Multi-transport mode devices having improved data throughput

• US 8,707,389 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilmerding Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pravala Inc.
• Inventors: Manku, Tajinder
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, LISA C
• Application Number:
  US12/631,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20100154044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5691 Access to open networks; Ingress point selection, e.g. ISP selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5624 Path aspects, e.g. path bundling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0231 based on communication conditions dynamic wireless traffic scheduling definition based on channel quality criteria H04W72/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/065 using assembly or disassembly of packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/10 Flow control between communication endpoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1273 of downlink data flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/182 Network node acting on behalf of an other network entity, e.g. proxy

Abstract

A method for transmitting data between a client and a server is provided. The method comprising the following steps. The data is segmented into a plurality of data packets, which are scheduled to be transmitted via different ones of a plurality of access points. Each of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the client using a different protocol and communicate with the server using a different network path. Each of the plurality of data packets is transmitted between the client and the server via the scheduled access point. A client device and proxy server configured to implement the method are also provided, as is a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for implementing the method.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data between a client and a proxy server, the method comprising the steps of:

segmenting the data into a plurality of data packets;

scheduling each of the plurality of packets to be transmitted via corresponding ones of a plurality of access points, thereby increasing the effective bandwidth available for transmitting the data, each of the plurality of access points configured to;

communicate with the client using a different protocol; and

communicate with the proxy server using a different network path; and

transmitting each of the plurality of data packets between the client and the proxy server via the scheduled plurality of access points.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of a number of the data packets scheduled on different ones of the access points is determined in accordance with one or more predetermined parameter.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more predetermined parameter is one or more of cost, size of data, network conditions, battery power, latency, throughput, location or security level.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the ratio of a number of the data packets scheduled on different ones of the access points changes dynamically as the one or more predetermined parameter changes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of data packets are scheduled in accordance with at least one of:

a type of application transmitting the data packets;

or

a type of data represented by the data packets.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of transmitting ones of the plurality of data packets between the client and the server via an access point other than the scheduled access point upon detection of a transmission failure.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of tethering the client to another machine in order to access one of the plurality of access points.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points requires a password that is unknown by the client, the method comprising the further steps of:

transmitting, from the client, a password request for using at least one access point that is accessible to the client;

receiving, at the client, a password for the at least one of the plurality of access points requiring a password; and

using the received password to obtain access to the at least one of the plurality of access point requiring a password.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data packets are arranged into segments and scheduled such that while data packets are being transferred for a given segment via a faster one of the access points, data packets for a subsequent segment are being transferred via a slower one of the access points.

10. A client device configured to transmit data to and receive data from a proxy server, the client device comprising:

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for a device scheduler;

a processor configured to execute the device scheduler, the device scheduler operable to;

segment the data to be transmitted into a plurality of data packets; and

schedule each of the plurality of packets to be transmitted via corresponding ones of a plurality of access points, thereby increasing the effective bandwidth available for transmitting the data, each of the plurality of access points configured to communicate with the client device using a different protocol, and communicate with the proxy server using a different network path; and

transceivers configured to transmit the plurality of data packets to corresponding access points for sending to the proxy server and receive data from the proxy server via the corresponding access points.

11. The client device of claim 10 having a distinct Internet Protocol (IP) address for each transceiver.

12. A proxy server configured to transmit data to and receive data from a client device, the proxy server comprising:

a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for a proxy scheduler;

a processor configured to execute the proxy scheduler, the proxy scheduler operable to;

segment the data to be transmitted into a plurality of data packets; and

schedule each of the plurality of packets to be transmitted via corresponding ones of a plurality of access points, thereby increasing the effective bandwidth available for transmitting the data, each of the plurality of access points configured to communicate with the client device using a different protocol, and communicate with the proxy server using a different network path; and

a transceiver interface configured to transmit data to and receive data from a target server.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for transmitting data between a client and a proxy server, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement the steps of:

segmenting the data into a plurality of data packets;

scheduling each of the plurality of packets to be transmitted via corresponding ones of a plurality of access points, thereby increasing the effective bandwidth available for transmitting the data, each of the plurality of access points configured to;

communicate with the client using a different protocol; and

communicate with the proxy server using a different network path; and

transmitting each of the plurality of data packets between the client and the proxy server via the scheduled plurality of access points.