Portable Device WLAN Scanning Dwell Time Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively determining which wireless local area networks (WLANs) to connect to, especially in areas with multiple access points on different channels, as existing methods require gathering information from each access point to make informed decisions.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device scans for WLANs, sends probe request frames, and uses extended dwell times to gather information from access points implementing the IEEE 802.11u amendment's generic advertisement service protocol, querying for service parameters like network access identifier, organization identifier, and available bandwidth, and displays compatible access points to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the portable electronic device scans multiple WLAN channels to find available access points, then the user can discover more network options, but the time required to gather information from each access point increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by extending the dwell time on each WLAN channel before moving to the next channel. This allows the device to proactively gather information from access points in advance, including requesting and receiving service parameter information (such as network access identifier, organization identifier, and available bandwidth) before the user needs to make a connection decision. By performing these information-gathering actions beforehand, the system reduces the total time required when the user actually needs to connect to a WLAN.
2Loss of information
If the device waits for access point responses during scanning, then complete information can be gathered, but the scanning process becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dwell time adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically extends the dwell time on channels where access points are detected, allowing sufficient time to send probe request frames, receive probe response frames, and exchange service parameter information. This dynamic adjustment ensures complete information gathering on channels with access points while maintaining faster scanning on channels without access points, thus optimizing both information completeness and scanning speed.
3Measurement precision
If the device sends probe request frames to each detected WLAN, then service parameters can be determined, but the complexity of the connection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively obtaining only the necessary service parameter information from access points during the scanning process. Rather than establishing full connections or gathering all possible data, the system extracts specific parameters (network access identifier, organization identifier, available bandwidth) that are sufficient for the user to make an informed connection decision. This selective extraction reduces the complexity of the overall process while maintaining accurate service parameter determination.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for determining parameters of an access point (AP). In the described embodiments, during a first time period, a portable electronic device (PED) scans for APs on a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel. Then, when an AP is detected on the WLAN channel, the PED determines if the AP includes a general advertisement service (GAS) protocol to make available information related to services provided by the AP. If the AP includes the GAS protocol, then the PED transmits a GAS request frame to the AP. If a response to the GAS request frame is not received from the AP within the first time period, then the PED extends the dwell time to wait for the response for a second time period, wherein a duration of the second time period is determined based on a total allowable time to scan for APs.