U.S. patent application number 13/032358 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-16 for system and method for routing a wireless connection in a hybrid network.
This patent application is currently assigned to OPENWAVE SYSTEMS INC.. Invention is credited to Mark Drennan.
Application Number | 20110142024 13/032358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43597154 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110142024 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Drennan; Mark |
June 16, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROUTING A WIRELESS CONNECTION IN A HYBRID
NETWORK
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and
methods for establishing and/or routing wireless data and/or voice
connections across a hybrid network based upon a user's selection
or preference. In some embodiments, a method for routing a wireless
connection across a hybrid network comprises allowing a user to
select a routing preference, routing the wireless connection via a
short-haul communications network if the routing preference
indicates a short-haul communications network choice, and routing
the wireless connection via a cellular network if the routing
preference indicates a cellular network choice. In other
embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for
learning the user's data, cellular, and/or VoIP access habits in
order to optimize the user's experience. In yet other embodiments,
the present invention allows carriers to comply with CALEA and E911
rules by identifying the location of hybrid devices within the
hybrid network.
Inventors: |
Drennan; Mark; (Fort
Collins, CO) |
Assignee: |
OPENWAVE SYSTEMS INC.
Redwood City
CA
|
Family ID: |
43597154 |
Appl. No.: |
13/032358 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11389350 |
Mar 24, 2006 |
7894807 |
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13032358 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/338 ;
370/328; 455/404.2; 455/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 48/18 20130101;
H04W 88/06 20130101; H04W 40/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/338 ;
455/445; 455/404.2; 370/328 |
International
Class: |
H04W 40/02 20090101
H04W040/02; H04W 4/02 20090101 H04W004/02; H04W 4/22 20090101
H04W004/22; H04W 4/00 20090101 H04W004/00; H04W 84/02 20090101
H04W084/02 |
Claims
1. A method for routing a call across a hybrid network having a
cellular network and a short-haul communications network, the
method comprising: storing a user's routing preference in a routing
preferences server; communicating the routing preference to a
control network; and using the control network to route the call
across the hybrid network; wherein: the call is routed via the
short-haul communications network if the routing preference
indicates a short-haul communications network choice; and the call
is routed via the cellular network if the routing preference
indicates a cellular network choice.
2. The method of claim 1 where the call may be one of: a data call,
and a voice call.
3. The method of claim 1 where the routing preference comprises a
data access area.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising allowing a law
enforcement agency to access current routing information.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing location
information associated with a 9-1-1 call to an emergency service
using current routing information.
6. The method of claim 1 where the routing preference comprises a
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider preference.
7. The method of claim 1 where the routing preference comprises a
smart option.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising routing a data call
based on a data access habit of the user.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising routing a voice call
based on a cellular network access habit of the user.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising routing a VoIP call
based on a VoIP access habit of the user.
11. A system comprising: a routing preferences server for storing a
routing preference selected by a user; and a control network
coupled to the routing preferences server, where the control
network is operable to connect a cellular network to a short-haul
communications network.
12. The system of claim 11 where the routing preferences server is
operable to communicate the user preference to the control
network.
13. The system of claim 11 where control network is operable to
route the call via the short-haul communications network if the
routing preference indicates a short-haul communications network
choice.
14. The system of claim 11 where control network is operable to
route the call via the cellular network if the routing preference
indicates a cellular network choice.
15. The system of claim 11 where the control network comprises an
applications processor.
16. The system of claim 11 where the control network comprises a
gateway.
17. The system of claim 11 where the control network comprises a
location entity.
18. The system of claim 11 where the cellular network is selected
from the group consisting of: a Global System for Mobile (GSM)
network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, and a Personal
Communications Services (PCS) network.
19. The system of claim 11 where the short-haul communications
network comprises an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network.
20. The system of claim 11 where the short-haul communications
network is selected from the group consisting of: IEEE 802.11
(WiFi), and IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX).
21. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for allowing a
law enforcement agency to access current routing information.
22. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for providing
current routing information to a law enforcement agency.
23. The system of claim 11 further comprising means for providing
location information associated with a 911 call to an emergency
service using current routing information.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/666,676, filed Mar. 30, 2005, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates in general to wireless networks and,
more particularly, to a system and method for routing a connection
in a hybrid wireless network based on a user selection or
preference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Wireless service rates are driven by competition among
carriers. As new wireless environments are developed, rate
structures must become even more competitive. An exemplary hybrid
environment consists of a cellular network, such as a GSM or PCS
network, coupled to a computer network, such as a wireless computer
network using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). In order to
take full advantage of this hybrid environment, users may operate
hybrid phones or other devices capable of operating in different
networks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a system and method for
establishing and/or routing wireless connections via a hybrid
network. In one exemplary embodiment, a user selects at least one
routing preference. After his or her preferences have been
selected, the user's wireless connections are routed according to
those preferences. For example, a method may comprise routing the
wireless connection via a short-haul communications network if the
routing preference indicates a short-haul communications network
choice, and routing the wireless connection via a cellular network
if the routing preference indicates a cellular network choice. In
another exemplary embodiment, the present invention may provide a
system and method for learning the user's data, cellular, and/or
VoIP access habits over a period of time for optimizing the user's
preferences.
[0005] In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention may
provide a system and method that complies with the Communications
Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), for example, by
allowing telecommunications carriers to assist law enforcement in
executing electronic surveillance pursuant to court order or other
lawful authorization. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the
present invention may provide a system and method that complies
with Enhanced 9-1-1 (E911) rules, for example, by allowing
telecommunications carriers to report the telephone number of a
wireless 9-1-1 caller and the location of the antenna or base
station that received the call upon valid request by a local Public
Safety Answering Point (PSAP). These and other embodiments may be
made possible, for example, by the identification of a hybrid
device's location within a hybrid wireless network.
[0006] Certain aspects of the present invention may comprise a
hybrid network in the form of, for example, a cellular network
(such as a GSM, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, etc.), coupled to a wireless
computer network using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), or
the like. VoIP allows voice signals to be delivered as packets of
data using the Internet Protocol (IP). One advantage of using VoIP
and Internet telephony is that it avoids expensive tolls charged by
ordinary telephone service. However, as a person of ordinary skill
in the art will readily recognize in light of this disclosure,
other protocols may be used.
[0007] Other aspects of the present invention may include, for
example, hybrid wireless telephones, wireless modems, pagers, PDAs,
laptops, computers, and the like. A hybrid phone or device may be
capable of operating in at least one network of the hybrid wireless
network comprising cellular networks and wireless IP networks.
[0008] In one embodiment, the invention may use a server-client
architecture as well as device level programming through the use of
TCP/IP and cellular signal processing for routing data, each of
which is well known in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a hybrid system embodying the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a method for selecting routing
preferences, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a call flow diagram, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram of hybrid system 100
embodying the present invention is depicted. Hybrid device 105 may
communicate through first wireless link 106 with an antenna at
cellular base station 110. Such communication is well known in the
art and is employed, for example, in many wireless networks
throughout the world. Cellular base station 110 and other similar
base stations are connected to cellular network 130 through a
mobile switching center (not shown). Cellular network 130 may
include various network components well-known in the art and used
to communicate with other networks, such as, for example, a Public
Switched Telephone Network (not shown). Additionally or
alternatively, hybrid device 105 may also connect to wireless base
station 120 through a second wireless link 107, thereby
communicating with computer network 140.
[0013] Cellular network 130 may be, for example, a wireless
telephony network complying with the Global System for Mobile
communications (GSM), Digital-Advanced Mobile Phone Service
(DAMPS), Interim Standard (IS) 136, IS 95 standards, or any other
Personal Communications Services (PCS) wireless network. The term
"network" as used herein refers generally to typical infrastructure
and components of a telecommunications network, such as base
stations, mobile switching centers, switching and control networks,
and any other related nodes or elements, including Visitor Location
Registers (VLR), Signaling Control Points, message centers, and the
like. Computer network 140 may be, for example, an internet service
provider (ISP) network connected to the Internet, while wireless
base station 120 may be, for example, a base station complying with
the WiFi (IEEE 802.11) or WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) standards. Together,
computer network 140 and wireless base station 120 form a
short-haul communications network.
[0014] Hybrid network 160 comprises cellular network 130 coupled to
computer network 140 through control network 150. In one
embodiment, control network 150 may comprise an applications
processor, a gateway, and a location entity, such as a Home
Location Register (HLR). U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,672, issued Nov. 2,
1999, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,935, issued Jan. 30, 2001, both
entitled MOBILITY EXTENDED TELEPHONE APPLICATION PROGRAMMING
INTERFACE AND METHOD OF USE and hereby incorporated by reference,
disclose systems and methods for interconnecting different networks
into a hybrid network. As disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,672,
the applications processor and gateway of control network 150 may
function as an interface by converting and reformatting messages
between cellular network 130 and computer network 140.
[0015] Control network 150 may include a location entity that
allows carriers to comply with CALEA and E911 rules by identifying
the current routing information and location of hybrid device 105.
In one embodiment, control network 150 may allow a law enforcement
agency to access current routing information. In another
embodiment, control network 150 may provide current routing
information to the law enforcement agency. In yet another
embodiment, control network 150 may provide location information
associated with a 9-1-1 call to an emergency service using current
routing information.
[0016] Control network 150 is coupled to routing preferences server
170 (hereinafter referred to as User-Notification Directed Routing
or UNDR server). UNDR server 170 may employ, for example, a
server-client architecture and/or device level programming through
the use of TCP/IP and cellular signal processing methods to
communicate with control network 150 and to route a wireless
connection based on a user's routing preference. UNDR server 170
may store a user's preference setting in a database. In one
embodiment, the user accesses UNDR server 170 through wireless base
station 120 and computer network 140. Alternatively, the user may
access UNDR server 170 through cellular base station 110 and
cellular network 130. In another embodiment, the user accesses,
enters, modifies, and/or saves user preferences into UNDR server
170 using a web-enabled device such as, for example, laptop
computer 108. Laptop computer 108 may access UNDR 170 through a
third wireless link 109 or through any other communications link.
Alternatively, the user may access and/or enter its preferences
stored at UNDR server 170 using hybrid device 105. UNDR server 170
may also configure IP routing and addressing based on default
preferences so that the user has a default starting point when a
preferred location is not available or is unreliable. It will be
readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that
deviations from this exemplary embodiment fall within the scope of
the present invention.
[0017] Turning now to FIG. 2, a method for selecting routing
preferences 200 stored in UNDR server 170 (of FIG. 1) embodying the
present invention is depicted. In step 205, a user may access a set
of basic data preferences. Exemplary basic data preferences 205 are
shown in block 206, and may include one or more data access areas.
A data access area may be selected by providing a physical address
such as, for example, a street address and/or a zip code. In the
non-limiting embodiment of block 206, a user's first data network
preference indicates that the user would like to access data using
free WiFi services first. The user's second data network preference
indicates that a CDMA network connection should be attempted if the
first preference is not fulfilled. The user's third preference is
that any available WiFi network for a given rate should be used if
the first and second preferences are not fulfilled. The user's
fourth preference is that a GSM network should be accessed if the
first, second, and third preferences cannot be fulfilled. Finally,
the fifth preference is that the system provide a prompt indicating
any available networks and requisition input from the user. Block
206 may also include a smart option, which is described in more
detail below with respect to step 215.
[0018] In step 210, the user may access a set of network
preferences. Exemplary network preferences 210 are shown in block
211, and may include a preferred cellular network provider, a
computer network provider, roaming preferences, and hybrid device
features. In the non-limiting embodiment of block 211, the user has
indicated two preferred GSM data network providers. The user has
also indicated that roaming to both no-charge and paid WiFi
hotspots is allowed. Although, the user has not to selected any
preferred CDMA data network providers, it has indicated two
preferred VoIP providers. Hybrid device features may include
handset type, Multimedia Message Service (MMS) capabilities,
User-Plane Position Determining Entity (PDE) capabilities, and VoIP
capabilities.
[0019] In step 215, the user may access a set of smart options or
learning preferences. Exemplary smart options 215 are shown in
block 216, and may include a learning activation option, a training
period option, and a dynamic profile update option. In one
exemplary embodiment, smart options 215 may allow UNDR server 170
to learn the user's habits (e.g., data, cellular, and/or VoIP
connections with associated locations) so that it can optimize the
user's preferences over a period of time. In another exemplary
embodiment, UNDR 170 may identify access patterns. For instance, if
a user frequently requests data services from a particular
location, UNDR server 170 may dynamically adjust the user's routing
preferences in order to minimize the costs of his or her data
connections, depending upon which networks are available at that
location. Additionally or alternatively, UNDER server 170 may
adjust the user's routing preferences in order to maximize the
reliability of services provided. In yet another exemplary
embodiment, UNDR server 170 provides added services depending upon
the user's location. Additionally, the hybrid network may provide
enhanced 9-1-1 and CALEA services.
[0020] With respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, method 200 described above
allows hybrid network 160 to route a network connection based upon
the preferences stored in the UNDR server 170. Also, method 200
also allows the user to access either computer network 140 or
cellular network 160 based on its routing preferences. Furthermore,
method 200 allows the user to determine how it will access data or
voice in future connections based upon its location and/or in
reference to its routing preferences. It will be readily
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that deviations
from this exemplary embodiment fall within the scope of the present
invention. For example, each of the exemplary basic data
preferences 206, network preferences 211, and learning preferences
216 may each include more or less options, and/or options other
than those specifically described above. Moreover, steps 205, 210,
and 215 may be grouped together in a single step containing all
available options.
[0021] Turning now to FIG. 3, a call flow diagram embodying the
present invention is depicted. Preferably, scenarios 305, 310,
and/or 315 occur after the user has registered its preferences with
the UNDR server 170 according to method 200 as described above. In
a set-up procedure (not shown), hybrid device 105 may log into
computer network 140 to download a basic profile information from
UNDR server 170. In an alternative embodiment, hybrid device 150
accesses UNDR server 170 through the cellular network 160. Once
registered, hybrid device 105 may poll UNDR server 170 to initiate
a first data fix procedure. Once the first data fix procedure and a
new updated location sensitive data is sent to the hybrid device
105, the user may then follow one of scenarios 305, 310, and/or
315.
[0022] A position request scenario 305 may be, for example, similar
to a standard cellular registration flow known in the art. First,
hybrid device 105 sends a registration request through any network
available (130 or 140) based on a user profile that exists on
device 105. Second, the network (130 or 140) passes the
registration request through to the UNDR server 170, which queries
the location entity of control network 150 for the location of
hybrid device 105. Third, UNDR server 170 receives location
information from the location entity of control network 150.
Finally, UNDR server 170 may acknowledge receipt to hybrid device
105 and push any updates for local wireless to device 105 along
with its optimal configuration and preset authentication and
quality of service parameters. In an alternative embodiment,
position request scenario 305 is configurable. Furthermore, UNDR
server 170 may alter the registration dynamically based on user
behavior.
[0023] In data-only session scenario 310, hybrid device 105
originates a data session directed to one of the available networks
(130 or 140). In an alternative embodiment, hybrid device 105
originates a data session with access parameters presets.
Subsequently, the network (130 or 140) accesses the user's computer
or ISP network 140. Finally, hybrid device 105 receives access
acknowledgment from computer or ISP network 140, and a data only
session between hybrid device 105 and ISP network 140 is
established.
[0024] In VoIP data session scenario 315, hybrid device 105
originates a VoIP data session directed to a network (130 or 140).
In an alternative embodiment, hybrid device 105 originates a VoIP
data session with access parameters presets. Then, the network (130
or 140) accesses the user's computer or ISP network 140, and hybrid
device 105 receives access acknowledgment from the computer or ISP
network 140. Finally, hybrid device 105 begins a VoIP session
through a VoIP switch within control network 150.
[0025] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is
not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the
process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,
methods and steps described in the specification. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the
disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines,
manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,
presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,
methods, or steps.
* * * * *