DATA PATH SELECTION

• US 20130078995A1
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Original Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Inventors: Jouin, Christophe Max Jean
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,095 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00673 Supports for light guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 : Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 : Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 : with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 : Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 : Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 : by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 : Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 : based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 : using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 : Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 : Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 : Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 : Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 : controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 : using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 : display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 : involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/00 : Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units program control for peripheral devices G06F13/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 : Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 : Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 1/00 : Hand manipulated computing devices planimeters G01B5/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/00 : Geometric image transformations in the plane of the image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/20 : Linear translation of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 : Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/00 : Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with cathode-ray tube indicators; General aspects or details, e.g. selection emphasis on particular characters, dashed line or dotted line generation; Preprocessing of datacathode-ray oscilloscopes G01R13/20; radar display arrangements G01S7/04; display of digital non-picture data in television systems H04N7/0255
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 : Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 : Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 : Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/12 : Synchronisation between the display unit and other units, e.g. other display units, video-disc players
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/34 : for rolling or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/373 : for modifying the size of the graphic pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/377 : for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns G09G5/02, G09G5/397 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 : Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0206 : Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 : Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 : for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 : Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 : Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 : of the wireless resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• 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: H05K 13/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/046 : Surface mounting surface mounted components H05K3/341
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 : Metal casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/02 : Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1452 : Mounting of connectors; Switching; Reinforcing of back panels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 : Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A wireless communication device is provided that includes a cellular telephony module to access a cellular network, a wireless communication module to access a non-cellular network, an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks including the cellular and non-cellular networks, and a mobile network selector to select a compatible and currently accessible communication network for current access by the wireless communication device based on a network characteristic other than network speed.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a display to provide graphical information to a user;

a cellular telephony module to access at least one cellular network;

a wireless communication module to access at least one non-cellular network;

an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks, the plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks comprising the at least one cellular network and at least one non-cellular network;

a power source and power control module operable to provide power to the device;

a mobile network selector to select a compatible and currently accessible communication network for current access by the wireless communication device based on a network characteristic other than network speed.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-cellular network is defined by one of the following protocols:

Wimax, WiFi™

, and Bluetooth™

, wherein the at least one cellular network is defined by at one of the following radio data communication protocols;

HIPERMAN, iBurst, EDGE Evolution, EV-DO, Flash-OFDM, 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, pre-4G, 4G, 5G, UMTS W-CDMA, and UMTS-TDD, and wherein the network characteristic is at least one of a current or anticipated user requirement, network reliability, network performance, network bandwidth, network throughput, and data transmission cost.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the mobile network selector compares network state information for each of the compatible, currently accessible wireless network with at least one data transmission resource requirement for the device activity, based on predetermined rules, to determines whether one or more of the compatible, currently accessible networks can satisfy the at least one data transmission resource requirement.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one data transmission resource requirement comprises multiple requirements ranked hierarchically in order of importance, such that, if a highest ranked requirement is satisfied, but a second highest ranked requirement is not satisfied, by a selected compatible and currently accessible network, the selected compatible and currently accessible network is eligible for selection and wherein the at least one data transmission requirement comprises one or more of data transmission speed required for adequate performance, network reliability required for adequate performance, total network resources consumed or to be consumed, network performance, and network data usage cost per unit.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein, in a first network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared to the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a lowest cost to perform a device activity, in a second network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a highest rate of transmission of data associated with the device activity, and in a third network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a highest reliability of transmission of data associated with the device activity.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network in response to one or more of a user establishing a network connection and initiating an application or service, a transaction, or network consumptive and wherein the mobile network selector at least one of:

determines an expected likelihood of the at least one data transmission requirement being satisfied by a selected compatible and currently accessible network within a selected period of time;

outputs a side-by-side comparison of a current and/or expected performance of each of the compatible and currently accessible networks with the at least one data transmission requirement;

assigns a compliance or non-compliance score to each of the plurality of compatible and currently accessible networks;

determines an expected performance of each of the plurality of compatible and currently accessible networks within the selected period of time;

determines a probability of performing and completing a transaction successfully within the selected period of time;

determines an expected cost of the performance and/or completion of the transaction within the selected period of time; and

determines an expected cost per unit time of the performance and/or completion of the transaction.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of a gesture capture area, at least one user configurable area, a task management module, an application manager, and an application store, and wherein the display is a touch screen display.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network during execution of an application, service, or transaction.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mobile network analyzer operable to determine network information about cellular and non-cellular communication networks and wherein the mobile network analyzer determines network information about each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks by at least one of the following techniques:

(a) periodically sending a packet through each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks, whereby each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks is timed for at least one of data packet throughput speed and data packet integrity;

(b) transferring a file from the communication device to a selected destination node and measuring a time required to complete the transfer, wherein a throughput is calculated by dividing a file size by a time to get the throughput;

(c) pinging a selected destination with a plurality of packets; and

(d) accessing performance information from stored by a discrete network node.

10. A method, comprising:

providing a wireless communication device comprising;

a display to provide graphical information to a user;

a cellular telephony module to access at least one cellular network;

a wireless communication module to access at least one non-cellular network;

an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks, the plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks comprising the at least one cellular network and at least one non-cellular network;

a power source and power control module operable to provide power to the device; and

a microprocessor executable mobile network selector; and

selecting, by the mobile network selector, a compatible and currently accessible communication network for current access by the wireless communication device based on a network characteristic other than network speed.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one non-cellular network is defined by one of the following protocols:

Wimax, WiFi™

, and Bluetooth™

, wherein the at least one cellular network is defined by at one of the following radio data communication protocols;

HIPERMAN, iBurst, EDGE Evolution, EV-DO, Flash-OFDM, 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, pre-4G, 4G, 5G, UMTS W-CDMA, and UMTS-TDD, and wherein the network characteristic is at least one of a current or anticipated user requirement, network reliability, network performance, network bandwidth, network throughput, and data transmission cost.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile network selector compares network state information for each of the compatible, currently accessible wireless network with at least one data transmission resource requirement for the device activity, based on predetermined rules, to determines whether one or more of the compatible, currently accessible networks can satisfy the at least one data transmission resource requirement.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one data transmission resource requirement comprises multiple requirements ranked hierarchically in order of importance, such that, if a highest ranked requirement is satisfied, but a second highest ranked requirement is not satisfied, by a selected compatible and currently accessible network, the selected compatible and currently accessible network is eligible for selection and wherein the at least one data transmission requirement comprises one or more of data transmission speed required for adequate performance, network reliability required for adequate performance, total network resources consumed or to be consumed, network performance, and network data usage cost per unit.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein, in a first network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared to the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a lowest cost to perform a device activity, in a second network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a highest rate of transmission of data associated with the device activity, and in a third network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a highest reliability of transmission of data associated with the device activity.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network in response to one or more of a user establishing a network connection and initiating an application or service, a transaction, or network consumptive and wherein the mobile network selector at least one of:

determines an expected likelihood of the at least one data transmission requirement being satisfied by a selected compatible and currently accessible network within a selected period of time;

outputs a side-by-side comparison of a current and/or expected performance of each of the compatible and currently accessible networks with the at least one data transmission requirement;

assigns a compliance or non-compliance score to each of the plurality of compatible and currently accessible networks;

determines an expected performance of each of the plurality of compatible and currently accessible networks within the selected period of time;

determines a probability of performing and completing a transaction successfully within the selected period of time;

determines an expected cost of the performance and/or completion of the transaction within the selected period of time; and

determines an expected cost per unit time of the performance and/or completion of the transaction.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of a gesture capture area, at least one user configurable area, a task management module, an application manager, and an application store, and wherein the display is a touch screen display.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network during execution of an application, service, or transaction.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising a mobile network analyzer operable to determine network information about cellular and non-cellular communication networks and wherein the mobile network analyzer determines network information about each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks by at least one of the following techniques:

(a) periodically sending a packet through each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks, whereby each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks is timed for at least one of data packet throughput speed and data packet integrity;

(b) transferring a file from the communication device to a selected destination node and measuring a time required to complete the transfer, wherein a throughput is calculated by dividing a file size by a time to get the throughput;

(c) pinging a selected destination with a plurality of packets; and

(d) accessing performance information from stored by a discrete network node.

19. A computer readable medium comprising microprocessor executable instructions that, when executed, perform the following operations:

selecting, by a mobile network selector, a compatible and currently accessible communication network from among a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks for current access by the wireless communication device based on a network characteristic other than network speed,

wherein the wireless communication device comprises a display to provide graphical information to a user;

a cellular telephony module to access at least one cellular network;

a wireless communication module to access at least one non-cellular network, the plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks comprising the at least one cellular network and at least one non-cellular network;

an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with the plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks; and

a power source and power control module operable to provide power to the device.

20. The medium of claim 19, wherein the at least one non-cellular network is defined by one of the following protocols:

Wimax, WiFi™

, and Bluetooth™

, wherein the at least one cellular network is defined by at one of the following radio data communication protocols;

HIPERMAN, iBurst, EDGE Evolution, EV-DO, Flash-OFDM, 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, pre-4G, 4G, 5G, UMTS W-CDMA, and UMTS-TDD, and wherein the network characteristic is at least one of a current or anticipated user requirement, network reliability, network performance, network bandwidth, network throughput, and data transmission cost.

21. The medium of claim 20, wherein the mobile network selector compares network state information for each of the compatible, currently accessible wireless network with at least one data transmission resource requirement for the device activity, based on predetermined rules, to determines whether one or more of the compatible, currently accessible networks can satisfy the at least one data transmission resource requirement.

22. The medium of claim 21, wherein the at least one data transmission resource requirement comprises multiple requirements ranked hierarchically in order of importance, such that, if a highest ranked requirement is satisfied, but a second highest ranked requirement is not satisfied, by a selected compatible and currently accessible network, the selected compatible and currently accessible network is eligible for selection and wherein the at least one data transmission requirement comprises one or more of data transmission speed required for adequate performance, network reliability required for adequate performance, total network resources consumed or to be consumed, network performance, and network data usage cost per unit.

23. The medium of claim 19, wherein, in a first network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared to the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a lowest cost to perform a device activity, in a second network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a highest rate of transmission of data associated with the device activity, and in a third network selection mode the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network having, compared the other of the plurality of the compatible and currently accessible networks, a highest reliability of transmission of data associated with the device activity.

24. The medium of claim 20, wherein the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network in response to one or more of a user establishing a network connection and initiating an application or service, a transaction, or network consumptive and wherein the mobile network selector at least one of:

determines an expected likelihood of the at least one data transmission requirement being satisfied by a selected compatible and currently accessible network within a selected period of time;

outputs a side-by-side comparison of a current and/or expected performance of each of the compatible and currently accessible networks with the at least one data transmission requirement;

assigns a compliance or non-compliance score to each of the plurality of compatible and currently accessible networks;

determines an expected performance of each of the plurality of compatible and currently accessible networks within the selected period of time;

determines a probability of performing and completing a transaction successfully within the selected period of time;

determines an expected cost of the performance and/or completion of the transaction within the selected period of time; and

determines an expected cost per unit time of the performance and/or completion of the transaction.

25. The medium of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of a gesture capture area, at least one user configurable area, a task management module, an application manager, and an application store, and wherein the display is a touch screen display.

26. The medium of claim 19, wherein the mobile network selector selects a compatible and currently accessible network during execution of an application, service, or transaction.

27. The medium of claim 19, further comprising a mobile network analyzer operable to determine network information about cellular and non-cellular communication networks and wherein the mobile network analyzer determines network information about each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks by at least one of the following techniques:

(a) periodically sending a packet through each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks, whereby each of the compatible and currently accessible communication networks is timed for at least one of data packet throughput speed and data packet integrity;

(b) transferring a file from the communication device to a selected destination node and measuring a time required to complete the transfer, wherein a throughput is calculated by dividing a file size by a time to get the throughput;

(c) pinging a selected destination with a plurality of packets; and

(d) accessing performance information from stored by a discrete network node.