Wireless Terminal Network Access via Location History

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless terminals face challenges in quickly searching for and accessing less expensive networks due to spatial limitations and high costs, necessitating a method for rapid network discovery based on location information and access history.

Innovation Solution

A wireless terminal apparatus and method that utilizes pre-registered access history information and current location data to quickly identify and access nearby networks, reducing the need for extensive channel scanning by prioritizing previously accessible points with favorable communication quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal performs exhaustive channel scanning to search for accessible APs, then the terminal can find all available networks, but the time required to find an accessible network increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork accessibilityVSAvoidnetwork search time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary actions by maintaining an access history table that records previously accessed AP information, location information, and communication quality metrics before actual network searching is needed. This pre-computed data enables rapid network selection without exhaustive scanning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal creates a simplified copy of the network environment by storing essential AP information (BSSID, channel, location, communication quality) in an access history table. This copy allows the terminal to make informed network selection decisions without physically scanning all channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal searches for less expensive networks by scanning all available networks, then the terminal can find cost-effective options, but the complexity of the network selection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork cost optimizationVSAvoidnetwork selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal applies local quality by associating specific attributes (communication quality, cost preference, location) with each AP in the access history table. This allows the terminal to evaluate networks based on localized characteristics rather than uniform scanning criteria

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms by storing communication quality metrics from previous network connections in the access history table. This feedback enables the terminal to preferentially select networks with historically good performance, simplifying the selection process while optimizing for cost and quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the terminal stores detailed access history information for all previously accessed networks, then the terminal can make informed network selection decisions, but the memory requirements and data management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork evaluation accuracyVSAvoidstored data volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal extracts only the essential elements needed for network selection (BSSID, location information, communication quality metrics, channel) from complete network data. This selective extraction maintains measurement precision while minimizing stored data volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal applies partial action by storing only the most relevant access history information necessary for making network selection decisions, rather than storing complete network configurations and all possible attributes. This provides sufficient accuracy for network evaluation without excessive data storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2494822B1Apparatus and method for accessing a network in a wireless terminal
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2494822B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2494822B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and method for quickly searching for an accessible network in a wireless terminal. A wireless terminal registers information about a current location and information used to access a network in an access history table, when it succeeds in accessing the network. Thereafter, when accessing a network, the wireless terminal attempts to access a network that it previously accessed, using information about a current location and the access history table.