Multimode mobile communication device with configuration update capability

• US 8,504,102 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2010
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karaoguz, Jeyhan, Bennett, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US12/955,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20110070921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 455/442, 455/127.4, 455/553.1, 455/552.1
• US Class Current: 455/553.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• 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 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• 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

A system and method in a multimode mobile communication device for providing communication configuration update capability. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise establishing a first communication link characterized by a first communication mode of a plurality of communication modes in which the multimode communication device is capable of communicating. Such a first communication link may, for example, be established utilizing a first communication interface module. Communication configuration (or profile) information for a second communication mode may be received over the first communication link. The communication configuration information for the second communication mode may then be utilized to configure the mobile communication device to perform communications in the second communication mode (e.g., utilizing a second communication interface module).

Claims

1. In a multi-mode mobile communication device operable to communicate in a plurality of communication modes, a method for configuring the multi-mode mobile communication device, the method comprising:

in the multi-mode mobile communication device;

establishing a first communication link characterized by a first communication mode of the plurality of communication modes;

receiving communication configuration information for a second communication mode of the plurality of communication modes over the first communication link; and

configuring the mobile communication device with the received communication configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

one of the first and second communication modes is a communication mode for communicating via a telephony network; and

another of the first and second communication modes is a communication mode for communicating via a general data network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said one of the first and second communication modes is a cellular telephony communication mode; and

said another of the first and second communication modes is a wireless local area network communication mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication configuration information comprises one or more settings for a programmable physical layer circuitry.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication configuration information comprises executable physical layer code.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication configuration information comprises filter setting information.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication configuration information comprises frequency setting information.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising, in the multi-mode mobile communication device, determining a geographical location of the multi-mode mobile communication device.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising, in the multi-mode mobile communication device, prior to said receiving communication configuration information, determining that updated communication configuration information is desired based at least in part on the determined geographical location.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising, in the multi-mode mobile communication device, prior to said receiving communication configuration information, requesting communication configuration information associated with the determined geographical location.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining a geographical location comprises determining geographical location of the mobile communication device based, at least in part, on information received from a positioning system.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said determining a geographical location comprises determining geographical location of the mobile communication device based, at least in part, on information received from a general communication system.

13. A multi-mode mobile communication device operable to communicate in a plurality of communication modes, the multi-mode mobile communication device comprising:

at least one module operable to, at least;

establish a first communication link characterized by a first communication mode of the plurality of communication modes;

receive communication configuration information for a second communication mode of the plurality of communication modes over the first communication link; and

configure the multi-mode mobile communication device with the received communication configuration information.

14. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 13, where:

one of the first and second communication modes is a communication mode for communicating via a telephony network; and

another of the first and second communication modes is a communication mode for communicating via a general data network.

15. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 14, where:

said one of the first and second communication modes is a cellular telephony communication mode; and

said another of the first and second communication modes is a wireless local area network communication mode.

16. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 13, where the communication configuration information comprises one or more settings for programmable physical layer circuitry.

17. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 16, where the communication configuration information comprises executable physical layer code.

18. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 16, where the communication configuration information comprises filter setting information.

19. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 16, where the communication configuration information comprises frequency setting information.

20. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the at least one module is operable to determine a geographical location of the multi-mode mobile communication device.

21. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the at least one module is operable to, prior to receiving the communication configuration information, determine that updated communication configuration information is desired based at least in part on the determined geographical location.

22. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the at least one module is operable to, prior to receiving the communication configuration information, request communication configuration information associated with the determined geographical location.

23. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the at least one module is operable to determine a geographical location of the mobile communication device based, at least in part, on information received from a positioning system.

24. The multi-mode mobile communication device of claim 20, wherein the at least one module is operable to determine a geographical location of the mobile communication device based, at least in part, on information received from a general communication system.