Method and apparatus for preconditioning mobile devices for network and other operations

• US 7,486,930 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Corp.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bisdikian, Chatschik, Stern, Edith Helen, Morar, John Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild; Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SHEILA B
• Application Number:
  US10/736,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20050130653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/424, 455/432.3, 455/32.3
• US Class Current: 455/432.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• 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

Techniques are provided for providing automated configuration of computing devices. More particularly, principles of the invention may use anticipated context to precondition a device whose operational mode is alterable via computer controllable operations. Anticipated context may be affected by any number of parameters including, but not limited to, current location, time of day, destination end-point, e.g., phone number to be called, past history, subscription rate plans, power requirements of device, application demands with respect to quality-of-service (QoS), security, calendar information, and so on. Further, principles of the invention may use locally derived knowledge about the intended use of a device and dynamically enable it in a desirable mode of operation using locally reachable configuration parameters stored in advance based on the anticipated context for the operation of the device. Still further, principles of the invention may dynamically locate necessary configuration parameters via a service discovery process.

Claims

1. A method of preconditioning a computer-controllable device, the method comprising the steps of:

determining at least one anticipated context with which the device may be associated; and

determining at least one mode of operation associated with the at least one anticipated context such that the at least one mode of operation may be effectuated before or at a time when the anticipated context is at least partially realized;

wherein the determination of the at least one mode of operation further comprises identifying at least one configuration parameter useable for a subsequent time period and pre-fetching the configuration parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprises the step of determining at least one action used to enable the at least one mode of operation.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one anticipated context comprises at least one of a location, a time, a destination, a power capacity, a policy, and a history associated with the device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation mode determining step further comprises employing at least one parameter used to realize the operation mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter is available from at least one of a local store and a remote store.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter is available from a Web service.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation mode determining step further comprises a consideration of at least one of cost, power, experience, workflow, and coverage associated with the device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a software defined radio.

10. A method of altering a mode of operation of a system having at least one computer controllable subsystem associated therewith, the method comprising the steps of:

responsive to at least one projected context, determining at least one projected mode of operation for the system; and

responsive to the at least one projected mode of operation, providing at least one computer operation for the at least one computer controllable subsystem, the operation enabling the at least one projected mode of operation, such that, responsive to the at least one computer operation, a current mode of operation of the system may be altered to the projected mode of operation;

wherein the determination of the at least one projected mode of operation further comprises identifying at least one configuration parameter useable for a subsequent time period and pre-fetching the configuration parameter.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of selecting a projected mode of operation, when two or more projected modes of operation are determined.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the computer controllable subsystem comprises a communications subsystem.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the projected mode of operation is associated with one or more communication capabilities.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the communications subsystem comprises a software defined radio.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of providing at least one computer operation further comprises a service discovery process.

16. A method of obtaining protocol information for a software defined radio (SDR), the method comprising the steps of:

determining a projected context associated with the SDR;

responsive to the projected context, determining at least one parameter related to a communication protocol for use by the SDR; and

providing an indicator of the at least one parameter such that the at least one parameter may be employed;

wherein the determination of the at least one parameter further comprises identifying at least one configuration parameter useable for a subsequent time period and pre-fetching the configuration parameter.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of obtaining multiple protocols.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining a projected context is responsive to at least one of an SDR user calendar, an SDR user data entry, a current context, a workflow, and an SDR user history.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the current context comprises at least one of a current location, an indicator of remaining battery power, one or more current protocol settings, and current latency experienced.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a projected context based on a current location comprises use of a projected location.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein determining at least one parameter comprises optimizing at least one of an end-to-end cost, latency, and security.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein determining at least one parameter comprises use of at least one of an algorithm, a database lookup, and a Web service.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the algorithm provides optimization of at least one of a cost to user, a battery life, and a latency.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein determining at least one parameter is further responsive to at least one of a user policy, an owning enterprise policy, and a security policy.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein providing an indicator comprises at least one of providing a protocol download, a parameter download, a uniform resource locator, a parameter address, an identifier, an Internet Protocol address, a diskette, a control string and an indicator to a device that an update is available for download.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein providing an indicator is performed wirelessly.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein providing an indicator comprises providing an indicator to a device associated with the SDR.

28. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one parameter is operative to select between network providers.

29. A method of obtaining protocol information for a software defined radio (SDR), the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an indicator of a target of communication;

responsive to the target indicator, determining at least one parameter related to a communication protocol for use by the SDR; and

providing an indicator of the at least one parameter such that the at least one parameter may be employed.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein receiving an indicator of target includes at least one of receiving a telephone number, receiving an Internet Protocol address, and a data type.