U.S. patent application number 17/651281 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-02 for facilitation of access point authenticated tunneling for 5g or other next generation network.
The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC. Invention is credited to Brandon Hilliard, Sheldon Meredith, Zachary Meredith.
Application Number | 20220173935 17/651281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220173935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meredith; Sheldon ; et
al. |
June 2, 2022 |
FACILITATION OF ACCESS POINT AUTHENTICATED TUNNELING FOR 5G OR
OTHER NEXT GENERATION NETWORK
Abstract
When an access point device is aware of an internet access
failure, the access point device can attempt to re-route the
baseband content through a different access point for the purpose
of using its hard-wired internet connection. An administrative
function can allow the access point device to tunnel through the
internet service provider (ISP) of another access point device if
permission is granted to do so. The permission can be granted
beforehand or it can be granted to on the fly. Consequently, if the
packets cannot route via the normal, hard-wired path, a message to
a secondary transceiver of the access point device can instruct the
access point device to find an alternate path via the ISP of the
other access point device.
Inventors: |
Meredith; Sheldon; (Roswell,
GA) ; Hilliard; Brandon; (Canton, GA) ;
Meredith; Zachary; (Roswell, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
AT&T Mobility II LLC |
Atlanta
Atlanta |
GA
GA |
US
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/651281 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16808963 |
Mar 4, 2020 |
11283644 |
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17651281 |
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International
Class: |
H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28; H04L 12/54 20060101 H04L012/54; H04W 76/12 20060101
H04W076/12; H04W 88/08 20060101 H04W088/08; H04W 48/16 20060101
H04W048/16; H04L 12/46 20060101 H04L012/46 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first network access point
device comprising a processor, an indication of a failed internet
connection; and in response to receiving the indication of the
failed internet connection, establishing, by the first network
access point device, an internet connection via a second network
access point device, wherein the internet connection comprises an
encrypted tunnel through the second network access point
device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the internet connection comprises
a wireless connection between the first network access point device
and the second network access point device.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting, by the
first network access point device in advance of receiving the
indication of the failed internet connection, a utilization of the
second network access point device to establish the internet
connection.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, in response to
requesting the utilization of the second network access point
device, receiving, by the first network access point device, access
data to enable establishing the internet connection via the second
network access point device.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, in response to
receiving the access data, labeling, by the first network access
point device, the second network access point device as a trusted
network access point device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the internet connection is
restricted to use of excess bandwidth determined not to be utilized
via the second network access point device.
7. A first access point device, comprising: a processor; and a
memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by
the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
sending access data to a second access point device; and subsequent
to sending the access data, enabling internet connectivity for the
second access point device, wherein: the first access point device
received the access data from the second access point device in
response to interrupted internet connectivity experienced by the
second access point device, the first access point device uses the
access data to enable the internet connectivity, and the internet
connectivity comprises an encrypted tunnel through the first access
point device.
8. The first access point device of claim 7, wherein the operations
further comprise receiving, in advance of sending the access data,
a request from the second access point device to utilize the first
access point device as a host for the internet connectivity, and
wherein the access data is sent to the second access point device
in response to the request.
9. The first access point device of claim 7, wherein the internet
connectivity comprises a remaining bandwidth that remains after the
first access point device utilizes a bandwidth allocated for the
first access point device.
10. The first access point device of claim 7, wherein the
operations further comprise updating an access point device data
structure maintained by the first access point device, comprising
including access point device identification data representative of
the second access point device.
11. The first access point device of claim 7, wherein the encrypted
tunnel through the first access point device prevents the first
access point device from decoding encrypted internet data
transmitted via the encrypted tunnel.
12. The first access point device of claim 7, wherein enabling the
internet connectivity for the second access point device comprises
identifying an internet service provider associated with the first
access point device, and communicating with network equipment
associated with the internet service provider.
13. The first access point device of claim 12, wherein the internet
service provider is a first internet service provider, and wherein
the first internet service provider is different than a second
internet service provider associated with the second access point
device.
14. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable
instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate
performance of operations, comprising: in response to receiving a
first indication of a first service failure experienced by a second
access point device, facilitating internet connectivity for the
second access point device via a first access point device; and in
response to receiving a second indication of a second service
failure experienced by the first access point device, facilitating
the internet connectivity for the second access point device via a
third access point device.
15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein
the operations further comprise receiving, in advance of the first
indication of the first service failure, request data
representative of a request to utilize the first access point
device as a host access point device for the internet
connectivity.
16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein
the operations further comprise, in response to receiving the
request data, sending permission data representative of a
permission to utilize the first access point device as the host
access point device for the internet connectivity.
17. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the operations further comprise, in response to sending the
permission data, associating the host access point device with the
second access point device.
18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein
the permission data is first permission data, wherein the
permission is a first permission, and wherein the operations
further comprise sending second permission data representative of a
second permission to utilize the third access point device as the
host access point device for the internet connectivity.
19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein
facilitating the internet connectivity for the second access point
device via the first access point device comprises sending
instruction data representative of an instruction to identify an
alternate internet connection.
20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 19, wherein
the alternate internet connection comprises a hard-wired
connection.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The subject patent application is a continuation of, and
claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/808,963,
filed Mar. 4, 2020, and entitled "FACILITATION OF ACCESS POINT
AUTHENTICATED TUNNELING FOR 5G OR OTHER NEXT GENERATION NETWORK,"
the entirety of which application is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to facilitating access
point authenticated tunneling. For example, this disclosure relates
to facilitating access point authenticated tunneling for a 5G, or
other next generation network, air interface.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 5th generation (5G) wireless systems represent a next major
phase of mobile telecommunications standards beyond the current
telecommunications standards of 4.sup.th generation (4G). Rather
than faster peak Internet connection speeds, 5G planning aims at
higher capacity than current 4G, allowing a higher number of mobile
broadband users per area unit, and allowing consumption of higher
or unlimited data quantities. This would enable a large portion of
the population to stream high-definition media many hours per day
with their mobile devices, when out of reach of wireless fidelity
hotspots. 5G research and development also aims at improved support
of machine-to-machine communication, also known as the Internet of
things, aiming at lower cost, lower battery consumption, and lower
latency than 4G equipment.
[0004] The above-described background relating to access point
authenticated tunneling is merely intended to provide a contextual
overview of some current issues, and is not intended to be
exhaustive. Other contextual information may become further
apparent upon review of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject
disclosure are described with reference to the following figures,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
various views unless otherwise specified.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system
in which a network node device (e.g., network node) and user
equipment (UE) can implement various aspects and embodiments of the
subject disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example schematic system block diagram
of an administrative controller according to one or more
embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an example schematic system block diagram
of an access point tunneling system according to one or more
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an example schematic system block diagram
of multiple access point tunneling according to one or more
embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an example schematic flow diagram of an
access point device tunneling procedure according to one or more
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method for
facilitating access point authenticated tunneling for a 5G network
according to one or more embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram of a system for
facilitating access point authenticated tunneling for a 5G network
according to one or more embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates an example flow diagram of a
machine-readable medium for facilitating access point authenticated
tunneling for a 5G network according to one or more
embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example
mobile handset operable to engage in a system architecture that
facilitates secure wireless communication according to one or more
embodiments described herein.
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of an example
computer operable to engage in a system architecture that
facilitates secure wireless communication according to one or more
embodiments described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various
embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,
however, that the techniques described herein can be practiced
without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,
components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known
structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in
detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.
[0017] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
or "an embodiment," means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the
phrase "in one embodiment," "in one aspect," or "in an embodiment,"
in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily
all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular
features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0018] As utilized herein, terms "component," "system,"
"interface," and the like are intended to refer to a
computer-related entity, hardware, software (e.g., in execution),
and/or firmware. For example, a component can be a processor, a
process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a
program, a storage device, and/or a computer. By way of
illustration, an application running on a server and the server can
be a component. One or more components can reside within a process,
and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers.
[0019] Further, these components can execute from various
machine-readable media having various data structures stored
thereon. The components can communicate via local and/or remote
processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more
data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with
another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or
across a network, e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a wide
area network, etc. with other systems via the signal).
[0020] As another example, a component can be an apparatus with
specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by
electric or electronic circuitry; the electric or electronic
circuitry can be operated by a software application or a firmware
application executed by one or more processors; the one or more
processors can be internal or external to the apparatus and can
execute at least a part of the software or firmware application. As
yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides
specific functionality through electronic components without
mechanical parts; the electronic components can include one or more
processors therein to execute software and/or firmware that
confer(s), at least in part, the functionality of the electronic
components. In an aspect, a component can emulate an electronic
component via a virtual machine, e.g., within a cloud computing
system.
[0021] The words "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" are used herein
to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the
avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not
limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design
described herein as "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent
exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
"includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in
either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are
intended to be inclusive--in a manner similar to the term
"comprising" as an open transition word--without precluding any
additional or other elements.
[0022] As used herein, the term "infer" or "inference" refers
generally to the process of reasoning about, or inferring states
of, the system, environment, user, and/or intent from a set of
observations as captured via events and/or data. Captured data and
events can include user data, device data, environment data, data
from sensors, sensor data, application data, implicit data,
explicit data, etc. Inference can be employed to identify a
specific context or action, or can generate a probability
distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of
data and events, for example.
[0023] Inference can also refer to techniques employed for
composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data.
Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions
from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether the
events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and whether the
events and data come from one or several event and data sources.
Various classification schemes and/or systems (e.g., support vector
machines, neural networks, expert systems, Bayesian belief
networks, fuzzy logic, and data fusion engines) can be employed in
connection with performing automatic and/or inferred action in
connection with the disclosed subject matter.
[0024] In addition, the disclosed subject matter can be implemented
as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a
computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term
"article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a
computer program accessible from any computer-readable device,
machine-readable device, computer-readable carrier,
computer-readable media, or machine-readable media. For example,
computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, a
magnetic storage device, e.g., hard disk; floppy disk; magnetic
strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compact disk (CD), a digital video
disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc.TM. (BD)); a smart card; a flash memory
device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or a virtual device that
emulates a storage device and/or any of the above computer-readable
media.
[0025] As an overview, various embodiments are described herein to
facilitate access point authenticated tunneling for a 5G air
interface or other next generation networks. For simplicity of
explanation, the methods (or algorithms) are depicted and described
as a series of acts. It is to be understood and appreciated that
the various embodiments are not limited by the acts illustrated
and/or by the order of acts. For example, acts can occur in various
orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented or
described herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may be
required to implement the methods. In addition, the methods could
alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states via
a state diagram or events. Additionally, the methods described
hereafter are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture
(e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) to facilitate
transporting and transferring such methodologies to computers. The
term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intended to
encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable
device, carrier, or media, including a non-transitory
machine-readable storage medium.
[0026] It should be noted that although various aspects and
embodiments have been described herein in the context of 5G,
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and/or Long Term
Evolution (LTE), or other next generation networks, the disclosed
aspects are not limited to 5G, a UMTS implementation, and/or an LTE
implementation as the techniques can also be applied in 3G, 4G or
LTE systems. For example, aspects or features of the disclosed
embodiments can be exploited in substantially any wireless
communication technology. Such wireless communication technologies
can include UMTS, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wi-Fi,
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), General
Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced GPRS, Third Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP), LTE, Third Generation Partnership
Project 2 (3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet
Access (HSPA), Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), High-Speed
Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access
(HSUPA), Zigbee, or another IEEE 802.12 technology. Additionally,
substantially all aspects disclosed herein can be exploited in
legacy telecommunication technologies.
[0027] Described herein are systems, methods, articles of
manufacture, and other embodiments or implementations that can
facilitate an access point authenticated tunneling for a 5G
network. Facilitating access point authenticated tunneling for a 5G
network can be implemented in connection with any type of device
with a connection to the communications network (e.g., a mobile
handset, a computer, a handheld device, etc.) any Internet of
things (TOT) device (e.g., toaster, coffee maker, blinds, music
players, speakers, etc.), and/or any connected vehicles (cars,
airplanes, space rockets, and/or other at least partially automated
vehicles (e.g., drones)). In some embodiments the non-limiting term
user equipment (UE) is used. It can refer to any type of wireless
device that communicates with a radio network node in a cellular or
mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device,
device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine
to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, Tablet, mobile terminals,
smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted
equipment (LME), USB dongles etc. Note that the terms element,
elements and antenna ports can be interchangeably used but carry
the same meaning in this disclosure. The embodiments are applicable
to single carrier as well as to multicarrier (MC) or carrier
aggregation (CA) operation of the UE. The term carrier aggregation
(CA) is also called (e.g., interchangeably called) "multi-carrier
system", "multi-cell operation", "multi-carrier operation",
"multi-carrier" transmission and/or reception.
[0028] In some embodiments the non-limiting term radio network node
or simply network node is used. It can refer to any type of network
node that serves UE is connected to other network nodes or network
elements or any radio node from where UE receives a signal.
Examples of radio network nodes are Node B, base station (BS),
multi-standard radio (MSR) node such as MSR BS, eNode B, network
controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller
(BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver
station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission
nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS) etc.
[0029] Cloud radio access networks (RAN) can enable the
implementation of concepts such as software-defined network (SDN)
and network function virtualization (NFV) in 5G networks. This
disclosure can facilitate a generic channel state information
framework design for a 5G network. Certain embodiments of this
disclosure can comprise an SDN controller that can control routing
of traffic within the network and between the network and traffic
destinations. The SDN controller can be merged with the 5G network
architecture to enable service deliveries via open application
programming interfaces ("APIs") and move the network core towards
an all internet protocol ("IP"), cloud based, and software driven
telecommunications network. The SDN controller can work with, or
take the place of policy and charging rules function ("PCRF")
network elements so that policies such as quality of service and
traffic management and routing can be synchronized and managed end
to end.
[0030] To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, 4G
standards can be applied 5G, also called new radio (NR) access. 5G
networks can comprise the following: data rates of several tens of
megabits per second supported for tens of thousands of users; 1
gigabit per second can be offered simultaneously to tens of workers
on the same office floor; several hundreds of thousands of
simultaneous connections can be supported for massive sensor
deployments; spectral efficiency can be enhanced compared to 4G;
improved coverage; enhanced signaling efficiency; and reduced
latency compared to LTE. In multicarrier system such as OFDM, each
subcarrier can occupy bandwidth (e.g., subcarrier spacing). If the
carriers use the same bandwidth spacing, then it can be considered
a single numerology. However, if the carriers occupy different
bandwidth and/or spacing, then it can be considered a multiple
numerology.
[0031] When a hard-wired (ethernet) connection in a residence or a
business is temporarily unavailable, access point owners are
currently left without internet connectivity from that access
point. This disrupts packet data transfers for entertainment,
business systems, medical systems, and security systems. However, a
wireless connection over an encrypted tunnel can be established
between trusted access points to temporarily establish internet
connectivity when a normally available (e.g., hard-wired)
connection is unavailable. Thus, the disclosed functions can also
protect purchased bandwidth of any hard-wired access point
connection, thereby only loaning out excess bandwidth. It should be
noted that the same or similar principles can be applied to
non-hardwired access points.
[0032] An access point architecture can comprise a secondary
transceiver, which can communicate between access points belonging
to a private subnet. Normally, when a wireless device (e.g., phone,
computer, IoT device, etc.) wirelessly connects to an access point
transceiver, the Wi-Fi radio transmissions can be received and
decoded down to baseband information, which can then be sent to the
internet via a dedicated, hard-wired ethernet connection. However,
when the ethernet connection is unavailable, the access point is
aware of internet access failure can and attempt to re-route the
baseband content through a different Wi-Fi access point for the
purpose of using its hard-wired internet connection. To do this, a
baseband data packet buffer can collect packets received from the
wireless mobile device via the access point antenna. If these
packets cannot route via the normal, hard-wired path, a message to
the secondary transceiver inside the Wi-Fi access point can
instruct it to find an alternate path. For example, if a business
owner with internet service loses internet connectivity, their
access point can directly talk to the next door business owner's
access point, having working connectivity from another service
provider, and create a tunnel to allow the first business owner
transactions to flow through the second business owner's service
connection for a limited period of time.
[0033] The alternate path using the secondary transceiver can scan
for broadcasts of other access points belonging to a list of
associated access points. Association can be an administrative
action that permits Wi-Fi access points to use each other for
re-routing purposes. Scanning for access point broadcasts can be
performed all the time or intermittently and does not have to wait
for a connection failure. This means that many associated access
points can be constantly connected, even when they don't need to
be. Pre-connections can facilitate immediate re-routing of data
without the latency incurred from scanning and establishing a
connection. The connections between the secondary transceivers of
associated access points can use Wi-Fi frequencies, and can also
use any wireless communication modulation/protocol and frequency
band. Thus, an access point can receive information from two
different paths, to either the primary or secondary transceiver.
Any one of the associated access points can create encrypted
tunnels through other associated access points, ultimately
achieving an ethernet connection to the internet or other devices
which can be connected locally by a Wi-Fi access point. This can
occur in a neighborhood data hub where a failed device affects
adjacent neighboring locations.
[0034] In cases where associated access points are used for
indirect routing, over-the-air communication channels can be
encrypted using typical encryption methods such as wired
equivalency privacy (WEP). To ensure security of the baseband data,
a first access point in the chain can establish a virtual private
network (VPN) tunnel back to its home internet service provider
(ISP). Doing so can prevent "man-in-the-middle" snooping at any
associated access point along the way. The VPN connection, like the
connections between associated access points can also always on to
avoid delays when packet re-routing is utilized.
[0035] A wireless hop to a different Wi-Fi access point or other
synonymous radio connection can be a back-up to a primary
connection (e.g., wired ethernet connection, and/or wireless
connection). For example, if a wireless hot spot associated with
one carrier fails, then the back-up can be to utilize a wireless
hot spot whose primary interface is ethernet or wireless to another
carrier. Administrative privileges can allow those connections to
authenticate through a dedicated tunnel to separate the usage
(e.g., usage from the owner of the access point) on that access
point from other users. In another example, if wired connectivity
associated with a specific service provider fails for four access
point devices, and there is another access point associated with
another service provider, then the four access point devices can
have privileges to utilize the other access point device and
resources associated therewith via dedicated tunnels. However,
security-wise, they can remain separate from the other service
provider access point device and receive only additional available
bandwidth left over if the owner of the other access point device
is not utilizing the bandwidth.
[0036] In one embodiment, described herein is a method comprising
requesting, by a first wireless network device comprising a
processor, a utilization of a second wireless network device to
establish an internet connection. In response to the requesting,
the method can comprise receiving, by the first wireless network
device, access data representative of an access to the second
wireless network device. Additionally, the method can comprise
receiving, by the first wireless network device, an indication of a
failed internet connection. In response to the receiving the
indication of the failed internet connection, the method can
comprise facilitating, by the first wireless network device,
establishing the internet connection via the second wireless
network device, resulting in an established internet
connection.
[0037] According to another embodiment, a system can comprise
receiving, by a first access point device from a second access
point device, request data representative of a request to utilize
the first access point device as a host for an internet
connectivity. In response to the receiving, the system can comprise
sending, by the first access point device, permission data
representative of a permission to utilize the first access point
device as the host for the internet connectivity. Furthermore, in
response to an interrupted internet connectivity experienced by the
second access point device, the system can comprise facilitating,
by the first access point device, the internet connectivity for the
second access point device.
[0038] According to yet another embodiment, described herein is a
machine-readable medium that can perform the operations comprising
receiving request data representative of a request to utilize a
first access point device as a host access point device for an
internet connectivity. In response to the receiving, the
machine-readable medium can perform the operations comprising
facilitating sending of permission data representative of a
permission to utilize the first access point device as the host
access point device for the internet connectivity. Furthermore, in
response to receiving an indication of a service failure
experienced by a second access point device, the machine-readable
medium can perform the operations comprising facilitating the
internet connectivity for the second access point device via the
first access point device.
[0039] These and other embodiments or implementations are described
in more detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example wireless
communication system 100 in accordance with various aspects and
embodiments of the subject disclosure. In one or more embodiments,
system 100 can comprise one or more user equipment UEs 102. The
non-limiting term user equipment can refer to any type of device
that can communicate with a network node in a cellular or mobile
communication system. A UE can have one or more antenna panels
having vertical and horizontal elements. Examples of a UE comprise
a target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE
capable of machine to machine (M2M) communications, personal
digital assistant (PDA), tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone,
laptop mounted equipment (LME), universal serial bus (USB) dongles
enabled for mobile communications, a computer having mobile
capabilities, a mobile device such as cellular phone, a laptop
having laptop embedded equipment (LEE, such as a mobile broadband
adapter), a tablet computer having a mobile broadband adapter, a
wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, a heads-up display
(HUD) device, a smart car, a machine-type communication (MTC)
device, and the like. User equipment UE 102 can also comprise IOT
devices that communicate wirelessly.
[0041] In various embodiments, system 100 is or comprises a
wireless communication network serviced by one or more wireless
communication network providers. In example embodiments, a UE 102
can be communicatively coupled to the wireless communication
network via a network node 104. The network node (e.g., network
node device) can communicate with user equipment (UE), thus
providing connectivity between the UE and the wider cellular
network. The UE 102 can send transmission type recommendation data
to the network node 104. The transmission type recommendation data
can comprise a recommendation to transmit data via a closed loop
MIMO mode and/or a rank-1 precoder mode.
[0042] A network node can have a cabinet and other protected
enclosures, an antenna mast, and multiple antennas for performing
various transmission operations (e.g., MIMO operations). Network
nodes can serve several cells, also called sectors, depending on
the configuration and type of antenna. In example embodiments, the
UE 102 can send and/or receive communication data via a wireless
link to the network node 104. The dashed arrow lines from the
network node 104 to the UE 102 represent downlink (DL)
communications and the solid arrow lines from the UE 102 to the
network nodes 104 represents an uplink (UL) communication.
[0043] System 100 can further include one or more communication
service provider networks 106 that facilitate providing wireless
communication services to various UEs, including UE 102, via the
network node 104 and/or various additional network devices (not
shown) included in the one or more communication service provider
networks 106. The one or more communication service provider
networks 106 can include various types of disparate networks,
including but not limited to: cellular networks, femto networks,
picocell networks, microcell networks, internet protocol (IP)
networks Wi-Fi service networks, broadband service network,
enterprise networks, cloud based networks, and the like. For
example, in at least one implementation, system 100 can be or
include a large scale wireless communication network that spans
various geographic areas. According to this implementation, the one
or more communication service provider networks 106 can be or
include the wireless communication network and/or various
additional devices and components of the wireless communication
network (e.g., additional network devices and cell, additional UEs,
network server devices, etc.). The network node 104 can be
connected to the one or more communication service provider
networks 106 via one or more backhaul links 108. For example, the
one or more backhaul links 108 can comprise wired link components,
such as a T1/E1 phone line, a digital subscriber line (DSL) (e.g.,
either synchronous or asynchronous), an asymmetric DSL (ADSL), an
optical fiber backbone, a coaxial cable, and the like. The one or
more backhaul links 108 can also include wireless link components,
such as but not limited to, line-of-sight (LOS) or non-LOS links
which can include terrestrial air-interfaces or deep space links
(e.g., satellite communication links for navigation).
[0044] Wireless communication system 100 can employ various
cellular systems, technologies, and modulation modes to facilitate
wireless radio communications between devices (e.g., the UE 102 and
the network node 104). While example embodiments might be described
for 5G new radio (NR) systems, the embodiments can be applicable to
any radio access technology (RAT) or multi-RAT system where the UE
operates using multiple carriers e.g., LTE FDD/TDD, GSM/GERAN,
CDMA2000 etc.
[0045] For example, system 100 can operate in accordance with
global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile
telecommunications service (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), LTE
frequency division duplexing (LTE FDD, LTE time division duplexing
(TDD), high speed packet access (HSPA), code division multiple
access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCMDA), CDMA2000, time division
multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),
multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA),
single-carrier code division multiple access (SC-CDMA),
single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM
(DFT-spread OFDM) single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), Filter bank based
multi-carrier (FBMC), zero tail DFT-spread-OFDM (ZT DFT-s-OFDM),
generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM), fixed mobile
convergence (FMC), universal fixed mobile convergence (UFMC),
unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), unique word DFT-spread OFDM (UW
DFT-Spread-OFDM), cyclic prefix OFDM CP-OFDM,
resource-block-filtered OFDM, Wi Fi, WLAN, WiMax, and the like.
However, various features and functionalities of system 100 are
particularly described wherein the devices (e.g., the UEs 102 and
the network device 104) of system 100 are configured to communicate
wireless signals using one or more multi carrier modulation
schemes, wherein data symbols can be transmitted simultaneously
over multiple frequency subcarriers (e.g., OFDM, CP-OFDM,
DFT-spread OFMD, UFMC, FMBC, etc.). The embodiments are applicable
to single carrier as well as to multicarrier (MC) or carrier
aggregation (CA) operation of the UE. The term carrier aggregation
(CA) is also called (e.g., interchangeably called) "multi-carrier
system", "multi-cell operation", "multi-carrier operation",
"multi-carrier" transmission and/or reception. Note that some
embodiments are also applicable for Multi RAB (radio bearers) on
some carriers (that is data plus speech is simultaneously
scheduled).
[0046] In various embodiments, system 100 can be configured to
provide and employ 5G wireless networking features and
functionalities. 5G wireless communication networks are expected to
fulfill the demand of exponentially increasing data traffic and to
allow people and machines to enjoy gigabit data rates with
virtually zero latency. Compared to 4G, 5G supports more diverse
traffic scenarios. For example, in addition to the various types of
data communication between conventional UEs (e.g., phones,
smartphones, tablets, PCs, televisions, Internet enabled
televisions, etc.) supported by 4G networks, 5G networks can be
employed to support data communication between smart cars in
association with driverless car environments, as well as machine
type communications (MTCs). Considering the drastic different
communication needs of these different traffic scenarios, the
ability to dynamically configure waveform parameters based on
traffic scenarios while retaining the benefits of multi carrier
modulation schemes (e.g., OFDM and related schemes) can provide a
significant contribution to the high speed/capacity and low latency
demands of 5G networks. With waveforms that split the bandwidth
into several sub-bands, different types of services can be
accommodated in different sub-bands with the most suitable waveform
and numerology, leading to an improved spectrum utilization for 5G
networks.
[0047] To meet the demand for data centric applications, features
of proposed 5G networks may comprise: increased peak bit rate
(e.g., 20 Gbps), larger data volume per unit area (e.g., high
system spectral efficiency--for example about 3.5 times that of
spectral efficiency of long term evolution (LTE) systems), high
capacity that allows more device connectivity both concurrently and
instantaneously, lower battery/power consumption (which reduces
energy and consumption costs), better connectivity regardless of
the geographic region in which a user is located, a larger numbers
of devices, lower infrastructural development costs, and higher
reliability of the communications. Thus, 5G networks may allow for:
data rates of several tens of megabits per second should be
supported for tens of thousands of users, 1 gigabit per second to
be offered simultaneously to tens of workers on the same office
floor, for example; several hundreds of thousands of simultaneous
connections to be supported for massive sensor deployments;
improved coverage, enhanced signaling efficiency; reduced latency
compared to LTE.
[0048] The upcoming 5G access network may utilize higher
frequencies (e.g., >6 GHz) to aid in increasing capacity.
Currently, much of the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, the band
of spectrum between 30 gigahertz (GHz) and 300 GHz is
underutilized. The millimeter waves have shorter wavelengths that
range from 10 millimeters to 1 millimeter, and these mmWave signals
experience severe path loss, penetration loss, and fading. However,
the shorter wavelength at mmWave frequencies also allows more
antennas to be packed in the same physical dimension, which allows
for large-scale spatial multiplexing and highly directional
beamforming.
[0049] Performance can be improved if both the transmitter and the
receiver are equipped with multiple antennas. Multi-antenna
techniques can significantly increase the data rates and
reliability of a wireless communication system. The use of multiple
input multiple output (MIMO) techniques, which was introduced in
the third-generation partnership project (3GPP) and has been in use
(including with LTE), is a multi-antenna technique that can improve
the spectral efficiency of transmissions, thereby significantly
boosting the overall data carrying capacity of wireless systems.
The use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques can
improve mmWave communications, and has been widely recognized a
potentially important component for access networks operating in
higher frequencies. MIMO can be used for achieving diversity gain,
spatial multiplexing gain and beamforming gain. For these reasons,
MIMO systems are an important part of the 3rd and 4th generation
wireless systems, and are planned for use in 5G systems.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, illustrated is an
example schematic system block diagram of an administrative
controller 200 and a tunneling system 300 according to one or more
embodiments. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the
administrative controller 200 can comprise sub-components (e.g.,
rerouting component 202, secondary radio transceiver 204, ethernet
component 208, packet handler component 206, and primary radio
transceiver 210), processor 216 and memory 212 can bi-directionally
communicate with each other. It should also be noted that in
alternative embodiments that other components including, but not
limited to the sub-components, processor 216, and/or memory 212,
can be external to the administrative controller 200. Aspects of
the processor 216 can constitute machine-executable component(s)
embodied within machine(s), e.g., embodied in one or more computer
readable mediums (or media) associated with one or more machines.
Such component(s), when executed by the one or more machines, e.g.,
computer(s), computing device(s), virtual machine(s), etc. can
cause the machine(s) to perform the operations described by the
administrative controller 200. In an aspect, the administrative
controller 200 can also include memory 212 that stores computer
executable components and instructions.
[0051] The administrative component 200 can communicate with the
wireless access point 214. It should be noted that in some cases,
the administrative component 200 can be hosted at the access point
device 214. Administration of the association of Wi-Fi access
points can occur via several methods including a web-based
administration page, a peer-to-peer pairing approach, and/or manual
sharing of credentials. Based on administrative privileges, access
points can create extended-tunnels through multiple associated
access points, which can be valuable if more than one access point
has a loss of ethernet connectivity.
[0052] The administrative component 200 can facilitate an agreement
between neighboring access point devices that allows one access
point device (e.g., access point device 214) to utilize the other
access point device (e.g., access point device 306) in the case of
one of the access point device (e.g., access point device 214)
failing. The administrative component 200 can leverage the
agreement to execute connectivity based on the agreement. For
example, because the agreement has been performed in advance, if
the first access point fails (e.g., access point device 214), it
can know that there is a second access point (e.g., access point
device 306) that it can leverage for communication with the UE 102
by establishing a tunnel through to the second access point (e.g.,
access point device 306) via the second access point device's ISP
302 (e.g., wired and/or wireless). For example, when the primary
radio transceiver 210 of the access point device 214 fails to make
a direct connection to the web due to a failed link, the
administrative controller 200 can utilize the packet handler
component 206 to identify packets that should be rerouted. The
packet handler component 206 can collect packets received from the
UE 102 via the primary radio transceiver 210. The ethernet
component 208 can determine whether the ethernet of the access
point device 214 and/or any associated access point device (e.g.,
access point device 306) ethernet is operable. If the ethernet of
the access point device 214 has been determined to have failed and
the packets cannot route via the normal, hard-wired path, a message
can be sent to the secondary radio transceiver 204 of the access
point device 214 to instruct it to find an alternate path. If the
ethernet and/or wireless communication of another access point
device (e.g., access point device 306) is determined to be
operable, then the administrative controller 200 can reroute the
packet data through an extended tunnel associated with the other
access point device (e.g., access point device 306) via the
secondary radio transceiver 204 associated with the other access
point device (e.g., access point device 306).
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example schematic
system block diagram of multiple access point tunneling according
to one or more embodiments.
[0054] In another embodiment, the administrative component 200 can
facilitate an agreement between multiple neighboring access point
devices that allows one access point device (e.g., access point
device 214) to utilize the various other access point devices
(e.g., access point devices 306, 402, 404) in the case of multiple
access point devices (e.g., access point devices 214, 306, 402)
failing. The administrative component 200 can leverage the
agreements between the access point devices 214, 306, 402, 404 to
execute connectivity based on the agreement. For example, the
agreement can be performed in advance or on the fly in response to
the access point device 214 failure. When the first access point
fails (e.g., access point device 214), it can know that there is a
second access point (e.g., access point device 306) that it can
leverage for communication with the UE 102 by establishing a tunnel
through to the second access point (e.g., access point device 306)
via the second access point device's ISP 302 (e.g., wired and/or
wireless). However, if the second access point 306 is unavailable
(e.g., has failed), the first access point device 214 can tunnel to
the third access point device 402, through the second access point
device 306 to gain access to the internet. If the second access
point device 306 has failed, then the first access point device 214
can tunnel through the second access point device 306 and the third
access point device 402 to get to the fourth access point device
404 and achieve internet access via UE 102 as orchestrated by the
administrative controller 200.
[0055] The communication between access point devices 214, 306,
402, 404 can be facilitated through a wireless link (e.g., Wi-Fi).
For example, the first access point device 214 can comprise two
receivers. The first receiver can be a receiver (e.g., primary
radio transceiver 210) that a computer (e.g., UE 102) can utilize
to connect to the second access point device 306. The second
receiver (e.g., secondary radio transceiver 204) could be one that
is listening for transmissions from another access point (e.g.,
second access point device 306), which can be on a different
frequency band, a different connection protocol, etc. Thus, the
first access point device 214 can behave as an access point for
connecting to wireless devices (e.g., UEs, laptops, IoT devices,
etc.). However, the first access point device 214 can also behave
as a wireless device when it is attempting to connect to another
access point device (e.g., second access point device 306). In
another embodiment, if the administrative function cannot be
established, and the administrative process can be initiated on the
fly in response to an access point failure. Additionally, a
communication association component can identify that specific
communication is not associated with the primary access point
lessor/owner. For instance, data being sent from the first access
point device 214 though the second or third access point devices
306, 402, should not be attributed to the second or third access
point devices 306, 402.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 5 illustrates an example schematic
flow diagram of an access point device tunneling procedure 500
according to one or more embodiments. At block 502, when there is
an access point device 214 connectivity failure, the administrative
controller 200 can determine if there has been an association
established between the access point device 214 and another access
point device 306, 402, 404. If there has been an association
established (previously) at block 504, then the access point device
214 can tunnel through the other access point device 306, 402, 404
to access internet connectivity. Alternatively, if there has not
been a previous association established between access point
devices, then the access point device 214 can request permission
(e.g., on the fly) at block 508 to tunnel through another access
point device 306, 402, 404 for access internet connectivity. If
authorization or permission is granted at block 510 by the access
point device 306, then the access point device 214 can tunnel
through the access point device 306 to access internet
connectivity. However, if the access point device 306 does not
provide permission, then the access point device 214 can
iteratively check with the other access point devices 402, 404
until permission is granted. Alternatively, if no permission is
granted by any neighboring access point device 302, 402, 404, then
the procedure can end at block 512.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example flow
diagram of a method for facilitating access point authenticated
tunneling for a 5G network according to one or more embodiments. At
element 600, the method can comprise requesting, by a first
wireless network device comprising a processor, a utilization of a
second wireless network device to establish an internet connection.
In response to the requesting, at element 602, the method can
comprise receiving, by the first wireless network device, access
data representative of an access to the second wireless network
device. Additionally, at element 604, the method can comprise
receiving, by the first wireless network device, an indication of a
failed internet connection. In response to the receiving the
indication of the failed internet connection, at element 606, the
method can comprise facilitating, by the first wireless network
device, establishing the internet connection via the second
wireless network device, resulting in an established internet
connection.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is an example flow
diagram of a system for facilitating access point authenticated
tunneling for a 5G network according to one or more embodiments. At
element 700, the system can comprise receiving, by a first access
point device from a second access point device, request data
representative of a request to utilize the first access point
device as a host for an internet connectivity. In response to the
receiving, at element 702, the system can comprise sending, by the
first access point device, permission data representative of a
permission to utilize the first access point device as the host for
the internet connectivity. Furthermore, in response to an
interrupted internet connectivity experienced by the second access
point device, at element 704, the system can comprise facilitating,
by the first access point device, the internet connectivity for the
second access point device.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated is an example flow
diagram of a machine-readable medium for facilitating access point
authenticated tunneling for a 5G network according to one or more
embodiments. At element 800, the machine-readable medium can
perform the operations comprising receiving request data
representative of a request to utilize a first access point device
as a host access point device for an internet connectivity. In
response to the receiving, at element 802, the machine-readable
medium can perform the operations comprising facilitating sending
of permission data representative of a permission to utilize the
first access point device as the host access point device for the
internet connectivity. Furthermore, in response to receiving an
indication of a service failure experienced by a second access
point device, at element 804, the machine-readable medium can
perform the operations comprising facilitating the internet
connectivity for the second access point device via the first
access point device.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated is a schematic block
diagram of an exemplary end-user device such as a mobile device
capable of connecting to a network in accordance with some
embodiments described herein. Although a mobile handset 900 is
illustrated herein, it will be understood that other devices can be
a mobile device, and that the mobile handset 900 is merely
illustrated to provide context for the embodiments of the various
embodiments described herein. The following discussion is intended
to provide a brief, general description of an example of a suitable
environment 900 in which the various embodiments can be
implemented. While the description includes a general context of
computer-executable instructions embodied on a machine-readable
storage medium, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
innovation also can be implemented in combination with other
program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and
software.
[0061] Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include
routines, programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform
particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods
described herein can be practiced with other system configurations,
including single-processor or multiprocessor systems,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers,
hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable
consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be
operatively coupled to one or more associated devices.
[0062] A computing device can typically include a variety of
machine-readable media. Machine-readable media can be any available
media that can be accessed by the computer and includes both
volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media can
comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer
storage media can include volatile and/or non-volatile media,
removable and/or non-removable media implemented in any method or
technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.
Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to, RAM,
ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,
digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic
cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the
desired information and which can be accessed by the computer.
[0063] Communication media typically embodies computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a
modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term
"modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its
characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode
information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,
communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or
direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,
infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the
above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0064] The handset 900 includes a processor 902 for controlling and
processing all onboard operations and functions. A memory 904
interfaces to the processor 902 for storage of data and one or more
applications 906 (e.g., a video player software, user feedback
component software, etc.). Other applications can include voice
recognition of predetermined voice commands that facilitate
initiation of the user feedback signals. The applications 906 can
be stored in the memory 904 and/or in a firmware 908, and executed
by the processor 902 from either or both the memory 904 or/and the
firmware 908. The firmware 908 can also store startup code for
execution in initializing the handset 900. A communications
component 910 interfaces to the processor 902 to facilitate
wired/wireless communication with external systems, e.g., cellular
networks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, the communications
component 910 can also include a suitable cellular transceiver 911
(e.g., a GSM transceiver) and/or an unlicensed transceiver 913
(e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax) for corresponding signal communications. The
handset 900 can be a device such as a cellular telephone, a PDA
with mobile communications capabilities, and messaging-centric
devices. The communications component 910 also facilitates
communications reception from terrestrial radio networks (e.g.,
broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, and Internet-based
radio services networks.
[0065] The handset 900 includes a display 912 for displaying text,
images, video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function),
setup functions, and for user input. For example, the display 912
can also be referred to as a "screen" that can accommodate the
presentation of multimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages,
wallpaper, graphics, etc.). The display 912 can also display videos
and can facilitate the generation, editing and sharing of video
quotes. A serial I/O interface 914 is provided in communication
with the processor 902 to facilitate wired and/or wireless serial
communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 1394) through a hardwire
connection, and other serial input devices (e.g., a keyboard,
keypad, and mouse). This supports updating and troubleshooting the
handset 900, for example. Audio capabilities are provided with an
audio I/O component 916, which can include a speaker for the output
of audio signals related to, for example, indication that the user
pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the user
feedback signal. The audio I/O component 916 also facilitates the
input of audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or
telephony voice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone
conversations.
[0066] The handset 900 can include a slot interface 918 for
accommodating a SIC (Subscriber Identity Component) in the form
factor of a card Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) or universal SIM
920, and interfacing the SIM card 920 with the processor 902.
However, it is to be appreciated that the SIM card 920 can be
manufactured into the handset 900, and updated by downloading data
and software.
[0067] The handset 900 can process IP data traffic through the
communication component 910 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP
network such as, for example, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a
home network, a person area network, etc., through an ISP or
broadband cable provider. Thus, VoIP traffic can be utilized by the
handset 900 and IP-based multimedia content can be received in
either an encoded or decoded format.
[0068] A video processing component 922 (e.g., a camera) can be
provided for decoding encoded multimedia content. The video
processing component 922 can aid in facilitating the generation,
editing and sharing of video quotes. The handset 900 also includes
a power source 924 in the form of batteries and/or an AC power
subsystem, which power source 924 can interface to an external
power system or charging equipment (not shown) by a power I/O
component 926.
[0069] The handset 900 can also include a video component 930 for
processing video content received and, for recording and
transmitting video content. For example, the video component 930
can facilitate the generation, editing and sharing of video quotes.
A location tracking component 932 facilitates geographically
locating the handset 900. As described hereinabove, this can occur
when the user initiates the feedback signal automatically or
manually. A user input component 934 facilitates the user
initiating the quality feedback signal. The user input component
934 can also facilitate the generation, editing and sharing of
video quotes. The user input component 934 can include such
conventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,
mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.
[0070] Referring again to the applications 906, a hysteresis
component 936 facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis
data, which is utilized to determine when to associate with the
access point. A software trigger component 938 can be provided that
facilitates triggering of the hysteresis component 938 when the
Wi-Fi transceiver 913 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP
client 940 enables the handset 900 to support SIP protocols and
register the subscriber with the SIP registrar server. The
applications 906 can also include a client 942 that provides at
least the capability of discovery, play and store of multimedia
content, for example, music.
[0071] The handset 900, as indicated above related to the
communications component 910, includes an indoor network radio
transceiver 913 (e.g., Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports
the indoor radio link, such as IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM
handset 900. The handset 900 can accommodate at least satellite
radio services through a handset that can combine wireless voice
and digital radio chipsets into a single handheld device.
[0072] In order to provide additional context for various
embodiments described herein, FIG. 10 and the following discussion
are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable
computing environment 1000 in which the various embodiments of the
embodiment described herein can be implemented. While the
embodiments have been described above in the general context of
computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more
computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
embodiments can be also implemented in combination with other
program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and
software.
[0073] Generally, program modules include routines, programs,
components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the disclosed methods can be
practiced with other computer system configurations, including
single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, distributed
computing systems, as well as personal computers, hand-held
computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled
to one or more associated devices.
[0074] The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be
also practiced in distributed computing environments where certain
tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked
through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules can be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0075] Computing devices typically include a variety of media,
which can include computer-readable storage media, machine-readable
storage media, and/or communications media, which two terms are
used herein differently from one another as follows.
Computer-readable storage media or machine-readable storage media
can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the
computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,
removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not
limitation, computer-readable storage media or machine-readable
storage media can be implemented in connection with any method or
technology for storage of information such as computer-readable or
machine-readable instructions, program modules, structured data or
unstructured data.
[0076] Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not
limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),
electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash
memory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory
(CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD) or other
optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic
disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, solid state drives
or other solid state storage devices, or other tangible and/or
non-transitory media which can be used to store desired
information. In this regard, the terms "tangible" or
"non-transitory" herein as applied to storage, memory or
computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only
propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not
relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or
computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory
signals per se.
[0077] Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or
more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests,
queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of
operations with respect to the information stored by the
medium.
[0078] Communications media typically embody computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other structured
or unstructured data in a data signal such as a modulated data
signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and
includes any information delivery or transport media. The term
"modulated data signal" or signals refers to a signal that has one
or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as
to encode information in one or more signals. By way of example,
and not limitation, communication media include wired media, such
as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media
such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.
[0079] With reference again to FIG. 10, the example environment
1000 for implementing various embodiments of the aspects described
herein includes a computer 1002, the computer 1002 including a
processing unit 1004, a system memory 1006 and a system bus 1008.
The system bus 1008 couples system components including, but not
limited to, the system memory 1006 to the processing unit 1004. The
processing unit 1004 can be any of various commercially available
processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor
architectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1004.
[0080] The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus
structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or
without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.
The system memory 1006 includes ROM 1010 and RAM 1012. A basic
input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory
such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM),
EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within the computer 1002,
such as during startup. The RAM 1012 can also include a high-speed
RAM such as static RAM for caching data.
[0081] The computer 1002 further includes an internal hard disk
drive (HDD) 1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), one or more external storage
devices 1016 (e.g., a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, a
memory stick or flash drive reader, a memory card reader, etc.) and
an optical disk drive 1020 (e.g., which can read or write from a
CD-ROM disc, a DVD, a BD, etc.). While the internal HDD 1014 is
illustrated as located within the computer 1002, the internal HDD
1014 can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis
(not shown). Additionally, while not shown in environment 1000, a
solid state drive (SSD) could be used in addition to, or in place
of, an HDD 1014. The HDD 1014, external storage device(s) 1016 and
optical disk drive 1020 can be connected to the system bus 1008 by
an HDD interface 1024, an external storage interface 1026 and an
optical drive interface 1028, respectively. The interface 1024 for
external drive implementations can include at least one or both of
Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other
external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of
the embodiments described herein.
[0082] The drives and their associated computer-readable storage
media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures,
computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer
1002, the drives and storage media accommodate the storage of any
data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of
computer-readable storage media above refers to respective types of
storage devices, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that other types of storage media which are readable by a
computer, whether presently existing or developed in the future,
could also be used in the example operating environment, and
further, that any such storage media can contain
computer-executable instructions for performing the methods
described herein.
[0083] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and
RAM 1012, including an operating system 1030, one or more
application programs 1032, other program modules 1034 and program
data 1036. All or portions of the operating system, applications,
modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 1012. The
systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing
various commercially available operating systems or combinations of
operating systems.
[0084] Computer 1002 can optionally comprise emulation
technologies. For example, a hypervisor (not shown) or other
intermediary can emulate a hardware environment for operating
system 1030, and the emulated hardware can optionally be different
from the hardware illustrated in FIG. 10. In such an embodiment,
operating system 1030 can comprise one virtual machine (VM) of
multiple VMs hosted at computer 1002. Furthermore, operating system
1030 can provide runtime environments, such as the Java runtime
environment or the .NET framework, for applications 1032. Runtime
environments are consistent execution environments that allow
applications 1032 to run on any operating system that includes the
runtime environment. Similarly, operating system 1030 can support
containers, and applications 1032 can be in the form of containers,
which are lightweight, standalone, executable packages of software
that include, e.g., code, runtime, system tools, system libraries
and settings for an application.
[0085] Further, computer 1002 can be enable with a security module,
such as a trusted processing module (TPM). For instance, with a
TPM, boot components hash next in time boot components, and wait
for a match of results to secured values, before loading a next
boot component. This process can take place at any layer in the
code execution stack of computer 1002, e.g., applied at the
application execution level or at the operating system (OS) kernel
level, thereby enabling security at any level of code
execution.
[0086] A user can enter commands and information into the computer
1002 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a
keyboard 1038, a touch screen 1040, and a pointing device, such as
a mouse 1042. Other input devices (not shown) can include a
microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a radio frequency (RF)
remote control, or other remote control, a joystick, a virtual
reality controller and/or virtual reality headset, a game pad, a
stylus pen, an image input device, e.g., camera(s), a gesture
sensor input device, a vision movement sensor input device, an
emotion or facial detection device, a biometric input device, e.g.,
fingerprint or iris scanner, or the like. These and other input
devices are often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an
input device interface 1044 that can be coupled to the system bus
1008, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel
port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR
interface, a BLUETOOTH.RTM. interface, etc.
[0087] A monitor 1046 or other type of display device can be also
connected to the system bus 1008 via an interface, such as a video
adapter 1048. In addition to the monitor 1046, a computer typically
includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as
speakers, printers, etc.
[0088] The computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment
using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications
to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1050.
The remote computer(s) 1050 can be a workstation, a server
computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or
other common network node, and typically includes many or all of
the elements described relative to the computer 1002, although, for
purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1052 is
illustrated. The logical connections depicted include
wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1054
and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1056. Such
LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and
companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such
as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications
network, e.g., the Internet.
[0089] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1002
can be connected to the local network 1054 through a wired and/or
wireless communication network interface or adapter 1058. The
adapter 1058 can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the
LAN 1054, which can also include a wireless access point (AP)
disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 1058 in a
wireless mode.
[0090] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1002
can include a modem 1060 or can be connected to a communications
server on the WAN 1056 via other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 1056, such as by way of the Internet.
The modem 1060, which can be internal or external and a wired or
wireless device, can be connected to the system bus 1008 via the
input device interface 1044. In a networked environment, program
modules depicted relative to the computer 1002 or portions thereof,
can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 1052. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are example and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers can be used.
[0091] When used in either a LAN or WAN networking environment, the
computer 1002 can access cloud storage systems or other
network-based storage systems in addition to, or in place of,
external storage devices 1016 as described above. Generally, a
connection between the computer 1002 and a cloud storage system can
be established over a LAN 1054 or WAN 1056 e.g., by the adapter
1058 or modem 1060, respectively. Upon connecting the computer 1002
to an associated cloud storage system, the external storage
interface 1026 can, with the aid of the adapter 1058 and/or modem
1060, manage storage provided by the cloud storage system as it
would other types of external storage. For instance, the external
storage interface 1026 can be configured to provide access to cloud
storage sources as if those sources were physically connected to
the computer 1002.
[0092] The computer 1002 can be operable to communicate with any
wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless
communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable
computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any
piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly
detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, store shelf, etc.), and
telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
BLUETOOTH.RTM. wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can
be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply
an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.
[0093] The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless
devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,
e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer,
portable data assistant, communications satellite, any piece of
equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag
(e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This includes
at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.TM. wireless technologies. Thus, the
communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional
network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two
devices.
[0094] Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the
Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a
conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless
technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enables such
devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;
anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use
radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, etc.) to provide
secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can
be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to
wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks
operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps
(802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example, or with
products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can
provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired
Ethernet networks used in many offices.
[0095] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the
subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments
to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and
examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various
modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of
such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art
can recognize.
[0096] In this regard, while the subject matter has been described
herein in connection with various embodiments and corresponding
FIGs, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar
embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made
to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar,
alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter
without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject
matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described
herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in
accordance with the appended claims below.
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