Advanced network characterization and migration

• US 9,191,874 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2012
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Channel IP BV
• Original Assignee: Ipass Incorporated (Pareteum Corp.)
• Inventors: Marmolejo-Meillon, Luis G., Underwood, James M., Nelson, Barbara
• Primary Examiner(s): Acolatse, Kodzovi
• Application Number:
  US13/732,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20140185469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/00 Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field H04B10/00, H04B15/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/216 Code division or spread-spectrum multiple access [CDMA, SSMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0083 Determination of parameters used for hand-off, e.g. generation or modification of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method includes scanning for wireless networks, where scanning includes collecting network information indicating properties of the wireless networks. The method can include analyzing the network information to determine signal data indicating signal qualities for the wireless networks. The method can include characterizing, based on the signal data, one or more wireless networks as being suitable for connection by the mobile device, where the characterizing includes determining, based on the signal data, movement of the mobile relative to one or more access points of the wireless networks. The method can include determining that one or more signals of the wireless networks are above a dwell threshold level for reliable wireless connectivity. The method can include determining that one or more signals has been dropped, and connecting to the mobile device to one of the one or more wireless networks that are suitable for connection.

Claims

1. A method for switching a mobile device between networks, the method comprising:

connecting the mobile device to a first wireless network;

after connecting to the first wireless network, scanning for and detecting additional wireless networks, wherein

the scanning includes collecting network information indicating properties of the additional wireless networks;

the additional wireless networks include a second wireless network; and

the first wireless network is a cellular telephone network and the second network is a WiFi network;

analyzing the network information to determine signal data indicating signal qualities for the additional wireless networks;

characterizing, based on the signal data, one or more of the additional wireless networks as being suitable for connection by the mobile device, wherein the characterizing includes

determining, based on the signal data , movement of the mobile device relative to one or more access points of the additional wireless networks;

determining that one or more signals of the additional wireless networks are above a dwell threshold level for reliable wireless connectivity; and

determining that one or more signals of the additional wireless networks has been dropped;

determining based, at least in part, on data transfer costs of the first wireless network connection compared to the data transfer costs of the second wireless network; and

in response to the detecting the second wireless network and based on the characterizing, connecting the mobile device to the second wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network information includes information received from one or more wireless access points.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after connecting the mobile device to the second wireless network, terminating a network connection between the mobile device and the first wireless network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the connecting to the second wireless network is also determined based at least in part on one or more of date and time, latitude and longitude of the mobile device, network providers of the first and second wireless networks, and media types of the first and second wireless networks.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

ranking the second network and the additional networks based on at least one or more of the characterization, data transfer costs per megabyte of the first and second wireless networks, date and time, latitude and longitude of the mobile device, network providers of the first and second wireless networks, and media types of the first and second wireless networks, wherein the second network is ranked highest.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the connecting the mobile device to the second wireless network, the mobile device is connected to the first wireless network and the second wireless network.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a computer readable storage device including program code executable on the processor, the program code configured to perform operations to

connect the mobile device to a first wireless network;

after connecting to the first wireless network, scan for and detect additional wireless networks, wherein

the scan includes collection of network information indicating properties of the wireless networks;

the additional wireless networks include a second wireless network; and

the first wireless network connection is a cellular telephone network and the second network is a WiFi network;

analyze the network information to determine signal data indicating signal qualities for the additional wireless networks;

characterize, based on the signal data, of one or more of the additional wireless networks as being suitable for connection by the mobile device, wherein the characterization includes

determination, based on the signal data, of movement of the mobile device relative to one or more access points of the additional wireless networks;

determination that one or more signals of the additional wireless networks are above a dwell threshold level for reliable wireless connectivity;

determination that one or more signals of the additional wireless networks has been dropped;

determination based, at least in part, on data transfer costs of the first wireless network connection compared to the data transfer costs of the second wireless network;

in response to the detecting the second wireless network and based on the characterization, connect the mobile device to the second wireless connection.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the scanning information includes information received from one or more wireless access points.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

after connecting the mobile device to the one of the one or more wireless networks,

terminating a network connection between the mobile device and another wireless network.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the connecting to the second wireless network is also determined based at least in part on one or more of date and time, latitude and longitude of the mobile device, network providers of the first and second wireless networks, and media types of the first and second wireless networks.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

ranking the second network and the additional networks based on at least one or more of the characterization, data transfer costs per megabyte of the first and second wireless networks, date and time, latitude and longitude of the mobile device, network providers of the first and second wireless networks, and media types of the first and second wireless networks, wherein the second network is ranked highest.