Dynamic carrier selection

• US 8,843,132 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2011
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Fadell, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Batista, Marcos
• Application Number:
  US13/022,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20110130140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 455/332, 455/435.2, 370329-337
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/065 involving selection of the user mobility server

Abstract

Systems, methods, computer software for providing access to wireless communication services are provided. The invention, in one embodiment, can involve storing a network address on a mobile device and sending a request for network operator data from the mobile device to a mobile virtual network operator server associated with the network address. In response, network operator data is received, and, based on the received network operator data, a network operator is selected. Communications are thereafter conducted using the selected network operator. In some situations, bids are received from multiple network operators for rates at which communication services using each network operator can be obtained. Preferences among the network operators are identified using the received bids, and the preferences are used to select the network operator for the mobile device to use in conducting communications.

Claims

1. A method for providing access to a wireless cellular communication network, the method comprising:

at a mobile device;

identifying a network address for a server configured to;

(i) communicate with a plurality of network operators,

(ii) operate as a home location register (HLR) for the mobile device,

(iii) receive usage rate bids associated with communication services from each network operator of the plurality of network operators, and

(iv) store network operator preference data based on the usage rate bids;

transmitting, to the server, location information that identifies a current location of the mobile device;

receiving, from the server, at least a portion of the network operator preference data, wherein the at least a portion of the network operator preference data is selected by the server based on the location information;

selecting, based on the at least a portion of the network operator preference data, a network operator to use for communications; and

transmitting a request for services to the selected network operator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to transmitting the request for services to the selected network operator, the mobile device is not associated with the selected network operator.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying usage rate information associated with at least one of the plurality of network operators on a user interface of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network operator preference data is dynamically updated based on subsequently received usage rate bids from one or more of the plurality of network operators.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving, from the server, at least a portion of the dynamically updated network operator preference data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is preprogrammed with a carrier identifier that identifies the network address of the server.

7. A machine-readable, non-transitory medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a server, cause the server to:

for each operator network of a plurality of operator networks;

receive at least one parameter from the operator network, wherein the at least one parameter is associated with the operator network;

store, at the server, preference data based on the parameters;

receive, from a mobile device via one operator network of the plurality of operator networks, authentication information that identifies the server, wherein the one operator network uses the authentication information to authorize communications between the mobile device and the server, and the communications occur via the one operator network;

receive, from the mobile device via the one operator network, location information that identifies a current location of the mobile device, wherein the server is configured to operate as a home location register (HLR) for the mobile device;

select at least a portion of the preference data based on the location information; and

transmit, to the mobile device via the one operator network, the at least a portion of the preference data, wherein the mobile device is configured to;

select an operator network from the plurality of operator networks based on the at least a portion of the preference data, and

establish a connection to the selected operator network.

8. The machine-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 7, wherein each parameter comprises a bid relating to a usage rate for a communication service provided by the associated operator network.

9. The machine-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 7, wherein the at least a portion of the preference data is associated with one or more network operators in an area that corresponds to the current location of the mobile device.

10. The machine-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 7, wherein the authentication information comprises a network address of the server.

11. The machine-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 7, wherein prior to receiving the authentication information, the mobile device is not associated with the one operator network.

12. The machine-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the server to:

prior to transmitting the at least a portion of the preference data, authorize the mobile device to receive the at least a portion of the preference data in response to receiving the authentication information.

13. The machine-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the server to:

store subscription information relating to services the mobile device subscribes to, wherein the selection of the at least a the portion of the preference data is based on the subscription information.

14. A method for providing access to a wireless cellular communication network, the method comprising:

at a mobile device;

storing a carrier identifier that identifies a server;

sending, to one operator network of a plurality of operator networks, a registration message comprising the carrier identifier, wherein the registration message authorizes the mobile device to communicate with the server via the one operator network;

sending, to the server via the one operator network, location information that identifies a current location of the mobile device;

receiving, from the server via the one operator network, preference data selected by the server based on (i) the location information and (ii) a usage rate associated with at least one of the plurality of operator networks;

selecting an operator network, from the plurality of operator networks, based on the preference data; and

establishing a connection with the selected operator network.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the registration message authorizes the mobile device to communicate with the server via the one operator network for a limited purpose of communicating the location information and the preference data.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the selected operator network is the one operator network.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the selected operator network is different from the one operator network.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the server is configured to operate as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) server.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the mobile device establishes the connection to the selected operator network by participating in a handover procedure between the selected operator network and another operator network.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

prior to sending the registration message to the one operator network;

accessing previously received preference data stored at the mobile device, and

selecting the one operator network, from the plurality of operator networks, based on the previously received preference data.

21. A mobile device, comprising:

a wireless interface;

a processor; and

a storage device configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to;

store a carrier identifier that identifies a server,

send, to a first operator network, a registration message comprising the carrier identifier, wherein the registration message authorizes the mobile device to communicate with the server via the first operator network,

send, to the server via the first operator network, location information that identifies a current location of the mobile device,

receive, from the server via the first operator network, usage rate data associated with at least one of a plurality of operator networks that provide communication services at the current location of the mobile device,

select a second operator network, from the plurality of operator networks, based on the usage rate data, and

establish a connection to the second operator network.

22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the first operator network is different from the second operator network.

23. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the carrier identifier comprises a network address of the server.

24. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the mobile device to receive, from the server, updated usage rate data.

25. The mobile device of claim 24, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the mobile device to select a third operator network based on the updated usage rate data and establish a connection to the third operator network.