Co-located network selection algorithm
First Claim
1. A method for generating a wireless network preference list for a wireless device, the method comprising:
- by the wireless device;
ordering a plurality of wireless networks based on a time that the wireless device last joined each of the wireless networks, wherein more recently joined wireless networks are ordered higher than less recently joined networks, wherein a first wireless network is ordered higher than a second wireless network;
determining and storing a first relationship score specifying an amount by which the second wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network;
determining and storing a second relationship score specifying an amount by which a third wireless network is preferred over the second wireless network;
determining and storing a third relationship score specifying an amount by which the third wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network, wherein the first relationship score is changeable without changing either of the second and third relationship scores;
determining that the first relationship score exceeds a threshold; and
changing the order of the plurality of wireless networks to order the second wireless network higher than the first wireless network in response to the determining that the first relationship score exceeds the threshold;
wherein the wireless device is configured to automatically connect to a highest-ordered available wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks.
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Abstract
A wireless device may automatically connect to a preferred wireless network, such as a preferred Wi-Fi network. The wireless device may order a plurality of wireless networks according to initial criteria, such as the time the wireless device last connected to each wireless network. Preference rules may then be applied to reorder the wireless networks. Each preference rule may be applied only if an associated score meets a threshold. A scan may be performed to determine which of the wireless networks are available for connection. The wireless device may automatically connect to the highest-ordered available wireless network. The scores associated with the preference rules may be modified in response to events that indicate a user preference for one or more of the wireless networks, such as manually switching from one network to another.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for generating a wireless network preference list for a wireless device, the method comprising:
by the wireless device; ordering a plurality of wireless networks based on a time that the wireless device last joined each of the wireless networks, wherein more recently joined wireless networks are ordered higher than less recently joined networks, wherein a first wireless network is ordered higher than a second wireless network; determining and storing a first relationship score specifying an amount by which the second wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network; determining and storing a second relationship score specifying an amount by which a third wireless network is preferred over the second wireless network; determining and storing a third relationship score specifying an amount by which the third wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network, wherein the first relationship score is changeable without changing either of the second and third relationship scores; determining that the first relationship score exceeds a threshold; and changing the order of the plurality of wireless networks to order the second wireless network higher than the first wireless network in response to the determining that the first relationship score exceeds the threshold; wherein the wireless device is configured to automatically connect to a highest-ordered available wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wireless device configured to communicate via a wireless connection, the wireless device comprising:
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a radio; and a processing element operably coupled to the radio; wherein the wireless device is configured to; order a plurality of wireless networks based on a time that the wireless device last joined each of the wireless networks, wherein more recently joined wireless networks are ordered higher than less recently joined networks, wherein a first wireless network is ordered higher than a second wireless network; determine and store a first relationship score specifying an amount by which the second wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network; determine and store a second relationship score specifying an amount by which a third wireless network is preferred over the second wireless network; determine and store a third relationship score specifying an amount by which the third wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network, wherein the first relationship score is changeable without changing either of the second and third relationship scores; determine that the relationship score exceeds a threshold; change the order of the plurality of wireless networks to order the second wireless network higher than the first wireless network in response to the determining that the first relationship score exceeds a threshold; determine that at least one wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks is available for connection; and automatically connect to a highest-ordered wireless network of the at least one wireless network that is available for connection. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer-readable memory medium storing instructions executable by a processor of a wireless device, the instructions configured to cause the wireless device to:
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order a plurality of wireless networks based on a time that the wireless device last joined each of the wireless networks, wherein more recently joined wireless networks are ordered higher than less recently joined networks, wherein a first wireless network is ordered higher than a second wireless network; determine and store a first relationship score specifying an amount by which the second wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network; determine and store a second relationship score specifying an amount by which a third wireless network is preferred over the second wireless network; determine and store a third relationship score specifying an amount by which the third wireless network is preferred over the first wireless network, wherein the first relationship score is changeable without changing either of the second and third relationship scores; determine that the first relationship score exceeds a threshold; change the order of the plurality of wireless networks to order the second wireless network higher than the first wireless network in response to the determining that the first relationship score exceeds a threshold; determine that at least one wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks is available for connection; and automatically connect to a highest-ordered wireless network of the at least one wireless network that is available for connection. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification