Tiered wireless, multi-modal access system and method

• US 8,831,617 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2013
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobile Data Off-Loading Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MLR, LLC
• Inventors: Leedom, Charles M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, NHAN T
• Application Number:
  US14/132,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20140106772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/432.1, 455/433, 455/434, 455/436, 455/438, 455446-450, 455/517, 455/524, 455/525, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 370/328
• US Class Current: 455/438
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/10 Flow control between communication endpoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0005 Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• 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: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

A wireless, multi-modal access device and system adapted to integrate a number of communications networks operating in differing communication modes to facilitate transfer of communication links during a communication session to promote efficient use of the communication networks. The system includes a plurality of Universal Multi-Modal Access Devices UMMAD that are capable of operating at different frequencies and different protocols (TDMA, AMPS, CDMA, GSM, PCS etc) to communicate with any one of a number of Wide Bandwidth Gateways (WBG), which are each capable of communication using one or more of the protocols. The communication links may be switched from one WBG to another or from one protocol to another during a communication session to continue the session under the control of a Universal System Traffic Controller. Numerous other applications of the UMMADs for unique identification and e-commerce are disclosed.

Claims

1. A system traffic controller for integrating a number of disparate wireless communications networks into a multi-tiered communication system for providing multiple communication services through wireless links to a plurality of portable multi-mode access devices, said portable multi-mode access devices capable of operating at different levels of broadcast power using corresponding different communication protocols and corresponding different radio spectrum dependent on the type of wireless communication network being accessed, said multi-tiered communication system including at least a first tier network formed from a plurality of first gateways for establishing wireless links with at least one of said portable multi-mode access devices using a corresponding first communication protocol, broadcast power level and radio spectrum, and a second tier network formed from a plurality of second gateways for establishing wireless links with at least one of said multi-mode access devices using a corresponding second communication protocol, broadcast power level and radio spectrum, the first broadcast power level being less than the second broadcast power level, said controller comprising:

a. a controller connector capable of providing a broadband pathway between each of said first and second tier networks and communication service providers corresponding thereto to supply communication services to said plurality of portable multi-mode access devices; and

b. a cross-platform controller capable of receiving and monitoring information relating to an aggregate level of demand for wireless services within each said tier network and for controlling aggregate demand by;

directing a new request for access to the one of said first or second tier networks having the capacity for providing the wireless service being requested by said request and allowing a wireless link to be established with a gateway in the network using the corresponding communication protocol, broadcast power level and radio spectrum appropriate for the gateway, or

transitioning one or more existing communication links within one of said first or second tier networks to another one of said first or second tier networks by causing one or more portable multi-mode devices to transfer their wireless links from corresponding gateways in said one network to corresponding gateways in said another one tier network using the corresponding communication protocol, broadcast power level and radio spectrum for the gateways in said another one tier network.

2. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said controller connector is capable of connecting the first and second tier networks with broadband services including the internet.

3. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said cross-platform controller is capable of forming direct communication links to said plurality of portable multi-mode access devices to determine the aggregate load within each tier network.

4. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said cross-platform controller is capable of shifting wireless links in order to increase total system capacity to meet aggregate demand on the entire system.

5. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said cross-platform controller is capable of moving wireless links away from the second tier network and to the first tier network to increase the total capacity of the communication system by forming wireless links at lower broadcast power.

6. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said cross-platform controller coordinates the transition of an existing wireless link from a gateway in one tier network to a gateway in another tier network causing changes in the corresponding communication protocol, broadcast power level and radio spectrum used by the link.

7. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said cross-platform controller is capable of moving wireless links away from gateways in the second tier network and to gateways in the first tier network to increase the total capacity of the communication system by forming wireless links operating over smaller geographic areas.

8. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, further comprising:

memory for storing access device data defining different communication protocols appropriate for establishing communication links between portable u ode access devices and gateways in one of said first and second tier networks;

wherein the cross-platform controller is capable of causingaccess device data to be retrieved from said memory and used by a selected portable multi-mode access device to establish or transition a wireless link with a gateway in one tier network to a gateway in another tier network.

9. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 8, wherein said memory is located in said the system traffic controller and said access device data is downloaded to the selected portable multi-mode access device.

10. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 8, wherein said memory is located in the portable multi-mode access device whose wireless link is being transition or established.

11. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 8, wherein said memory is located in the gateway that is establishing a wireless link with an access device.

12. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, further comprising:

memory for storing gateway data defining different communication protocols appropriate for establishing communication links between the gateway and portable multi-mode access devices in one of said first and second tier networks;

wherein the cross-platform controller is capable of causing gateway data to be retrieved from said memory and used by a gateway to establish a wireless link with an access device.

13. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 12, wherein said memory is located in the system traffic controller and said gateway data is downloaded to the gateway which is establishing a wireless link with an access device.

14. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein the first tier network gateways are microcells.

15. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein the first tier network gateways are capable of using unregulated radio spectrum at relative low broadcast power.

16. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein said cross-platform controller transfers aggregate demand between the first and second tier networks by directing new requests for access to the one of said first and second tier network having the capacity for providing the wireless service being requested and allowing a wireless link to be established with a gateway in said one tier network using the appropriate corresponding communication protocol, broadcast power level and radio spectrum appropriate for the gateway.

17. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 15, wherein the cross-platform controller maintains a log of on-going wireless links so that upon premature loss or need for transfer, the wireless link may be transferred or re-established with a gateway in another tier seamlessly without requiring participation from the user of the portable multi-mode access device.

18. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 1, wherein the first tier network gateways are capable of using Bluetooth communication protocol;

and

the second tier network gateways comprise base stations and the second tier network is a cellular network.

19. The system traffic controller as defined by claim 15, wherein the first tier network gateways are capable of using Bluetooth communication protocol;

and

the second tier network gateways comprise base stations and the second tier network is a cellular network.