Multiple network mode selection devices

• US 10,219,205 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CalAmp Corporation
• Original Assignee: CalAmp Corporation
• Inventors: Ramiah, Somu, Olivier, Pierre, Best, David, Wendland, Lloyd, Ludewig, Christopher J., Morrow, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tu X
• Application Number:
  US13/560,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20140031075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,405 Days
• Field of Search: 4554261, 455434, 4555521
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Systems and methods for multiple network mode selection devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a multiple network mode selection device includes a processor, a radio module connected to the processor, and network determination process storage connected to the processor and configured to store one or more network determination processes, wherein the processor is configured to connect to a first network using the radio module, execute a network determination process selected from the one or more network determination process, reprogram the radio module in response to the executed network determination process, and connect to a second network using the radio module, where the second network is separate from the first network.

Claims

1. A multiple network mode selection device, comprising:

a processor;

a first radio module and a second radio module, both coupled to the processor and programmed to perform analog communication with a first radio network; and

an input device coupled to the processor;

a storage device coupled to the processor and storing one or more network determination processes;

wherein the processor is directed to perform;

simultaneously connecting the first radio module and the second radio module to the first radio network;

executing a network determination process selected from the one or more network determination processes;

in response to executing the network determination process, reprogramming the first radio module to perform analog communication with a second radio network, wherein the second radio network is incompatible with the first radio network; and

connecting the first radio module to the second radio network for at least some time while the second radio module remains connected to the first radio network.

2. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device is configured to determine location information; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the location information.

3. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device is configured to determine acceleration information; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the acceleration information.

4. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device is configured to determine altitude information; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the altitude information.

5. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device is configured to determine time information; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the time information.

6. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device is capable of receiving input from a user; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the input from the user.

7. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein:

the input device is capable of determining a service level of a network;

the service level of the network is selected from the group consisting of a quality of service measure, a cost of service measure, and a quantity of service measure; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the service level of the network.

8. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein

the processor is further directed to identify the network determination process by using an availability of the first radio network and an availability of the second radio network.

9. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein

at least one of the one or more network determination processes is pre-determined.

10. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein

the processor is further directed to receive at least one network determination process in the one or more network determination processes by using the first radio network.

11. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, wherein

the processor is further directed to receive at least one network determination process in the one or more network determination processes by using the second radio network.

12. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a management network interface configured to connect to a management network;

wherein the processor is further directed to receive at least one network determination process in the one or more network determination processes by using the management network.

13. A multiple network mode selection device, comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of radio modules coupled to the processor and programmed to perform analog communication with a first radio network; and

an input device coupled to the processor;

a storage device coupled to the processor and storing one or more network determination processes;

wherein the processor is directed to perform;

simultaneously connecting the plurality of radio modules to the first radio network;

executing a network determination process selected from the one or more network determination processes;

in response to executing the network determination process, reprogramming a first radio module to perform analog communication with a second radio network, wherein the second radio network is incompatible with the first radio network; and

connecting the first radio module to the second radio network for at least some time while others of the plurality of radio modules remain connected to the first radio network.

14. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further directed to perform:

in response to executing the network determination process, reprogramming the first radio module to perform analog communication with a third radio network, wherein the third radio network is incompatible with the first radio network and the second radio network; and

connecting the first radio module to the third radio network for at least some time while others of the plurality of radio modules remain connected to the first radio network.

15. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 13, wherein:

the input device is configured to determine one or more of location information, acceleration information, altitude information, and time information; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on one or more of the location information, the acceleration information, the altitude information, and the time information.

16. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 13, wherein:

the input device is capable of receiving input from a user; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the input from the user.

17. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 13, wherein:

the input device is capable of determining a service level of a network;

the service level of the network is selected from the group consisting of a quality of service measure, a cost of service measure, and a quantity of service measure; and

the network determination process comprises determining which network to connect to based on the service level of the network.

18. The multiple network mode selection device of claim 13, further comprising:

a management network interface configured to connect to a management network;

wherein the processor is further directed to receive at least one network determination process in the one or more network determination processes by using the management network.

19. A method of selecting radio networks for a multiple network mode selection device, wherein the multiple network mode selection device comprises a first radio module, a second radio module, and a storage device, wherein the first radio module and the second radio module are programmed to perform analog communication with a first radio network, and wherein the storage device stores one or more network determination processes, the method comprising:

simultaneously connecting the first radio module and the second radio module to the first radio network;

executing a network determination process selected from the one or more network determination processes;

in response to executing the network determination process, reprogramming the first radio module to perform analog communication with a second radio network, wherein the second radio network is incompatible with the first radio network; and

connecting the first radio module to the second radio network for at least some time while the second radio module remains connected to the first radio network.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

identifying the network determination process by using an availability of the first radio network and an availability of the second radio network.