Optimized usage of access technology in a multi-mode architecture

• US 8,031,687 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Rasal, Digambar L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu; Jinsong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/777,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20090016310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.3, 455/443, 455/444, 455/452.2, 455/41.2, 455512-514, 455/115.3, 455/127.4, 455/134, 455/135, 370/42, 370/344, 370/347, 370/338, 370/342
• US Class Current: 370/342
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to optimized usage of access technology in a multi-mode architecture. By optimizing usage of access technology in a multi-mode architecture, the handset can utilize the most effective access technology for the application or it can utilize multiple access technologies for multiple applications.

Claims

1. A multi-technology handset comprising:

a controller configured to establish a communicative coupling to a CDMA network using a CDMA radio and a second technology network using a second technology radio in response to the execution of an application on the handset;

a memory module containing an application data structure associated with the application, wherein the data structure comprises one or more previously taken measurements of the performance of the application using the CDMA network and the second technology network; and

an application logic module configured to determine a ranking of the CDMA network and the second technology network for the application using the data structure, to send an instruction to the controller to complete the communicative coupling to the CDMA network or the second technology network based on the ranking, and to perform an update on the data structure based upon the running of the application.

2. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein the second technology comprises a wireless fidelity (WiFi) technology, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology, or a global system for mobile communications (GSM) technology.

3. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein the data structure comprises a network bandwidth the application requires, a cost involved with the CDMA network and the second technology network, a reliability of the CDMA network and the second technology network, a duration of usage, a frequency of usage, a prior user behavior, a prior handset behavior, or an availability of the CDMA network and the second technology network.

4. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein the instruction is configured to cause the controller to complete the communicative coupling with the second technology network if it is ranked highest and to complete the communicative coupling with the CDMA network if the second technology network is not available.

5. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein the instruction is configured to cause the controller to complete the communicative coupling with the CDMA network if it is ranked highest and to complete the communicative coupling with the second technology network if the CDMA network is not available.

6. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 further comprising a fault count module configured to increment a fault count in the data structure if a fault occurs with respect to the CDMA network or the second technology network.

7. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein when the application logic module determines a ranking for the application using the data structure, a user can override the ranking for a single event with respect to the application.

8. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein when the application logic module determines a ranking for the application using the data structure, a user can override the ranking for all events with respect to the application.

9. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein the data structure associated with the application is in the form of a table or a list.

10. The multi-technology handset of claim 1 wherein the data structure comprises a resource usage with respect to the CDMA network and the second technology network and wherein the application logic module sends the instruction to the controller to complete the communicative coupling to the CDMA network or the second technology network based on whether the data structure indicates that either the CDMA network or the second technology network is currently being used.

11. A method for determining a preferred access technology for a multi-technology handset, comprising:

initializing an application;

determining a highest ranked access technology network for the application based, at least in part, on an application data structure associated with the application;

determining a second highest ranked access technology network for the application, based, at least in part, on the application data structure, wherein the application data structure comprises one or more previously taken measurements of the performance of the highest and second highest ranked access technology networks for the application;

attempting to acquire the highest ranked access technology network;

running the application; and

updating the application data structure associated with the application based on the step of running.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising attempting to acquire the second highest ranked access technology network if the highest ranked access technology network cannot be acquired.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of updating further comprises storing a cost involved with the highest ranked access technology network.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of updating further comprises storing a reliability associated with the highest ranked access technology network.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of updating further comprises storing a duration of usage associated with the highest ranked access technology network.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of updating further comprises storing a frequency of usage associated with the highest ranked access technology network.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of updating further comprises storing a bandwidth associated with the highest ranked access technology network.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of updating further comprises:

determining if a fault occurs with respect to the highest ranked access technology network;

incrementing a fault counter; and

storing data associated with the incremented fault counter in the application data structure.

19. A multi-technology handset comprising:

a controller configured to establish a communicative coupling to a first technology network using a first technology radio and a second technology network using a second technology radio in response to the execution of an application on the handset;

a memory module containing an application data structure associated with the application, wherein the data structure comprises one or more previously taken measurements of the performance of the application using the first and second technology networks; and

an application logic module configured to determine a ranking of the first and second technology networks for the application using the data structure, to send an instruction to the controller to complete the communicative coupling to the first or second technology network based, at least in part, on the ranking, and to perform an update on the data structure based upon the running of the application, wherein the update comprises modifying en one or more previously taken measurements based on measurements taken during the running of the application.

20. The multi-technology handset of claim 19, wherein the application data structure further comprises input received from a user about the performance of the application using the first and second technology networks.