal and multiple access networks. The relay device holds multiple wireless interfaces to connect to different access networks (wireless LAN, cellular, WiMAX, etc.), while the terminal only needs a single wireless interface. This mediator approach allows terminals to access multiple networks without equipping each terminal with multiple interfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If wireless terminals are limited to connecting to specific access networks, then terminal simplicity is maintained, but network connectivity options are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal simplicityVSAvoidnetwork connectivity options
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless relay device serves as a gateway that maintains simple terminal design while expanding network connectivity options. The relay device's multiple wireless interfaces enable connections to various access networks (wireless LAN, PHS, HSDPA, WiMAX) without requiring the terminal itself to support multiple interfaces, thus preserving terminal simplicity while improving connectivity versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual network switching is implemented, then connection control is simplified, but switching speed and seamless handoff are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection control simplicityVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The relay device continuously monitors signal levels from multiple access networks and automatically switches connections based on real-time signal quality feedback. The connection control section receives signal level information, compares it with predetermined thresholds, and autonomously determines optimal network switching without manual intervention. This feedback mechanism achieves both automated simple control and fast seamless switching, resolving the contradiction between control simplicity and switching speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of time

If automatic signal-based switching is implemented, then switching speed is improved, but consideration of service fees and priority is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidservice fee optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection control section dynamically adjusts switching criteria by changing parameters such as signal level thresholds, priority levels, and service fee weights based on current network conditions and user requirements. The system can switch between different selection strategies: signal-level-based fast switching, fee-based cost optimization, or priority-based service selection. This parameter flexibility allows the system to balance switching speed with economic optimization, resolving the contradiction between switching speed and service fee consideration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2187675B1Wireless relay apparatus and wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP2187675B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2187675B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2187675B1 patent drawingFigure 3(1)~3(3)

AI summary

A wireless terminal connectable to a specific access network is enabled to connect to and switch between a plurality of access networks with different wireless interfaces. A wireless relay device connecting a wireless terminal to one of a plurality of access networks with different wireless interfaces and performing relay processing between the wireless terminal and one of the plurality of access networks being connected, the wireless relay device including a wireless interface on local side to be connected to the wireless terminal, a plurality of wireless interfaces on network side to be connected to the plurality of respective access networks, and a connection control section which boots the plurality of wireless interfaces on network side when the wireless interface on local side receives a signal from the wireless terminal, connects a wireless interface on network side establishing a fastest connection and the wireless interface on local side, and connects the wireless terminal to an access network corresponding to the wireless interface on network side establishing the fastest connection.