Communication devices that utilize various communication networks to satisfy communication needs of device applications
First Claim
1. A communication device, comprising:
- a processor; and
a memory containing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;
a) obtaining dynamic information specifying signal characteristics of a plurality of communication networks as the communication device comes within range of the plurality communication networks, wherein the dynamic information includes a command to select a particular communication network for a particular application;
b) analyzing the dynamic information in relation to a plurality of applications by applying rules to make a determination on an application-by-application basis as to which communication network is suitable to utilize to execute an application;
c). associating particular applications among the plurality of applications with particular communication networks among the plurality of communication networks, based on the communication networks determined to be suitable to utilize to execute the particular applications; and
d). storing, the associations of the particular applications with the particular communication networks prior to invoking the particular applications,wherein the operation in step a) through d) are automatically repeated as the communication device detects a new communication network within range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Communication devices may utilize services of multiple communication networks to obtain service for the various applications that the communication device provides. The communication device and/or one or more communication networks may determine which network is best suited to each application based on dynamic information regarding the service provided by each communication network. The application may be associated with a network at various times, such as upon the communication device encountering a network that supports a service needed by the application and/or upon initial invocation of the application. The communication device may be communicating with several communication networks simultaneously so that a single application may make use of multiple communication networks and/or so that multiple applications may each utilize different networks.
90 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication device, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory containing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising; a) obtaining dynamic information specifying signal characteristics of a plurality of communication networks as the communication device comes within range of the plurality communication networks, wherein the dynamic information includes a command to select a particular communication network for a particular application; b) analyzing the dynamic information in relation to a plurality of applications by applying rules to make a determination on an application-by-application basis as to which communication network is suitable to utilize to execute an application; c). associating particular applications among the plurality of applications with particular communication networks among the plurality of communication networks, based on the communication networks determined to be suitable to utilize to execute the particular applications; and d). storing, the associations of the particular applications with the particular communication networks prior to invoking the particular applications, wherein the operation in step a) through d) are automatically repeated as the communication device detects a new communication network within range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-propagating computer readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by a processor in a communication device, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
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a) obtaining dynamic information that specifies signal characteristics for a plurality of communication networks from a communication network among the plurality of communication networks as the communication device comes within range of the plurality communication networks, wherein the dynamic information includes a command to select a particular communication network for a particular application; b) analyzing the dynamic information in relation to a plurality of applications by applying rules to make a determination on an applications-by-application basis as to which communication network is suitable to utilize to execute an application; c) associating particular applications among the plurality of applications with particular communication networks among the plurality of communication networks, based on the communication networks determined to be suitable to utilize to execute the applications; and d). storing the associations of the particular applications with the particular communication networks prior to invoking the particular applications, wherein the operations in step a) through d) are automatically repeated as the communication device detects a new communication network within range. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method performed by a wireless communication device, comprising:
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a) obtaining dynamic information at that specifies signal characteristics for a plurality of communication networks from a communication network among the plurality of communication networks as the communication device comes within range of the communication networks, wherein the dynamic information includes a command to select a particular communication network for a particular application; b) analyzing, by a processor, the dynamic information in relation to a plurality of applications by applying rules to make a determination on an application-by-application basis as to which communication network is suitable to utilize to execute an application; c) associating, by the processor, particular applications among the plurality of applications with particular communication networks among the plurality of communication networks, based on the communication networks determined to be suitable to utilize to execute the applications; and d) storing the associations of the particular applications with the particular communication networks prior to invoking the particular applications, wherein steps a) through d) are automatically repeated as the communication device detects a new communication network within range.
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Specification