Location-Based Tuning Services For Wireless LAN Devices

• US 20080004000A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McGirr, James, Hamilton, Rick Allen, Boss, Gregory Jensen, Mullins, Philip Kendal
• Granted Patent: US 8,380,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/322 by location data
• 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 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for location-based tuning for a mobile wireless platform. A current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform is determined on a route being traveled by the mobile wireless platform. Radio frequency conditions are sensed in a path of the mobile wireless platform. Radio frequency conditions are detected at the current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform as the mobile wireless platform travels along the route. An optimal channel is determined for the current geographic location. The optimal channel maximizes communications of the mobile wireless platform based on the radio frequency conditions. The mobile wireless platform transitions channels to the optimal channel in response to determining the optimal channel. One or more wireless devices transition to the optimal channel to communicate with the mobile wireless platform.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for location-based tuning for a mobile wireless platform, the computer implemented method comprising:

determining a current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform on a route being traveled by the mobile wireless platform;

sensing radio frequency conditions in a path of the mobile wireless platform;

detecting the radio frequency conditions at the current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform as the mobile wireless platform travels along the route;

determining an optimal channel for the current geographic location, wherein the optimal channel maximizes communications of the mobile wireless platform based on the radio frequency conditions; and

responsive to determining the optimal channel, transitioning channels of the mobile wireless platform to the optimal channel, wherein at least one wireless device transitions to the optimal channel to communicate with the mobile wireless platform.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the determining the geographic location step is performed using any of a global positioning system, radio frequency triangulation, chronological measurements, motion sensing, stop counts, and feedback loops from radio frequency tuners.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the sensing step is performed by a forward sensing receiver of the mobile wireless platform.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the sensing step is performed by an external sensor.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency conditions indicate any of active wireless networks, channels used by interfering wireless networks, and the range of the active wireless networks.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the transitioning step is performed based on a future geographic location of the mobile wireless platform.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the determining the optimal channel step is performed based on a historic log analysis.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 7, wherein the historic log analysis describes a pattern of the radio frequency conditions of a mobile wireless environment.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing the optimal channel for each position along the route of the mobile wireless platform.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising storing the optimal channel for each position along the route in the mobile wireless platform and the at least one wireless device.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the transitioning step is performed at a signal threshold before communication functionality is lost.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the route is pre-established in advance of the mobile wireless platform traveling along the route.

13. A mobile wireless platform comprising:

a data processing system for processing information and controlling a radio frequency signal broadcast and received by the mobile wireless platform;

a global positioning system operably connected to the data processing system for determining a location of the mobile wireless platform;

a forward sensing receiver for determining radio frequency conditions surrounding the mobile wireless platform;

wherein the mobile wireless platform communicates with one or more wireless devices client operably connected to the client,

wherein the data processing system determines an optimal channel for the geographic location for maximizing communications of the mobile wireless platform with the one or more wireless devices,

wherein the data processing system transitions channels of the mobile wireless platform and the one or more wireless devices to the optimal channel based on the radio frequency conditions.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the data processing system further comprises a database for storing available channel information and a history log analysis.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein external sensors in a specified location send radio frequency conditions about the specified location.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile wireless platform is any of a bus, train, subway, monorail, car, semi-truck, boat, and airplane.

17. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium including computer usable program code for location-based tuning for a mobile wireless platform, the computer program product comprising:

computer usable program code for determining a current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform on a route being traveled by the mobile wireless platform;

computer usable program code for sensing radio frequency conditions in a path of the mobile wireless platform;

computer usable program code for detecting the radio frequency conditions at the current geographic location of the mobile wireless platform as the mobile wireless platform travels along the route;

computer usable program code for determining an optimal channel for the current geographic location, wherein the optimal channel maximizes communications of the mobile wireless platform based on the radio frequency conditions;

computer usable program code responsive to determining the optimal channel for, transitioning channels of the mobile wireless platform to the optimal channel, wherein at least one wireless device transitions to the optimal channel to communicate with the mobile wireless platform.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, comprising computer usable program code for establishing the optimal channel for each position along the route of the mobile wireless platform.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the computer usable program code for transitioning channels comprises:

computer usable program code for transitioning channels before communication functionality is lost.

20. The computer program product of claim 17, comprising computer usable program code for storing the optimal channel for each position along the route in the mobile wireless platform and the at least one wireless device.