Multiple network access system and method

• US 9,723,529 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
• Inventors: Connors, Dennis P., Marsh, Gene W.
• Primary Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US14/042,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20140029576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/144 over a different radio air interface technology

Abstract

Methods and devices for operating a wireless communication device that can communicate with at least two different wireless networks using a single radio frequency modem are described. The communication device attaches to a first wireless network through the radio frequency (RF) modem, and then detaches from the first wireless network at a predetermined time before a start time of a selected event on a second wireless network. The device attaches to the second wireless network using the same RF modem before the start time of the selected event and collects at least a portion of event data associated with the selected event. After collecting at least a portion of event data, the device detaches from the second wireless network and re-attaches to the first wireless network.

Claims

1. A method for receiving a multimedia broadcast service at a mobile device, the method comprising:

establishing a connection, by the mobile device, with a first network via a radio frequency (RF) modem on a first frequency associated with the first network, wherein the connection includes a bidirectional logical link with the first network and the mobile device is associated with a first base station;

receiving, by the mobile device, via the RF modem, information for a second network from the first network, wherein the second network is a unidirectional network and the information includes time slice information associated with a broadcast event;

receiving, by the mobile device via the RF modem on the first frequency, the broadcast event from the second network at a time indicated by the time slice information; and

receiving, by the mobile device, transmissions from the first network via the RF modem in non-broadcast event time intervals based on the time slice information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast event is transmitted in an aggregated multiple content stream.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the time slice information includes a schedule of a plurality of broadcast events.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving updated information for the second network on a condition that the mobile device associates with a second base station.

5. A mobile device configured for receiving a multimedia broadcast service, the mobile device comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) modem configured to establish a connection with a first network on a first frequency associated with the first network, wherein the connection includes a bidirectional logical link with the first network and the mobile device is associated with a first base station;

a receiver configured to receive, via the RF modem, information for a second network from the first network, wherein the second network is a unidirectional network and the information includes time slice information associated with a broadcast event;

the receiver further configured to receive the broadcast event from the second network via the RF modem on the first frequency at a time indicated by the time slice information; and

the receiver further configured to receive transmissions from the first network via the RF modem in non-broadcast event time intervals based on the time slice information.

6. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein the broadcast event is transmitted in an aggregated multiple content stream.

7. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein the time slice information includes a schedule of a plurality of broadcast events.

8. The mobile device of claim 5, further comprising:

the receiver further configured to receive updated information for the second network on a condition that the mobile device associates with a second base station.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with stored instructions executable by a computing device, the instructions comprising:

instructions to establish a connection with a first network, via a radio frequency (RF) modem of a mobile device on a first frequency associated with the first network, wherein the connection includes a bidirectional logical link with the first network and the mobile device is associated with a first base station;

instructions to receive, via the RF modem, information for a second network from the first network, wherein the second network is a unidirectional network and the information includes time slice information associated with a broadcast event;

instructions to receive the broadcast event from the second network via the RF modem on the first frequency at a time indicated by the time slice information; and

instructions to receive transmissions from the first network via the RF modem in non-broadcast event time intervals based on the time slice information.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the broadcast event is transmitted in an aggregated multiple content stream.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the time slice information includes a schedule of a plurality of broadcast events.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising:

instructions to receive updated information for the second network on a condition that the mobile device associates with a second base station.