Multimode mobile communication device with configuration update capability

• US 8,855,711 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• 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:
  US13/938,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20130303148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 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. A mobile communication device comprising:

a wireless radio module configured for wireless communication with one or more radios of a wireless local area network (LAN), the wireless radio module including one or more hardware modules and one or more software modules for controlling radio communication by the wireless radio module with the wireless LAN; and

a cellular radio module configured for wireless communication with one or more base stations of a cellular communication network, the cellular radio module further configured to receive communication configuration information for the wireless radio module over the cellular communication network, the received communication configuration information including parameters to configure the one or more hardware modules or the one or more software modules, or both, for radio communication with the wireless LAN.

2. The mobile communication station of claim 1 further comprising:

a configuration manager module in data communication with the wireless radio module and the cellular radio module and adapted to configure the wireless radio module according to the received communication configuration information.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 2 further comprising:

memory in data communication with the wireless radio module and the cellular radio module;

and wherein the configuration manager module is configured to store the received communication configuration information in the memory.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 2 wherein the configuration manager module is configured to establish a wireless communication link between the wireless radio module and a radio of the wireless network in accordance with the received communication configuration information.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the wireless radio module is configured to utilize the received communication configuration information to establish a wireless LAN communication link.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the wireless radio module comprises a physical layer module configured to provide physical layer services for wireless communication on a wireless LAN communication link and wherein the physical layer module is configured to utilize the received communication configuration information to establish the wireless LAN communication link.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the wireless radio module comprises a media access control (MAC) layer module configured to provide MAC layer services for wireless communication on a wireless LAN communication link and wherein the MAC layer module is configured to utilize the received communication configuration information to establish the wireless LAN communication link.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 7 wherein the wireless radio module comprises memory configured to store the received communication configuration information.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the cellular radio module is further configured to receive data defining a communication setting profile for operation of the wireless radio module as the received communication configuration information.

10. The mobile communication device of claim 1 further comprising a wired communication module configured to receive communication configuration information for the wireless radio module over a wired link.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10 wherein the wired communication module is further configured to receive cellular communication configuration information for the cellular radio module over the wired link.

12. A method comprising:

at a mobile communication device,

establishing a wireless data communication link between the mobile communication device and a remote radio of a wireless local area network (LAN);

communicating over the wireless data communication link a request for communication configuration information for communication between the mobile communication device and a base station of a cellular radio network over a cellular radio link;

receiving the requested communication configuration information over the wireless data communication link;

configuring the mobile communication device with the received communication configuration information; and

initiating communication on the cellular radio link with the base station of the cellular radio network.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

verifying that the received communication configuration information is appropriate for the mobile communication device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein verifying that the received communication configuration information is appropriate for the mobile communication device comprises:

identifying configuration parameters for configuring the mobile communication device; and

verifying that the configuration parameters are within an acceptable range for communication on the cellular radio link.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein verifying that the received communication configuration information is appropriate for the mobile communication device comprises:

identifying configuration parameters for configuring the mobile communication device; and

performing a test communication utilizing the identified configuration parameters.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein verifying that the received communication configuration information is appropriate for the mobile communication device comprises:

identifying configuration parameters for configuring the mobile communication device; and

determining whether the identified configuration parameters are compatible with the mobile communication device.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

communicating over the wireless data communication link a request for communication configuration information for communication between the mobile communication device and a Bluetooth radio over a Bluetooth radio link of a personal area network;

receiving the requested communication configuration information over the wireless data communication link;

configuring the mobile communication device with the received communication configuration information; and

initiating communication on the Bluetooth radio link with the Bluetooth radio of the Bluetooth radio network.

18. A mobile communication device comprising:

a wireless front end configured for radio communication with a wireless local network and with a cellular communication network;

a wireless radio module in communication with the wireless front end and configured for wireless communication with an access point radio of the wireless local area network (LAN);

a cellular radio module configured for wireless communication with one or more base stations of a cellular communication network,

wherein the wireless radio module is configured to receive cellular communication configuration information for the cellular radio module from the access point over the wireless LAN and wherein the cellular radio module is configured to receive wireless communication configuration information for the wireless radio module from a base station of the one or more base stations over the cellular communication network.

19. The mobile communication device of claim 18 further comprising:

a configuration manager module in data communication with the wireless radio module and the cellular radio module and adapted to configure the wireless radio module according to the received wireless communication configuration information and further adapted to configure the cellular radio module according to the received cellular communication configuration information.

20. The mobile communication device of claim 18 wherein the configuration manager module is configured to establish a wireless communication link between the wireless radio module and the access point radio of the wireless LAN in accordance with the received wireless communication configuration information and wherein the configuration manager module is further configured to establish a cellular communication link between the cellular radio module and a base station of the one or more base stations of the cellular communication network in accordance with the received cellular communication configuration information.