User operation of a wireless device capable of communicating with multiple networks

• US 20070021143A1
• Filed: 07/22/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Agrawal, Avneesh, Jain, Nikhil
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• 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 wireless device and method of operating the device is disclosed. The wireless device is capable of communicating with multiple networks. The wireless device includes a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium. Each of the two networks has a different air interface protocol. The wireless device also includes a user interface having a keypad, display, and/or similar devices. A processor in the wireless device may be configured to select either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver. In at least one embodiment, the processor is configured to communicate with the transceiver using the air interface protocol for the selected network, and communicate with the user interface using a root protocol regardless of the network selected.

Claims

1. A wireless device capable of communicating with multiple networks, comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol;

a user interface; and

a processor configured to select either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver, the processor further being configured to communicate with the transceiver using the air interface protocol for the selected network, and communicate with the user interface using a root protocol regardless of the network selected.

2. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the user interface includes a keypad and display, the processor being configured to support a plurality of network services accessible in substantially the same way by a user through the keypad and display regardless of the network selected.

3. The wireless device of claim 2 wherein the processor is further configured to provide access to at least some of the network services by presenting one or more menus to the display, the format of the one or more menus being substantially the same regardless of the network selected, and wherein the keypad is configured to allow the user to navigate through the one or more menus using the keypad in substantially the same way regardless of the network selected.

4. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the root protocol comprises the air interface protocol for one of the networks.

5. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to translate communications between the root protocol of the user interface and the air interface protocol of the selected network.

6. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to tunnel root protocol communications between the user interface and the selected network using the air interface protocol for the selected network.

7. The wireless device of claim 1 wherein the two networks comprise a cellular network having a cellular coverage region and a wireless LAN in the cellular coverage region.

8. The wireless device of claim 7 wherein the root protocol comprises the air interface protocol for the cellular network.

9. A wireless device capable of communicating with multiple networks, comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol;

a user interface having a keypad and a display; and

a processor configured to select either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver, and support a plurality of network services accessible in substantially the same way by a user through the keypad and display regardless of the network selected.

10. The wireless device of claim 9 wherein the processor is further configured to provide access to at least some of the network services by presenting one or more menus to the display, the format of the one or more menus being substantially the same regardless of the network selected, and wherein the keypad is configured to allow the user to navigate through the one or more menus using the keypad in substantially the same way regardless of the network selected.

11. The wireless device of claim 9 wherein the processor is further configured to communicate with the transceiver using the air interface protocol for the selected network, and communicate with the user interface using a root protocol regardless of the network selected.

12. The wireless device of claim 11 wherein the root protocol comprises the air interface protocol for one of the networks.

13. The wireless device of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to translate communications between the root protocol of the user interface and the air interface protocol of the selected network.

14. The wireless device of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to tunnel root protocol communications between the user interface and the selected network using the air interface protocol for the selected network.

15. The wireless device of claim 9 wherein the two networks comprise a cellular network having a cellular coverage region and a wireless LAN in the cellular coverage region.

16. Computer readable media embodying a program of instructions executable by a processor in a wireless device having a user interface and a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol, the program of instructions being executable by the processor to perform a method comprising:

selecting either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver;

communicating with the transceiver using the air interface protocol for the selected network; and

communicating with the user interface using a root protocol regardless of the network selected.

17. The computer readable media of claim 16 wherein the user interface includes a keypad and display, the method further comprising supporting a plurality of network services accessible in substantially the same way by a user through the keypad and display regardless of the network selected.

18. The computer readable media of claim 17 wherein access to at least some of the network services is provided by presenting one or more menus to the display, the format of the one or more menus being substantially the same regardless of the network selected, and wherein the user is allowed to navigate through the one or more menus using the keypad in substantially the same way regardless of the network selected.

19. The computer readable media of claim 16 wherein the root protocol comprises the air interface protocol for one of the networks.

20. The computer readable media of claim 16 wherein the communications with the transceiver and user interface comprises translating communications between the root protocol of the user interface and the air interface protocol of the selected network.

21. The computer readable media of claim 16 wherein the communications with the transceiver and the user interface comprises tunneling root protocol communications between the user interface and the selected network using the air interface protocol for the selected network.

22. Computer readable media embodying a program of instructions executable by a processor in a wireless device including a user interface having a keypad and display, and a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol, the program of instructions being executable by the processor to perform a method comprising:

selecting either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver; and

supporting a plurality of network services accessible in substantially the same way by a user through the keypad and display regardless of the network selected.

23. The computer readable media of claim 22 wherein access to at least some of the network services is provided by presenting one or more menus to the display, the format of the one or more menus being substantially the same regardless of the network selected, and wherein the user is allowed to navigate through the one or more menus using the keypad in substantially the same way regardless of the network selected.

24. The computer readable media of claim 22 further comprising communicating with the transceiver using the air interface protocol for the selected network, and communicating with the user interface using a root protocol regardless of the network selected.

25. The computer readable media of claim 24 wherein the root protocol comprises the air interface protocol for one of the networks.

26. The computer readable media of claim 24 wherein the communications with the transceiver and user interface comprises translating communications between the root protocol of the user interface and the air interface protocol of the selected network.

27. The computer readable media of claim 24 wherein the communications with the transceiver and the user interface comprises tunneling root protocol communications between the user interface and the selected network using the air interface protocol for the selected network.

28. A wireless device capable of communicating with multiple networks, comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol;

a user interface;

means for selecting either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver; and

means for communicating with the transceiver using the air interface protocol for the selected network, and communicating with the user interface using a root protocol regardless of the network selected.

29. A wireless device capable of communicating with multiple networks, comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol;

a keypad and display;

means for selecting either one of the two networks for wireless communications with the transceiver; and

means for supporting a plurality of network services accessible in substantially the same way by a user through the keypad and display regardless of the network selected.

30. A method of communicating from a wireless device including a user interface and a transceiver configured to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol, the method comprising:

connecting the wireless device to a first one of the two networks;

supporting a plurality of network services accessible by a user through the keypad and display;

switching the wireless device to a second one of the two networks; and

supporting the same network services accessible in substantially the same way to the user through the keypad and display.