Mobile wireless device with intelligent network access selection

• US 9,084,179 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BandwidthX Inc.
• Original Assignee: BandwidthX Inc.
• Inventors: Visuri, Pertti, Salo, Randy, van Hamersveld, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, DUC T
• Application Number:
  US13/684,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20130322400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/36 by user or terminal equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Alternative network access for a mobile device having a first radio and a second radio, or in some cases, only one radio can include using a first radio in a first connection with a first access point. Whether to establish a second connection with a second access point using a second radio is determined. The determination is based on a first set of access conditions associated with the first access point and a second set of access conditions associated with the second access point. The second connection is established with the second access point using the second radio based on the determining, which indicates establishing the second connection.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining alternative network access implemented by a mobile device having a first wireless communication interface and a second wireless communication interface, the method comprising:

when using a first wireless communication interface in a first connection with a first access point,

receiving a second set of access conditions associated with a second access point from a server via the first connection, wherein the second set of access conditions comprises a price for a connectivity service via the second access point,

determining whether to establish a second connection with the second access point using a second wireless communication interface, the determining based on a first set of access conditions associated with the first access point and the second set of access conditions, and,

when the determination is to establish the second connection, establishing the second connection with the second access point using the second wireless communication interface according to the price for the connectivity service via the second access point in the second set of access conditions; and

,

when no first connection has been established such that the second set of access conditions cannot be received from the server,

establishing the second connection with the second access point using the second wireless communication interface according to a predetermined price,

receiving an updated price for the second access point from the server via the second connection, and

determining whether to maintain the second connection according to the updated price.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of access conditions comprises location information of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of access conditions is provided by an information provider which is not the access point.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of access conditions is provided by an information provider which is the access point.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein using the first wireless communication interface comprises using a first communication protocol that is different from a second communication protocol that is used by the second wireless communication interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising recording usage information associated with the connection with each access point.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined price is included in a policy stored on the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined price is used for all circumstances in which a temporary connection is required to connect to the server.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to establish a second connection with the second access point comprises comparing the price for the connectivity service via the second access point in the second set of access conditions with a bid price.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the bid price depends on at least one of a time, a location, and one or more network operating parameters.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a value of the price for the connectivity service via the second access point in the second set of access conditions depends on whether or not a user of the mobile device has a subscription with a service provider.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, while the user of the mobile device has a subscription with a service provider of the second access point, the value of the price for the connectivity service via the second access point in the second set of access conditions is zero.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising conducting a performance test on the second access point, wherein determining whether to establish the second connection with the second access point is further based on a result of the performance test.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the performance test comprises a speed test to determine a speed of the second connection.

15. A method for obtaining alternative network access implemented by a mobile device having a wireless communication interface, the method comprising, while no connection with an access point has been established:

identifying an available network access point;

establishing a connection with the identified access point using the wireless communication interface according to a predetermined price;

after establishing the connection with the identified access point, receiving an updated price from a server via the connection; and

determining whether to maintain the connection according to the updated price.

16. A wireless mobile device having a first wireless communication interface, a second wireless communication interface, storage, and a processor configured to perform:

when using a first wireless communication interface in a first connection with a first access point,

receiving a second set of access conditions associated with a second access point from a server via the first connection, wherein the second set of access conditions comprises a price for a connectivity service via the second access point,

determining whether to establish a second connection with the second access point using a second wireless communication interface, the determining based on a first set of access conditions associated with the first access point and the second set of access conditions; and

,

when the determination is to establish the second connection, establishing the second connection with the second access point using the second wireless communication interface according to the price for the connectivity service via the second access point in the second set of access conditions; and

,

when no first connection has been established such that the second set of access conditions cannot be received from the server,

establishing the second connection with the second access point using the second wireless communication interface according to a predetermined price,

receiving an updated price for the second access point from the server via the second connection, and

determining whether to maintain the second connection according to the updated price.