KR100981937B1 - Context based connectivity for mobile devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system for automatically generating a desired wireless access medium sequence in a wireless communication device (WCD) for connecting to a network. The server on the network detects when a new device enters the designated space, identifies the device, determines its capabilities, and generates a radio access media sequence for the device. The desired access medium order may be determined in consideration of the device profile corresponding to the WCD. The server can then set the desired media order in the WCD. The server may also control additional information synchronization once the WCD is connected to the network.

Description

Context based connectivity for mobile devices

This international application is entitled "Method and System to Contextually Initiate Synchronization Services On Mobile Terminals In An Enterprise Environment" and was named in October 2004. US Patent Application No. 11 / 126,288, filed May 11, 2005, entitled " Context Based Connectivity for Mobile Devices, " Priority is claimed on the basis of the call, and each of the entire specifications of these US applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to wireless communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to the automatic prioritization of available wireless communication media in a wireless communication device that is facilitated by an external server.

A wireless communication device (WCD) can communicate over a number of networks. Cellular networks facilitate WCD communications over a wide geographic area. For example, the Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) is a widely adopted cellular network that communicates in the 900 MHZ-1.8 GHZ band in Europe and 1.9 GHZ in the United States. Such systems provide a number of features including audio (voice), video and text data communication. For example, the transmission of test data may be via a Short Messaging Service (SMS). Short Messaging Service (SMS) allows the WCD to send and receive text messages of up to 160 characters. It also provides data transmission for packet networks, ISDN and POTS users at 9.6 Kbps. Although cellular networks such as GSM provide a global means of transmitting and receiving data, cellular networks may not be suitable for all data applications because of concerns about cost, traffic and laws.

Bluetooth ^TM is a fast-receiving short-range wireless network technology on the market. Bluetooth ^™ -based WCDs can transmit and receive data at rates up to 720 Kbps within a 10-meter range, and within 100 meters with additional power boosting. The user cannot manually promote the Bluetooth ^TM wireless network. A plurality of devices inherent in the operating range of each other automatically form a network group referred to as " piconet ". One device pushes itself to the master of the piconet so that it can control data exchanges with 255 " standby " slaves and seven " active " slaves. Slaves in active state exchange data based on the clock timing of the master. Slave in standby monitors the beacon signal to be in sync with the master and waits until an active slot is available. Such devices constantly switch to various active communication and power saving modes to send data to other members of the piconet.

More recently, manufacturers have begun merging several devices (eg, components and software for performing proximity wireless information exchanges) that provide enhanced functionality in WCD. Sensors and / or scanners may be used to read visual or electronic information within a given device. A transaction may involve a user holding his WCD in proximity to a target that is aiming his WCD at a given subject (eg, to take a picture) or passing the device on a tag or document. Can be. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infra-Red (IR) communication, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and other types of visual, electronic, and magnetic scanning require manual input by the user. It is used to quickly enter the desired information into the WCD.

Worldwide, the use of WCDs has increased due to the quality and function improvements mentioned above. These devices combine the ability to reliably receive, display, manipulate and relay multiple forms of information in a single compact package. These benefits have helped professionals create new business paradigms that offer better and faster service, which results in greater customer satisfaction without facing additional workload.

There are many examples of improvements in the workplace realized from the advent of wireless communication. At the lowest level, WCDs often replace walkie-talkies or CB radios for communication between employees. However, more functionality of WCDs has resulted in additional applications. Currently, employees use WCD to electronically review their calendars, check product inventory and / or current prices, check project status, send e-mail, and send visual or auditory instructions related to completing a task. Receiving, tracking their behavior by scanning business site tags or taking digital photos of their behavior, relaying status information back to a central information repository, and the like is possible. All of this can be done from one handheld device, thus somewhat relieving the need for inefficient paper handing.

Easily having business-related information stored on a wireless communication device can help you be productive, but if your data isn't updated regularly, your benefits will be diminished. New applications, emails, meetings, announcements, instructions, price lists or other business-related information should generally be useful. Conventionally, this information is external when a user installs a device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) to enable wired communication with a computer (eg, via a cable or device dock). Synchronized with the source. As technology has advanced, IR and / or RF communications have allowed for wireless short range passive synchronization. Finally, global wireless information providers, such as cellular communication, have been employed to constantly update wireless communication devices.

Even with these improvements, there are still several problems in the art. Although cellular communication allows for continuous Internet and / or remote WAN connections, this architecture also entails significant cost and complexity. Cost of airtime and various government regulations from domestic cellular service providers have placed a large overhead cost on these systems. In addition, there is a question of which cellular provider / technology should be adopted to limit the likelihood that a given company will later change its strategy at the expense of contracts, equipment and the like.

Alternatively, short range communication systems allow for flexible and cost effective communication over naturally available frequencies. A company may set up short-range access points that provide a coverage area (eg, employing Bluetooth ^™ or WLAN) throughout their office building. Employees entering the building can automatically connect their devices to the wireless office network to update the relevant information. Ideally, this works great for small companies using only one place and stable technology, but the problems increase with the size of the business. Larger corporations may have multiple locations, perhaps all employing different short-range technologies at different revision levels. WCD scanning for all possible short range communication configurations quickly drains its battery power, making the device useless. Traffic, security and configuration issues necessarily require manual WCD configuration by the user, thus overriding the benefits of the system.

What is needed is a technology that helps determine the appropriate short-range technology for a wireless communication device to communicate without having the device constantly scan all active networks. When entering a predetermined area that includes wireless information access points, the WCD should try to maximize its communication throughput while conserving battery power by trying to connect with these networks in what order and in what order. You must be notified.

The present invention includes methods, apparatuses, programs and systems for automating the desired sequence of access media in a WCD. The server on the network detects when a new device enters the designated space, identifies the device, determines its capabilities, and generates an access media sequence. The server then communicates with the WCD to set the desired media order.

In at least one representative embodiment, the WCD includes facilities for which cellular communication allows location services. The location service determines the current location of the device for several cellular base stations. The locator service has the ability to notify a server on the network when the device enters a designated space, and can also supply device identification information to the server. The server can then analyze the characteristics of the device and determine the appropriate desired connection setup information.

In another exemplary embodiment, the WCD includes functionality to support a Global Positioning System (GPS). When the WCD enters the designated space, the device is triggered to send its identification to a server on the network. The server can then analyze the characteristics of the device and determine the appropriate desired connection setup information.

In a third exemplary embodiment, the WCD may include machine readable data, such as an RFID transponder. Such a device remains inactive until scanned by an RFID sensor that can be installed at the entrance of a designated space. When the transponder is scanned, the transponder responds with device identification for the WCD. At this time, the server can analyze the characteristics of the device and determine the appropriate desired communication setting information.

Additional features of the present invention are not limited to control features that adopt the designated spatial environment in consideration of the determination of the desired communication configuration information of the device. These factors include security issues, the number of users actively communicating using a particular wireless system, environmental noise in a designated space, and the like. The present invention can also control the synchronization of device data of the WCD with more recent data stored on the network based on these factors.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment contemplated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 shows typical wireless communication networks and shows how these networks interact with a user having a wireless communication device.

2 is a diagram illustrating, in modules, useful wireless communication devices in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

3 illustrates, in functional form, a useful wireless communication device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a diagram illustrating a network diagram and a connection scheme for connection of a wireless communication device to a context server according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

4B illustrates a contextually selected network connection scheme, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

4C illustrates a context control virtual interface scheme in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram representatively illustrating a server for receiving location information of a wireless communication device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

6 is a flowchart describing the connection process of at least one embodiment of the present invention.

6A is a flowchart describing a variant connection process of at least one embodiment of the present invention.

7 illustrates a more specific application for at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows representative connection steps for the more specific application disclosed in FIG. 7.

9 is a flowchart describing an exemplary operational process for the more specific application disclosed in FIG.

10 is a diagram illustrating a variant application in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram illustrating representative user interfaces for notifying a WCD user of a connection status in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

Although the present invention will be described as preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I. Operating Environment

Before describing the invention in detail, it may be helpful to describe the environment in which the invention may be used. Thus, FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary operating environment in which the WCD 100 may collect and use services in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure.

The WCD 100 may initiate various types of wireless communications. For example, the WCD 100 may initiate long range cellular communication 104 (eg, GSM) in addition to short range communication 114. Examples of short range communication are not limited to Bluetooth ^™ , WLAN (ie IEEE 802.11), ultra-wideband (UWB), and / or wireless USB transmission. As shown in FIG. 1, the WCD 100 may enter a communication range of an access point 106. This communication range is defined by a coverage area 116 that determines the limit of the range in which these devices can communicate.

When the WCD 100 is within the receivable area 116 of the access point 106, the WCD 100 may initiate a short range communication connection with the access point 106. Once this connection is established, the access point 106 can provide the WCD 100 with information about various available services. In a commercial setting, this information may include one or more links and shortcuts to such services. Such links may be sent to the WCD 100 in an arrangement or data structure referred to herein as a service bookmark. In a business environment, these services may also include applications that synchronize or update business information contained on the WCD.

The WCD 100 is capable of communicating through the adoption of short range scanning of a target object containing machine readable data. For example, RFID communication may be used to scan a target object located within or adjacent to the access point 106. For such communication, the target object may include a transponder that provides data to the WCD 100 in response to a scan performed by the WCD 100. Such communication may occur in close proximity (eg, in close contact) with the target object. Thus, in the case of RFID communication, the receivable area 116 may amount to several feet. In contrast, the WCD 100 may also include a transponder that may be read by other proximity wireless communication devices having scanning capability.

Various service providers 110 provide the services mentioned above. In the environment of FIG. 1, WCD 100 communicates with service providers 110 via a backbone network 114. In FIG. 1, the backbone communication network 114 is shown to include a packet-based network 112 (eg, the Internet) and a cellular network 102. The cellular network 102 may include base stations and mobile telephone switching centers. However, these implementations are provided for illustration. In practice, other network types and arrangements are within the scope of the present invention.

The backbone communications network 114 is also used for the accumulation of links by the access points 106. For example, each service provider 110 may transmit information about the services of each service provider 110 to the access point 106 via the high capacity wireless data network 108. Non-limiting examples of high capacity wireless data networks include unidirectional broadcast networks, such as Digital Video Broadcast (DVB), used alone or in combination with, for example, the cellular network employed for GPRS communication. . Alternatively, the access point 106 may be connected to the packet based network 112 via a fixed wire network connection 118. The information transmitted from the service provider 110 may include data (eg, service bookmarks) collected by the WCD 100. In addition, the backbone communications network 114 may be used by the WCD 100 to obtain additional data from the service providers 110 regarding bookmark information received from the access point 106.

II. Wireless communication device

2 shows a representative module layout for the wireless communication device. WCD 100 is classified into modules showing the functional forms of the wireless communication device. These functions may be performed in various combinations of software and / or hardware, discussed below.

The control module 200 regulates the operation of the wireless communication device. Inputs may be received from several other modules inherent in the WCD 100. For example, the interference sensing module 210 may use various techniques known in the art to detect environmental interference sources within the effective transmission range of the wireless communication device. Control module 200 may interpret these data inputs and in response supply control commands to other modules inherent in WCD 100.

The communication module 220 merges all communication forms of the WCD 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication module 220 includes, for example, a long range communication module 222, a short range communication module 224, and a machine readable module 226. The communication module 220 employs at least these sub-modules to receive a number of different types of communication from near and long distance sources, and to transmit data to receiving devices inherent in the broadcast range of the WCD 100. The communication module 220 triggers by the control module 200 or by control resources proximate to the module responsive to detected messages, environmental impacts and / or other devices adjacent to the WCD 100. Can be

The user interface module 230 includes visual, auditory, and tactile elements that allow a user of the WCD 100 to receive data from and input data from the wireless communication device. The data input by the user may be interpreted by the control module 200 to affect the behavior of the WCD 100. Data entered by the user may also be transmitted by the communication module 220 to other devices inherent in the effective transmission range. Other devices inherent to the transmission range can also send information to the WCD 100 via the communication module 220, which allows the control module 200 to send this information to the user interface module 230 for the user to see. Can be.

Application module 240 merges all other hardware and / or software applications on WCD 100. Such applications may include sensors, interfaces, utilities, interpreters, data applications, etc., to read the information provided by the various modules and again supply information to the required modules in the WCD 100. May be invoked by the control module 200.

3 illustrates a representative structural layout of a WCD 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that may be used to implement the functionality of a previously mentioned modular system. Processor 300 controls the overall device operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 300 is connected to communication sections 310, 320, 340. The processor 300 may be implemented with one or more microprocessors, each capable of executing software instructions stored in the memory 330.

Memory 330 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or flash memory, and may include information in the form of data and software components (also referred to herein as modules). Save it. Data stored by memory 330 may be associated with particular software components. In addition, such data may be associated with a database such as a bookmark database or business database for scheduling, email, and the like.

Software components stored by the memory 330 include instructions that may be executed by the processor 300. Various types of software components may be stored in the memory 330. For example, the memory 330 may store software components that control the operation of the communication sections 310, 320, 340. The memory 330 may also store software components including a firewall, a service guide manager, a bookmark database, a user interface manager, and any communication utility modules needed to support the WCD 100.

Long distance communication 310 performs functions related to the exchange of information over wide receivable area networks (such as cellular networks) via an antenna. Therefore, long distance communication 310 may operate to establish data communication sessions, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) sessions and / or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) sessions. have. Further, long distance communication 310 may operate to send and receive messages such as Short Messaging Service (SMS) messages and / or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages.

Short-range communication 320 performs a function including the exchange of information over short-range wireless networks. As mentioned above and shown in FIG. 3, examples of such short range communication 320 are not limited to Bluetooth ^™ , WLAN, UWB and Wireless USB connections. Thus, short-range communication 320 performs functions related to the establishment of short-range connections, as well as processing related to the transmission and reception of information over those connections.

Also, the short range input device 340 shown in FIG. 3 may provide a function regarding short range scanning of machine readable data. For example, the processor 300 may control the short range input device 340 to generate RF signals to activate the RFID transponder and again control the reception of signals from the RFID transponder. Other short range scanning methods for reading machine readable data that may be supported by the short range input device 340 include IR communications, linear and 2-D barcode readers (including processes involved in the interpretation of UPC labels). And optical character recognition devices for reading magnetic, UV, conductive or other types of encoded data that may be provided to a tag using a suitable ink. For the short range input device 340 to scan the machine readable data of the type mentioned above, the input device is used to interpret optical detectors, magnetic detectors, CCDs or other machine known information in the art. It may include sensors.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 350 is also connected to the processor 300. The user interface 350 facilitates the exchange of information with the user. 3, the user interface 350 is shown to include a user input 360 and a user output 370. User input 360 may include one or more components that allow a user to enter information. Examples of such components include keypads, touch screens, and microphones. User output 370 allows a user to receive information from the device. Accordingly, the output 370 may include various components such as a display, light emitting diodes (LEDs), tactile emitters, and one or more audio speakers. Representative displays include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and other video displays.

WCD 100 may also include transponder 380. It is essentially a passive device that can be programmed with information to be delivered by the processor 300 in response to a scan from an external source. For example, an RFID scanner mounted in the input direction may emit radio frequency waves continuously. When a person carrying a device including a transponder 380 walks through the door, the transponder may receive energy and respond with information identifying the device.

Hardware corresponding to communication sections 310, 320, 340 provides for the transmission and reception of signals. Thus, these portions may include components (eg, electronics) that perform functions such as modulation, demodulation, amplification, and filtering. These portions may be locally controlled or may be controlled by the processor 300 in accordance with software communication components stored in the memory 330.

The elements shown in FIG. 3 may be configured and connected according to various techniques to create the functionality described in FIG. 2. One such technique is an independent hardware component corresponding to the processor 300, the communication sections 310, 320, the memory 330, the short range input device 340, the user interface 350, etc., via one or more bus interfaces. Techniques for linking them together. Alternatively, any one of the individual components and / or all individual components may take the form of a programmable logic device, gate array, ASIC, multi-chip module, etc., programmed to replicate the functions of standalone devices. It can be replaced by an integrated circuit. In addition, each of these components is connected to a power source such as a removable and / or rechargeable battery (not shown).

The user interface 350 is a communication utility software component also inherent in the memory 330 that provides a utility for establishing service sessions using long-range communications 310 and / or short-range communications 320. Can interact with The communication utility software component may include various routines that allow the reception of services from remote devices in accordance with media such as a Wireless Application Medium (WAP).

When initiating WAP communication with a remote server, the device performs the same function as the WAP client. To provide this functionality, the software components may include WAP client software components such as a Wireless Markup Language (WML) browser, a WMLScript engine, a push subsystem, and a wireless media stack.

Applications (not shown) may interact with the WAP client software to provide various communication services. Examples of such communication services include headline news, exchange rates, sports results, stock quotes, weather forecasts, multilingual idioms, shopping and dining information, general transportation (eg, bus, train, and / or subway) schedules, personal online calendars, And reception of Internet-based content such as online travel and banking services.

WAP-based devices can access small files called decks, each containing small pages called cards. The cards are small enough to accommodate a small display area, referred to herein as a microbrowser. The small size and small file sizes of the microbrowsers are suitable to accommodate the constraints of small memory devices and low bandwidth communications imposed on wireless links.

Cards are written in Wireless Markup Language (WML), which is designed specifically for one-hand navigation and small screens without using a keyboard. Because WML is scalable, WML is compatible with a wide range of displays that take two-line text displays as well as LCD screens found on devices such as smart phones, PDAs, and personal communicators. . WML cards can include programs written in WMLScript that are similar to JavaScript. However, by eliminating many of the unnecessary features found in these other scripting languages, WMLScript reduces memory and processing requirements.

III. Operation of the Invention

4A is a network diagram in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention showing a plurality of wireless access points 440, 440A, 440B, and 440C. Local area network (LAN) 442 interconnects access server 480 and access points, which in turn are connected to secure context database 482. The user's wireless communication device 100 is shown at a first location A near the first wireless access point 440A, and then later at a second location B near the second wireless access point 440B. Is shown. Each corresponding access point has a corresponding receivable area 450, 450A, 450B, 450C, respectively. Bluetooth wireless devices have a typical receivable area of 10 meters radius. IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN devices and HIPERLAN wireless LAN devices have a typical receivable area with a radius of 100 meters. The user's wireless communication device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a microbrowser 402, a keypad, and an application program 406. The user's wireless communication device also includes a security context middleware 410. Each access point 440, 440A, 440B, 440C includes a security context middleware 410 ′. The connection server 480 includes a security context middleware 410 ". The connection server 480 further includes a context manager 410. The connection server 480 is also connected to the Internet 444 and the The internet 444 is again connected to the WAP protocol gateway 488 and the WAP protocol gateway 488 is again connected to the GSM access point 486.

In this example, the secure context middleware 410 stored in the memory of the user's wireless communication device 100 has a plurality of secure process subroutines selectable by a secure processing middleware command supplied by the context manager 414. . Further, in accordance with the present invention, the context manager program 414 of the access server 480 is a signal received from one of the access points 440, 440A, 440B, and 440C, the wireless communication device having such access. The context for the user's wireless communication device 100 is determined from the signal indicating that the point is wirelessly connected. The security context database 482 connected to the connection server 480 stores security feature data accessible by the determined context from the connection server 480 to implement a security process. The context manager 414 stores the stored security features in the security context database 482 based on the determined context of the user's wireless communication device 100 in the vicinity of the access points 440, 440A, 440B or 440C. Access the data. The context manager 414 then issues a secure processing middleware command representing the security feature data to the secure context middleware program 410 " of the connection server 480, the wireless communication device 100 of the user. To the security context middleware program 410 'of the access point, and to the security context middleware 410 of the user's wireless communication device 100. The security processing middleware commands are then sent to the wireless communication device, access point, and the like. Invoke the secure process in the addressed subroutine of the connection server 480.

4B and 4C illustrate two similar connection control schemes for wireless communication devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. All of these control schemes can be employed in the present invention.

In FIG. 4B, three wireless connection types C1-C3 are available. In the WCD, an application A1, a context middleware cw1, and a connection manager cm1 reside. The connections C1-C3 are wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth ^™ and cellular connections, respectively. C1 and C2 may alternatively be either type of wireless short range access network. C1 and C2 are provided by one or more access points (aps) that can be connected to a company's local area network (LAN). In addition, a context manager M1 and a device manager D1 reside in a server on a local area network or a wide area network. The cellular connection C3 may eventually provide Internet communication (eg, via GPRS) that may be connected to the company's LAN via an Internet service provider.

In this architecture, the context middleware cw1 employs a connection manager cm1 to control which connections C1-C3 are used by the application layer. Context manager M1 prioritizes these connections for connection manager cm1 to provide an optimized connection order based on a number of factors. The context manager M1 determines the optimal access medium order by determining the capability of the WCD from the records stored in the device manager D1. Device manager D1 may provide a profile of the device, including support connection methods, hardware, software revisions, grants, and the like. Context manager M1 considers this information with respect to other contextual information and possibly environmental information, such as time, location, user profile, etc., related to the designated area, and sends a prioritized access scheme to the WCD. 4A also discloses that context middleware cw1 can establish connections between WCD and various applications on C1-C3 by configuring the WCD at the device level as well as the application level. This means that one application can be configured to use one connection (within the application itself) and another application can be configured to use another connection. Alternatively, certain applications may use the default connection defined at the device level. While this connection scheme is convenient, it is somewhat complicated because of the need to configure each application independently each time the communication method changes.

FIG. 4C uses a similar scheme but restrains a Virtual Internet Access Point (VIAP) instead of requiring a custom communication configuration at the application level. This virtual connection is still controlled by the connection manager cm1 under the management of the context middleware cw1, ultimately the context manager M1. However, since a single virtual interface is provided to the WCD (eg, one access link in the user interface of the WCD, or any application user interface in the WCD instead of the connections C1, C2 or C3), the connections are described above. It doesn't always need to be monitored and changed at the application level. The Virtual Internet Access Point (VIAP) manages all communication before and after the appropriate applications without the need to reconfigure the connection features whenever the desired connection changes. Virtual Internet Access Point (VIAP) simplifies the operation of the WCD by requiring changes that are made only to the Virtual Internet Access Point (VIAP) behavior, not each individual application. In this embodiment, the context manager M1 manages or determines the desired access method / access point of the WCD or applications of the WCD, ie the content of the virtual Internet access point (VIAP). When the user selects access to a network from either the WCD or any application of the WCD, a network connection / access that additionally activates C1, C2 or C3 is established via the Virtual Internet Access Point (VIAP). .

The connection schemes of FIGS. 4A-4C are now employed in the inventive system of FIG. 5 illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the designated space 500 is an office building. Context manager M1 and device manager D1 are housed in server 510. The server 510 may be located in a stored space 500 and may be located remotely and accessible through a wide area network (WAN). Context manager M1 may be notified of the presence of WCD 100 in designated space 500 through a number of methods. In one embodiment, long distance communication 102 may include a locator service. This service reports the location of the cell phone by determining which base station in the cellular network 102 the cellular device is currently in use. Such a service may report the location of the WCD to the context manager M1 when a person (and the WCD 200) enters or is in proximity to the designated space. The second embodiment uses satellite positioning to determine the location of the WCD 100. Satellite 520 may be used to constantly relay geographic coordinates to WCD 100. Then, when the WCD 100 enters the designated space 500, when the WCD finds the designated machine readable tag or access point, etc., the device may report these coordinates to the context manager M1. . In a third embodiment, the WCD 100 may communicate its presence within a designated space 500 via short range communication or via machine readable data. For example, the device may report identification information for a Bluetooth ^TM or WLAN access point encountered in a designated space. Alternatively, the WCD 100 may pass near a machine readable data scanner (eg, an RFID scanner) when the user enters the designated space 500. The machine readable data scanner activates the transponder 380 of the WCD 100 to request a response to the machine readable data scanner including device identification information.

6, which illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, shows a flowchart of the basic functionality of the present invention. In step 600, a determination is made that the WCD has entered the designated space. This determination can be made using one of the methods mentioned above. Regardless of the acquisition method, identification information of the WCD is passed to the context server at step 610. The server then adopts this information to determine if the WCD is a recognized device (step 620). The determination may include the context server contacting a device management database. Device management includes information that can be queried to determine if the WCD is registered with the system and whether a device profile exists for the WCD. The device profile may include user information, device type, access media supported by the device, revisions of various device drivers, access permissions for the device, date and time since last synchronization with the network, and the like. However, it is not limited to these. If a device profile is not installed, the WCD is not considered to be a member or target device and no further communication is needed. If the device identification (ID) and profile are installed, the system proceeds to step 640. The context server then considers the access media available on the WCD, possibly in association with the communication environment state in the designated space. With regard to WCD, the context server may consider the device type, device identification, user identification, time to be performed and tasks, and the like. In connection with the network, the context server may determine the current relative speed of each connection type, the reliability of each connection type (e.g., the number of failures, lost packets, etc.), the number of users currently using each connection type. , Relative security of each connection type, environmental noise in a given space that may cause interference of each connection type, and so on. The server then combines these factors to include desired connection networks / access points for the device and / or other applications, or simply one desired connection network / access point for the device and its applications. You can create a list of access priorities. In step 650, the server pushes / sends this list or the desired access network information back to the WCD using short-range communication provided between the WCD and, for example, one access point. The WCD can then use this list or the desired access network information to determine the desired access medium for the designated space. In step 660, the WCD stores this list or the desired connection information in memory 330 on the WCD. This information is then used by applications, context middleware [cw1] and / or connection manager [cm1] to create access to the desired network.

6A is a flowchart for laying out a process for another embodiment of the present invention. In step 602, the WCD connects with an access service manager using a first wireless connection. The wireless connection may be of any of the types mentioned above, but is preferably a Bluetooth ^TM or WLAN connection via a local access point. The access service manager then examines a database (e.g., inherent in the device manager) to find device identification and device profile (steps 612 and 622). If no match can be found, then in step 632 no further action is performed by the access service manager. If a particular profile is found, the access service manager will continue to assess the access capability of the WCD with respect to the characteristics of the designated space and other related context information, perhaps to determine the desired wireless connection (step 642). In step 652, the access service manager sends second radio access information back to the WCD via the first radio connection. The WCD then stores this information and sets the second wireless connection information as the desired connection (step 662).

In Figure 7, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention, a particular application of the present invention is illustrated. It is shown here that several types of WCDs are delivered to one or more access points via short range communications including Bluetooth ^™ and WLAN. These access points also connect to the various information servers or applications described as part D1 in FIGS. 4 and 5 via a fixed-wired local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), or wide area network (WAN). do. At least one of these servers may perform a device management function. Other servers provide user-specific information updates and checks related to Personal Information Management (PIM) and e-mail, including calendars, scheduling, virus protection systems, and the like. Still other servers may provide global business information such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), including production planning, manufacturing, sales and marketing, as well as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and other related information. Can be. Some devices only have rudimentary communication and data handling capabilities (eg, cellular telephones). Such devices can connect to the network using cellular media such as GSM, GPRS, 3G and the like.

8 describing one embodiment of the present invention discloses an actual connection established by a user (eg, a user) in accordance with the particular application described in FIG. 7. In the first stage, the user enters the premises. If the WCD is capable of communicating via short-range communication, the service point automatically detects the WCD when the user is walking within its effective transmission range. The service point then sends identification information of the device to the service manager to request authentication and service information for the WCD. When the service manager recognizes the device, a secure connection is established between the device and the network. The update information about the user of the device can then be downloaded onto the WCD.

In another embodiment, information in any application or server D1 in the network that recognizes and authenticates the device (via the API) when the service manager authenticates the WCD and the desired access network / access point information has been sent to the WCD). A connection is made with a service manager that can access. The application or server D1 may then initiate communication with the WCD and perform various operations such as PIM, backup service, data synchronization, and the like.

9, which describes one embodiment of the present invention, discloses a flowchart embodying the particular application of FIGS. Steps 600-660 include the basic connection scheme of the present invention and are the same as the flowchart of FIG. Step 900 begins after the context server passes the list of connection priorities to the WCD and the device uses this information to connect with the system. The context server may then request the current state of the WCD. The device may respond with information including operating time, battery level, running applications, available memory, last update time and date, and the like. The server can then make a determination as to whether the WCD can then perform synchronization (step 910). If there are too few resources in the WCD, the context server may notify the user that the synchronization cannot be performed until the user frees memory, recharges the device, and so on at step 920. If the device is in an acceptable state, the server proceeds to step 930, inquiring whether the network state allows the WCD to synchronize the information it needs. In making this decision, the server may consider network traffic for each type of connection, the status of various databases and / or applications, time of day, and the like. This may be important just before the start of the workday if the network / servers are overloaded in different ways due to the arrival of several employees in a short time. The server can schedule devices for updating in a manner that optimizes synchronization without overloading the system. If the network is not available for synchronization, the server may notify the user that the synchronization may be delayed and may also schedule the WCD for later update. Alternatively, if the network is ready to update, the update may be performed at step 950.

10, another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Here the WCD is accessed by the access point when the user enters a designated space (eg an office building). Local access points communicate with the WCD and establish a connection to a context management server. The server not only assigns the desired connection to the WCD but also has the ability to automatically launch and manage applications on the WCD without the need for manual intervention by the user. The server can evaluate the content of the WCD and determine which information should be updated. This determination may also include an estimate of the time and / or energy required to perform the update, and an estimate of whether the resources of the WCD and the network are sufficient to perform the update. If all resources are sufficient, the server automatically initiates synchronization and updating of the WCD.

In addition, the WCD 100 may use a backup service that performs regular backups. When the user enters the designated space, the device keeps the Bluetooth ^TM on, but the WLAN off. Context is defined in the database as (device ID, device location, user ID, time, and other definable items such as scheduled tasks). The scheduled full backup is triggered in advance and the backup system is ready to perform the task. The server notifies when the mobile device reaches a location that provides a good connection. The server turns on the WLAN connection through the WCD 100 and optionally initiates a wireless device backup client and notifies the backup service about the WCD 100. This notification may include connection information, such as the device IP address of the WLAN, and device-specific information required for the backup system to recognize the task: at least device type and hardware / software version numbers, device serial number, user identification information such as IMEI, IMSI, and Contains device-specific information. This can be further enhanced through the normal context behavior learning of the server. In other words, full backups can be performed during lunchtime or regular meetings, or even at home during the night when the device is idle in a good connection location. Usually incremental backups are performed in good network conditions such as a full backup. If this fails for some threshold time, incremental backups can be triggered in another context with a worse connection. In addition, the amount of items to be backed up can be dynamically configured based on the context.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the desired communication network / access point may be an IP based unidirectional, multicast or broadcast network such as DVB-H. In addition, the WCD must have a suitable receiving means.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a context / service manager (M1) 510 is included in the access point 106.

11 illustrates two representative user interfaces in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Examples 1100 and 1110 are two non-limiting user interface configurations that can be merged within the present invention to indicate a communication connection state for a user. Example 1100 shows a user interface that includes an application area 1102 and a network connection indicator 1104. Legend 1150 shows other colors and / or patterns representing communication states. The indicator 1104 is in a "stoplight" configuration where the "lights" represent various communication states. In this example, the connection indicator 1104 discloses that a WCD is currently connected to the network, a Bluetooth ^™ connection is active, and there is also a WLAN network available in the communication range. In some embodiments the vertical order of the traffic lights of the indicator 1104 also indicates the desired connection information to be presented by the context server. Reference numeral 1110 illustrates one variant embodiment of a user interface for displaying a communication status. The application window 1112 here has a border 1114 that is retrieved with the legend 1150 as in the previous example. The color and / or pattern of the border indicates the communication status of the WCD. In this example, the flashing of the border may also indicate that the connection has been lost or another desired communication medium has been established. Other combinations of colors, patterns, and / or sounds may also be included in various parts of the user interface (eg, border, background, etc.) to convey the communication status of the WCD to the user.

The present invention is an improvement over the prior art. The present invention provides the ability for a wireless communication device to automatically have an optimized connection list when multiple connection options are available. The server providing the list may consider the state of the WCD as well as the state of the network when generating the list. In certain applications of the present invention, once a device is connected, the server may additionally determine the status of the device and the network before initiating synchronization with the device. Both of these decision measures allow the requirements of the network and the wireless communication device to be considered before the commencement of the information exchange that may proceed with completion because of the constraints of the device, the network or both. In this way, information can always be updated in an efficient manner via the wireless communication device without the need for any manual user intervention.

Thus, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various forms and details may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited to any one of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (90)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete Obtaining identification information from a wireless communication device; Using the identification information to determine a wireless communication medium supported by the wireless communication device based on a device profile stored in a server; Determining at the server at least one desired wireless communication medium for connecting the wireless communication device to a network; And Transmitting information regarding at least one desired wireless communication medium to the wireless communication device for connection to the network. 56. The short range wireless communication medium of claim 55, wherein the wireless communication medium comprises at least one of a Bluetooth ^TM network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) network; Or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Multimedia Messaging Service; A long-range wireless communication medium comprising at least one of an MMS or a Short Messaging Service (SMS). delete delete 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the device profile is stored on the server or on another server in communication with the server. delete 56. The method of claim 55, further comprising determining whether synchronization can be made to the wireless communication device by evaluating the state of the network and the state of the wireless communication device. A communication interface configured to access at least one wireless communication medium; And Includes a processor, The processor is configured to provide identification information for a wireless communication device to a server, the processor configured to provide a desired wireless communication medium presented by the server based on a device profile stored in the server at the wireless communication device for communication with a network. The wireless communication device is configured to further set up. 64. The short range wireless communication medium of claim 62, wherein the wireless communication medium comprises at least one of a Bluetooth ^TM network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) network. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Or a short messaging service (SMS). 63. The short range wireless communication medium of claim 62, wherein the desired wireless communication medium comprises at least one of a Bluetooth ^TM network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) network. Or Global System for Mobile Communcations (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Multimedia Messaging Service A long range wireless communication medium comprising at least one of an MMS and a Short Messaging Service (SMS). 63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processor is further configured to receive information from the server as to whether synchronization can be made to the wireless communication device by evaluating the state of the network and the state of the wireless communication device. Wireless communication device. The method of claim 62, The wireless communication device, And a user interface configured to display at least information relating to a communication connection state of the wireless communication device to a user. 67. The wireless communication device of claim 66, wherein information related to a communication connection state of the wireless communication device is displayed in at least one of colors and patterns in a stable or blinking state. 68. The wireless communications device of claim 67, wherein the colors and patterns are displayed with at least one of a stop light type indicator, a window border, and a background. The method of claim 62, The wireless communication device, Further comprising a machine readable medium, wherein the machine readable medium is configured to respond with identification from the wireless communication device when read by the scanner. 70. The Bar Code Reader of claim 69, wherein the machine readable medium comprises processes related to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication, Infra-Red (IR) communication, interpretation of UPC labels. BCR), Optical Character Recognition (OCR) communication or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) communication. 63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the wireless communication device further comprises a positioning function configured to trigger the processor to transmit identification information from the wireless communication device to a server when the wireless communication device enters a designated area. Wireless communication device. 72. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 71, wherein the location determination function is configured to determine a location relative to at least one access point of a wireless communication system or a location via at least one satellite positioning system (GPS). Obtaining means configured to obtain identification information from the wireless communication device; Use configured to use the identification information to determine a wireless communication medium supported by the wireless communication device and at least one desired wireless communication medium for connecting the wireless communication device to a network based on a device profile stored in a server. Way; And Transmitting means configured to transmit information regarding at least one desired wireless communication medium for connection to the network to the wireless communication device. 75. The short range wireless communication medium of claim 73, wherein the desired wireless communication medium comprises at least one of a Bluetooth ^TM network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) network. Or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Multimedia Messaging Service A long-range wireless communication medium comprising at least one of an MMS and a Short Messaging Service (SMS). delete delete 74. The server of claim 73, wherein the device profile for the wireless communication device is stored on the server or on another server in communication with the server. delete 74. The server according to claim 73, wherein said means for use is further configured to determine whether synchronization can be made for said wireless communication device by evaluating the state of said network and the state of said wireless communication device. A computer readable medium having computer readable program code recorded thereon, Computer readable program code configured to obtain identification information from a wireless communication device; A computer configured to use the identification information to determine a wireless communication medium supported by the wireless communication device and at least one desired wireless communication medium for connecting the wireless communication device to a network based on a device profile stored in a server. Readable program code; And Computer readable program code configured to transmit to the wireless communication device information regarding at least one desired wireless communication medium for connection to the network. A wireless communication device; An access point configured to communicate with the wireless communication device; And The identification information for determining at least one desired wireless communication medium for connecting the wireless communication device to a network based on a device profile stored in a server and configured to obtain identification information from the wireless communication device via the access point. Includes a server configured to utilize The server is further configured to transmit to the wireless communication device via the access point information about at least one desired wireless communication medium for connecting the wireless communication device to the network, The wireless communication device is configured to provide the identification information to the server and is configured to set the at least one desired wireless communication medium as a desired communication medium for connecting the wireless communication device to the network presented by the server. system. Accessing at least one wireless communication medium using the wireless communication device; Providing identification information from the wireless communication device to a server through the wireless communication medium; And Setting a desired wireless communication medium presented by the server based on a device profile accessed from a server using the identification information at the wireless communication device. 83. The method of claim 82, The method, Displaying information relating to at least a communication connection state of the wireless communication device via a user interface of the wireless communication device. 84. The method of claim 83, The method, Using at least one of the colors and patterns in a stable or flashing state to display a communication connection state of the wireless communication device. 85. The method of claim 84, The method, Displaying colors with at least one of an indicator of a stop light type, a window border and a background. 83. The method of claim 82, The method, And responding with identifying information when the machine readable medium of the wireless communication device is read by the scanner. 87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the machine readable data includes a bar code reader including processes related to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication, Infra-Red (IR) communication, interpretation of UPC labels; BCR) communication, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) communication, or Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) communication. 83. The method of claim 82, The method, Providing identification information to a server when the wireless communication device enters a designated area. 83. The method of claim 82, The method, Receiving information from the server as to whether synchronization can be made to the wireless communication device. A computer readable medium having computer readable program code stored thereon, Computer readable program code configured to access at least one wireless communication medium using the wireless communication device; Computer readable program code configured to provide identification information from the wireless communication device to a server via the wireless communication medium; And Computer readable program code configured to set a desired wireless communication medium presented by the server based on a device profile accessed from a server using the identification information at the wireless communication device.

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