Controlling multi-mode devices

• US 8,160,638 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Salowey, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chambers, Tangela T.
• Application Number:
  US12/103,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20090258649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,463 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455439-440, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• 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

Abstract

In an example embodiment, a technique for automatically controlling radio interfaces of a multi-mode device. Wireless interfaces are enabled or disabled based on the probability of network availability of the interfaces at a current geographical location.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive location data for a wireless multi-mode device having a first wireless interface and a second wireless interface; and

logic in communication with the communication interface and configured to send and receive data via the communication interface;

wherein the logic is configured to continuously receive data representative of a location of the wireless multi-mode device via the communication interface, the data representative of the location comprises data representative of a population density of the location;

wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on a probability determined from the data representative the population density of the location; and

wherein the logic is configured to send a signal via the communication interface to the wireless multi-mode device to switch the second wireless interface to a power save state responsive to determining the second wireless interface will be unable to connect to a network.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the location data for the wireless multi-mode device includes current coordinates for the wireless multi-mode device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic computes coordinates for current location of the wireless multi-mode devices based on the location data received for the wireless multi-mode device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the location data comprises angle of arrival data received from at least one access point in communication with the communication interface.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the location data comprises received signal strength indication data received from at least one access point in communication with the communication interface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the location data comprises triangulation data received from at least one access point in communication with the communication interface.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on geo-political data for the location.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the logic is configured to determine whether the wireless multi-mode device is able to connect to a network using the second wireless interface based on known locations that support the wireless second interface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal to the wireless multi-mode device to enable the second wireless interface further comprises data representative of an operating frequency for the second wireless interface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a location of wireless multi-mode device is determined at a varying time interval based on a velocity of the wireless multi-mode device.

11. A method, comprising:

establishing communication with a wireless multi-mode device having a first wireless interface and a second wireless interface via the first wireless interface;

continuously determining a location of the wireless multi-mode device;

determining geo-political data for the location of the wireless multi-mode device;

determining a probability of whether the second wireless interface will be able to connect to a network based on the geo-political data for the location of the multi-mode device; and

sending control information to the wireless multi-mode device via the first wireless interface to inform the wireless multi-mode device to switch the second wireless interface to a power save mode responsive to determining the second wireless interface will be unable to connect to a network.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

determining a probability of whether the second wireless interface will be able to connect to a network based on a second location of the wireless multi-mode device; and

sending control information to the wireless multi-mode device via the first wireless interface to inform the wireless multi-mode device to discontinue using the second wireless interface for communication responsive to determining the second interface will be unable to connect to a network.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

determining a probability of whether the second wireless interface will be able to connect to a network based on a second location of the wireless multi-mode device; and

sending control information to the multi-mode device via the second wireless interface to instruct the wireless multi-mode device to switch the second wireless interface to a power save state for communication responsive to determining the second interface is moving into an area where the second wireless interface will be unable to connect to a network.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein determining a current location for the wireless multi-mode device based on signal data received from at least one network node communicating with the wireless multi-mode device.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein determining a current location for the wireless multi-mode device based on coordinates received from the wireless multi-mode device.