Selecting a data path
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a data path for connecting one or more client devices to a wide area network, the one or more client devices being connected to a router device via a local area network, the method comprising:
- identifying a plurality of available data paths comprising at least one cellular wireless data path, wherein each of the plurality of available data paths is located between the router device and the wide area network and each of the plurality of available data paths connects the router device to the wide area network, each of the plurality of available data paths being routed via a service provider such that a first of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a first service provider and a second of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a second service provider;
obtaining link status information for the plurality of available data paths;
processing selection rules with the obtained link status information;
selecting one of the plurality of available data paths according to the processing of the selection rules;
routing data communications between the local area network and the wide area network via a data exchanger and a remote link that follows the selected data path connecting the router device to the wide area network, the client devices being separate from the routing device, wherein the identifying, obtaining, processing, selecting and routing are carried out by the router device; and
wherein the plurality of available data paths are data paths between the wide area network and one or more data exchangers coupled to the router device and wherein obtaining link status information comprises polling the one or more data exchangers for the link status information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for selecting a data path includes identifying a plurality of available data paths between a router device and a wide area network. Link status information for the available data paths are obtained. Selection rules are processed with the obtained link status information, and one of the plurality of available data paths is selected according to the processing of the selection rules. Data communications are then routed between a local area network and the wide area network via a data exchanger and a remote data link that follows the selected data path.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a data path for connecting one or more client devices to a wide area network, the one or more client devices being connected to a router device via a local area network, the method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of available data paths comprising at least one cellular wireless data path, wherein each of the plurality of available data paths is located between the router device and the wide area network and each of the plurality of available data paths connects the router device to the wide area network, each of the plurality of available data paths being routed via a service provider such that a first of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a first service provider and a second of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a second service provider; obtaining link status information for the plurality of available data paths; processing selection rules with the obtained link status information; selecting one of the plurality of available data paths according to the processing of the selection rules; routing data communications between the local area network and the wide area network via a data exchanger and a remote link that follows the selected data path connecting the router device to the wide area network, the client devices being separate from the routing device, wherein the identifying, obtaining, processing, selecting and routing are carried out by the router device; and wherein the plurality of available data paths are data paths between the wide area network and one or more data exchangers coupled to the router device and wherein obtaining link status information comprises polling the one or more data exchangers for the link status information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions thereon that when executed by a router device cause the router device to implement a method, the medium having instructions for selecting a data path for connecting one or more client devices to a wide area network, the one or more client devices being connected to a router device via a local area network, the instructions comprising:
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identifying a plurality of available data paths comprising at least one cellular wireless data path, wherein each of the plurality of available data paths is located between the router device and the wide area network and each of the plurality of available data paths connects the router device to the wide area network, each of the plurality of available data paths being routed via a service provider such that a first of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a first service provider and a second of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a second service provider; obtaining link status information for the plurality of available data paths; processing selection rules with the obtained link status information; selecting one of the plurality of available data paths according to the processing of the selection rules; routing data communications between the local area network and the wide area network via a data exchanger and a remote link that follows the selected data path connecting the router device to the wide area network, the client devices being separate from the router device, wherein the identifying, obtaining, processing, selecting and routing are carried out by the routing device; and wherein the plurality of available data paths are data paths between the wide area network and one or more data exchangers coupled to the router device and wherein the instructions for obtaining link status information include instructions for polling the one or more data exchangers for the link status information. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20)
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13. A router device, comprising a client interface, a plurality of data exchanger interfaces, a remote link manager, and a router, wherein:
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the client interface is configured to connect one or more client devices that are separate from the router device to the router device via a local area network; each of the plurality of data exchanger interfaces is configured to provide an interface between the router and a data exchanger coupled to that data exchanger interface; the remote link manager is configured to identify a plurality of available data paths comprising at least one cellular wireless data path, wherein each of the plurality of available data paths is located between the router device and the wide area network and each of the plurality of available data paths connects the router device to a wide area network, each of the plurality of available data paths being routed via a service provider such that a first of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a first service provider and a second of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a second service provider, obtain link status information for the plurality of available data paths, process selection rules with the obtained link status information, and select one of the plurality of available data paths according to the processing of the selection rules; the router is configured to route data communications between the local area network and the wide area network via a data exchanger and a remote link that follows the selected data path so as to allow a connection between the router and the wide area network; and wherein the plurality of available data paths are data paths between the wide area network and one or more data exchangers coupled to one or more of the plurality of data exchanger interfaces and wherein the remote link manager is configured to poll the one or more data exchangers for the link status information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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21. A method for selecting a data path for connecting one or more client devices to the internet, the one or more client devices being connected to a router device via a local area network, the method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of available data paths comprising at least one cellular wireless data path, wherein each of the plurality of available data paths is located between the router device and the wide area network and each of the plurality of available data paths connects the router device to the internet, each of the plurality of available data paths being routed via a service provider such that a first of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a first service provider and a second of the plurality of available data paths is routed via a second service provider; obtaining link status information for the plurality of available data paths; processing selection rules with the obtained link status information; selecting one of the plurality of available data paths according to the processing of the selection rules; and routing data communications between the local area network and the internet via a data exchanger and a remote link that follows the selected data path connecting the router device to the internet, wherein the selected data path comprises a cellular telephone service provider network, wherein the client devices are separate from the router device, and further wherein the identifying, obtaining, processing, selecting and routing are carried out by the router device; and wherein the plurality of available data paths are data paths between the wide area network and one or more data exchangers coupled to the router device and wherein obtaining link status information comprises polling the one or more data exchangers for the link status information.
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Specification