Service Provider Initiated Access Network Selection

• US 20090023446A1
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Das, Swapan
• Granted Patent: US 8,971,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

Examples of the invention allow a content service provider to utilize one or more overlapping wireless networks in a given area to efficiently and cost effectively deliver content and services to a mobile device contained within a terminal. Examples of the invention analyze the characteristics of each wireless network such as cost, latency, security, and bandwidth, the terminal capabilities, and the requested service to determine the most efficient manner to deliver services over one or more wireless networks in a given area. In addition, the service provider re-analyzes the efficiency of service delivery when the mobile device enters a new mobile area. Therefore, sustaining efficient content and service download throughout delivery.

Claims

1. A method for a service provider to select one or more access networks to deliver services, the method comprising:

identifying candidate access networks;

filtering the identified candidate access networks by their capability of delivering the requested service;

filtering the identified candidate access networks by user preference for delivering the requested service;

checking the availability and status of the candidate access networks; and

selecting one or more candidate access networks;

2. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising:

receiving a service request;

determining whether the service request is valid;

determining whether a terminal is capable of providing the requested service;

receiving a location update from a mobile terminal;

determining whether there is ongoing service that is sensitive to delay;

receiving a network status update;

updating a database of coverage access networks;

delivering the requested service to a terminal across one or more selected access networks.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the access networks are selected from the group consisting of wireless wide area networks, wireless metropolitan area networks, wireless local area networks, CDMA2000, Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), GSM, WiFi, and WiMAX networks.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein services are selected from the group consisting of voice, voice call, video, video call, data, text messaging, instant messaging, image messaging, data messaging, file transfer, parameter administration, diagnostics, software download, and streaming media.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein user preferences are selected from the group consisting of bandwidth, security, latency, and cost.

6. A computer-readable medium having thereon computer-executable instructions for a service provider to select one or more access networks to deliver services, the computer-executable instructions comprising of:

instructions for identifying candidate access networks;

instructions for filtering the identified candidate access networks by their capability of delivering the requested service;

instructions for filtering the identified candidate access networks by user preference for delivering the requested service;

instructions for checking the availability and status of the candidate access networks;

instructions for selecting one or more candidate access networks;

instructions for optimizing the requested service application to be delivered over the one or more selected access networks; and

7. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, the computer-executable instructions further comprising:

instructions for receiving a service request;

instructions for determining whether the service request is valid;

instructions for determining whether a terminal is capable of providing the requested service;

instructions for receiving a location update from a mobile terminal;

instructions for determining whether there is ongoing service that is sensitive to delay;

instructions for receiving a network status update;

instructions for updating a database of coverage access networks;

instructions for delivering the requested service to a terminal across one or more selected access networks.

8. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the access networks are selected from the group consisting of wireless wide area networks, wireless metropolitan area networks, wireless local area networks, CDMA2000, Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), GSM, WiFi, and WiMAX networks.

9. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein services to be selected from the group consisting of voice, voice call, video, video call, voice call, video call, data, text messaging, instant messaging, image messaging, data messaging, file transfer, parameter administration, diagnostics, software download, and streaming media.

10. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein user preferences are selected from the group consisting of bandwidth, security, latency, and cost.

11. A system for a service provider to select one or more access networks to deliver services, a system comprising:

an application server that provides services to a mobile terminal;

a service gateway that delivers services across one or more access networks to a terminal;

one or more wireless access networks that deliver services from a service gateway to a terminal;

a mobile terminal requesting and receiving services from a server.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the access networks are selected from the group consisting of wireless wide area networks, wireless metropolitan area networks, wireless local area networks, CDMA2000, Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), GSM, WiFi, and WiMAX networks.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein services are selected from the group consisting of voice, voice call, video, video call, data, text messaging, instant messaging, image messaging, data messaging, file transfer, parameter administration, diagnostics, software download, and streaming media.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein user preferences are selected from the group consisting of bandwidth, security, latency, and cost.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the service gateway:

receives a service request from an application server;

receives location updates from the mobile terminal to determine whether to switch access networks;

receives network status updates from the access network to determine whether to switch access networks;

identifies candidate access networks;

filters the identified candidate access networks by their capability of delivering the requested service;

filters the identified candidate access networks by user preference for delivering the requested service;

checks the availability and status of the candidate access networks;

selects one or more candidate access networks to delivery services across;

optimizes presentation and delivery of service to a mobile terminal;