WO2023121301A1

WO2023121301A1 - Method and system for selecting device for accessing wireless connectivity in network

Info

Publication number: WO2023121301A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/020973
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abhinav Jain; Amit Jain; Abhishek Saxena; Ankit GULERIA; Nitesh SUTHAR; Prabhat Kumar; Raghav Maheshwari
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2021-12-24
Filing date: 2022-12-21
Publication date: 2023-06-29

Abstract

The present subject matter refers a method for dynamically selecting a device as hotspot for accessing connectivity in a network. The method comprises detecting low connectivity from a current access point (AP), broadcasting a request-beacon to request a new AP/extender based on the detecting, receiving one or more response beacons from one or more devices in the network, selecting the new AP/extender from said one or more devices based on an AP capability based information extracted from the response beacon, and receiving Wi-Fi packet from the new AP/extender to avail the connectivity.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING DEVICE FOR ACCESSING WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY IN NETWORK

The present subject matter relates to networking-environment and in particular to wireless local area networks (WLAN).

As required in the state of the art, it is possible in most homes, offices and public spaces (shops, stations, airports, etc.) to connect equipment to the Internet via a wireless-access point, for example via Mobile-hotspot or router. The quality for call/browsing of the connection depends on a number of parameters, including the distance between the equipment and the wireless access point, the thickness of the walls, interference with other electronic equipment, etc.

To improve the connection, repeaters or extenders are used. Generally, at a home there are multiple smartphone with Wi-Fi and Hotspot/Wi-Fi sharing capability. The use of these feature is complicated and requires frequent user's intervention as well as use and installation of additional extenders is expensive, especially if the coverage-area of the wireless access point must be extended.

Examples of conventional approaches include Mobile Hotspot, Wi-Fi Sharing, start auto extender access (STA+STA). Mobile hotspot comprises sharing a mobile connection by hotspot or tethering on operating system. However, manual hotspot creation is required. Wi-Fi Sharing allows sharing of phone's Wi-Fi connection with other devices connected to Mobile Hotspot. However, one cannot compute internet speed and other factors to choose best device for mobile hotspot. One also cannot achieve auto Mobile Hotspot in case of connectivity lost. "STA+STA" depicts a scenario wherein through a mobile device's operating system two stations can be connected with a single access point, in case the mobile device's hardware supports dual chip.

When a user is far away from the access point, he/she is not able to optimum internet bandwidth, or access internet due to less internet-connectivity. For enabling Wi-Fi sharing, one needs to manually enable Wi-Fi sharing and make hotspot and connect to the Hotspot.

Example 1: In case of home/office scenario, a user is sitting in next room of AP. User is connected with the access point but speed is slow. As shown in figure 1, Device C undergoes bandwidth shortfall.

Example 2: When user moves to one location to another, its internet speed may degrade or disconnected, in case movement is away from AP.

In case downloading is going on, it will get interrupted and need to start again. Further, performance of VoWi-Fi call or 3rd party app calls like WhatsApp/Skype, may get interrupted in case of movement. Other issue like surfing internet, or messaging also get interrupted in this case.

In conventional solutions, there is no on-device model to take dynamic decisions for creating automatic hotspot, also using Wi-Fi sharing feature. User intervention is required for Hotspot/Wi-Fi Sharing enable/disablement (No Intelligent and Dynamic control). The user is accordingly compelled to check manually all possible parameters mentioned if connection (for VoWi-Fi call/data) has to continue. The parameters include distance from the access point (in terms of RSSI), Battery, Internet speed, Non Intelligent Handover/Transition among relatively good hotspot upon availability, minimizing the time lag between the transitions

Therefore, due to above limitation user is always concerned and keeps checking to switch/Enable hotspot and to connect devices in home. For example, at home generally all devices are connected to AP. In case of failure in AP, generally we connect some home device using hotspot of other mobile devices. If a user is in a VoWiFi call in home and due to failure in AP, the call gets disturbed or ongoing VPN sessions in Laptop gets disconnected. The user is required to manually switch to Wi-Fi Hotspot in one or the available mobile phones in home to continue ongoing activity/sessions.

Overall, when any devices goes out of Wi-Fi range, it's RSSI start decreasing and results in weak-connectivity and most of the time connectivity is lost. Also choosing between device B or D (as depicted in Fig. 1) for better connectivity is not possible.

The present subject matter refers a method for dynamically selecting a device as hotspot for accessing wireless connectivity in a network.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present subject matter refers a method for dynamically selecting a device as hotspot for accessing wireless connectivity in a network. The method comprises detecting low wireless connectivity from a current access point (AP), broadcasting a request-beacon to request a new AP/extender based on the detecting, receiving one or more responses from one or more devices in the network, selecting the new AP/extender from said one or more devices based on an AP capability based information extracted from the responses beacon, and receiving Wi-Fi packet from the new AP/extender to avail the wireless connectivity.

The present subject matter at-least increases the stable/uninterrupted coverage of Wi-Fi access point in indoor environment using available smartphone's in the vicinity using an on-device model running on smartphone, inexpensively. The present subject matter automatically detects poor connection and intelligently make MHS contender among nearby devices and achieves extender connection.

At least an object of the invention is to increase the stable/uninterrupted coverage of Wi-Fi access point in indoor environment using available smartphone's in the vicinity using an on-device model running on smartphone, inexpensively.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 refers a prior art scenario;

Figure 2 illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 3 illustrates an on-device engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 4 illustrates an architecture of on-device engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 5a and Figure 5b illustrate example steps in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 6 illustrates operation of a device feature extractor in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 7 illustrates operation of a Search Engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 8 illustrates extender factor evaluator in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 9 illustrates a format of extension-beacon accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 10 illustrates operation of an extender beacon engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 11 illustrates operation of a selection manager in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 12 illustrates a pairwise master key (PMK) synchronization engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 13 illustrates a hotspot roaming engine in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;

Figure 14 illustrates an example use case scenario;

Figure 15 illustrates another example use case scenario; and

Figure 16 illustrates yet another exemplary implementation in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Figure 2 illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The present figure refers method for dynamically selecting a device as hotspot for accessing internet connectivity in a network.

The method comprises detecting (102) low wireless connectivity (e.g. internet or intranet) from a current access point (AP) and thereafter broadcasting (104) a request-beacon to request a new AP/extender based on the detecting. In an example, the request beacon corresponds to a new extension beacon comprising mobile parameters information and to broadcast dynamically to nearby devices since no connection is needed for beacon transmission.

The request-beacon broadcast is further based on detecting a network-congestion with respect to the current AP. In an example, the request beacon corresponds to an extension beacon having a 4^th information element representing a request for the new AP/extender.

The method further comprises receiving (106) one or more responses as response beacons from one or more devices in the network. Each of the response beacons correspond to an extension beacon having a 25^th information element representing an AP candidature information.

The method further comprises selecting (108) the new AP/extender from said one or more devices based on an AP capability based information extracted from the response beacons. The information defining an AP capability of each of the devices sending the response beacons is based on parameters as one or more of: an internet-connectivity, a link-speed, a battery-capability, a hardware configuration, and a current running application. The AP capability is defined by one or more of: BLE Rssi / Wi-Fi Rssi/ internet connectivity/ battery level / network-congestion, and a current running application.

More specifically, the selection is based on an on-device engine to determine mobile phone behavior using parameters (i.e. Extension factor) to select a mobile for turn on Wi-Fi hotspot/share mode. The on-device engine uses following mobile characteristics to select a mobile for Wi-Fi hotspot/Share.

RSSI level of nearby device

TCP Congestion [Link speed is good, Tx Rx is good]

Type of application which is using Wi-Fi [e.g. VoWifi, You tube]

Current Battery Level

Hardware characteristics of WLAN chip [e.g. 2.4Ghz/5Ghz/MIMO ]

The method further comprises communicating (110) the current AP to exchange authentication credentials with the new AP/extender. For such purposes, a pairwise master key (PMK) is beforehand exchanged between the new AP (and other devices in the network) and the current AP to achieve PMK caching beforehand. Based on the exchanging of the PMK and accordingly the PMK caching, the new AP is enabled to act as a WI-FI hotspot with same authentication credentials as the current AP to enable bypassing of an authentication procedure with respect to the new AP.

PMK sharing or in other words PMK caching helps in reducing time while switching to another AP. In an example, the PMK is shared directly from one AP to another without using a wireless network controller (WLC), thereby enabling a fast roaming in hotspot. The present subject matter refers PMK caching method of AP to AP switching in hotspot also.

In another embodiment, for reducing time to switching to another AP, the hotspot or the new AP is enabled to turn ON fast. To turn ON the hotspot fast, a hotspot firmware as a radio module may be pre-loaded within the APs as a part of prior configuration or factory setting to enable WI-FI connectivity from the new AP. This helps to enable a fast hotspot realization whenever there is requirement to become hotspot.

In other words, the PMK caching and pre-loaded hotspot firmware advantageously reduce the switchover time from current AP to new AP. Accordingly, the initiation of the WI-FI connectivity from the new AP upon receiving request from the current AP is expedited based on one or more of the pre-loaded radio module and the PMK exchange.

Further, the method comprises receiving (112) Wi-Fi packet from the new AP/extender to avail the wireless connectivity.

Overall, the present subject matter enables zero latency when transition occurs from one device to another device for connectivity. Further, while forthcoming description refers wireless connectivity as internet connectivity, the same shall be limited to internet and may be construed to cover any wireless connectivity such as intranet apart from internet.

Figure 3 illustrates an on-device engine 300 running upon each of the client devices (i.e. laptop, phone, desktop computer), and a centralized router-device and thereby corresponds to performance of the method steps as depicted in Fig. 2.

The engine 300 determines the state of low connectivity or low-battery level, thus sending extension beacon to nearby devices, on which extender factor is calculated. The response beacons are sent back to requesting devices. On the basis of extender factor, a responding device is selected and then connected from predefined stage to reduce switch over time.

Figure 4 illustrates an architecture of Auto Wi-Fi extender comprising the on- device engine 300 of Fig. 3.

Step 402 corresponding to step 102 recites Device feature extractor that corresponds to Main Service for evaluating the internet speed, Rssi and other factors of client device. At the hotspot side, the same corresponds to receive request from client device.

Step 404 corresponds to step 104 and recites mobile hotspot (MHS) Search Engine corresponding to finding contender for extender devices over the network.

Step 406 corresponds to step 104,106 and recites Extender Factor Evaluator and corresponds to getting device details and generating extension factor.

Step 408 corresponds to step 104,106 and recites Extender beacon engine and corresponds to adding new bits in Hotspot/client beacons with intelligent-value.

Step 410 corresponds to step 108 and recites a Selection Manager and corresponds to selecting the best-hotspot based on extension-factors of all hotspot.

Step 412 corresponds to step 110 and recites PMK (Pairwise Master key) Sync Engine and corresponds to engine that will be responsible for sharing PMKID in cluster. This will run at hotspot side.

Step 414 corresponds to step 112 and recites a Hotspot Roaming Engine and corresponds to enabling Wi-Fi smooth transfer from current router to new extender.

Figure 5a illustrates example steps in accordance with the present subject matter with respect to a client device seeking extender services. As a part of factory settings, a WiFi tracker is provided for getting Wi-Fi connection information such as Rssi, speed link to show on UI. A WiFi State Machine may be provided as a central Wi-Fi framework part, which handle connection/disconnection of Wi-Fi AP. A Wi-Fi protected access (WPA) supplicant may be provided as a core module of client device to handle all connection and roaming methods.

At Step 502, a device feature extractor (corresponds to step 102) triggers when in need for extender, looking for nearby devices to get best MHS contender

At Step 504, a mobile hotspot (corresponds to step 102) present within the device is responsible for finding contender for extender devices over the network.

At Step 506, an extender beacon engine (corresponds to step 104) sends the probe request with extension bit 1.

At Step 508, a selection-manager (corresponds to steps 106, 108) operates for selecting the best hotspot based on extension factors of all hotspot.

At Step 510, a hotspot roaming-engine initiates (corresponds to step 110, 112) an auto smooth connection switch from one AP to another AP. The connection is established with a new AP with same name as existing AP and thereby the connection with existing AP is terminated.

Figure 5b illustrates example steps in accordance with the present subject matter with respect to a mobile hotspot and corresponds to

steps

106 and 110. As a part of factory settings, an Application manager may be provided to handle all request like enable/disable hotspot and make connection/disconnection. A backbone of MHS connection may be provided to initiate Hotspot connection/disconnection.

Step 512 refers starting extender service on device to get extender request from other devices.

Step 514 refers extender service evaluation and comprises getting hardware/software details of device like battery/TCP congestion/Rssi, and thereby calculate extension factor to know its availability to become extender.

Step 516 refers adding new bits in Hotspot beacons/probe response with extender factor.

Steps 512 till 516 jointly correspond to step 106.

Step 518 refers an engine that will be responsible for sharing PMKID in cluster and corresponds to step 110.

Figure 6 illustrates operation of a Device feature extractor corresponding to step 402 and 502. The same pertains locating a candidate which has less internet-connectivity.

If the device RSSI is less than -75 and TCP congestion is high, then it will search for nearby devices which has good connectivity using extension factor. In this case, Device C is receiving Rssi -75 and TCP is 20 Mbps, therefore its connectivity is going down. In case Device C move further away, it may lose its connectivity.

Figure 7 illustrates operation of an MHS Search Engine corresponding to

steps

404 and 504. When device Rssi is less than -75 and TCP congestion is high, then the MHS search engine searches nearby devices. The framework sends the request to driver to set the extension bit high in beacon/probe request.

The client sends the probe request to all devices with extension bit high. Other devices will check and send the probe-response after evaluation with an intelligent model. In the present figure, only B and D device send request.

Figure 8 illustrates extender factor evaluator for the MHS contender corresponding to the

steps

406, 512 and 514: It is based on weighted average of Rssi, Battery Level, TCP congestion, hardware configuration and running application.

In an example, the priority wise elements are Link speed > Battery > rssi > Running app type > HW factor. As a part of normalization measure, following actions may be performed:

Battery factor is multiplied by 9 such that Range 0-100*9 → 0-900.

Link speed is multiplied by 5 such that Range 0-1000*5 → 0-9000.

Rssi is multiplied by 7 such that Range 0-100*7 → 0-700.

Running app type is defined by a Range 10-200.

HW factor is defined by a Range 5-100.

Figure 9 illustrates a format of extension-beacon in accordance with the present subject matter and steps 408, 506 and 516.

As indicated in Table 1 which corresponds to a request beacon, as part of 4^th Information Element (IE) SSID, the 2^nd last bit decides if the beacon is an extension beacon. In an Infrastructure BSS, SSID indicates the identity of an ESS (Extended Service Set) and is part of the frame body with Information element 4. Its maximum length can be of 32 octets. Representing the extension request through Information Element 4 has an advantage of being simple and does not require any kernel modification on client devices.

2^nd last bit value	last bit value	meaning
0	0	general beacon
1	0	extension beacon due to LOW RSSI
1	1	extension beacon due to LOW BATTERY

As indicated in Table 2, if 2^nd last bit of 4^th IE is 1 in accordance with a format of Table 1, then 25^thIE indicates Extension factor which requires 10 bits. There may be multiple binary combination for above bit that may be used to communicate information to be used in decision in on Device Engine. Information Element 25 contains extender factor. Since the maximum value of Extension factor is 1000, so that it can be represented in 10 bits.

extension factor eg. 51 in binary representation
0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	1
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1

As may be understood from the explanation of Figure 9, following information is present in Information Element field in Extension Beacon Request.

Information element 4(Last bit):if this is Extension beacon 0 For No, 1 for Yes

Following Information is present in Information Element field in Extension Beacon response:

Information element 25:Extension Factor.

Figure 10 illustrates operation of an extender beacon engine corresponding to

steps

408, 506 and 516 and thereby represents a sequence flow of extension beacon formatted in accordance with the description of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 illustrates operation of a selection manager corresponding to

steps

410 and 508. On receiving extension beacon responses, the device incorporates a queue of all received responses from other devices. An extension factor of each device is sent within the responses. As indicated in Table 3, Device C then requests Device D for becoming hotspot as it has highest extension factor 60.55.

devices	A	B	C
extension facoor(7%)	43.4	34.65	60.55

Figure 12 illustrates a pairwise master key (PMK) synchronization engine corresponding to

steps

412 and 518 to achieve PMK caching as referred in Fig. 1. As referred in the present figure, the client refers the device with low rssi. The Old AP refers a previous hotspot device/ Wi-fi router and new AP refers new hotspot device for switch.

The PMK sync engine aims at modifying Wi-Fi Roaming technique, for making it work for MHS/Hotspot. The state of the art solutions aim at PMK ID exchange with the help of backend network wireless LAN controller (WLC). Such state of the art at-least mandates that a new backend network is required to implement in all MHS devices. Moreover, all MHS devices are required to be in the same infrastructure.

In accordance with the present subject matter, the PMK ID exchange is executed directly, instead of a backend network or a wireless network controller (WLC). The same at least translates in a fast-transition of MHS devices. The same at least facilitates that MHS devices don't need to be in the same infrastructure.

As mentioned previously, the PMK caching and pre-loaded hotspot firmware advantageously reduce the switchover time from Old AP to new AP. The initiation of the WI-FI connectivity from the new AP upon receiving request from the Old AP is expedited based on one or more of the pre-loaded radio module and the PMK exchange.

Figure 13 illustrates a hotspot roaming engine wherein Device B becomes hotspot substituting the previous hotspot as Device D. Accordingly, Device C now needs to move from old AP Device D to new AP Device B for new connection.

In accordance with a first example scenario, in case device C support dual Wi-Fi chip, then the Device C will connect with both AP and Device B and then remove AP. The scenario may be accordingly referred as Make-Before-Break (MBB).

In accordance with a second scenario, AP is retained with same name. For the purposes of transition of Device C from Device D to Device B, Device B as the new hotspot is allocated same SSID and password like the previous hotspot Device D due to PMK Sync Engine operation.

Accordingly, the problem posed by low connectivity is addressed especially when any of the connected device going out of range, and the connectivity starts diminishing. The devices connected to the same AP, can agree to become contender for the Hotspot device, and provide an extender for the moving out of range device.

Figure 14 illustrates achievement of congestion free environment as an example use case scenario. When multiple devices, connected on a single channel, there is always probability of congestion as all devices communicate on a single channel. Accordingly as depicted in present figure, in case of lots of devices connected on a single channel, multiple hotspots on different channels may be created on single-channel which helps to avoid congestion.

As depicted in the present figure, there is a chance of high congestion as all 12 devices are connected to a single channel 6 with router. For best connectivity, the devices are first divided in nearby devices cluster and best contender is found for Hotspot in each cluster.

Figure 15 illustrates achievement of congestion free environment as another example use-case scenario. The different-channels are assigned for each cluster for best non overlapping channels. Accordingly, hotspot is assigned for each cluster and connect other devices to the hotspot contender. Overall, different hotspot devices are created on different channels, in order to mitigate congestion.

In accordance with yet another use case scenario, the present subject matter overcomes problem of "low-battery hotspot". When Hotspot device is having low battery, then there lies a need of the mechanism to tell it to the connected devices. The present subject matter overcomes the aforesaid problem. For example, in case of low battery, connected device receives a notification of low battery, with the help towards addition of bits in Hotspot beacons. This also helps to alert the user to charge the hotspot device. Also, other contender for the Hotspot is found in the background.

Figure 16 illustrates yet another exemplary implementation in accordance with the embodiment of the invention, and yet another typical hardware configuration of device in the preceding figures through a computer system 2500. The computer system 2500 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system 2500 to perform any one or more of the methods disclosed. The computer system 2500 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. The computer system 2500 may be an electronic device.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 2500 may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The computer system 2500 can also be implemented as or incorporated across various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while a single computer system 2500 is illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

The computer system 2500 may include a processor 2502 e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor 2502 may be a component in a variety of systems. For example, the processor 2502 may be part of a standard personal computer or a workstation. The processor 2502 may be one or more general processors, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developed devices for analyzing and processing data. The processor 2502 may implement a software program, such as code generated manually (i.e., programmed).

The computer system 2500 may include a memory 2504, such as a memory 2504 that can communicate via a bus 2508. The memory 2504 may include, but is not limited to computer-readable storage media such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. In one example, memory 2504 includes a cache or random access memory for the processor 2502. In alternative examples, the memory 2504 is separate from the processor 2502, such as a cache memory of a processor, the system memory, or other memory. The memory 2504 may be an external storage device or database for storing data. The memory 2504 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 2502. The functions, acts or tasks illustrated in the figures or described may be performed by the programmed processor 2502 for executing the instructions stored in the memory 2504. The functions, acts or tasks are independent of the particular type of instructions set, storage media, processor or processing strategy and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firmware, micro-code and the like, operating alone or in combination. Likewise, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing and the like.

As shown, the computer system 2500 may or may not further include a display unit 2510, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid-state display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, a printer or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determined information. The display 2510 may act as an interface for the user to see the functioning of the processor 2502, or specifically as an interface with the software stored in the memory 2504 or the drive unit 2516.

Additionally, the computer system 2500 may include an input device 2512 configured to allow a user to interact with any of the components of system 2500. The computer system 2500 may also include a disk or optical drive unit 2516. The disk drive unit 2516 may include a computer-readable medium 2522 in which one or more sets of instructions 2524, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, the instructions 2524 may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described. In a particular example, the instructions 2524 may reside completely, or at least partially, within the memory 2504 or within the processor 2502 during execution by the computer system 2500.

The present invention contemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 2524 or receives and executes instructions 2524 responsive to a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network 2526 can communicate voice, video, audio, images, or any other data over the network 2526. Further, the instructions 2524 may be transmitted or received over the network 2526 via a communication port or interface (e.g., communication circuitry) 2520 or using a bus 2508. The communication port or interface (e.g., communication circuitry)2520 may be a part of the processor 2502 or maybe a separate component. The communication port (e.g., communication circuitry) 2520 may be created in software or maybe a physical connection in hardware. The communication port (e.g., communication circuitry) 2520 may be configured to connect with a network 2526, external media, the display 2510, or any other components in system 2500, or combinations thereof. The connection with the network 2526 may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection or may be established wirelessly as discussed later. Likewise, the additional connections with other components of the system 2500 may be physical or may be established wirelessly. The network 2526 may alternatively be directly connected to the bus 2508.

The network 2526 may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q or WiMax network. Further, the network 826 may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols. The system is not limited to operation with any particular standards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and other packet-switched network transmissions (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) may be used.

At least by virtue of aforesaid, the present subject matter at least provides the following advantages:

An Uninterrupted Downloading experience: In case of dual Wi-Fi chip support, a smooth transition from two different applications is achieved. Moreover, downloading does not get interrupted.

No connectivity delay in work from home scenario: Getting automatically connected to intermediate hotspot helps overcoming low connectivity issue, and connect better.

Best hotspot candidate: As may be understood, a user doesn't have knowledge as to how much it will impact for a device to become a hotspot?, how much congestion is going to device?, and when to switch to other device for hotspot? The present subject matter at least addresses the aforesaid shortfall.

Switching Hotspot Devices on low power: On low power, the present subject matter enables that one device can switch to another Hotspot device.

Display of Battery percentage: The present subject matter provides a display of battery percentage of the hotspot device at the client devices and thereby informs the user about low battery alert of the hotspot.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.

Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to the problem and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

Claims

A method for dynamically selecting a device for accessing wireless connectivity in a network, the method comprising:

detecting (102) low wireless connectivity from a current access point (AP);

broadcasting (104) a request to request a new AP/extender based on the detecting;

receiving (106) one or more responses from one or more devices in the network;

selecting (108) the new AP/extender from the one or more devices based on an AP capability based information extracted from the responses;

and

receiving (112) Wi-Fi packet from the new AP/extender to avail the wireless connectivity.
The method of claim 1, wherein the information defining an AP capability of each of the devices while sending the responses as response beacons is based on parameters as one or more of:

an internet-connectivity;

a link-speed;

a battery-capability;

a hardware configuration; and

a current running application.
The method of claim 1, wherein the AP capability is defined by one or more of: BLE Rssi / Wi-Fi Rssi/ internet connectivity/ battery level / network-congestion, and a current running application.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting (110) the current AP to exchange authentication credentials with the new AP/extender;

exchanging a pairwise master key (PMK) between the new AP and the current AP based on requesting the exchange of the authentication credentials; and

enabling , based on the exchanging of the PMK, the new AP to act as a WI-FI hotspot with same authentication credentials as the current AP to enable bypassing of an authentication procedure with respect to the new AP.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting a request beacon based on detecting a network-congestion with respect to the current AP.
The method of claim 5, wherein the request beacon corresponds to an extension beacon having a 4^th information element representing a request for the new AP/extender.
The method of claim 1, wherein the responses defined by a response beacon corresponds to an extension beacon having a 25^th information element representing an AP candidature information.
The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

pre-loading a radio module in the new AP to enable WI-FI connectivity from the new AP, the radio module within the new AP corresponding to a hotspot firmware; and

expediting initiation of the WI-FI connectivity from the new AP upon receiving request from the current AP based on one or more of the pre-loaded radio module and the PMK exchange.
An electronic device comprising:

a communication circuitry;

a memory; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is configured to:

detect (402) low wireless connectivity from a current access point (AP);

broadcast (404) a request to request a new AP/extender based on the detecting;

receive (406, 408) one or more responses from one or more devices in the network;

select (410) the new AP/extender from the one or more devices based on an AP capability based information extracted from the responses; and

receive (414) Wi-Fi packet from the new AP/extender to avail the wireless connectivity.
The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the information defining an AP capability of each of the devices while sending the responses as response beacons is based on parameters as one or more of:

an internet connectivity;

a link-speed;

a battery-capability;

a hardware configuration; and

a current running application,

wherein the AP capability is defined by one or more of: BLE Rssi / Wi-Fi Rssi/ internet connectivity/ battery level / network-congestion, and a current running application.
The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to:

request (110) the current AP to exchange authentication credentials with the new AP/extender;

exchange a pairwise master key (PMK) between the new AP and the current AP based on requesting the exchange of the authentication credentials; and

enable, based on the exchanging of the PMK, the new AP to act as a WI-FI hotspot with same authentication credentials as the current AP to enable bypassing of an authentication procedure with respect to the new AP.
The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to:

pre-load a radio module in the new AP to enable WI-FI connectivity from the new AP, the radio module within the new AP corresponding to a hotspot firmware; and

expedite initiation of the WI-FI connectivity from the new AP upon receiving request from the current AP based on one or more of the pre-loaded radio module and the PMK exchange.
The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to:

broadcast the request to request a new AP/extender based on detecting a network-congestion with respect to the current AP.
The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the request beacon corresponds to an extension beacon having a 4^th information element representing a request for the new AP/extender.
The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the responses defined by a response beacon corresponds to an extension beacon having a 25^th information element representing an AP candidature information.