U.S. patent application number 13/339280 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for network selection for multiple network platforms.
Invention is credited to Vijay Sarathi Kesavan, Christian Maciocco.
Application Number | 20120099563 13/339280 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41316639 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120099563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kesavan; Vijay Sarathi ; et
al. |
April 26, 2012 |
NETWORK SELECTION FOR MULTIPLE NETWORK PLATFORMS
Abstract
Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses to
generate and send a command message to a mobile device connected to
a first wireless network to command the mobile device to connect to
one of one or more candidate wireless networks. The message
includes embedded service flow context information of the candidate
networks including one or more attributes of the candidate wireless
networks that are of potential interest to the mobile device in
determining a performance or security impact if the mobile device
switches to the one or more wireless networks. The mobile device
can conditionally refuse the command if the candidate wireless
networks are unable to meet one or more service level requirements
of the apparatus. Other embodiments are disclosed and
described.
Inventors: |
Kesavan; Vijay Sarathi;
(Hillsboro, OR) ; Maciocco; Christian; (Portland,
OR) |
Family ID: |
41316639 |
Appl. No.: |
13/339280 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12123354 |
May 19, 2008 |
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13339280 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/332 ;
370/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 48/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/332 ;
370/331 |
International
Class: |
H04W 36/24 20090101
H04W036/24; H04W 36/00 20090101 H04W036/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: obtaining, by a network manager system,
service flow context information associated with a plurality of
candidate wireless networks from an information service system
communicatively coupled to the plurality of candidate wireless
networks, generating, by the network manager system, a message for
the mobile device including the obtained service flow context
information associated with the plurality of candidate networks;
sending, by the network manager system, the message to the mobile
device via a wireless network to instruct the mobile device to
switch to one of the plurality of candidate wireless networks; and
upon a successful switch to one of the plurality of candidate
wireless networks by the mobile device, repeating, by the network
manager system, said obtaining, generating, and sending to instruct
the mobile device to switch to another one of the plurality of
candidate wireless networks.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining, by the
network manager system based on network management parameters,
whether the mobile device should be redirected to one of the
plurality of candidate wireless networks.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, from the
mobile device, a refusal message in response to the sent message
indicating refusal of the mobile device to connect to any of the
plurality of candidate wireless networks due to the mobile device
concluding, based on the service flow context information embedded
in the sent message, that none of the plurality of candidate
wireless networks is able to meet the one or more service level
requirements of the mobile device.
4. (canceled)
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the service flow context
information includes one or more of an available Quality of Service
(QoS), an available throughput, an available bandwidth, delay
information of the plurality of candidate wireless networks, or
jitter information of the plurality of candidate wireless
networks.
6. An apparatus comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit
and receive data over at least a first wireless network; and a
processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to cause the
apparatus to: determine whether a mobile device communicatively
coupled to the first wireless network is to be instructed to switch
to one of a plurality of candidate wireless networks; obtain
attributes of the plurality of candidate wireless networks from a
information service system communicatively coupled to the plurality
of candidate wireless networks; integrally instruct the mobile
device to switch to one of the plurality of candidate wireless
networks, and to provide the mobile device with the obtained
attributes of the plurality of candidate wireless networks to
enable the mobile device to determine whether to switch to one of
the plurality of candidate wireless networks; and upon a successful
switch to one of the plurality of candidate wireless networks by
the mobile device, repeat said determine and said integrally
instruct to instruct the mobile device to switch to another one of
the plurality of candidate wireless networks.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the processor is further
configured to cause the apparatus to periodically obtain the
attributes of the plurality of candidate wireless networks from the
information service system.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the processor is further
configured to cause the apparatus to obtain the attributes of the
plurality of candidate wireless networks in real time, after
determining to instruct the mobile device to switch.
9. (canceled)
10. An apparatus comprising: one or more radios configured to
transmit and receive modulated wireless signals to and from a
plurality of wireless networks; and a processor coupled to the one
or more radios and configured to cause the apparatus to: receive,
from a network manager system via the one or more radios through a
wireless network of the plurality of wireless networks, a message
instructing the apparatus to connect to one of a first plurality of
candidate wireless networks among the plurality of wireless
networks, the message including service flow context information of
at least one of the first plurality of candidate wireless networks
obtained by the network manager system from an information service
system communicatively coupled to the plurality of wireless
networks; select, based on the received service flow context
information, one of the first plurality of candidate wireless
networks able to meet one or more service level requirements of the
apparatus; switch to the selected one of the first plurality of
candidate wireless networks; and receive, from the network manager
system through the selected one of the first plurality of candidate
wireless networks, another message instructing the apparatus to
connect to one of a second plurality of candidate wireless
networks.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the processor is further
configured to cause the apparatus to connect to the selected one of
the first plurality of candidate wireless networks via the one or
more radios.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless network and the
selected one of the first plurality of candidate wireless networks
comprise a 802.11 wireless network and a 802.16 wireless
network.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the processor is disposed on
a chipset.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus comprises one
of a portable computing device, a personal digital assistant, a
mobile phone, a game player, a media player, ultra mobile portable
computer (UMPC), Mobile Internet Device (MID), or a desktop
computer.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the message includes service
flow context information of only one candidate wireless
network.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more candidate
wireless networks includes more than one types of wireless
networks.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the service flow context
information includes attributes of the plurality of candidate
wireless networks that are of potential interest to the mobile
device in determining, by the mobile device, whether any one of the
plurality of candidate wireless networks is able to meet one or
more service level requirements of the mobile device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of
mobile communications. In particular to improved network selection
for multiple network platforms including providing service flow
context information in network connection command messages and
providing the ability to refuse the command if the service flow
context information does not meet the service needs of a mobile
device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Handoffs between heterogeneous networks are possible using
any of a number of proprietary or non-proprietary standards and/or
protocols. In some instances, the network provider may command a
mobile device to switch from one network to another. Once the
mobile device switches to the new network, the mobile device can
query the new network to obtain information regarding the new
network. If the network can not meet certain service level
requirements of the mobile device, the mobile device must switch to
a new network--possibly the previously-connected network--that
meets its service level requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of
limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a network overview of a network for an
improved wireless network selection in multiple network platforms
in accordance with various embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a mobile device
determining, based on received service flow context information,
whether to switch to a different wireless network in response to a
received command in accordance with various embodiments;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a network manager
providing embedded service flow context information in a command
message in accordance with various embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile device suitable for practicing
various embodiments; and
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a computing system suitable for
practicing various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which
are shown by way of illustration embodiments in which the
disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may
be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in
a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0010] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete
operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in
understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should
not be construed to imply that these operations are
order-dependent. Also, embodiments may have fewer operations than
described. A description of multiple discrete operations should not
be construed to imply that all operations are necessary. Also,
embodiments may have fewer operations than described. A description
of multiple discrete operations should not be construed to imply
that all operations are necessary.
[0011] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such
as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are
merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to
restrict the application of embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0012] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their
derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms
are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each
other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct
physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean
that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each
other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. As used
throughout this specification, a device that is wirelessly
connected may be a device that is connected via a wireless medium
to one or more wireless access points using one of various mobile
network or wireless network protocols. Such terminology does not
imply that the wireless device is directly or physically in contact
with the wireless network.
[0013] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form
"NB" means A or B. For the purposes of the description, a phrase in
the form "A and/or B" means "(A), (B), or (A and B)". For the
purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one of
A, B, and C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C),
or (A, B and C)". For the purposes of the description, a phrase in
the form "(A)B" means "(B) or (AB)" that is, A is an optional
element.
[0014] The description may use the phrases "in an embodiment," or
"in embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same
or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to
embodiments, are synonymous.
[0015] In various embodiments, methods, apparatuses, and systems
for an improved network selection in multiple network platforms are
provided. In exemplary embodiments, a computing system may be
endowed with one or more components of the disclosed apparatuses
and/or systems and may be employed to perform one or more methods
as disclosed herein.
[0016] The upcoming Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 802.21 standard describes Media Independent
Handover (MIH) Services that enable mobile devices to switch
between heterogeneous wireless networks. (See e.g. IEEE P802.21
Tutorial, presented Jul. 21, 2006 for further information).
Examples of heterogeneous wireless networks include IEEE 802.11,
802.16, and various cellular networks among many others. (See e.g.
IEEE Std. 802.11, published Jun. 12, 2007; IEEE Std. 802.16
published Oct. 1, 2004 for further information.) Among other
things, 802.21 provides for an information service and a command
service. The information service allows the mobile device to
discover neighboring networks and their static characteristics
through the connected network. The command service allows the
network and mobile device to negotiate handover; for example a
network manager device can command mobile devices to switch
networks. In some instances, however, the mobile device may have
one or more specific service level requirements (or needs) that
must be met. These service level requirements may be
application-specific, related to network security requirements of
either the mobile device or an application executing on the mobile
device, or may be some other service level requirements. When the
network manager commands the mobile device to switch to a network,
the mobile device can--according to the upcoming IEEE 802.21
standard--query the information service to obtain information
regarding the new network before switching to the new network. The
mobile device can evaluate the information obtained from the
information service and determine if the new network meets some or
all of its service level requirements and inform the network
manager if the new network is unsuitable.
[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include generating
command service messages (or similar in a non-802.21 network) that
command a mobile node to switch to one of a list of candidate
networks, the message including embedded network information for
one or more of the candidate networks from the information service
(or similar). The mobile devices may determine based on the
embedded information whether to make the connection to any of the
candidate networks, and to which candidate network it should
connect to, without having to send separate inquiry messages to the
information service to obtain the information about each candidate
network. In embodiments, this may save bandwidth, increase spectrum
efficiency, reduce power consumption, and/or improve service
continuity over the process required by the IEEE 802.21 standard
and other known methods of heterogeneous network hand-off.
[0018] As used throughout the specification, claims, and abstract,
"service flow context information" may be one or more attributes of
a wireless network that may impact application performance or
application, data, or mobile device security. Examples include
security information, quality of service (QOS), total bandwidth,
available bandwidth, available data throughput, network delay
information, and network jitter, among others. Also, the service
flow context information may include basic information such as
network type, channel number, and other connection-specific
information.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a network overview of a wireless network
100 for an improved network selection in a multiple network
platform in accordance with various embodiments. Mobile device 102
may include one or more radios 104 configured to communicate with
any of service provider wireless networks 110-114. In embodiments,
wireless networks 110-114 may be heterogeneous networks; in
embodiments they may be the same type of network; in embodiments
two may be the same type while the other is heterogeneous. In
embodiments, there may be more or fewer than three wireless
networks within network 100. The depiction of three networks in
FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only and should not be
construed to limit the scope of embodiments.
[0020] Wireless networks 110-114 may also be communicatively
coupled to network manager 120 and information service 130. In an
exemplary embodiment, mobile device 102 may form wireless
connection 106 via one of radios 104 to network 110. Network
manager 120 may, in embodiments, be configured to determine that
mobile device 102 should switch to connect to a different network
and to generate and send a command message to mobile device 102, to
form a new connection to one of network 112 or 114. The command
message may contain embedded service flow context information
regarding the one of network 112 or 114.
[0021] In embodiments, network manager 120 may be configured to
determine whether mobile device 102 is to be instructed to switch
to connect to a second wireless network, to integrally instruct the
mobile device to switch to connect to the second wireless network,
and to provide the mobile device with attributes of the second
wireless network to enable the mobile device to determine whether
to refuse or accept the command on receipt of the command.
Determination whether mobile device 102 is to be instructed to
switch to connect to a second wireless network may be performed in
any known application-dependent manner, including but not limited,
to metrics collected and/or received on the performance of the
first network,
[0022] In embodiments, network manager 120 may be configured to
obtain service flow context information from information service
130. The mobile device may, in embodiments, be configured to
determine whether the service flow context information indicates
that the new network is able to meet one or more service level
requirements of mobile device 102. If not, mobile device 102 may
send a refusal message back to network manager 120. In embodiments,
mobile device 102 and network manager 120 may then negotiate a
connection to an alternative network to meet one or more service
level requirements of mobile device 102. In embodiments, network
manager 120 may be comprised within a base station.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a mobile device--such as
for example mobile device 102 of FIG. 1--determining, based on
received service flow context information, whether to change
networks in accordance with various embodiments. The mobile device
may initially connect to a first network--such as for example
network 110 of FIG. 1--block 202. The mobile device may, on its own
initiative, obtain service flow context information about a second
network, block 204 and determine, based on the service flow context
information, whether to connect to the second network decision,
block 206. If the service flow context information indicates that
the second network will meet one or more service level requirements
of the mobile device, then it may connect to the second network,
block 208. If not, it may remain on the first network.
[0024] The mobile device may receive a command message from a
network manager, such as for example network manager 120 of FIG. 1,
commanding the mobile device to switch to connect to a third
network, block 210. The command message may, in embodiments,
include service flow context information regarding the third
network. The mobile device may determine, based on the embedded
service flow context information, whether the third network meets
one or more service level requirements of the mobile device
decision, block 212. If it does, the mobile device may connect to
the third network, block 214. If it does not, the mobile device may
negotiate with the network manager to determine a more suitable
network, such as for example one that meets the mobile device's
service level requirements, block 216. In embodiments, the command
message may include an ordered list of one or more candidate
networks, and the mobile device may select from amongst those
candidate networks based on the service flow context information
provided in the command message. A mobile node may also determine
that none of the candidate networks meet its requirements and
negotiate to determine a more suitable network. In embodiments, the
command message may include service flow context information for
only some of the candidate networks.
[0025] Embodiments may provide improvements over prior-known
methods for performing hand-offs between disparate wireless
networks. By embedding service flow context information into the
command message, the mobile device may be able to determine whether
any of the candidate networks meet its service level requirements
without first having to either connect to any of the new networks
and/or send a query message to an information service to ascertain
the service flow context information of the candidate networks. By
reducing the number of messages required to be transmitted and
received by the mobile device, and/or eliminating the need to
connect to any of the candidate networks before receiving service
flow context information, embodiments may eliminate additional
messages and may thereby utilize less bandwidth than
previously-known methods, use the frequency spectrum more
efficiently than known methods, reduce power usage by the mobile
device (possibly resulting in longer battery life), and/or provide
for improved service continuity and/or security.
[0026] In regards to improved service continuity, real-time
interactive applications such as Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP), instant messaging, and other applications may require
network resources that meet certain service level requirements.
Thus, in embodiments, the service level requirements may be
application-specific.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a network manager
embedding service flow context information in a command message in
accordance with various embodiments. A network manager device, such
as for example network manager 120 of FIG. 1, may determine that a
mobile node, such as for example mobile node 102 of FIG. 1, should
be redirected from a first network to a second network, block 302.
This determination may be made, in embodiments, based on various
requirements as established by the network provider such as
time-of-day, network utilization, or other requirements. In
alternative embodiments, the network manager may determine an
ordered list of candidate networks from which the mobile node may
select. The network manager may obtain service flow context
information regarding the second network from an information
service, block 304. In alternative embodiments, the network manager
may obtain the service flow context information prior to
determining that the mobile node should switch to the second
network. In embodiments, the network manager may obtain service
flow context information from the information service at periodic
intervals. In embodiments, the network manager may retrieve the
service flow context information from the information service in
real time upon determining that the mobile device should be
instructed to switch to connect to the second network. In
alternative embodiments, the network manager may obtain service
flow context information for an ordered list of one or more
candidate networks.
[0028] The network manager may then generate a command message to
the mobile node commanding the mobile node to switch to the second
network, block 306. The command message may contain embedded
service flow context information regarding the second network. The
embedded service flow context information may include one or more
attributes of the second wireless network that are of potential
interest to the mobile device in determining a performance or
security impact if the mobile device switches to the second
wireless network. The network manager may then send the generated
command message, block 308. In alternative embodiments, the network
manager may embed service flow context information for one or more
candidate networks into the command message. The network manager
may then determine whether the mobile device has sent a refusal
message to the network manager, block 310. In embodiments, this
refusal message may be sent by the mobile device after a
determination that the embedded service flow context information
indicates that the second network will not meet one or more service
level requirements of the mobile device. In alternative
embodiments, the refusal message may be sent after a determination
that none of one or more candidate networks meets one or more
service level requirements of the mobile device. If the network
manager receives a refusal, it may then negotiate with the mobile
device to obtain a more suitable network, block 312.
[0029] Again, by embedding the service flow context information
into the command message, embodiments may eliminate unnecessary
wireless messages such as messages from the mobile device to the
information service to query for the service flow context
information of the second network or any of one or more candidate
networks. In embodiments, this may improve spectrum efficiency,
energy usage, etc, as described elsewhere within this
specification.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile device 400 in accordance with
various embodiments. Mobile device 400 may include one or more
radios 402. In embodiments, some or all of radios 402 may be
configured to facilitate wireless connections to one or more
wireless network types. In embodiments, radios 402 may be
configured to transmit and receive modulated wireless signals. In
embodiments, mobile device 400 may include only one radio, capable
of communicating with multiple network types, such as for example
wireless networks utilizing any of the IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, or
any of various cellular network types, among others. One or more
radios 402 may be configured to allow mobile device 400 to connect
to a plurality of network types and topologies. In embodiments,
mobile device 400 may be a computing device (including a desktop
computer or server), a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone,
a game player, a laptop computer, a media player, ultra mobile
portable computer (UMPC), Mobile Internet Device (MID), or other
device.
[0031] Mobile device 400 may include one or more processors 410
configured to receive, from a network manager system via one of
radios 402, through a first wireless network of a plurality of
wireless networks, a command message commanding mobile device 400
to connect to a second wireless network or one of one or more
candidate wireless networks. As described elsewhere in this
specification, the command message may include service flow context
information of the second wireless network or of the one or more
candidate wireless networks. The processor may also be configured
to determine, based on the received service flow context
information, whether the second wireless network--or any of the one
or more candidate wireless networks--is able to meet one or more
service level requirements of the mobile device. Also, it may be
configured to conditionally send a refusal message to the network
manager system via one of radios 402 refusing to connect to the
second wireless network if the second wireless network--or all of
the candidate networks--is determined to be unable to meet the one
or more service level requirements. In embodiments, processor 410
may be included within chipset 420.
[0032] In embodiments, processor 410 may be configured to connect,
via one of radios 402, to the second network if it is determined
that the second wireless network--or any of the candidate
networks--is capable of meeting the one or more service level
requirements. In embodiments, the mobile device may be configured
to connect to a selected one of one more candidate networks upon
determining that the selected one meets the one or more service
level requirements. In embodiments, the mobile device may be
configured to choose from amongst a subset of the one or more
candidate wireless networks that are determined to meet the one or
more service level requirements to select the one determined to
provide the best service. In embodiments, the mobile device may be
configured to select a selected one of the candidate networks that
may be best able to meet the service level requirements, even if
none of the candidate wireless networks is determined to meet all
service level requirements.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a computing system suitable for
practicing various embodiments. As shown, computing system 500
includes one or more processors 502, manageability engine 503, and
system memory 504. Additionally, computing system 500 includes mass
storage devices 506 (such as a diskette drive, hard drive, CDROM
and so forth), input/output devices 508 (such as keyboard, cursor
control and so forth) and transceiver 510 (such as network
interface cards, modems and so forth). The elements are coupled to
each other via system bus 512, which represents one or more buses.
In the case of multiple buses, they may be bridged by one or more
bus bridges (not shown).
[0034] Each of these elements may perform its conventional
functions known in the art. Also, one or more software modules (not
shown) may be executed by processor(s) 502 to practice or
contribute to the practice of the methods described herein to
implement the network manager, information service, or mobile
device as described throughout the specification. Such software
modules may be placed into mass storage 506 of computing system
500. The placement may be made in the factory, or in the field,
through, for example, a distribution medium (not shown), such as a
compact disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or through
transceiver 510 (from a distribution server (not shown)). In
embodiments, the distribution medium may be an article of
manufacture having programming instructions configured to implement
one or more aspects of one or more methods as disclosed herein.
More specifically, the article of manufacture may comprise a
computer readable storage medium having a plurality of programming
instructions stored in the storage medium. The programming
instructions may then be read or loaded into a computer system to
practice or contribute to the practice of the methods described
herein to implement the software module(s).
[0035] In various embodiments, computer system 500 may be a server,
a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a
smart phone. In other embodiments, computer system 500 may be
embedded in a media player, a game console, a set-top box, diskless
workstation, a digital recorder, or other device. Computer system
500 may be the network manager and/or information service according
to embodiments previously described. Computer system may be a
mobile device according to various embodiments previously
described.
[0036] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein for purposes of description of the preferred
embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent
embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same
purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Those
with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments in
accordance with the present disclosure may be implemented in a very
wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments in accordance
with the present disclosure be limited only by the claims and the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *