Multi-network communications system

• US 7,065,360 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Yahagi, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, HUY Q
• Application Number:
  US10/058,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20020102978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/435.2, 455/436, 455/437, 455/442, 455/453, 455/422.1, 455/425, 370/331, 370/332
• US Class Current: 455/437
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/49 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8016 based on quality of service [QoS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8044 Least cost routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/42 Least cost routing, i.e. provision for selecting the lowest cost tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/46 Connection to several service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7414 QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/745 Least cost routing, e.g. Automatic or manual, call by call or by preselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/304 due to measured or perceived resources with higher communication quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/248 Connectivity information update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

In a multi-network environment, a request signal is sent from a user terminal to each of a number of communications networks. In response, the network returns a response signal. Based on the response signals received from all networks, the user selects one of the networks. The response signal contains information on communication services of the requested network such as tariff data and current congestion level. The user terminal then establishes a connection to the selected communications network. In a modified embodiment, request signals may be sent during a handover to base stations of different wireless networks to request for congestion information for selecting a network having the lowest congestion level as a handover destination. In a further modification, when a congestion is encountered in a first network in response to a user'"'"'s request, a second network of low congestion level is selected and indicated to the user.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a connection to a desired communications network, comprising the steps of:

sending a request signal to each of a plurality of communications networks;

receiving response signals from said communications networks;

indicating the received response signals;

allowing a user to select one of said plurality of networks based on the indicated response signals; and

establishing a connection to the selected communications network, wherein said response signals indicate the traffic congestion level for each of said plurality of communications networks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said response signal indicates information concerning a communication service of each of said communications networks.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said information indicates tariff of each of said communications networks.

4. A communication terminal comprising:

a network interface for sending a request signal to each of a plurality of communications networks and for receiving response signals from said communications networks; and

a user interface for indicating the received response signals to allow a user to enter a command signal based on the indicated response signals and selecting one of said plurality of networks according to the entered command signal; and

said network interface establishing a connection to one of said plurality of networks which is selected by said user interface, wherein said response signals indicate the traffic congestion level for each of said plurality of communications networks.

5. The communication terminal of claim 4, wherein said response signal indicates information concerning a communication service of each of said communications networks.

6. The communication terminal of claim 5, wherein said information indicates tariff of each of said communications networks.

7. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of wireless networks, each of the wireless networks producing a response signal upon receipt of a request signal; and

a wireless terminal comprising;

a wireless interface for sending said request signal to each of said plurality of wireless networks and for receiving response signals from said wireless networks;

a user interface for indicating the received response signals, allowing a user to enter a command signal based on the indicated response signals and selecting one of said wireless networks according to the entered command signal,

said wireless interface establishing a connection to one of said wireless networks which is selected by said user interface, wherein said response signals indicate the traffic congestion level for each of said plurality of communications networks.

8. The communication system of claim 7, wherein said response signal indicates information concerning a communication service of each of said communications networks.

9. The communication system of claim 8, wherein said information indicates tariff of each of said networks.

10. A method of performing a handover operation by a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

said mobile terminal sending a handover request signal to each of a plurality of wireless networks;

said mobile terminal receiving a response signal from each of said plurality of wireless networks, the response signal of each wireless network indicating traffic congestion level of the network;

said mobile terminal selecting one of said plurality of wireless networks based on the traffic congestion level included in the response signals received from said wireless networks; and

said mobile terminal establishing a connection to the selected wireless network.

11. A mobile terminal comprising:

a wireless interface for sending a handover request signal to each of a plurality of wireless networks and receiving a response signal from each of said plurality of wireless networks, the response signal of each wireless network indicating traffic congestion level of the network; and

control circuitry for selecting one of said plurality of wireless networks based on the traffic congestion level included in the response signals received from said networks,

said wireless interface establishing a connection to the wireless network selected by the control circuitry.

12. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of wireless networks, each of said networks producing a response signal upon receipt of a handover request signal which indicates traffic congestion level of the network; and

a wireless terminal comprising;

a wireless interface for sending said handover request signal to said wireless networks and receiving said response signals from said wireless networks; and

control circuitry for selecting one of said wireless networks based on the traffic congestion level included in the received response signals,

said wireless interface establishing a connection to one of said wireless networks which is selected by said control circuitry.

13. A method of establishing a connection to a selected network, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a first communications network, a connection request from a mobile terminal;

sending a request signal from said first communications network to a traffic management center if said connection request encounters a traffic congestion; and

sending a rerouting message from the center to said mobile terminal via said first communications network for identifying a second communications network whose congestion level is lower than a predefined threshold level to thereby allow a user of said mobile terminal to send a connection request to said second communications network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said second communications network has a least routing cost.

15. A communication system comprising:

a traffic management center; and

a plurality of communications networks, a first one of the communications networks receiving a connection request from a mobile terminal and sending a request signal to said traffic management center when a traffic congestion is encountered in said first communications network and receiving a rerouting message from said center, and sending the received rerouting message to said mobile terminal to allow a user of said mobile terminal to establish a connection to a network identified by the rerouting message,

said traffic management center responding to said request signal by returning said rerouting message to said first communications network, the rerouting message identifying a second one of said networks whose congestion level is lower than a predefined threshold level.

16. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said second one of the networks has a least routing cost.