Systems and methods for wireless network selection based on attributes stored in a network database

• US 8,194,589 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Channel IP BV
• Original Assignee: Devicescape Software, Inc. (Pareteum Corp.)
• Inventors: Wynn, Simon, Fraser, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/240,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20090028082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/338, 455/411, 709/219
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys

Abstract

Systems and methods for wireless network selection based on attributes stored in a network database are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network, determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles, and if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile, or if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network device identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to personalized settings;

determining if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets user requirements based on the comparison; and

providing a credential request response based on the determination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

33. A method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile,

wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises averaging one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

39. The method of claim 33, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

9. A method comprising:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to minimum requirements;

determining if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets the minimum requirements based on the comparison; and

providing a credential request response based on the determination.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

17. A method comprising:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to another attribute from within another network profile stored within the network database; and

providing a credential request response based on the comparison.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

25. A method comprising:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile comparing an attribute from within the network profile to minimum requirements;

determining if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets the minimum requirements based on the comparison;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to another attribute from within another network profile stored within the network database; and

selecting the wireless network based, at least in part, on the comparisons.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

41. A system comprising:

a digital device configured to provide a network identifier associated with a wireless network over a communication network; and

a server configured to receive the network identifier, determine if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles, and if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieve the network profile, or if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiate the network profile, obtain an attribute associated with the network identifier, and store the attribute within the network profile,

wherein the server is further configured to compare an attribute from within the network profile to personalized settings, determine if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets user requirements based on the comparison, and provide a credential request response based on the determination.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the server configured to store the attribute within the network profile comprises the server configured to perform an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and store the result in the network profile.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein the server is further configured to update other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

48. A system comprising:

a digital device configured to provide a network identifier associated with a wireless network over a communication network; and

a server configured to receive the network identifier, determine if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles, and if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieve the network profile, or if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiate the network profile, obtain an attribute associated with the network identifier, and store the attribute within the network profile,

wherein the server is further configured to compare an attribute from within the network profile to minimum requirements, determine if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets the minimum requirements based on the comparison, and provide a credential request response based on the determination.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the server configured to store the attribute within the network profile comprises the server configured to perform an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and store the result in the network profile.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

52. The system of claim 48, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

53. The system of claim 48, wherein the server is further configured to update other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

55. A system comprising:

a digital device configured to provide a network identifier associated with a wireless network over a communication network; and

a server configured to receive the network identifier, determine if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles, and if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieve the network profile, or if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiate the network profile, obtain an attribute associated with the network identifier, and store the attribute within the network profile,

wherein the server is further configured to compare an attribute from within the network profile to another attribute from within another network profile stored within the network database and provide a credential request response based on the comparison.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the server configured to store the attribute within the network profile comprises the server configured to perform an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and store the result in the network profile.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

60. The system of claim 55, wherein the server is further configured to update other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

62. A system comprising:

a digital device configured to provide a network identifier associated with a wireless network over a communication network; and

a server configured to receive the network identifier, determine if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles, and if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieve the network profile, or if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiate the network profile, obtain an attribute associated with the network identifier, and store the attribute within the network profile,

wherein the server is further configured to compare an attribute from within the network profile to minimum requirements, determine if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets the minimum requirements based on the comparison, compare an attribute from within the network profile to another attribute from within another network profile stored within the network database, and select the wireless network based, at least in part, on the comparisons.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the server configured to store the attribute within the network profile comprises the server configured to perform an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and store the result in the network profile.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID.

65. The system of claim 62, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

66. The system of claim 62, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

67. The system of claim 62, wherein the server is further configured to update other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

69. A system comprising:

a digital device configured to provide a network identifier associated with a wireless network over a communication network; and

a server configured to receive the network identifier, determine if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles, and if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieve the network profile, or if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiate the network profile, obtain an attribute associated with the network identifier, and store the attribute within the network profile,

wherein the server configured to store the attribute within the network profile comprises the server configured to average one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and store the result in the network profile.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the server configured to store the attribute within the network profile comprises the server configured to perform an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and store the result in the network profile.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

73. The system of claim 69, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

74. The system of claim 69, wherein the server is further configured to update other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

76. A computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions, the instructions comprising a method, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to personalized settings;

determining if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets user requirements based on the comparison; and

providing a credential request response based on the determination.

77. The computer readable storage medium of claim 76, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

78. The computer readable storage medium of claim 76, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

79. The computer readable storage medium of claim 76, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

80. The computer readable storage medium of claim 76, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

81. The computer readable storage medium of claim 76, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

82. The computer readable storage medium of claim 76, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

83. The computer readable storage medium of claim 82, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

84. A computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions, the instructions comprising a method, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to minimum requirements;

determining if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets the minimum requirements based on the comparison; and

providing a credential request response based on the determination.

85. The computer readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

86. The computer readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

87. The computer readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

88. The computer readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

89. The computer readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

90. The computer readable storage medium of claim 84, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

91. The computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

92. A computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions, the instructions comprising a method, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to another attribute from within another network profile stored within the network database; and

providing a credential request response based on the comparison.

93. The computer readable storage medium of claim 92, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

94. The computer readable storage medium of claim 92, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

95. The computer readable storage medium of claim 92, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

96. The computer readable storage medium of claim 92, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

97. The computer readable storage medium of claim 92, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

98. The computer readable storage medium of claim 92, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

99. The computer readable storage medium of claim 98, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

100. A computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions, the instructions comprising a method, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile;

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to minimum requirements;

determining if the wireless network associated with the network identifier meets the minimum requirements based on the comparison;

comparing an attribute from within the network profile to another attribute from within another network profile stored within the network database; and

selecting the wireless network based, at least in part, on the comparisons.

101. The computer readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

102. The computer readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

103. The computer readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

104. The computer readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

105. The computer readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

106. The computer readable storage medium of claim 100, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

107. The computer readable storage medium of claim 106, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.

108. A computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions, the instructions comprising a method, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a network identifier associated with a wireless network;

determining if a network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within a network profile database comprising a plurality of network profiles; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is stored within the network profile database, retrieving the network profile; and

if the network profile associated with the network identifier is not stored within the network profile database, initiating the network profile, obtaining an attribute associated with the network identifier, and storing the attribute within the network profile,

wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises averaging one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

109. The computer readable storage medium of claim 108, wherein the network identifier is received from a digital device by a server.

110. The computer readable storage medium of claim 108, wherein storing the attribute within the network profile comprises performing an algorithm on one or more existing attributes with the obtained attribute and storing the result in the network profile.

111. The computer readable storage medium of claim 108, wherein the network identifier comprises an SSID identifier.

112. The computer readable storage medium of claim 108, wherein the network identifier comprises a BSSID identifier.

113. The computer readable storage medium of claim 108, wherein the attribute comprises a performance metric, a shared indicator, and a service identifier.

114. The computer readable storage medium of claim 108, further comprising updating other network profiles within the network database by updating a shared indicator within each network profile that is associated with an identical attribute.

115. The computer readable storage medium of claim 114, wherein the attribute is an SSID identifier.