System and method of managing connections with an available network

• US 20050260989A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Access Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Basty, Alain, Peacock, Gavin M., Pourtier, Rene, Nicolas, Regis, Berger, Denis
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/53 by executing in a restricted environment, e.g. sandbox or secure virtual machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/54 by adding security routines or objects to programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/449 Object-oriented method invocation or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method for automatically managing connections between a mobile device and one or more available networks (including dedicated connections), as a user changes locations, is disclosed. The connection manager determines the connection profiles and assigns an availability and priority to each available connection profile. As is well known, mobile devices have a lot of possibilities to connect to different networks and there are many protocols that dictate such connections. The connection manager feature determines the most appropriate profile to connect to an available network. In the event that an initial attempt to connect fails, the connection manager attempts a connection based on the next available profile with the highest priority, until a connection is established or there are no more available profiles. The connection manager uses algorithms for searching for a connection profile that fits criteria or search string that is specified and other parameters such as availability, priority, and usability. The system and method uses a format for connection profile representation that facilitates easy manipulation at the application level. By this format, connection profiles may be easily exchanged between remote devices. Also, the connection manager facilitates remote configuration and administering of connection profiles.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a connection between a mobile device and one or more communication networks or one or more dedicated connections, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of connection profiles in a database to implement a physical connection with the one or more communication networks that are available in the environment surrounding the mobile device;

associating a priority with each of the plurality of communication networks ranging from high to low;

determining which of the plurality of the communication networks have the highest priority and selecting a communication network to implement a connection; and

attempting to establish a connection to the communication network selected.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more communication networks include a wireless communication network.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication network uses Bluetooth technology.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication network uses IrDA technology.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication network is a WiFi-802.11 network.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein the wireless communication network is a GPRS network.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is accessed via a dial-up modem.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the dial-up modem provides access to a PPP (point-to-point protocol) network.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the determining step also includes making a determination whether the communication network in available.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of attempting to establish a connection includes one or more attempts until no communication networks remain.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

considering the usability of a selected communication network prior to attempting to establish a connection.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the connection profiles are created by an application program stored in a memory within the mobile device.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the connection profiles are downloaded externally.

2. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of attempting is a first attempt to establish a connection.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

attempting a second attempt to establish a connection with another communication network accorded a next highest priority in the event the first attempt fails.

16. A system for establishing a connection between a mobile device and a communication network, the system comprising:

a connection profile database for storing a plurality of connection profiles to implement a physical connection with a plurality of communication networks that are available in the environment surrounding the mobile device;

a connection manager for associating a priority with each of the plurality of communication networks ranging from high to low and determining which of the plurality of the communication networks have the highest priority, the connection manager selecting an appropriate communication network to implement a connection; and

communication interface for attempting to establish a connection to the communication network selected.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the communication interface attempts a first attempt to establish a connection based on a first connection profile that is assigned the highest priority.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the communication interface attempts a second attempt to establish a connection with another communication network accorded a lower priority in the event the first attempt fails.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein the one or more communication networks comprise a wireless communication network.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein the wireless communication network uses Bluetooth technology.

21. A system according to claim 19, wherein the wireless communication network uses IrDA technology.

22. A system according to claim 19, wherein the wireless communication network is a WiFi-802.11 network.

23. A system according to claim 19, wherein the wireless communication network is a GPRS network.

24. A system according to claim 16, wherein the communication network is accessed by a dial-up modem.

25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the dial-up modem accesses a PPP network.

26. A system according to claim 24, wherein the connection manager determines whether the communication network selected is available.

27. A system according to claim 24, wherein the communication interface continues to attempt establishing a connection until no communication networks remain.

28. A system according to claim 16, wherein the connection manager further considers the usability of a selected communication network prior to attempting to establish a connection.

29. A system according to claim 16, wherein the connection profiles are created by an application program stored in a memory within the mobile device.

30. A system according to claim 16, wherein the connection profiles are downloaded externally.