Apparatus, system, and method for obtaining local connectivity settings

• US 8,279,851 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Doppler, Klaus, Ribeiro, Cassio, Wijting, Carl Simon, Rinne, Mika P., Hugl, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): PARK, JUNG H
• Application Number:
  US12/222,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20100040029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/356, 370/465, 370/466, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/88.17, 455/435.1, 455/445, 725/109, 725/110
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for a communication network that includes a mobile device, a target device, and a connection settings server. The mobile device is configured to transmit a request for device-to-device connection settings data to the connection settings server, the connection settings server is configured to receive the request, determine appropriate device-to-device connection settings data, and transmit the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device, the mobile device is further configured to receive the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data and establish a device-to-device connection with the target device, wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting, by a mobile device, a device-to-device connection settings request comprising mobile device location data of the mobile device;

receiving device-to-device connection settings data determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to the mobile device location data of the mobile device, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

establishing a device-to-device connection with a target device,

wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving device-to-device connection availability data inputs from a user, wherein the device-to-device connection availability data is configured to enable the transmitting of the request.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

translating the device-to-device connection availability data into a uniform resource locator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the request comprises automatically transmitting the request.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection comprises selecting a best-suited radio technology for the establishing of the device-to-device connection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and the receiving comprise transmitting and receiving via a public wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and the receiving comprise transmitting and receiving via a local access network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting and the receiving comprise transmitting and receiving via a cellular network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises at least one of a phone number, a session initiation protocol address, and a uniform resource locator.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a transmission unit configured to transmit a request for device-to-device connection settings, wherein the request comprises mobile device location data of the apparatus;

a reception unit configured to receive device-to-device connection settings data determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to the mobile device location data of the apparatus, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

a connection establishment unit configured to establish a device-to-device connection with a target device,

wherein establishment of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

an input/output unit configured to receive device-to-device connection availability data inputs from a user, wherein the device-to-device connection availability data is configured to enable transmission of the request.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a translation unit configured to translate the device-to-device connection availability data into a uniform resource locator.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmission unit is configured to automatically transmit the request.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connection establishment unit is configured to select a best-suited radio technology for establishment of the device-to-device connection.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a mobile device location unit configured to communicate the mobile device location data configured to enable the establishing of the device-to-device connection with a selected target device.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit are configured to transmit the request and receive the device-to-device connection settings data via a public wireless network.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit are configured to transmit the request and receive the device-to-device connection settings data via a local access network.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmission unit and the reception unit are configured to transmit the request and receive the device-to-device connection settings data via a cellular network.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the request comprises at least one of a phone number, a session initiation protocol address, and a uniform resource locator.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

means for transmitting a request for device-to-device connection settings, wherein the request comprises mobile device location data of the apparatus;

means for receiving device-to-device connection settings data determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to the mobile device location data of the apparatus, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

means for establishing a device-to-device connection with a target device,

wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.

21. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium stored on a mobile device, the computer program configured to control a processor to perform operations comprising:

transmitting a device-to-device connection settings request comprising mobile device location data of the mobile device;

receiving device-to-device connection settings data determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to the mobile device location data of the mobile device, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

establishing a device-to-device connection with a target device,

wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.

22. A method, comprising:

receiving a device-to-device connection settings data request from a mobile device;

determining appropriate device-to-device connection settings data based on the request; and

transmitting the appropriate device-to-device connection settings,

wherein the determining of appropriate device-to-device connection settings data comprises searching for target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to mobile device location data of the mobile device, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices, and

wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is configured to enable a mobile terminal to establish a device-to-device connection with a target device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the receiving of the device-to-device connection settings data request comprises receiving the mobile device location data configured to indicate a location of the mobile device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the determining of appropriate device-to-device connection settings data comprises generating a list of registered target devices based on the mobile device location data.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the determining of the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data based on the request comprises determining appropriate device-to-device connection settings data based on a uniform resource locator in the request.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the determining of the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data based on the request comprises selecting an appropriate webpage based on the request, wherein the appropriate webpage comprises an object with the appropriate device-to-device connection settings.

27. An apparatus, comprising:

a reception unit configured to receive a request for device-to-device connection settings data from a mobile device;

a determination unit configured to determine appropriate device-to-device connection settings data; and

a target device search unit configured to search for target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to mobile device location data of the mobile device, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices;

a transmission unit configured to transmit the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data,

wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is configured to enable a mobile terminal to establish a device-to-device connection with a target device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the reception unit is further configured to receive the mobile device location data configured to indicate a location of the mobile device.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

a target device search unit configured to generate a list of registered target devices based on the mobile device location data,

wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit target device list data to the mobile device.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine appropriate device-to-device connection settings based on a uniform resource locator in the request.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine appropriate device-to-device connection settings by selecting an appropriate webpage based on the request, wherein the appropriate webpage comprises an object with the appropriate device-to-device connection settings.

32. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a request for device-to-device connection settings data from a mobile device;

means for determining appropriate device-to-device connection settings data based on the request; and

means for transmitting the appropriate device-to-device connection settings,

wherein the determining of appropriate device-to-device connection settings data comprises searching for target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to mobile device location data of the mobile device, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices, and

wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is configured to enable a mobile terminal to establish a device-to-device connection with a target device.

33. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program configured to control a processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a request for device-to-device connection settings data from a mobile device;

determining appropriate device-to-device connection settings data based on the request; and

transmitting the appropriate device-to-device connection settings,

wherein the determining of appropriate device-to-device connection settings data comprises searching for target devices using a local scope filter corresponding to mobile device location data of the mobile device, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices, and

wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is configured to enable a mobile terminal to establish a device-to-device connection with a target device.

34. A method, comprising:

receiving a first device-to-device connection settings request from a mobile device;

translating at least a portion of the first device-to-device connection settings request into second request data;

transmitting a second device-to-device connection settings data request to a connection settings server, the second device-to-device connection settings request comprising the second request data generated by the translating;

receiving device-to-device connection settings data from the connection settings server, wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

transmitting the device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the first device-to-device connection settings request comprises at least one of a phone number or a session initiation protocol address.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the second request data comprises at least one of a uniform resource locator or a uniform resource identity.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the method is performed by an application server.

38. An apparatus, comprising:

a reception unit configured to receive a first device-to-device connection settings request from a mobile device;

a translation unit configured to translate at least a portion of the first device-to-device connection settings request into second request data;

a transmission unit configured to transmit a second device-to-device connection settings data request to a connection settings server, the second device-to-device connection settings request comprising the second request data generated by the translation unit;

the reception unit further configured to receive device-to-device connection settings data from the connection settings server, wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

the transmission unit further configured to transmit the device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the first device-to-device connection settings request comprises at least one of a phone number or a session initiation protocol address.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the second request data comprises at least one of a uniform resource locator or a uniform resource identity.

41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the apparatus comprises an application server of a public wireless network.

42. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a first device-to-device connection settings request from a mobile device;

means for translating at least a portion of the first device-to-device connection settings request into second request data;

means for transmitting a second device-to-device connection settings data request to a connection settings server, the second device-to-device connection settings request comprising the second request data generated by the translating;

the uniform resource locator;

means for receiving device-to-device connection settings data from the connection settings server, wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

means for transmitting the device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device.

43. A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the computer program configured to control a processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first device-to-device connection settings request from a mobile device;

translating at least a portion of the first device-to-device connection settings request into second request data;

transmitting a second device-to-device connection settings data request to a connection settings server, the second device-to-device connection settings request comprising the second request data generated by the translating;

the uniform resource locator;

receiving device-to-device connection settings data from the connection settings server, wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices; and

transmitting the device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device.

44. A system, comprising:

a mobile device;

a target device; and

a connection settings server,

wherein the mobile device is configured to transmit a request for device-to-device connection settings data to the connection settings server, the connection settings server is configured to receive the request, determine appropriate device-to-device connection settings data, and transmit the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data to the mobile device, the mobile device is further configured to receive the appropriate device-to-device connection settings data, wherein the device-to-device connection settings data is determined based on selected target devices using a local scope filter, wherein the local scope filter restricts target devices that can be selected based on a location, and wherein the local scope filter comprises a global-like search for local devices, and establish a device-to-device connection with the target device, wherein the establishing of the device-to-device connection is facilitated by the device-to-device connection settings data.