DEVICE MANAGED ACCESS POINT LISTS IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20090245176A1
• Filed: 03/19/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Deshpande, Manoj M., Balasubramanian, Srinivasan, Yoon, Young C., Horn, Gavin B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,363,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate device-side access point list management. Blacklists of access points unsuitable for providing network access to a related mobile device can be maintained as well as whitelists of suitable access points. The lists can be managed using an interface provided at the mobile device. In addition, lists can be modified according to provisioned network updates. Also, the lists can be of maximum size such that older entries can be purged upon insertion of newer entries based on a number of factors; timed entry deletion is provided as well. Access points in the lists can be stored and presented according to various identifiers related to the access points.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

maintaining an operator controlled list of identifiers related to access points in a wireless network;

maintaining a user controlled list of identifiers related to access points in the wireless network; and

utilizing the operator controlled list and the user controlled list in determining one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operator controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the operator controlled list of identifiers based at least in part on a command received from the wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the user controlled list of identifiers based at least in part on a command received from a provided user interface.

6. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

manage an operator controlled list of identifiers related to access points in a wireless network;

manage a user controlled list of identifiers related to access points in the wireless network; and

determine one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network based on the operator controlled list and/or the user controlled list; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

7. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 6, wherein the operator controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining an operator controlled list of identifiers related to access points in a wireless network and a user controlled list of identifiers related to access points in the wireless network; and

means for determining one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network based on the operator controlled list and/or the user controlled list.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the operator controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

10. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to maintain an operator controlled list of identifiers related to access points in a wireless network;

code for causing the at least one computer to maintain a user controlled list of identifiers related to access points in the wireless network; and

code for causing the at least one computer to utilize the operator controlled list and the user controlled list in determining one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the operator controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a list maintainer that manages an operator controlled list of identifiers related to access points in a wireless network and a user controlled list of identifiers related to access points in the wireless network; and

an access point evaluator that utilizes the operator controlled list and/or the user controlled list in selecting an access point from which to request access to the wireless network.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a network command analyzer that processes one or more commands, received from the wireless network, to update the operator controlled list.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an interface that processes one or more commands presented on the interface to update the user controlled list.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the operator controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the operator controlled list is a blacklist of identifiers related to access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

17. A method for identifying cells from which to request wireless network access, comprising:

maintaining a blacklist of identifiers related to unsuitable access points for providing access to a wireless network;

modifying the blacklist according to a command received from the wireless network; and

utilizing the blacklist in determining one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the command relates to an update in operating parameters for an access point and modifying the blacklist includes removing an identifier related to the access point from the blacklist.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising adding the identifier of the access point to a whitelist of suitable identifiers related to suitable access points for providing access to the wireless network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the whitelist is stored in a preferred user zone list (PUZL) database.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the blacklist and whitelist correspond to a single list of access points each entry in the single list having a blacklist or whitelist identifier.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the command is a request to flush the blacklist and modifying the blacklist includes removing all entries from the blacklist.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving the command from the wireless network as a short message service (SMS) message.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising initially receiving the blacklist from the wireless network.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising maintaining a local blacklist of unsuitable access point identifiers.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising updating the local blacklist based at least in part on commands received from a provided interface.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein utilizing the blacklist in determining one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network includes:

discovering an in-range access point that advertises an identifier; and

scanning for one or more different access points upon determining that the identifier is in the blacklist.

28. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

manage a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing wireless network access to the wireless communications apparatus;

update at least one blacklist access point entry based at least in part on a network command related to a determined modification in an operating parameter for the blacklist access point entry; and

request network access to an access point based at least in part on verifying absence of the access point in the blacklist; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

29. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 28, wherein the network command relates to an update in operating parameters for an access point and updating the at least one blacklist includes removing an identifier related to the access point from the blacklist.

30. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

means for modifying the blacklist according to an update command received from the wireless network; and

means for analyzing the blacklist in requesting wireless network access from one or more access points.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the update command relates to an update in operating parameters for an access point and the means for modifying the blacklist removes an identifier related to the access point from the blacklist.

32. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to maintain a blacklist of identifiers related to unsuitable access points for providing access to a wireless network;

code for causing the at least one computer to modify the blacklist according to a command received from the wireless network; and

code for causing the at least one computer to utilize the blacklist in determining one or more access points for requesting access to the wireless network.

33. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the command relates to an update in operating parameters for an access point and modifying the blacklist includes removing an identifier related to the access point from the blacklist.

34. An apparatus, comprising:

a list maintainer that manages a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

a network command analyzer that processes one or more commands, received from the wireless network, to update the blacklist; and

an access point evaluator that utilizes the blacklist in selecting an access point from which to request access to the wireless network.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the one or more commands comprise a command specifying removal of an entry in the blacklist and the list maintainer removes the entry from the blacklist.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the list maintainer further adds the entry to a whitelist of suitable access points for providing access to the wireless network.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the whitelist is stored in a preferred user zone list (PUZL) database.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the blacklist and whitelist correspond to a single list of access points each entry in the single list having a blacklist or whitelist identifier.

39. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the one or more commands comprise a command specifying an update to one or more parameters of an entry in the blacklist and the list maintainer removes the entry from the blacklist based on the command.

40. A method for provisioning network commands related to maintaining lists of access points for providing network access, comprising:

determining modification of an operating parameter related to one or more access points; and

transmitting a command to update a local blacklist to one or more mobile devices based on the operating parameter modification.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the command to update the local blacklist comprises instructions to delete the access point from the local blacklist.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein determining modification of an operating parameter includes determining modification of one or more related authorization credentials.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein transmitting the request to the one or more mobile devices includes transmitting a short message service (SMS) message comprising the command.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein transmitting the command to the one or more mobile devices includes transmitting a command to flush the local blacklist.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising transmitting a request to the one or more mobile devices to add the one or more access points to a whitelist based at least in part on the determined modification.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the whitelist is stored in a preferred user zone list (PUZL) database.

47. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

generating the local blacklist based at least in part on access points determined unsuitable for providing network access to the one or more mobile devices; and

provisioning the local blacklist to the one or more mobile devices.

48. The method of claim 40, further comprising providing the one or more mobile devices with a global blacklist of access points that are unsuitable for providing network access.

49. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

detect a modification to an operating parameter related to one or more access points;

generate a network command to provision an update to a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing network access; and

transmit the network command to a mobile device; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

50. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 49, wherein the command to provision the update comprises instructions to delete the one or more access points from the blacklist.

51. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a parameter modification related to an access point in a wireless network; and

means for provisioning a network command to update a local blacklist to one or more mobile devices in the wireless network based on the parameter modification.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the network command comprises instructions to delete the access point from the local blacklist.

53. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to determine modification of an operating parameter related to one or more access points; and

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit a command to update a local blacklist to one or more mobile devices based on the operating parameter modification.

54. The computer program product of claim 53, wherein the command to update the local blacklist comprises instructions to delete the access point from the local blacklist.

55. An apparatus, comprising:

a parameter change evaluator that determines a modified operating parameter related to one or more access points in a wireless network; and

a network command provisioner that transmits a list update command to one or more mobile devices based at least in part on the modified operating parameter.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the list update command specifies deletion of one or more entries in a local blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the list update command indicates a flush of the local blacklist of access points.

58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the list update command specifies insertion of one or more access point identifiers to a whitelist of access points suitable for providing access to the wireless network.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the whitelist is stored in a preferred user zone list (PUZL) database.

60. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the list update command specifies a parameter update to one or more entries in a local blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

61. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the network command provisioner transmits a short message service (SMS) message comprising the list update command.

62. A method for identifying cells from which to request wireless network access, comprising:

maintaining a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network based at least in part on one or more commands received from a provided user interface;

detecting an access point that provides access to the wireless network; and

scanning for one or more disparate access points based at least in part on identifying the access point in the blacklist.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising adding an identifier of the access point to the blacklist based at least in part on processing a request for addition received from the user interface.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising displaying a prompt on the user interface related to adding the identifier of the access point to the blacklist upon detecting the access point.

65. The method of claim 63, further comprising removing the identifier of the access point from the blacklist based at least in part on processing a request for deletion received from the user interface.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the request for deletion received from the user interface is a request to flush the blacklist.

67. The method of claim 63, wherein adding the identifier of the access point to the blacklist includes specifying the identifier as a permanent entry such that deletion by a command from the wireless network is prohibited.

68. The method of claim 62, further comprising storing the blacklist on a removable memory device.

69. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

manage a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing wireless network access to the wireless communications apparatus based at least in part on one or more requests received from a provided user interface;

detect an access point that provides access to the wireless network; and

analyze one or more disparate access points based at least in part on identifying the access point in the blacklist; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

70. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 69, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to add an identifier of the access point to the blacklist based at least in part on processing a request for addition received from the provided user interface.

71. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

means for modifying the blacklist according to an update command received from a provided user interface; and

means for analyzing the blacklist in requesting wireless network access from one or more access points in the wireless network.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for maintaining the blacklist adds an identifier of the one or more access points to the blacklist based at least in part on processing a request for addition received from the provided user interface.

73. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to maintain a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network based at least in part on one or more commands received from a provided user interface;

code for causing the at least one computer to detect an access point that provides access to the wireless network; and

code for causing the at least one computer to scan for one or more disparate access points based at least in part on identifying the access point in the blacklist.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to add an identifier of the access point to the blacklist based at least in part on processing a request for addition received from the user interface.

75. An apparatus, comprising:

an interface that receives one or more commands to update a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

a list maintainer that manages the blacklist based at least in part on the one or more commands; and

an access point evaluator that utilizes the blacklist in selecting an access point from which to request access to the wireless network.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the interface receives a command to add an unsuitable access point to the blacklist and the list maintainer adds the unsuitable access point to the blacklist.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the access point evaluator ignores the unsuitable access point in selecting an access point based at least in part on identifying the unsuitable access point in the blacklist.

78. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the interface displays a prompt to add the unsuitable access point to the blacklist based at least in part on the access point evaluator encountering the unsuitable access point.

79. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the interface further receives a command to remove the unsuitable access point from the blacklist and the list maintainer removes the unsuitable access point from the blacklist.

80. A method for identifying cells from which to request wireless network access, comprising:

maintaining a plurality lists of access point identifiers corresponding to a group of access points, which provide similar access to a wireless network;

detecting an access point that advertises an identifier present in at least one of the lists; and

determining whether to establish a connection with the access point based at least in part on presence of the identifier in the at least one list.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point identifiers indicating access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein the at least one list is a whitelist of access point identifiers indicating access points for providing access to the wireless network.

83. The method of claim 80, further comprising modifying the at least one list based at least in part on one or more commands received from a provided user interface.

84. The method of claim 80, further comprising modifying the at least one list based at least in part on one or more commands received from the wireless network.

85. The method of claim 80, further comprising modifying the at least one list based at least in part on one or more detected events.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the one or more detected events comprises one or more successful or failed connection establishment requests to the access point.

87. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

manage a plurality of lists of access point identifiers, the identifiers are related to a group of access points that provide similar access to a wireless network;

detect an access point that provides access to the wireless network and advertises an identifier present in at least one of the lists; and

determine whether to establish communication with the access point based on presence of the identifier in the at least one list and a type of the at least one list; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

88. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 87, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point identifiers indicating access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

89. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining a plurality of lists of access point identifiers, the identifiers are related to a group of access points that provide similar access to a wireless network;

means for analyzing at least one of the lists to detect presence of an identifier of an access point; and

means for establishing communication with the access point based on analyzing the at least one list.

90. The apparatus of claim 89, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point identifiers indicating access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

91. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to maintain a plurality lists of access point identifiers corresponding to a group of access points, which provide similar access to a wireless network;

code for causing the at least one computer to detect an access point that advertises an identifier present in at least one of the lists; and

code for causing the at least one computer to determine whether to establish a connection with the access point based at least in part on presence of the identifier in the at least one list.

92. The computer program of claim 91, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point identifiers indicating access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

93. An apparatus, comprising:

a list maintainer that manages a plurality of lists of access point identifiers, the identifiers correspond to groups of access points that provide similar access to a wireless network; and

an access point evaluator that detects an access point that advertises an identifier and establishes communication with the access point based at least in part on analyzing at least one of the lists to determine whether the identifier is present.

94. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point identifiers indicating access points unsuitable for providing access to the wireless network.

95. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the at least one list is a whitelist of access point identifiers indicating access points for providing access to the wireless network.

96. The apparatus of claim 93, further comprising a user interface wherein the list maintainer further modifies at least one of the lists based at least in part on one or more commands received from the user interface.

97. A method for identifying cells from which to request wireless network access, comprising:

maintaining one or more lists of access point communication parameters computed from signals received from the respective access points;

computing an access point communication parameter from a signal received from the access point; and

determining whether to establish a connection with the access point based at least in part on presence of the computed communication parameter in the at least one list.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network.

99. The method of claim 97, wherein the at least one list is a whitelist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points for providing access to a wireless network.

100. The method of claim 97, further comprising modifying the at least one list based at least in part on one or more commands received from a provided user interface.

101. The method of claim 97, further comprising modifying the at least one list based at least in part on one or more commands received from a wireless network.

102. The method of claim 97, further comprising modifying the at least one list based at least in part on one or more detected events.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein the one or more detected events comprises one or more successful or failed connection establishment requests to the access point.

104. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

manage a list of access point communication parameters computed from one or more signals received from the respective access points;

determine a communication parameter related to an access point; and

determine whether to establish communication with the access point based on presence of the communication parameter in the list; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

105. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 104, wherein the list is a blacklist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network.

106. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining a list of access point communication parameters determined from one or more signals received from the access points;

means for determining a communication parameter related to an access point; and

means for establishing communication with the access point based at least in part on determining whether the communication parameter is in the list.

107. The apparatus of claim 106, wherein the list is a blacklist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network.

108. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to maintain one or more lists of access point communication parameters computed from signals received from the respective access points;

code for causing the at least one computer to compute an access point communication parameter from a signal received from the access point; and

code for causing the at least one computer to determine whether to establish a connection with the access point based at least in part on presence of the computed communication parameter in the at least one list.

109. The computer program product of claim 108, wherein the at least one list is a blacklist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network.

110. An apparatus, comprising:

a list maintainer that manages a list of access point communication parameters calculated from one or more signals received from related access points; and

an access point evaluator that determines an access point communication parameter and establishes communication with the access point based at least in part on analyzing the list to determine whether the communication parameter is present.

111. The apparatus of claim 110, wherein the list is a blacklist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network.

112. The apparatus of claim 110, wherein the list is a whitelist of access point communication parameters corresponding to access points for providing access to a wireless network.

113. The apparatus of claim 110, further comprising a user interface wherein the list maintainer further modifies the list based at least in part on one or more commands received from the user interface.

114. A method for identifying cells from which to request wireless network access, comprising:

maintaining a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

determining a time duration during which an access point is present in the blacklist; and

computing a deletion time for the access point from the blacklist based at least in part on the time duration.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the deletion time is computed using the time duration and a number of times the access point is detected during the time duration.

116. The method of claim 114, wherein the deletion time is computed further based at least in part on a number of times the access point is added to the blacklist by a provided user interface.

117. The method of claim 114, wherein the deletion time is computed further based at least in part on a number of failed access attempts to the access point.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the deletion time is escalated as the number of failed access attempts increases.

119. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

manage a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

discern a time duration related to presence of an access point in the blacklist; and

calculate a deletion time for the access point from the blacklist based at least in part on the time duration; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

120. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 119, wherein the at least one processor calculates the deletion time using the time duration and a number of times the access point is detected during the time duration.

121. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

means for receiving a time duration during which the access point is present in the blacklist; and

means for determining a deletion time for the access point from the list based at least in part on the time duration.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the means for determining the deletion time determines the deletion time using the time duration and a number of times the access point is detected during the time duration.

123. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to maintain a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network;

code for causing the at least one computer to determine a time duration during which an access point is present in the blacklist; and

code for causing the at least one computer to compute a deletion time for the access point from the blacklist based at least in part on the time duration.

124. The computer program product of claim 123, wherein the deletion time is computed using the time duration and a number of times the access point is detected during the time duration.

125. An apparatus, comprising:

a list maintainer that manages a blacklist of access points unsuitable for providing access to a wireless network; and

a list entry timer that computes a deletion time for an access point from the blacklist based at least in part on a determined time duration for which the access point has been in the blacklist.

126. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein the list entry timer computes the deletion time using the time duration and a number of times the access point is detected during the time duration.