MOBILE DEVICE RADIO MANAGEMENT

• US 20130322401A1
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BandwidthX Inc.
• Original Assignee: BandwidthX Inc.
• Inventors: Visuri, Pertti, Salo, Randy, van Hamersveld, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 9,345,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/36 by user or terminal equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Alternative network access for a mobile device having a first radio and a second radio, or in some cases, only one radio can include using a first radio in a first connection with a first access point. Whether to establish a second connection with a second access point using a second radio is determined. The determination is based on a first set of access conditions associated with the first access point and a second set of access conditions associated with the second access point. The second connection is established with the second access point using the second radio based on the determining, which indicates establishing the second connection.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining alternative network access implemented by a mobile device having a first radio and a second radio, the method comprising:

using the first radio in a connection;

detecting that a throughput of the connection is above a threshold;

determining, based on access conditions, an access point to establish a second connection using a second radio;

turning on the second radio;

performing a connectivity test to the access point using the second radio; and

establishing the second connection using the second radio.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transferring a communication from using the first radio to using the second radio; and

turning off the first radio.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first radio communicates using a Wi-Fi protocol and the second radio communicates using a cellular protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first radio communicates using a cellular protocol and the second radio communicates using a Wi-Fi protocol, and the method further comprising

receiving information associated with at least one access point;

determining to establish a connection using the second radio with one of the at least one access point; and

establishing the connection with the one of the at least one access point.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining to turn on the second radio is based on the throughput of the first radio being below a low threshold or above a high threshold, the method further comprising:

identifying an access point to establish a connection using the second radio;

establishing the connection with the access point;

transferring a communication from using the first radio to the connection; and

turning off the first radio.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining to turn on the second radio is based on the expiration of the wake-up-interval, wherein the wake-up-interval is shortened to an immediate expiration based on the predetermined application is being executed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing the connectivity test using the second radio comprises sending a test message to a predetermined destination and determining whether the test message is sent successfully.

8. A mobile device having a first radio, a second radio, storage, and a processor configured to perform:

using the first radio while the second radio is turned off;

determining to turn on the second radio based on a throughput of the first radio being below a low threshold or above a high threshold, or based on an expiration of a wake-up-interval, wherein the wake-up-interval is configured to be longer than a preset value when the mobile device is detected to be in motion, the power level of the mobile device is below a power threshold, the current time is within a first time period of the day, or the current time is within a first day of the week; and

wherein the wake-up-interval is configured to be shorter than the preset value when a predetermined application is being executed, the mobile device has detected a change of location, the current time is within a second time period of the day, or the current time is within a second day of the week;

turning on the second radio; and

performing a connectivity test using the second radio.

9. The mobile device of claim 8, further comprising:

transferring a communication from using the first radio to using the second radio; and

turning off the first radio.

10. A method for obtaining alternative network access implemented by a mobile device having a first radio, the method comprising:

determining to turn on the first radio based on the expiration of a wake-up-interval, wherein the wake-up-interval is determined based upon one or more of a predetermined application being executed, a location of the mobile device, the dropping of a previous connection, or a time period;

identifying an access node using the radio;

establishing a connection with the access node using the first radio; and

performing a connectivity test to the access point using the first radio.