Method and system for selecting communication media

• US 6,741,870 B1
• Filed: 10/04/2000
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unwired Planet LLC (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Holmström, Jarl Tomas, Svensson, Magnus
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/678,137
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556, 455/557, 455/41, 455/550, 455/575, 455/90, 455/554.2, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/426.1
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed whereby one or more communication devices can automatically switch between physical communication interfaces on an as needed basis. A first (sending) device attempts to initiate communications with another device using one interface at a time. These attempts are made in accordance with a predetermined priority list. If the second device responds to any such interface selected, a communication “channel” is then set up. Once such a channel is set up, the devices can use the channel to negotiate for use of one of the other communication interfaces, if necessary. If the communication is interrupted inadvertently, either device can attempt to reinitiate the communication in accordance with the priority list.

Claims

1. A system for automatically selecting communication media, comprising:

a first communication device;

a second communication device;

a plurality of communication interfaces;

a communication interface selection unit coupled to said first communication device, such that said communication interface selection unit selects a communication interface of said plurality of communication interfaces so as to couple communications between said first communication device and said second communication device, said communication interface selection unit further comprising storage means for storing communication interface priority list information, the priority list information comprising a priority ordering for selecting said communication interface of said plurality of communication interfaces in a predetermined order; and

wherein said communication interface selection unit selects said communication interface of said plurality of communication interfaces in a predetermined order in accordance with the priority list information; and

wherein said first communication device is associated with a first communication channel identifier, and said second communication device is associated with a second communication channel identifier, such that when said communications between said first communication device and said second communication device is initiated, said first and second communication devices exchange said communication channel identifiers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device comprises a personal communication station.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device comprises a mobile telephone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device comprises a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first communication device comprises a portable computer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises an infrared communication interface.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a wireless interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a wireline interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a radio interface.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a data communication interface.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a speech communication interface.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a physical communication interface.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage means further comprises means for storing communication media selection logic.

14. The system of claim 1, further including means for attempting to re-establish said communications between said first communication device and said second communication device if said communications cannot be maintained, performing an authentication using at least one of said communication channel identifiers, and aborting said attempt to re-establish said communications if said authentication is unsuccessful.

15. A method for automatically selecting communication media, comprising the steps of:

connecting a first communication device to a communication interface selection unit;

said communication interface selection unit selecting a communication interface of a plurality of communication interfaces;

said communication interface selection unit storing communication interface priority list information, the priority list information comprising a priority ordering for selecting said communication interface of said plurality of communication interfaces in a predetermined order; and

coupling communications between said first communication device and a second communication device via said selected communication interface;

associating said first communication device with a first communication channel identifier;

associating said second communication device with a second communication channel identifier; and

said first and said second communication devices exchanging said first and second communication channel identifiers during the coupling step; and

wherein the step of selecting a communication interface of a plurality of communication interfaces further comprises selecting said communication interface in a predetermined order in accordance with the priority list information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first communication device comprises a personal communication station.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said first communication device comprises a mobile telephone.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said first communication device comprises a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said first communication device comprises a portable computer.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises an infrared communication interface.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a wireless interface.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a wireline interface.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a radio interface.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a data communication interface.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a speech communication interface.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of communication interfaces comprises a physical communication interface.

27. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

attempting to re-establish said communications between said first communication device and said second communication device if said communications cannot be maintained;

performing an authentication using at least one of said communication channel identifiers; and

aborting said attempt to re-establish said communications if said authentication is unsuccessful.