CONTROLLING MULTI-MODE DEVICES

• US 20090258649A1
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Salowey, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 8,160,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/435.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• 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 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In an example embodiment, a technique for automatically controlling radio interfaces of a multi-mode device. Wireless interfaces are enabled or disabled based on the probability of network availability of the interfaces at a current geographical location.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive location data for a wireless multi-mode device having a first wireless interface and a second wireless interface; and

logic in communication with the communication interface and configured to send and receive data via the communication interface;

wherein the logic is configured to continuously receive data representative of a location of the wireless multi-mode device via the communication interface;

wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on the data representative of a location; and

wherein the logic is configured to send a signal via the communication interface to the wireless multi-mode device to enable the second wireless interface responsive to determining the second wireless interface is able to connect to a network.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic is further configured to send a signal via the communication interface to the wireless multi-mode device to disable the second wireless interface responsive to determining the second wireless device is unable to connect to a network based on a current location of the associated wireless multi-mode device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the location data for the wireless multi-mode device includes current coordinates for the wireless multi-mode device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic computes coordinates for current location of the wireless multi-mode devices based on the location data received for the wireless multi-mode device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the location data comprises angle of arrival data received from at least one access point in communication with the communication interface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the location data comprises received signal strength indication data received from at least one access point in communication with the communication interface.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the location data comprises triangulation data received from at least one access point in communication with the communication interface.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on a population density of the location.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on geo-political data for the location.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on known locations that support the wireless second interface.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal to the wireless multi-mode device to enable the second wireless interface further comprises data representative of an operating frequency for the second wireless interface.

12. A method, comprising:

establishing communication with a wireless multi-mode device having a first wireless interface and a second wireless interface via the first wireless interface;

continuously determining a location of the wireless multi-mode device;

determining a probability of whether the second wireless interface will be able to connect to a network based on the location of the multi-mode device; and

sending control information to the wireless multi-mode device via the first wireless interface to inform the wireless multi-mode device to use the second wireless interface for communication.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

determining a probability of whether the second wireless interface will be able to connect to a network based on a second location of the wireless multi-mode device; and

sending control information to the wireless multi-mode device via the first wireless interface to inform the wireless multi-mode device to discontinue using the second wireless interface for communication responsive to determining the second interface will be unable to connect to a network.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

determining a probability of whether the second wireless interface will be able to connect to a network based on a second location of the wireless multi-mode device; and

sending control information to the multi-mode device via the second wireless interface to inform the wireless multi-mode device to discontinue using the second wireless interface for communication responsive to determining the second interface is moving into an area where the second wireless interface will be unable to connect to a network.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining a current location for the wireless multi-mode device based on signal data received from at least one network node communicating with the wireless multi-mode device.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining a current location for the wireless multi-mode device based on coordinates received from the wireless multi-mode device.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a first wireless interface configured to communicate using a first protocol;

a second wireless interface configured to communicate using a second protocol; and

logic coupled to the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface operative to control the operation of the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface;

wherein the logic is operable to determine coordinates for a current location;

wherein the logic is operable to send a signal via the first interface containing data representative of the coordinates for the current location; and

wherein the logic is operable to connect to a network via the second interface responsive to receiving a signal on the first wireless interface comprising data indicating a network connection is available on the second wireless interface.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

a user interface operable to receive data indicating whether to operate the second wireless interface;

wherein the logic is operable to turn power off to the second wireless interface responsive to receiving a signal one of a group consisting of the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface comprising data instructing the logic to discontinue using the second wireless interface; and

wherein the logic is operable to turn power on to the second wireless interface responsive to receiving data via the user interface comprising data instructing the logic to switch on the second wireless interface.

19. A method, comprising:

establishing communication with a network via a first wireless communication interface;

establishing communication with a second network via a second wireless communication interface;

receiving a signal on one of a group consisting of the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface to discontinue using the second wireless communication interface;

discontinuing using the second wireless interface responsive to the signal;

receiving data via an associated user interface to switch on the second wireless interface after use of the second wireless interface was discontinued; and

activating the second wireless interface responsive to the data received via the associated user interface.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising:

determining current coordinates corresponding to a current location; and

sending the current coordinates to an associated network on one of a group consisting of the first wireless interface and the second wireless interface.