Selecting a wireless link in a public wireless communication network

• US 7,158,792 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Linebarger, John W., Cook, Fred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Tuan
• Application Number:
  US09/957,186
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455450-4521, 455/452.2, 455/454, 455/67.11, 455/67.13, 455/464, 455/572.1, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/62, 455/455, 455/458, 455/465
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 of the wireless resources

Abstract

A wireless communication device automatically and periodically monitors each of a plurality of wireless links in a public wireless communication network to generate a set of link metrics for each of the wireless links. The wireless communication device then processes the link metrics to generate historical performance data for the wireless links. The wireless communication device selects a selected wireless link from the plurality of wireless links based on the historical performance data. The wireless communication device then uses the selected wireless link to communicate over the public wireless communication network.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

automatically and periodically monitoring each of a plurality of wireless links in a public wireless communication network to generate a set of link metrics for each of the wireless links;

processing the link metrics to generate historical performance data for the wireless links;

generating first voting information indicating at least one of the wireless links based on the historical performance data;

receiving second voting information from a second wireless communication device and third voting information from a third wireless communication device;

transferring a selection of a selected wireless link to the second wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device, wherein the selection is based at least in part on the first voting information, the second voting information, and the third voting information; and

using the selected wireless link to communicate with the second wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device over the public wireless communication network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a family radio service radio.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a cordless phone.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a base for a cordless phone.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a cellular phone.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a base station.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the link metrics comprise traffic measurements.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the link metrics comprise interference measurements.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the link metrics comprise line quality measurements.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the link metrics comprise capacity measurements.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the link metrics in memory.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the historical performance data in memory.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request signal into the wireless communication device wherein displaying the historical performance data for the plurality of wireless links is in response to the request signal.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating and transmitting a link message indicating the selected wireless link.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the historical performance data comprises a total of the link metrics.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the historical performance data comprises an average of the link metrics.

17. A wireless communication device comprising:

a wireless interface configured to exchange wireless signals;

communication control circuitry connected to the wireless interface and configured to manage and control wireless communications; and

link selection circuitry connected to the wireless interface and the communication control circuitry and configured to automatically and periodically monitor each of a plurality of wireless links in a public wireless communication network to generate a set of link metrics for each of the wireless links, process the link metrics to generate historical performance data for the wireless links, generate first voting information indicating at least one of the wireless links based on the historical performance data, receive second voting information from a second wireless communication device and third voting information from a third wireless communication device, transfer a selection of a selected wireless link to the second wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device, wherein the selection is based at least in part on the first voting information, the second voting information, and the third voting information, and use the selected wireless link to communicate with the second wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device over the public wireless communication network.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a family radio service radio.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a cordless phone.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a base for a cordless phone.

21. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a cellular phone.

22. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a base station.

23. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link metrics comprise traffic measurements.

24. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link metrics comprise interference measurements.

25. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link metrics comprise line quality measurements.

26. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link metrics comprise capacity measurements.

27. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link selection circuitry is further configured to store the link metrics in memory.

28. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link selection circuitry is further configured to store the historical performance data in memory.

29. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link selection circuitry is further configured to receive a request signal wherein the link selection circuitry is configured to display the historical performance data for the plurality of wireless links in response to the request signal.

30. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the link selection circuitry is further configured to generate and transmit a link message indicating the selected wireless link.

31. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the historical performance data comprises a total of the link metrics.

32. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the historical performance data comprise an average of the link metrics.