Wireless channel selection techniques and devices

• US 20090067447A1
• Filed: 09/07/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Morris, Matthew, Reas, Loren, McClive, Curtis, Jubelirer, Matthew, Smalley, Mark Edward, Giaimo, Edward, King, Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,983,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/431
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal

Abstract

Techniques for locating wireless channels usable for transmitting media signals from personal media players that are adequately separated from wireless channels used for other purposes. One technique involves identifying a target channel and at least two additional channels within a certain proximity of the target channel, and evaluating a channel usability algorithm based on characteristics, such as the received signal strengths, of the target channel and the received signal strengths of each of the proximate channels. Based on evaluation of the algorithm, the target channel is deemed either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal. The most desirable available target channel(s) in a particular group or sub-group of wireless channels may also be identified.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for selecting a wireless channel for transmitting a media signal originating from a personal media player, the method comprising:

identifying a target wireless channel from among a number of wireless channels;

identifying at least two additional wireless channels within a predetermined proximity of the target wireless channel;

evaluating a channel usability algorithm based on a characteristic of a signal received via the target wireless channel and characteristics of signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels; and

based on the evaluation of the channel usability algorithm, identifying the target wireless channel as being either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal.

2. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

repeatedly identifying different target wireless channels from among the number of wireless channels and identifying at least two different additional wireless channels within a predetermined proximity of each of the different target wireless channels;

evaluating the channel usability algorithm based on strengths of signals received via each of the different target wireless channels and strengths of signals received via each of the at least two different additional wireless channels; and

based on the evaluations, identifying each of the different target wireless channels as being either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal,

the step of repeatedly identifying different target wireless channels performed either automatically or based on user input.

3. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the step of automatically identifying different target wireless channels comprises identifying all possible target wireless channels from among the number of wireless channels.

4. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the step of automatically identifying different target wireless channels comprises

defining a number of subsets of wireless channels from among the number of wireless channels, the subsets selected based on criteria from the group comprising:

frequency sub-band information;

user-input information;

predetermined information; and

historical information from evaluation of the channel acceptability algorithm, and

identifying target wireless channels from among the defined subsets of wireless channels.

5. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2, further comprising:

identifying a particular target wireless channel identified as not being usable to transmit the media signal; and

within a predetermined time period after the particular target wireless channel has been identified as not being usable to transmit the media signal, not including the particular target wireless channel among the number of wireless channels from which different target wireless channels are identified.

6. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2, further comprising:

from among the target wireless channels identified as being usable to transmit the media signal, identifying a best usable wireless channel.

7. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 6, wherein the step of identifying the best usable wireless channel is performed either after each different target wireless channel is identified, or after a number of different target wireless channels are identified.

8. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 6, wherein the step of identifying the best usable wireless channel comprises

from among the target wireless channels identified as being usable to transmit the media signal, identifying the strengths of the signals received via the target wireless channels,

identifying the target wireless channel having the lowest identified received signal strength, and

identifying the target wireless channel having the lowest identified received signal strength to be the best usable wireless channel.

9. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 6, wherein the step of identifying the best usable wireless channel comprises

from among the target wireless channels identified as being usable to transmit the media signal, identifying the strengths of the signals received via the target wireless channels,

identifying the strengths of the signals received via the at least two additional wireless channels associated with each of the target wireless channels identified as being usable to transmit the media signal,

calculating a weighted average of the identified received signal strengths associated with the target wireless channel and the at least two additional wireless channels,

identifying the target wireless channel having the lowest weighted average, and

identifying the target wireless channel having the lowest weighted average to be the best usable wireless channel.

10. The computer-readable medium according to claim 2, wherein the step of evaluating a channel usability algorithm further comprises:

identifying strengths of signals received via the target wireless channel, and strengths of signals received via the at least two additional wireless channels;

calculating a score comprising

multiplying the identified received signal strength associated with the target wireless channel by a weighting factor to form a weighted result,

adding the strengths of the signals received via the at least two additional wireless channels to form an added result, and

adding the weighted result to the added result to form the score;

associating the score with the target wireless channel;

as

identifying the target wireless channel having the lowest associated score to be the best usable wireless channel.

11. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 2, wherein the method step of evaluating a channel usability algorithm further comprises:

identifying a first threshold signal strength value and a second threshold signal strength value;

comparing a strength of the signal received via the target wireless channel to the first threshold signal strength value; and

comparing strengths of signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels to the second threshold signal strength value,

the target wireless channel identified as being usable to transmit the media signal when the strength of the signal received via the target wireless channel is less than the first threshold signal strength value, and when the strengths of signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels are less than the second threshold signal strength value.

12. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the first and second threshold signal strength values are dynamic values based on factors selected from the group comprising:

relationships between strengths of signals received via the at least two different additional wireless channels associated with particular different target wireless channels; and

geographic location, and

the relationships are based on factors selected from the group comprising;

maximum received signal strengths;

minimum received signal strengths;

average received signal strengths; and

root-mean-square average received signal strengths.

13. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the first and second threshold signal strength values are the same values.

14. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

arranging to provide information to a user, the information selected from the group comprising;

identification of the target wireless channel;

an indication of the usability of the target wireless channel;

an indication of a quality of the target wireless channel;

user selection options for a different target wireless channel from among the number of wireless channels; and

information associated with the personal media player.

15. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the information is provided to the user via an electronic device selected from the group comprising:

the personal media player; and

an electronic device separate from the personal media player.

16. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein a location of the processor is selected from the group comprising:

the personal media player; and

an electronic device separate from the personal media player.

17. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the media signal transmitted via the wireless channel is playable by the electronic device.

18. A method for wirelessly transmitting a media signal originating from a personal media player, the method comprising:

identifying a target wireless channel from among a number of wireless channels;

identifying at least two additional wireless channels within a predetermined proximity of the target wireless channel;

receiving a signal via the target wireless channel;

receiving signals via each of the at least two additional wireless channels;

measuring a characteristic of the signal received via the target wireless channel;

measuring characteristics of the signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels;

arranging for evaluation of a channel usability algorithm based on the characteristic of the signal received via the target wireless channel and the characteristics of the signals received via each of the at least two additional wireless channels, the target wireless channel deemed to be either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal based on evaluation of the channel usability algorithm; and

when the target wireless channel is deemed to be usable to transmit the media signal, transmitting the media signal via the target wireless channel.

19. An electronic device, comprising:

a transmitter operable to transmit a media signal;

a computer-readable storage medium; and

a processor responsive to the computer-readable storage medium and to a computer program, the computer program, when loaded into the processor, operable to;

arrange for identification of a target wireless channel from among a number of wireless channels,

arrange for evaluation of a channel usability algorithm based on a characteristic of a signal received via the target wireless channel and characteristics of signals received via each of at least two additional wireless channels within a predetermined proximity of the target wireless channel, the target wireless channel deemed to be either usable or not usable to transmit the media signal based on evaluation of the channel usability algorithm, and

when the target wireless channel is deemed to be usable to transmit the media signal, arrange for the transmitter to transmit the media signal via the target wireless channel.

20. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group comprising:

a digital camera;

a personal digital assistant;

an in-vehicle media player;

a home media player;

a mobile phone;

a personal computer; and

a portable media player.