U.S. patent application number 11/380875 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-01 for method for selecting an air interface using an access list on a multi-mode wireless device.
Invention is credited to Henry S. Chang, Douglas L. Dunn.
Application Number | 20070255797 11/380875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38597007 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070255797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunn; Douglas L. ; et
al. |
November 1, 2007 |
METHOD FOR SELECTING AN AIR INTERFACE USING AN ACCESS LIST ON A
MULTI-MODE WIRELESS DEVICE
Abstract
Application-specific access lists are provided for a multimode
mobile wireless device. The multimode mobile device has an access
list for each wireless technology. Typically, these technology
specific access lists are standard for each technology, and are
provided by a service provider or the manufacturer of the multimode
mobile device. For each application the multimode wireless device
is a likely to operate, an application-specific access list is
generated. The application-specific access list ranks the wireless
technologies according to its relative desirability for the
application. In this way, when the multimode mobile device request
an application, the application-specific access list may be used to
efficiently acquire a network preferred for that particular
application. The application-specific access lists may be updated
from time to time as applications are added or changed, as
technology specific access lists are updated, or as geographic
location changes.
Inventors: |
Dunn; Douglas L.; (Chula
Vista, CA) ; Chang; Henry S.; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KYOCERA WIRELESS CORP.
P.O. BOX 928289
SAN DIEGO
CA
92192-8289
US
|
Family ID: |
38597007 |
Appl. No.: |
11/380875 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/217 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 88/06 20130101;
H04W 8/183 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/217 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for selecting an air interface on a multi-mode wireless
device capable of communicating over a plurality of air interfaces,
the method comprising: accessing a plurality of technology specific
access lists, each technology specific access list defining
networks for a respective wireless technology; ranking the networks
according to application specific criteria, the networks selected
from a plurality of wireless technologies; and generating a set of
application specific access lists based on the ranking.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: requesting an
application; selecting the application specific access list
corresponding to the application; searching the selected
application specific access list to find an active network; and
acquiring the active network.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the set of
application specific access lists on the multi-mode wireless
device.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the storing the set of application
specific access lists further comprises downloading the set of
application specific access lists using an over an air
interface.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the plurality
of technology specific access lists on a remote server.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the ranking the networks
comprises: assigning each of the networks a priority based on its
suitability for a particular application; and storing the priority
in a data structure.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting networks
based on suitability for a particular application.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a
geographic region of the multi-mode wireless device; and selecting
networks according to the determined geographic region.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the determining the geographic
region comprises utilizing GPS.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising acquiring a
network.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of application specific
access lists include at least one of a voice list, a data list, a
high-speed data list, a low speed data list, a security list, a
mobility list, and a voice-over-IP list.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of technology
specific access lists include at least one of cdma2000 1.times.,
1.times.EV-DO, GPRS, GSM, GPRS, PHS, WiMax, and WLAN.
13. A multi-mode wireless device comprising: a processor coupled to
a memory; at least one wireless transceiver coupled to the
processor for communicating over a plurality of wireless
technologies; programming stored on the memory and executed by the
processor for performing the method of: accessing a plurality of
technology specific access lists, each technology specific access
list defining networks for a respective wireless technology;
ranking the networks according to application specific criteria,
the networks selected from the plurality of wireless technologies;
and generating a set of application specific access lists based on
the ranking.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:
requesting an application; selecting the application specific
access list corresponding to the application; searching the
selected application specific access list to find an active
network; and acquiring the active network.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the ranking the networks
comprises: assigning each of the networks a priority based on its
suitability for a particular application; and storing the priority
in a data structure.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the method further comprise
selecting networks based on suitability for a particular
application.
17. The device of claim 13, wherein the method further comprising:
determining a geographic region of the multi-mode wireless device;
and selecting networks according to the determined geographic
region.
18. An access list in computer readable format stored on a computer
readable medium, the access list comprising: a first entry
identifying a first network selected according to application
operating requirements; and a second entry identifying a second
network selected according to the application operating
requirements.
19. The access list of claim 18, wherein the first network and the
second network operate according to different wireless
technologies.
20. The access list of claim 18, wherein the first network and the
second network are ranked according to a priority.
21. The access list of claim 18, wherein the predefined application
operating requirements are defined for a specific application.
22. The access list of claim 18, wherein the access list is stored
in a memory of a multi-mode wireless device.
23. The access list of claim 18, wherein the access list is stored
in a memory of a server.
24. The access list of claim 18, wherein the access list is in the
form of a transmission packets.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless
communications, and more specifically to selecting an air interface
system using a searchable access list.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wireless subscriber devices are widely used and have become
an essential aspect of modern life. Wireless subscriber devices
such as pagers, mobile phones, PDA's (personal data assistants) are
used for work, for personal activities, and as a way to keep in
contact with friends and family. Often these devices are used to
enable voice communications. Increasingly, however, these devices
are used to share data messages without initiating a voice
communication. These data messages may be for example, text
messages, image files, video files, or audio files. As the
functionality of these devices increases, their use and acceptance
continues to expand. Further, users have become more reliant upon
their wireless devices, and therefore demand high quality service
and performance.
[0003] In the current competitive market for wireless devices, a
company's reputation and brand is mostly determined by the quality
of its products. For example, users have an expectation for their
wireless services will initiate with little delay. Currently when
users activate their mobile devices to make a call or initiate a
data service, part of the process requires that mobile devices scan
large access lists to find an active network. In some wireless
technologies this access list is referred to as a Preferred Roaming
List, while it will have other names in other wireless
technologies. The access list is prioritized to have the most
preferred networks listed first, and less desirable networks
further down on the list. In this way, the manufacturer of the
mobile device or the service provider may preset the preferred
network connections. When the mobile device is first activated, or
when it is taken to a new geographic location and turned on, the
mobile device will need to search the access list to find the most
preferred network connection. In some cases, the access list can
have hundreds of entries, and the mobile devices may take a minute
or more to locate a service. After finding an active service, the
mobile device may locally store a recently used access list that is
first used before searching through the full list.
[0004] For example, if a person flies from San Diego to Boston, and
turns on a mobile phone when deplaning in Boston, the mobile phone
will have to initiate a search of the access list, and since the
mobile phone's geographic location has significantly changed, it
may have to search tens or even hundreds of possible networks
before finding an active Boston network. Once the phone finds a
network in Boston, it enters that network into its shorter list of
recently used networks, so that the next search will be faster.
However, the user has been without mobile phone usage for some
time, and may become impatient with the long "searching" indicator
on the mobile phone. Once a network connection is made, it is used
for all voice and data communications.
[0005] In order for mobile devices to have more utility, mobile
devices may now support multiple wireless technologies. This
enables a single wireless mobile device to have a better chance of
always being able to find an active network. A wireless device that
supports multiple wireless technologies is often referred to as a
multi-mode mobile device. For example, a multi-mode mobile device
may support CDMA2000, GSM, WLAN and WiMax. When the multi-mode
mobile device is activated, it searches its access list to find the
first active network. It will normally search its recently used
list, but if none is available, it will begin searching the full
access list. Typically, this access list has been set and
prioritized by the primary service provider, so the access list
will be prioritized to maximize economic benefit to the service
provider. In some cases, the multi-mode mobile device will search
all possible connections for one technology, and if no connection
is found, move to search the next less preferred technology. The
access list is searched technology-by-technology, and
network-by-network, until the first available network is found.
This first-found connection is then used for all voice and data
communications. In such a multi-mode environment, the multi-mode
mobile device may take an exceptionally, and unacceptably, long
time to search through the available wireless technologies to find
an available network.
[0006] As wireless technologies advance, some technologies are
developed for specific purposes, or are better suited for
particular applications. For example, some wireless technologies
are particularly well suited for high speed data transmission, such
as WiFi, but the technology performs best in static or nomadic
applications where the receiver has only limited mobility. Other
wireless technologies, such as CDMA1.times.rtt, have excellent
voice handling capabilities, support full-speed mobility, but have
slower data rates than some other wireless technologies. In using
these multi-mode devices, a user typically makes a decision as to
which technology is best suited for the task to be performed. For
example, if a user wants to surf the net while at a coffee shop,
the user will select to search for a WiFi connection, and may even
have to physically or logically enable WiFi radio. In another
example, if the user is moving in a car and desires to make a voice
call, the user may simply use the mobile device's default CDMA
radio.
[0007] Therefore, a need exists for a multi-mode wireless device
that simplifies the mode selection process, as well as reduces the
time it takes to make the selection and acquire a network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Briefly, the present invention provides application-specific
access lists for a multimode mobile wireless device. The multimode
mobile device has an access list for each wireless technology.
Typically, these technology specific access lists are provided by
the service provider for each technology, and are provided by a
service provider or the manufacturer of the multimode mobile
device. For each application or, class of applications, the
multimode wireless device is a likely to operate, an
application-specific access list is generated. The
application-specific access list ranks each of the supported
wireless technologies according to its relative desirability for
the application. In this way, when the multimode mobile device
request an application, the application-specific access list may be
used to efficiently acquire a network preferred for that particular
application. The application-specific access lists may be updated
from time to time as applications are added or changed, as
technology specific access lists are updated, or as geographic
location changes.
[0009] In a particular example, a mobile handset is a multimode
handset capable of operating on more than one wireless technology.
The multimode handset contains a plurality of technology specific
access lists, typically one for each supported wireless technology.
Technology specific access list may be provided for CDMA, GSM,
WLAN, or WiMax systems, as well as others. The mobile handset may
generate a set of application specific access lists by sorting or
ranking network entries from the technology specific access lists
based on their suitability for a particular application and the
mobile handset's current geographic region. The mobile handset may
also contain lists of recently used networks arranged and ranked by
application. When the mobile handset requests an application, it
will select the application-specific access list associated with
the request an application, and sequentially search the application
specific access list until a suitable network is discovered.
[0010] Advantageously, the present invention efficiently identifies
a desirable network according to specific application requirements.
This may reduce time to connect to a network, as well as provide a
network operating the more preferred wireless technology.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated
or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for selecting an air
interface for a multi-mode mobile device in accordance with the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a process for using application
specific access lists on a multi-mode mobile device in accordance
with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for generating
application specific access lists on a multi-mode mobile device in
accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for using application
specific access lists on a multi-mode mobile device in accordance
with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a set of application specific access list for a
multi-mode wireless device in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, a system for selecting an air
interface for a multi-mode mobile device is illustrated. System 10
has wireless subscriber device 12 structured and configured to
operate on one of multiple wireless technologies. Accordingly,
device 12 is a multi-mode mobile device. In any given location,
more than one of its supported wireless technologies may be
available, and therefore, the multi-mode wireless device 12
intelligently and adaptively selects which available wireless
technology to use. For example, FIG. 1 shows that mobile device 12
is in range of CDMA basestation 20, GSM basestation 24, and WiFi
access point 28. Depending on the specific application the device
is to perform, the device may connect to a different basestation
and a different wireless technology. If the mobile device 12
desires to make a high quality voice call, then device 12 may
prefer to connect to CDMA basestation 20. Alternatively, if device
12 desires to receive high-bandwidth streaming video, then device
12 may prefer to connect to WiFi access point 28. In this way,
multi-mode device 12 prefers the wireless technology best suited to
the specific application to be performed.
[0018] Wireless subscriber device 12 may be, for example, a
wireless handset, a wireless personal data assistant, a portable
computer, a router, or other wireless device. Wireless device 12
may operate according to two or more of the international
communication standards such as CDMA, UMTS, GSM, EDGE, PHS, or
other existing or evolving communication standards. It will also be
appreciated that wireless device 12 may operate according to
communication standards such as Bluetooth.RTM., IEEE 802.11, WiMax,
or other proprietary or data standards. Also, wireless device 12
may operate according to a traditional cellular arrangement, a peer
to peer arrangement, or a mesh network.
[0019] Wireless device 12 has radio 15 and antenna structure 18 for
wirelessly transmitting and receiving messages. It will be
understood that multi-mode device 12 may have multiple radios
according to the available wireless technologies. In some cases, a
single radio device may be able to support more than one
technology, and in other cases, a radio may only support a single
wireless technology. Each radio is able to communicate messages,
for example, voice messages, data messages, or network control
messages. In this regard, the base station or other wireless
infrastructure may continually send network messages to wireless
device 12 and wireless device 12 may respond with status or other
messages. The number, content, and frequency of these messages is
according to the relevant operating communication standard. Radio
15 and antenna 18 cooperate with wireless device 12 in scanning for
and acquiring a suitable air interface system with base stations
20, 24, and 28.
[0020] Multi-mode device 12 has a set of technology specific access
lists 36. Each of these technology specific access lists 36 has
been provided by the manufacturer of device 12, or have been
provided or updated by a respective service provider. For example,
WiFi directory 38 may be updated from time to time by a WiFi
service provider, just as the CDMA Preferred Roaming List may be
updated by a CDMA service provider. Each of these technology
specific access lists may define many possible SID/NID pairs or the
equivalent, and have been prioritized by their respective service
providers. Importantly, each of these technology specific access
lists is provided according to the standard requirements for each
wireless technology, so the use of multi-mode device 12 does not
require any modification to the network provider or communication
standards. This means that the improvements to acquisition time and
improved performance are not dependent on any one communication
standard.
[0021] Multi-mode device 12 uses the technology specific access
lists 36 to generate a set of application specific access lists 40.
Each of the application specific access lists is generated
according to the requirements of a particular application, and may
define networks from more than one technology. For example, voice
access list 42 may be generated to first look for a particular
CDMA2000 1.times. provider, then for a particular GSM provider,
then for a particular 1.times.EV-DO provider, and finally, for a
particular WiMax provider. In this way, multi-mode device 12 is
able to find and acquire the wireless network that is most suited
to the application to be performed. The application specific access
lists are typically generated when device 12 is first initialized,
but may be continually updated as applications, locations, or
technology specific lists 40 change. The generation of the
application specific access lists is preferably done at times when
spare processing power is available, for example, when device 12 is
operating but no time-critical tasks are being performed.
[0022] Multi-mode device 12 may generate application specific
access lists for various available applications, such as voice
call, data uplink, security level, quality of service, level of
mobility, high speed data downlink, low speed data downlink, VoIP,
circuit-switched (CS) Voice, or any other conceived application. In
this way, multi-mode device 12 is able to search for and acquire a
network most appropriate for the actual application to be
performed. For example, device 12 may have used a voice access list
to acquire a cdma2000 1.times. network so that a use may make a
high quality voice call. When the call ends, the user starts a
browser, and desires to enable a communication link with a high
speed downlink capability. If the user is stationary, device 12 may
use a stationary-data access list, and look for preferred WiFi and
WiMax technologies, and then settle for a regular CDMA or GPRS
network if they are not available, However, if the user is moving,
then device 12 may use a moving-data access list to find a
1.times.EvDO, GPRS, or cdma2000 1.times. network. It will be
appreciated that many application access lists may be generated,
and that lists may be generated for specific combinations of
applications, such as "high data rate/moving/secure"
communication.
[0023] Wireless device 12 typically has processor 43 for
controlling the device's operation. In this regard, processor 43
may perform traditional telephony call processing functions, as
well as logic and data managing functions. It will be appreciated
that processor 43 may be a single device, or functionally may be
distributed among two or more processing devices. Processor 43 has
associated memory 33 for operating processes and storing data such
as air interface system lists. It will be appreciated that memory
33 may be a cache memory, a flash memory, a random access memory,
or a read only memory. It will also be understood that memory 21
may include fixed or removable memory, and memory 33 may be
provided as one or more discrete blocks.
[0024] Processor 43 operates software processes for managing calls,
data, and user interaction. In particular, processor 43 may operate
a software process such as software process 45. Application code 45
may be for example, executable object code, source code, or
firmware in reprogrammable memory. Reprogrammable memory may be,
for example firmware in the form of EEPROM or flash memory. During
operation, application code 45 may generate an air interface system
request 50. Air interface system request 50 may generate a flag
requesting an air interface system from a specific application
specific air interface list 40. In the alternative, air interface
system request 50 may generate a flag containing application
specific criteria for an air interface system. Processor 43 will
receive air interface system request 50 and initiate an air
interface scanning and acquisition process. Processor 43 may access
memory 33 and sequentially select from air interface system entries
44 contained in an appropriate application specific access list 40.
Processor 43 may also sequentially select air interface system
entries 38 from any air interface system list 36 in the air
interface system scanning and acquisition processes. Processor 43
may cooperate with memory 33, radio 15, and antenna structure 18 in
acquiring a communication link with a suitable base station 20, 24,
or 28.
[0025] Wireless device 12 includes output devices 55 for presenting
and communicating to a user. For example, output devices 55 may
include a color or monochrome display, a speaker, lamps, a
vibrator, or other output device. Wireless device 12 also has user
input controls 53. Typical user input controls 53 may include
navigation keys, keypads, rotary knobs, stylus, or voice
command.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a method for
generating application specific access lists on a multi-mode mobile
device is illustrated. In method 110, the multi-mode mobile device
stores or otherwise has access to standard technology specific
access lists 112. Standard access lists 112 may be provided by the
manufacturer of the multi-mode mobile device, or may have been
provided by the service provider for each wireless technology. The
standard access lists may be updated from time to time, either
using an over-the-air update process, or by connecting the
multi-mode mobile device to an update device, such as a computer
system. In this case, the computer system may use a web browser to
access a service provider web site, and download new or updated
standard access lists to the connected multi-mode mobile device. It
will be understood that various connection methods may be used, for
example, USB, firewire, serial, or parallel cable connections. It
will also be understood that a local wireless network, such as
Bluetooth, may be used. Standard access lists 112 may include, for
example, a CDMA PRL, a GSM PLMN List, a WiFi Directory, or any
other existing or evolving format for storing air interface system
lists. Typically, the multi-mode mobile device will have a standard
access list for each wireless technology supported by the
multi-mode mobile device.
[0027] The multi-mode mobile device is able to operate a set of
applications such as voice 118, high-speed data reception 119, and
Voice-over-IP (VoIP). It will be appreciated that many other
applications and application types may be used, as well as
combinations of applications and application specific requirements.
Each of the applications has a set of application requirements 122,
which may include minimum operating requirements, as well as
desired technical features. Application requirements 122 may be
chosen to relate to technical capabilities available in one or more
of the standard asset lists 112. Alternatively, application
requirements 122 may more generically set out desired technical
features.
[0028] Access list selection process 117 is used to generate
application specific access lists 124. Selection process 117 may
operate when the multi-mode device first activates, or may operate
to update and generate new application specific access lists from
time-to-time. For example, selection process 117 may operate upon
the update of one of the standard access lists, or upon the
installation or availability of a new application. Selection
process 117 is aware of the technical capabilities of each of the
available standard wireless technologies, and is also aware of the
applications likely to be operated on the multi-mode mobile device.
Using the information regarding the standard technologies and the
applications, the selection process 117 prioritizes each technology
for each application. The prioritization may select a top choice,
as well as other choices in descending desirability, and may also
identify some technologies as not compatible with a particular
application. In this way, selection process 117 generates an
application specific access list for each application, with the
application specific access list ranking the wireless technologies
available on the multi-mode mobile device as being preferred, less
preferred, or non-operating.
[0029] Method 110 also has an optional input module 123 for
obtaining and storing application specific access lists 124 on the
wireless subscriber unit. For example, input module 123 may be a
data link cable configured to interface with the wireless
subscriber unit, or may be acquired through an over-the-air
communication. It will be appreciated that some application
specific access lists 124 may be obtained as part of a firmware
update, as individual lists, or as sets of lists. Input module 123
also may be a process consisting of combination of user input
control messages used by the wireless subscriber unit in the
process of generating or adjusting one or more application specific
access lists 124.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 3, a method for generating application
specific access lists is illustrated. Method 200 has a set of
technology specific access lists 202. These technology specific
access lists are standard lists as provided by the manufacture of
the multimode device or through the service provider of the
specific wireless technology. For example, a CDMA access list may
be initially provided by a manufacture of a wireless handset, and
then updated from time to time by the CDMA wireless service
provider. Typically, a multimode mobile device may have several
available wireless technologies, such as CDMA2000, GSM, GPRS, WLAN,
WiMax, or other available wireless technologies. Each of these
available wireless technologies will have its own technology
specific access list. The multimode mobile device also operates
various applications, such as voice calls, high-speed data
reception, voice over IP, video teleconference, web browsing or
other applications. Each application has specific operational
requirements that allow the application to perform in a desired
manner. In some cases, an application may require a minimum set of
operational procedures, such that some wireless technologies may
not provide operation at all. Method 200 operates a process that
for each application, ranks the available wireless technologies
according to operational criteria for the application as shown in
block 206. This process 206 may be operated when the multimode
device is first initialized, and then may be operated from time to
time thereafter. For example, the ranking process may be performed
responsive to installing or the availability of new applications,
or may be responsive to an update to one or more of the technology
specific access lists. In another example, the ranking is performed
responsive to detecting the mobile device is in a new geography.
The detection of the geographic location may be according to a GPS
device with in the multimode mobile device, or may be due to the
acquisition or message received from a particular network
provider.
[0031] Method 200 generates a set of application specific access
lists as shown in block 209. These access lists may be stored
locally in the multimode mobile device. Access lists may be
generated specific to a voice application, high-speed data (HSD)
application, low-speed data application (LSD), level of desired
security, communication cost, or other application requirements.
Further, the access list may combine requirements from multiple
applications to more specifically defined requirements and
preferred networks for a specific application. The set of
application specific access lists 211 all are then available for
use when an application is requested. In this way, a more preferred
network may be efficiently acquired according to application
needs.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, a method of acquiring a network is
illustrated. Method 225 has a multimode mobile device that makes a
request to start an application as shown in block 227. For example,
the mobile device may request to make a high-quality voice call, or
may request that a high-speed video data stream be received. It
will be appreciated that many other applications may be requested.
Responsive to making the application request, an
application-specific access list is retrieved as shown in block
229. A set of application-specific access lists 232 is available to
the multimode mobile device. These application-specific access
lists may have been previously generated during startup of the
multimode mobile device, and may have been periodically updated
according to new applications, updated technology specific access
lists, or detected geographic location. Also, the
application-specific access list may have been received through a
direct or wired connection. The multimode mobile device selects an
application-specific access list appropriate to the requested
application, and attempts to acquire a network according to the
selected access list as shown in block 235. The
application-specific access list may include a most recent list to
assist in more efficiently acquiring a network. In some cases, the
access list may be updated according to a detected geographic
location for the multimode mobile device. Method 225 sequentially
attempts to connect to networks listed in the access list according
to their prioritization or ranking, and acquires the highest
priority available network as shown in block 237.
[0033] After the network has been acquired, and the application is
using the acquired network for communication, it is possible that
the network may be lost as shown in block 239. On losing the
network, the method 225 may again use the selected
application-specific access list to find and acquire another
network. Also, the user may decide to change applications as shown
in block 242. Responsive to changing the application, an
application-specific access list is retrieved for the new
application. Method 200 may then determine if the current network
should be dropped, and the new access list used to acquire a new
network, or if the currently active network provides sufficient
operational capabilities. For example, method 200 may determine
that even though the current network is not optimal for the new
application, it provides sufficient capability. In this way, the
time delay for attempting to acquire a new network may be avoided.
However, in other cases method 200 may determine that the current
network should be dropped, and a more suitable network acquired, if
available.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 5, a set of application specific
access lists is illustrated. The set of application-specific access
lists is shown as table 300. Table 300 is only partially completed
to assist in simplifying explanation. It will be understood that
the table will be more completely filled during actual use. Table
300 is generated according to operational requirements for various
available applications, and ranks available wireless technologies
and the available networks according to their applicability to a
specific application. The available applications on the multimode
mobile device are listed along one axis 310, while the other axis
lists available networks 325. Available networks 325 are shown
arranged according to wireless technology, although other
arrangements are contemplated. In this way, each column represents
an application-specific access list that ranks available networks.
For each application specific access list, particular available
networks have been selected and ranked according to their
suitability to the defined application. As illustrated, each
wireless technology may have multiple available networks, each of
which may be separately selected and prioritized. In this way, the
application specific access list may prefer a first network in a
first wireless technology, a network in a second wireless
technology, and then a second network in the first wireless
technology. Such selection flexibility facilitates selecting a
preferred available network.
[0035] For example, voice over IP access list 320 shows that
1.times.EvDO is the preferred technology, WiMax is the second
preferred technology, and WiFi is the last preferred technology.
The other available technologies are excluded from consideration.
In a similar manner, a high-quality voice channel access list 322
indicates three ranked technologies, and an exclusion of the other
technologies. It will be appreciated that the application-specific
access list may be stored in other data arrangements. It will also
be understood that table 300 may define classes of applications, as
well as use specific applications as shown. Further, some
applications may require specific performance characteristics, such
as increased quality of service (QoS), which will affect the
prioritization of the technologies.
[0036] While the invention has been described in connection with a
number of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary,
it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the scope of the
invention.
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