U.S. patent application number 14/020084 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for neighbor list provision in a communication network.
The applicant listed for this patent is Airvana Network Solutions, Inc. Invention is credited to Douglas Norman Knisely.
Application Number | 20140177549 14/020084 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39204837 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140177549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knisely; Douglas Norman |
June 26, 2014 |
Neighbor List Provision in a Communication Network
Abstract
Techniques for neighbor list provision in a communication
network are described. From an access terminal, a query for
potential access points within communication range of the access
terminal is received; and neighbor list information is provided to
the access terminal. The neighbor list information is associated
with available access points capable of providing the access
terminal with access to a network.
Inventors: |
Knisely; Douglas Norman;
(Wheaton, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Airvana Network Solutions, Inc |
Chelmsford |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
39204837 |
Appl. No.: |
14/020084 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11641588 |
Dec 19, 2006 |
8532658 |
|
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14020084 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/02 20130101;
H04W 48/14 20130101; H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101; H04L
67/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/329 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/02 20060101
H04W072/02 |
Claims
1.-25. (canceled)
26. A method comprising: receiving, from an access terminal, a
request to update a neighbor list, the neighbor list including a
plurality of access points in a network within a communication
range of the access terminal; determining an additional access
point in the network, not included in the plurality of access
points in the neighbor list, within the communication range of the
access terminal; modifying the neighbor list to include the
additional access point; transmitting the modified neighbor list to
the additional access point; and transmitting the modified neighbor
list to the access terminal.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the request to update the
neighbor list includes an indication that the plurality of access
points in the neighbor list do not support a service requirement of
the access terminal.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein determining the additional
access point includes determining that the additional access point
supports a service requirement of the access terminal.
29. A method, performed by an access terminal connected to an
access point in a network, comprising: sending a request, to the
access point, for an update to a neighbor list responsive to
determining that none of a plurality of access points in the
neighbor list support a communication feature required by the
access terminal; receiving a modified neighbor list, the modified
neighbor list including an additional access point not included in
the plurality of access points in the neighbor list; determining
that the additional access point in the modified neighbor list
supports the communication feature required by the access terminal;
and establishing a connection with the additional access point.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This description relates to neighbor list provision in a
communication network.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cellular wireless communications systems, for example, are
designed to serve many access terminals distributed in a large
geographic area by dividing the area into cells. At or near the
center of each cell, an access point, also referred to as a base
transceiver station, is located to serve access terminals (e.g.,
cellular telephones, laptops, PDAs) located in the cell. Each cell
is often further divided into sectors by using multiple sectorized
antennas. In each cell, an access point serves one or more sectors
and communicates with multiple access terminals in its cell.
[0003] When connecting to a network, an access terminal selects an
access point from a list of available access points that are known
to be within communication range. The access terminal obtains the
list of available access points from "neighbor list information"
stored in its memory. In general, neighbor list information
includes the set of radio channels (e.g., radio access technology,
band classes, frequencies, and channel bandwidths) and other
necessary information (such as timing offsets, coding information,
details about the particular radio technology in that channel,
search window size, etc.) to assist the access terminal in locating
access points from which it can potentially receive radio
services.
[0004] Neighbor list information is typically provided to the
access terminal via (1) a preconfigured database programmed into
the access terminal in a static way or (2) overhead signaling
messages that are transmitted by some or all of the radio access
points located within the general vicinity of the access terminal.
These mechanisms for providing neighbor list information to an
access terminal are generally implemented on static radio access
networks in which the locations of radio access points are either
permanently fixed or changed infrequently. Access points belonging
to radio access networks that implement either of the above
mechanisms for providing neighbor list information often operate
across a single radio access technology.
SUMMARY
[0005] In general, in one aspect, the invention features methods
and computer programs for providing neighbor list information to an
access terminal. From an access terminal, a query for potential
access points within communication range of the access terminal is
received, and neighbor list information is provided to the access
terminal. The neighbor list information is associated with
available access points capable of providing the access terminal
with access to a network.
[0006] In general, in another aspect, the invention features
methods and computer programs for receiving a list of information
pertaining to available access points. From an access terminal, a
signal indicative of a request for information about access points
located within communication range of the access terminal is sent.
At the access terminal, a list of information is received. The list
of information is associated with available access points capable
of providing the access terminal with access to a network.
[0007] In general, in a further aspect, the invention features a
system for neighbor list provision. The system includes a server
configured to receive from an access terminal, a query for
potential access points within communication range of the access
terminal. The server is also configured to provide to the access
terminal, neighbor list information associated with available
access points capable of providing the access terminal with access
to a network.
[0008] Implementations may include one or more of the following.
Receiving a query may include receiving one or more attributes
describing communication features particular to the access
terminal; and providing neighbor list information may include
selecting the neighbor list information based on the one or more
attributes. For example, the one or more attributes may include one
or more of: a location, an application service requirement, a
hardware specification, a hardware identification number of the
access terminal, and a user identification number of a user of the
access terminal. Providing neighbor list information may include
providing radio channels and radio access protocols that are used
by the available access points. Providing neighbor list information
may also include delivering the neighbor list information to an
access point in communication with the access terminal; and
instructing the access point to transmit the neighbor list
information to the access terminal as an overhead signaling
message. Providing neighbor list information may further include
delivering the neighbor list information to the access point as an
IP message via an access point in communication with the access
terminal. Receiving a query may include receiving the query at a
server over a network connected to the access terminal and to the
server (e.g., using one or more Internet protocols).
[0009] In the system, the network may include an Internet; and the
server may include an HTTP server hosting a web page that includes
the neighbor list information. The access points may include mobile
access points. One or more of the available access points may serve
a sub-pico cell located in a cell served by an access point with
which the access terminal is in communication. Two or more the
available access points may use different radio access
technologies. A variety of communication protocols may be used for
transmitting the query and the neighbor list information between
the access terminal and the server. For example, the communication
protocols may include HTTP protocols, XML-based protocols, TCP/UDP
over IP protocols, SIP messaging, custom-designed protocols, and
non-IP-based protocols.
[0010] Advantages that can be seen in particular implementations
include one or more of the following. An access terminal can
dynamically update its current neighbor list information by sending
a query to a neighbor list server (e.g., using standard Internet
protocols). Updated neighbor list information sent from the
neighbor list server to the access terminal can be tailored to the
needs of the access terminal based on many different attributes
included in the query. The neighbor list server can apply a local
policy to determine which potential access points to include in the
neighbor list information. The local policy, for example, may
select only those potential access points that can provide services
that are required by the access terminal. The local policy may also
limit the number of access points that are returned to the access
terminal based on practical engineering constraints associated with
one or both of the access terminal and potential access points.
Examples of such engineering constraints include device limitations
(e.g., power), signal quality (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio
experienced by the access terminal), and data communication
overhead limitations (e.g., size of the response message).
[0011] Neighbor list information may be frequently updated to
provide an access terminal with an accurate list of potential
access points of a dynamically changing radio access network. Such
radio access networks may include large numbers of cells of varying
size that can be added, removed, and modified dynamically. Using
the neighbor list information, access terminals that support
several different radio access technologies (referred to as
"multi-mode" access terminals) can connect to access points that
use different radio access technologies.
[0012] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing neighbor
list information to an access terminal.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram of cells serviced by access points.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process performed by an access
terminal.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a server process.
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams of processes for
delivering neighbor list information from a server to an access
terminal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As discussed above, known methods for providing neighbor
list information to an access terminal include pre-programming the
information into the access terminal (e.g., during production) and
transmitting the information as overhead signaling messages from
some or all of the access points. In the latter method, the
neighbor list information may be programmed into an access point
during the initial setup of the access point. Although these
mechanisms are generally adequate for radio access networks that
are relatively static in their layout, as the access points of a
radio access network are dynamically changed (e.g., added, removed,
or modified) and/or configured to support multiple different radio
access technologies, the neighbor list information supplied to an
access terminal using the conventional mechanisms described above
can quickly become outdated.
[0019] Here, we describe a system that can frequently update
neighbor list information supplied to an access terminal to
accommodate dynamic changes in the network and diverse radio access
technologies. The system also can tailor list information provided
to an access terminal according to various radio access technology
requirements of that access terminal.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless network 110 includes an
application server 108, a neighbor list server 116, an external
network 114 (e.g., the Internet), a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN)
112, and a radio access network (RAN) 100 that uses communication
protocols to transmit data packets between access terminals (e.g,
access terminal 118a) and the external network 114. The RAN 100 is
configured to support various mobile wireless access technologies,
an example of which is High Data Rate (HDR).
[0021] High Data Rate (HDR) is an emerging mobile wireless access
technology that enables personal broadband Internet services to be
accessed anywhere, anytime (see P. Bender, et al., "CDMA/HDR: A
Bandwidth-Efficient High-Speed Wireless Data Service for Nomadic
Users", IEEE Communications Magazine, July 2000, and 3GPP2, "Draft
Baseline Text for 1xEV-DO," Aug. 21, 2000). Developed by Qualcomm,
HDR is an air interface optimized for Internet Protocol (IP) packet
data services that can deliver a shared forward link transmission
rate of up to 2.46 Mbit/s per sector using only (1.times.) 1.25 MHz
of spectrum. Compatible with CDMA2000 radio access
(TIA/EIA/IS-2001, "Interoperability Specification (IOS) for
CDMA2000 Network Access Interfaces," May 2000) and wireless IP
network interfaces (TIA/EIA/TSB-115, "Wireless IP Architecture
Based on IETF Protocols," Jun. 6, 2000, and TIA/EIA/IS-835,
"Wireless IP Network Standard," 3rd Generation Partnership Project
2 (3GPP2), Version 1.0, Jul. 14, 2000), HDR networks can be built
entirely on IP technologies, all the way from the mobile Access
Terminal (AT) to the global Internet, thus taking advantage of the
scalability, redundancy and low-cost of IP networks.
[0022] Examples of communication protocols used by the RAN 100
include, one of the evolution data-only (1x EV-DO) protocol and
other CDMA 2000 protocols. The 1x EV-DO protocol is an evolution of
the current 1xRTT standard for high-speed data-only (DO) services
and has been standardized by the Telecommunication Industry
Association (TIA) as TIA/EIA/IS-856, "CDMA2000 High Rate Packet
Data Air Interface Specification", 3GPP2 C.S0024-0, Version 4.0,
Oct. 25, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference. Revision
A to this specification has been published as TIA/EIA/IS-856,
"CDMA2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification", 3GPP2
C.S0024-A, Version 2.0, June 2005, and is also incorporated herein
by reference.
[0023] The RAN 100 includes access points 104a-c, an access IP
network 106, and a packet data serving node (PDSN) 112. The access
points 104a-c facilitate communication between the RAN 100 and
access terminals, one of which (i.e., access terminal 118) is shown
to be in communication with the access point 104a via an airlink
120. The access IP network 106 is a private network that is
designed and operated exclusively for communication between the
PSDN 112 and the access points 104a-c. Other radio nodes, devices,
and packet networks (not shown in FIG. 1) can be included in the
RAN 100.
[0024] The external network 114 is a network of devices that use
the TCP/IP network protocols to exchange data and can be
implemented in a variety of ways. For example, the external network
114 may include any kind and any combination of networks such as an
Internet, a local area network (LAN) or other local network, a
private network, a public network, a plain old telephone system
(POTS), or other similar wired or wireless networks. The external
network 114 can also include additional elements such as
communication links, proxy servers, firewalls or other security
mechanisms, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), gatekeepers,
gateways, switches, routers, hubs, client terminals, and other
elements. Communications through the external network 114 can
include any kind and any combination of communication links such as
modem links, Ethernet links, cables, point-to-point links, infrared
connections, fiber optic links, wireless links, cellular links,
Bluetooth.RTM., satellite links, and other similar links.
Communications through the RAN 100, the external network 114, or
both may be secured with a mechanism such as encryption, a security
protocol, or other type of similar mechanism.
[0025] The access terminals, e.g., access terminal 118, are the
client-side of the wireless network and Internet protocol, and may
be implemented as a mobile device such as a cellular telephone, a
wireless PDA, a handheld gaming device, or a wireless laptop
computer or a stationary device such as a desktop computer, or
other fixed device with which wireless communication is desired.
The access terminals may also include embedded devices such as
remote sensing devices, electric meters, vending machines, security
cameras, remote recording or logging devices, or any device that
includes a wireless communications modem.
[0026] The access terminal 118 includes a modem 115 for modulating
and demodulating ransmissions sent and received over the RAN 100.
The modem 115 may include multiple modems, each using a different
radio access technology. Examples of modem 115 include BREW.RTM.
modems available from QUALCOMM Inc., or modems based on a Java
library or class.
[0027] The application server 108 and neighbor list server 116
connect to the network 114 and communicate with the access terminal
118 over the wireless IP network 110. The application server 108
provides wireless services to the access terminal, examples of
which include: voice services, circuit data services, and packet
data services. In some embodiments, the application server 108
includes multiple servers. The neighbor list server 116 provides
neighbor list information to the access terminal 118 via
transmissions sent over the external network 114 and the RAN 100.
In some embodiments, the application server 108 and the neighbor
list server 116 are integrated into a single server.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, a geographic area 120 covered by RAN
100 (shown in FIG. 1) is divided into multiple cells, e.g., cells
1-3, that may be further divided into sectors (not shown). Each
cell includes one of access points 104a-c that can communicate with
access terminals located within each access point's cell. As shown,
cell 1 includes the access point 104a, cell 2 includes the access
point 104b, and cell 3 includes the access point 104c. Cell 3 is
located within cell 1, and cell 1 overlaps with cell 2. Although
not drawn to scale, cells 1-3 may serve areas of varying size. For
example, in some embodiments, cell 1 is a macro cell serving
several city blocks, cell 2 is a pico cell serving an office
building, and cell 3 is a sub-pico cell serving a small building,
residence, or room. For example, access point 104c may be a
mini-base station for use within a home or office. Though access
point 104a would generally remain fixed as it serves a large area,
one or more of cells 1-3 may be changed in a dynamic fashion. For
example, sub-pico cell 3 may frequently move to different
geographic locations or be removed and added intermittently from
the geographic area 120. Other cells served by additional access
points (not shown) may also be added to, removed from, and moved
within the geographic area 120. In some embodiments, each of the
access points 104a-c uses a directional antenna (not shown)
appropriately positioned in each cell to send data to and receive
data from access terminals located in the cells.
[0029] The access terminal 118 is located within cells 1 and 2 and
in communication with access point 104a of cell 1. Although the
access terminal 118 is located within both cells 1 and 2, the
access terminal 118 may not be aware of the access point 104b if
its neighbor list information does not include any information
associated with the access point 104b. For example, the access
point 104b may be capable of providing the access terminal 118 with
a stronger signal, faster data communication speed, and/or more
services than the access point 104a, to which the access terminal
118 is connected. However, unless the access terminal 118 is aware
that the access point 104b is within communication range and, in
some instances, is capable of providing improved communication
services to those of access point 104a, the access terminal 118
will not attempt to connect to the access point 104b.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the access terminal 118 performs a
process 140 for receiving neighbor list information from the
neighbor list server 116. The access terminal 118 sends (162) a
query sent to the neighbor list server 116 using standard Internet
communication protocols (e.g., IP, TCP/UDP, HTTP, and XML). The
query may be sent at predetermined times programmed into the access
terminal (e.g., every hour) and/or in response to an event. For
example, the access terminal 118 may send a query in response to
detecting that the signal strength from a current access point has
fallen below a predetermined threshold. Similarly, the access
terminal 118 may send a query in response to determining that the
current access point to which it is connected does not support a
communication feature (e.g., text messaging) that a user is
attempting to access.
[0031] The query includes a request for updated neighbor list
information. In some embodiments, the query also includes
attributes that define various service requirements and
technological requirements that are specific to the access terminal
118. Examples of attributes include a location, application service
requirements, hardware capabilities, and a hardware identity of the
access terminal 118 and a user identity of the end user who is
operating the access terminal 118.
[0032] Location attributes may express the location of the access
terminal 118 as an IP address, a geographical location, or both. In
some embodiments, the location of the access terminal 118 is
determined by the identity of other access points that are visible
from or within communication range of the access terminal 118. In
other embodiments, the location is based on geo-location
information known to the access terminal 118 or to the RAN 100. For
example, the access terminal 118 or the RAN 100 may be equipped
with GPS capability or other geo-location services for determining
geographic location.
[0033] Attributes pertaining to the application service
requirements of the access terminal 118 may include all or a subset
of the applications and services that the access terminal 118 is
capable of providing to an end user. For example,
application-service-requirements attributes may include only those
applications and services that are desired by the end user at the
time just before the query is sent. Examples of applications and
services include voice services, access to the World Wide Web,
high-speed data transmission, text messaging, etc.
[0034] Attributes defining the hardware capabilities of the access
terminal 118 may include each of the radio access technologies
supported by the access terminal 118 and the hardware limitations
associated with each supported radio access technology. Examples of
such limitations include bandwidths, data rates, power classes, and
the ability to support radio access operations on multiple radio
access technologies concurrently.
[0035] Attributes describing the hardware identity of the access
terminal 118 may include one or more hardware identifiers (such as
a mobile equipment identifier or "MEID") assigned to the access
terminal 118. The hardware identifier(s) may be obtained in a
secure or insecure manner directly from the access terminal 118 or
from the RAN 100.
[0036] Similar to the hardware identity attributes, attributes
describing the identity of the current end user that is obtaining
service with the access terminal 118 may include one or more
identifiers associated with the user. Examples of user identifiers
include a username, an account number, a UIM identifier, and a SIM
card identifier. End-user identifier(s) may be obtained in a secure
or insecure manner directly from the access terminal 118 or from
the RAN 100.
[0037] The access terminal 118 receives access to the external
network 114 through its normal radio access procedures and packet
data services obtained through access point 104a to which it is
connected at the time of sending the query. The query is sent to
the neighbor list server 116 using standard or proprietary
communication protocols. For example, the access terminal may
obtain the location of the neighbor list server 116 dynamically
(e.g., using DNS or DHCP communication protocols) or statically
(e.g., from a pre-configured IP address programmed into the access
terminal 118). The access terminal 118 receives (144) updated
neighbor list information from the neighbor list server 116 either
immediately or at a later time, depending on how and when the
information is delivered.
[0038] A variety of communication protocols may be used for
transmitting the query and the neighbor list information between
the access terminal 118 and the neighbor list server 116. These
include, but are not limited to: HTTP protocols, including those
that use URLs to identify the neighbor list server 116; application
layer protocols including, but are not limited to, XML and
XML-based protocols such as SOAP; TCP/UDP over IP protocols, and
SIP messaging (e.g., through one or more IMS/MMS network elements).
Other possible communication protocols include custom-designed
protocols, which may be published or proprietary and non-IP-based
protocols (e.g., Layer 3 or upper layer signaling-based protocols
of the radio access technology).
[0039] The neighbor list information may be transmitted to the
access terminal 118 using point-to-point, point-to-multipoint
multicast, or point-to-multipoint broadcast versions of the above
described protocols. In some embodiments, the neighbor list
information may simply be made available on a web page that the
access terminal 118 can access over the World Wide Web. In some of
these embodiments, the neighbor list server 116 is an HTTP server
that hosts the web page containing updated neighbor list
information.
[0040] Based on the neighbor list information received from the
neighbor list server 116 and on any of the access terminal's
application policies, the process 140 determines (146) that some or
all of the neighboring access points (e.g., access points 104b-c)
contained in the neighbor list information are appropriate given
the hardware requirements, service requirements, and/or other
requirements of the access terminal 118. The process 140 passes
(147) the neighboring access points to the modem 115 of the access
terminal 118. In some embodiments, the process 140 passes (148) the
neighbor access points to the radio modems through an Application
Program Interface (API). The modem 115 of the access terminal 118
searches (150) for the neighboring access points (in addition to,
or instead of the potential access points that have already been
obtained by the traditional methods described in the background
section) from which the desired application services can be
obtained.
[0041] From the neighboring access points located in the searching
process 150, the access terminal 118 selects (152) an access point
with which to connect to the RAN 100. In some embodiments, the
access terminal 118 selects the access point that best meets one or
more technical specifications. For example, the access terminal 118
may select the access point that has the highest bandwidth, and/or
belongs to a particular service provider. In other embodiments, the
access terminal 118 selects an access point at random or in a
semi-random fashion (e.g., automatically selecting the first access
point from a list of appropriate access points).
[0042] The access terminal 118 connects (154) to the selected
access point and relinquishes the access point 104a to which it had
been connected. Through the newly established connection with the
selected access point, the access terminal 118 obtains (156)
wireless services (e.g., voice transmission, text messaging, etc.),
one or more of which are provided by the application server 108, in
the usual manner according to the procedures that are specified by
the one or more radio access technologies being used by the access
terminal 118 and supported by the selected access point.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, the neighbor list server 16 performs a
process 160 for providing neighbor list information to the access
terminal 18. The neighbor list server 116 receives (162) the query
sent to it by the access terminal 118 (step 142 of FIG. 3). As
described above, the query attributes that define various service
requirements and technological requirements that are specific to
the access terminal 118.
[0044] Based on the attributes contained in the query, the neighbor
list server 116 determines (164) those potential neighboring access
points that meet some or all of the access terminal's technological
and service requirements. The neighbor list server 116 optionally
applies (166) a local policy to determine which of the potential
neighboring access points determined in step 164 should be returned
to the access terminal 118.
[0045] The local policy may eliminate one or more of the potential
neighboring access points based on one or more technical
considerations, legal constraints, business constraints, and other
criteria and considerations. Examples of such criteria and
considerations include: the identity of the device or user and
whether or not it has been authenticated; the eligibility of the
access terminal 118 or of the user to obtain service from certain
potential neighboring access points (e.g., does the access terminal
118 or user have rights granted by the owner or service provider to
access certain radio access points); the time of day or date on
which the query is sent; the ability or eligibility of the
potential neighboring radio access points to provide the services
that are required or requested by the access terminal 118; and the
current location of the access terminal 118. The local policy may
also limit the number of neighboring access points that can be
returned to the access terminal 118. In some embodiments, the
number of neighboring access points may be limited based on
priorities governing which potential neighboring access points are
eligible to serve the access terminal. For example, access points
that are capable of supporting particularly high bandwidths and/or
a large variety of services may be available only to users who
subscribe to more expensive service plans. In some embodiments, the
number of neighboring access points may be limited based on
practical engineering constraints such as their current usage by
other access terminals (e.g., potential access points that are
already serving many other access terminals may be eliminated from
consideration). Other practical engineering constraints that may
limit the number of potential neighboring access points returned to
the user include device limitations and data communication overhead
limitations (e.g., the size of the message that includes the
neighbor list information).
[0046] The neighbor list server 116 provides (168) neighbor list
information to the access terminal 118. The neighbor list
information includes a list of the potential neighboring access
points to be returned to the access terminal 118, as determined by
the local policy in step 166. In some embodiments, the neighbor
list server 116 transmits the neighbor list information to the
access terminal 118 through the same application layer protocols
used by the access terminal 118 to send the query to the neighbor
list server 116 (step 140 of FIG. 3). In other embodiments, the
neighbor list server 116 uses different application layer
protocols.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, two different approaches 168a
and 168b for providing (168) neighbor list information from the
neighbor list server 116 to the access terminal 118 are described.
In the first approach 168a depicted in FIG. 5A, the neighbor list
server 116 delivers (180) the neighbor list information to the
access point 104a to which the access terminal 118 is connected. In
some embodiments, the neighbor list server 116 additionally (or
alternatively) delivers the neighbor list information to the other
access points within the vicinity of the access point 104a. The
server 116 instructs (182) the access points that have received the
neighbor list information to deliver the information to the access
terminal as overhead signal messages. The access points may use
multiple access technologies to deliver the overhead signaling
messages to the access terminal 118. Furthermore, other access
terminals within the vicinity of the access points may also receive
the overhead signal messages containing the neighbor list
information.
[0048] In a second approach 168b, depicted in FIG. 5B, the neighbor
list server 116 provides (168) the neighbor list information to the
access terminal 118 through Internet-based (e.g., packet data
service) mechanisms (e.g., HTTP/XML response messages). The
neighbor list server 116 sends (190) the neighbor list information
to the access point 104a to which the access terminal 118 is
connected. No other access points receive the neighbor list
information from the sever 116. The neighbor list server 116
instructs (192) the access point 104a to deliver the neighbor list
information to the access terminal 118 via unicast, multicast, or
broadcast IP messages.
[0049] As described above with respect to FIG. 3, the access
terminal 118 receives the neighbor list information and uses this
information to choose an appropriate access point from which to
obtain services over the wireless network 110 (FIG. 1).
[0050] Although the techniques described above employ the 1xEV-DO
air interface standard, the techniques are also applicable to other
CDMA and non-CDMA air interface technologies in which an access
terminal communicates with a server over a wireless network.
[0051] The techniques described herein can be implemented in
digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware,
software, or in combinations of them. The techniques can be
implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program
tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a
machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for
execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing
apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple
computers. A computer program can be written in any form of
programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages,
and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone
program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit
suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can
be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers
at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected
by a communication network.
[0052] Method steps of the techniques described herein can be
performed by one or more programmable processors executing a
computer program to perform functions of the invention by operating
on input data and generating output. Method steps can also be
performed by, and apparatus of the invention can be implemented as,
special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable
gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).
Modules can refer to portions of the computer program and/or the
processor/special circuitry that implements that functionality.
[0053] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program
include, by way of example, both general and special purpose
microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of
digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions
and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.
The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing
instructions and one or more memory devices for storing
instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or
be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or
both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,
magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information
carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and
data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of
example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and
flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or
removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM
disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or
incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.
[0054] To provide for interaction with a user, the techniques
described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display
device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal
display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a
keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by
which the user can provide input to the computer (e.g., interact
with a user interface element, for example, by clicking a button on
such a pointing device). Other kinds of devices can be used to
provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback
provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,
visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input
from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic,
speech, or tactile input.
[0055] The techniques described herein can be implemented in a
distributed computing system that includes a back-end component,
e.g., as a data server, and/or a middleware component, e.g., an
application server, and/or a front-end component, e.g., a client
computer having a graphical user interface and/or a Web browser
through which a user can interact with an implementation of the
invention, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or
front-end components. The components of the system can be
interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,
e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks
include a local area network ("LAN") and a wide area network
("WAN"), e.g., the Internet, and include both wired and wireless
networks.
[0056] The requesting and delivering of neighbor list information
may occur over another non-wireless network or a different wireless
network from the one to which the neighbors apply. For example, a
device could be connected to an Ethernet network or WiFi (wireless
fidelity) wireless network, request and obtain the neighbor list
information, and then use that neighbor list information to assist
in its operation on the cellular network or, in general, any
wireless network.
[0057] Neighbor list information may not be restricted to one
wireless communication protocol. For example, the neighbor list
that may be applicable to CDMA 1x, 1xEV-DO, WiMax, UMTS, GSM, or
any subset of these technologies and include rules for determining
neighbors within one or more of those technologies and rules that
determine when and how the access terminal can or should perform
handoffs from one technology to another.
[0058] The computing system can include clients and servers. A
client and server are generally remote from each other and
typically interact over a communication network. The relationship
of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running
on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship
to each other.
[0059] Other embodiments are within the scope of the following
claims. The following are examples for illustration only and not to
limit the alternatives in any way. The techniques described herein
can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable
results.
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