Multiple network access system and method

• US 10,694,440 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2019
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
• Inventors: Connors, Dennis P., Marsh, Gene W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wyche, Myron
• Application Number:
  US16/298,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20190208452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/144 over a different radio air interface technology

Abstract

Methods and devices for operating a wireless communication device that can communicate with at least two different wireless networks using a single radio frequency modem are described. The communication device attaches to a first wireless network through the radio frequency (RF) modem, and then detaches from the first wireless network at a predetermined time before a start time of a selected event on a second wireless network. The device attaches to the second wireless network using the same RF modem before the start time of the selected event and collects at least a portion of event data associated with the selected event. After collecting at least a portion of event data, the device detaches from the second wireless network and re-attaches to the first wireless network.

Claims

1. A method for use in a mobile device, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a base station via a first frequency associated with a bidirectional network;

receiving, via the first frequency, information associated with a unidirectional network, wherein the information includes resource information associated with a broadcast event;

receiving, via the first frequency and on a resource indicated by the resource information, broadcast data associated with the broadcast event; and

receiving, via the first frequency, data on a resource other than the resource indicated by the resource information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the unidirectional network is associated with the first frequency.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the unidirectional network is associated with a second frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast event is associated with a stream of data packets.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast event is a video.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource information includes a schedule of a plurality of broadcast events.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an indication to the base station that the mobile device is broadcast capable.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource information is time slice information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the unidirectional network is received via the bidirectional network.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the connection further comprises transmitting a registration message to the base station, the registration message indicating a broadcast capability of the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the information associated with the unidirectional network is received from the base station when the connection is established.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device belongs to a paging group of mobile devices.

13. A mobile device comprising:

a receiver operable to establish a connection with a base station via a first frequency associated with a bidirectional network;

the receiver further operable to receive, via the first frequency, information associated with a unidirectional network, wherein the information includes resource information associated with a broadcast event;

the receiver further operable to receive, via the first frequency and on a resource indicated by the resource information, broadcast data associated with the broadcast event; and

the receiver further operable to receive, via the first frequency, data on a resource other than the resource indicated by the resource information.

14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the unidirectional network is associated with the first frequency.

15. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the unidirectional network is associated with a second frequency.

16. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the broadcast event is associated with a stream of data packets.

17. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the broadcast event is video data.

18. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the resource information includes a schedule of a plurality of broadcast events.

19. The mobile device of claim 13, further comprising:

a transmitter operable to transmit an indication from to the base station that the mobile device is broadcast capable.

20. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the resource information is time slice information.