RU2417539C2 - Method and device for internetworking of wireless wide area networks and wireless local area networks or wireless personal area networks - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: mobile device is used to select a WLAN access point for conducting a wireless transaction, where the selection is based at least partly on the number of access points associated with the selected WLAN access point; a first registration message is sent through wireless communication from the mobile device to the WWAN, where the said message requests identification information for accessing the selected WLAN access point; a second registration message containing a marker which contains identification information for accessing the selected WLAN access point is received from the WWAN; a third registration message which contains a marker is sent to the selected WLAN access point; access to the WLAN access point is received at the mobile device based on the marker; and at least part of the wireless transaction is conducted using the selected WLAN access point having access.

EFFECT: improved optimisation of switching between networks and wireless communication protocols.

22 cl, 20 dwg

Description

This application claims priority of 35 USC §119 (e) on the filing date of patent application No. 60 / 697,504, entitled "METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTERWORKING OF WIRELESS WIDE AREA NETWORKS AND WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS OR WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS", July 7, 2005, U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 712,320, filed August 29, 2005, fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following description relates generally to wireless networks and, among other things, to continuous network communications between wireless wide area networks (WWANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs) and / or wireless personal area networks (WPANs).

State of the art

Electronic devices may contain many communication protocols. For example, mobile devices have become multifunctional devices, often providing email, Internet access, as well as traditional cellular communications. Mobile devices can be equipped with global wireless communications, for example, using one or all of the following technologies: the third generation of wireless or cellular systems (3G) or 802.16 (WiMax) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other WWAN technologies that will identified later. Meanwhile, IEEE 802.11-based WLAN communication is also being installed on mobile devices. On the horizon, ultra-wideband (UWB) and / or Bluetooth-based WPAN-based local communications may also be available on mobile devices.

Other examples of multiple communication protocols in electronic devices include a laptop, which may contain WPAN, used to connect a wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, etc. to the laptop. In addition, the laptop may contain a device that operates on any currently defined IEEE 802.11 protocol (IEEE 802.1 la / b / g / i / e) or other future-defined protocols in the IEEE 802.11 family (e.g. IEEE 802.11 n / s / r / p). WLAN has become popular and, for example, is installed in homes and businesses for personal and business purposes. In addition, coffee houses, Internet cafes, libraries, and public and private organizations use WLAN.

WWAN technologies are distinguished by global (ubiquitous) coverage and global deployment. However, they can suffer from loss of penetration into buildings, gaps in coverage and, when compared to WLAN and WPAN, limited bandwidth. WLAN and WPAN technologies offer very high data rates, approaching hundreds of Mbps, but coverage is typically limited to hundreds of feet for WLAN and tens of feet for WPAN.

The number of networks and protocols continues to grow rapidly due to requests for functionality associated with unique user requests and diverging protocols. Such disparate networks and protocols are useful for the user to switch between them, and in many cases the user is trapped in the network regardless of what might be the optimal network for the user at this time. In view of the above, there is a need to provide for a continuous transition between networks and / or protocols for optimization purposes and stopping on the best communication protocol for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of such embodiments. This summary is not an extended overview of one or more embodiments, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the embodiments, nor to outline the possibilities of such embodiments. The goal is to present some concepts of the described embodiments in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented later.

Because people travel through many networks and protocols of various types, embodiments here provide for continuous user transition through various networks and protocols to facilitate smooth, continuous communication. Embodiments provide various optimization technologies for transition between different networks and protocols, and this transition may be based on user preference, user location, signal strength and / or other criteria. Such a continuous transition may be obvious to the user or may be initialized by the user.

According to one aspect, a method for registering in a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises wirelessly transmitting via WWAN the first registration message from the mobile device, wirelessly transmitting via WWAN the second registration message to the WLAN access point, and obtaining access in the mobile device via the WLAN access point. According to another aspect, a second registration message transmitted via WWAN may comprise transmitting a second registration message to a WLAN access point. According to another aspect, a second registration message transmitted via WWAN may comprise transmitting a second registration message via WWAN to another mobile device and transmitting a third registration message based on the second registration message from the mobile device to the WLAN access point.

According to another aspect, a method is provided for creating specialized, self-configuring networks. The method may comprise obtaining a GPS (global positioning network) coordinate from WWAN in the control system and creating an initial topography based at least in part on the GPS coordinate in order to achieve communication with a variety of routes between multiple nodes. According to another aspect, the method may comprise deciding which channel node to use and collecting measurements of signal strength and directional state.

According to another aspect, a system is proposed in order to create a dedicated network. The system may comprise means for accessing the terminal in the WLAN functionality mode, and means for transmitting information from the terminal to at least a second terminal having the functionality of two modes. Means may also be included for using the first channel in the WLAN node to collect network traffic, and means for using the second channel in the WLAN node to transmit network traffic to the mobile device or second WLAN node.

According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions is provided. The medium may comprise sending a first registration message, including an encryption key, over WWAN, transmitting a second registration message to a WLAN access point, and obtaining communication permission through a WLAN access point. According to another aspect, the storage medium may comprise instructions for transmitting a second registration message via WWAN to a mobile device and transmitting a third registration message to a WLAN access point.

Another aspect of the invention is a processor that executes instructions in order to create a dedicated network. The commands may comprise accessing the terminal in the WLAN functionality mode and transmitting information from the terminal to at least a second terminal having the functionality of two modes. The teams additionally use the first channel in the WLAN node to collect network traffic, and use the second channel in the WLAN node to transmit network traffic to the mobile device or second WLAN node.

To achieve these and related objectives, one or more embodiments include features, hereinafter fully described and specifically indicated in the attached claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail specific illustrative aspects of one or more embodiments. These aspects are indicative, however, various paths may be used in which the principles of the various embodiments may be used, and the described embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system in accordance with various embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a wireless multiple-access communication system according to one or more embodiments.

3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile device.

4 illustrates a method for determining the type of network with which a mobile device should connect.

5 is a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of a mobile device.

6 illustrates a method for locating a call received from a user of a mobile device that uses a GPS functionality component.

7 illustrates another method for locating a wireless device (eg, mobile phone) that does not use a GPS receiver.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for using an access point within a WWAN, WLAN, and / or WPAN.

9 illustrates a method for using location information to continuously switch a mobile device between WWAN and WLAN / WPAN.

10 illustrates another method for using location information to automatically expand the service (s) of a mobile device.

11 illustrates a method for providing a dedicated network in situations where there is no available access point.

12 illustrates an exemplary self-configuring ad hoc network that can be created using WLAN and WWAN technologies.

13 illustrates a method for using WLAN and WWAN technology to create a self-configuring ad hoc network.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method for initializing a neighbor list on a WWAN control channel to facilitate synchronization of access terminals.

15 illustrates peer-to-peer communication in a WLAN.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method for registering and / or identifying in an independent core service set (IBSS) network.

17 illustrates an example ad hoc mesh network.

FIG. 18 illustrates a system that coordinates communication between a plurality of communication protocols in a wireless communication environment in accordance with one or more embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates a system that coordinates communication in a wireless communication environment in accordance with various aspects.

FIG. 20 illustrates a wireless communication environment that can be used in conjunction with various systems and methods described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be apparent, however, that such an embodiment (s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing these embodiments.

As used in this application, the terms “component”, “system”, etc. are intended to refer to an object associated with the use of a computer, or a tool embedded in software, a combination of said tool and software, software, or executable software. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, an executable thread, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computer device and a computer device can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and / or executable thread, and the component may reside on one computer and / or be distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be run from various computer readable media storing various data structures on it. Components can communicate through local and / or remote processes, for example, in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (for example, data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and / or over a network, such as Internet, with other systems, through a signal).

The disclosed embodiments may comprise various heuristic and / or output circuits and / or methods together with dynamically changing networks or working communication protocols. As used here, the term "inference" refers generally to the process of reasoning or deriving the states of a system, environment, and / or user from a series of recorded events and / or data. Inference can be used to identify a specific context or action, or it can generate a probability distribution over states, for example. The conclusion can be probabilistic, that is, a calculation of the probability distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of data and events. The conclusion may also relate to methods used to compose high-level events from a series of events and / or data. This conclusion leads to the construction of new events or actions from a series of observable events and / or stored event data, whether the events are really correlated in time proximity and whether the events and data come from one or more events and data sources.

Accordingly, it is contemplated that users can be automatically shifted or brought out and into other areas of communication in accordance with the embodiments described herein. An automatic action (for example, continuous user transition during a communication session from WWAN to WLAN) can be taken as a function of inferring user intentions regarding processing a communication session as well as tertiary communication, passive / background broadcasts and upcoming sessions. Regarding the taking of an automatic action, machine learning technology can be implemented in order to facilitate the execution of an automatic action. In addition, a benefit-based analysis (for example, acting as a factor in the benefits of taking the right automatic action versus the cost of taking the wrong action) can be included in the execution of the automatic action. In more detail, these aspects based on artificial intelligence (AI) can be implemented by any suitable machine learning technique, and / or statistical techniques, and / or probabilistic techniques. For example, the use of expert systems, fuzzy logic, machines with support for vectors, absorbing search algorithms, rule-based systems, Bayesian models (e.g. Bayesian networks), neural networks, other non-linear training methods, data alloying, benefit-based analytical systems, systems using Bayesian models ... are considered and intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

In addition, various embodiments are described herein in connection with a subscriber station. A subscriber station can also be called a system, subscriber module, mobile station, cell phone, remote station, access point, base station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user equipment. The subscriber station may be a mobile phone, a radiotelephone, a telephone with a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), a wireless local area network (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (handheld computer), a handheld device with wireless connectivity or other processing device associated with wireless modem.

In addition, various aspects or features described herein may be implemented as a method, device, or manufactured product using standard software and / or technical techniques. The term “manufactured product,” as used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any readable computer device, carrier, or medium. For example, readable computer storage media may include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (eg, hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips ...), optical disks (eg, compact disc (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) ...) , smart cards and flash devices (e.g. board, stick, key ...).

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 in accordance with various embodiments presented herein. System 100 may comprise one or more access points 102 that receive, transmit, repeat, etc. wireless communication signals to each other and / or to one or more mobile devices 104. Access point (s) 102 may provide an interface between wireless system 100 and a wired network (not shown).

Each access point 102 may comprise a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, each of which may in turn contain many components related to signal transmission and reception (eg, processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, antennas ...). Mobile devices 104 may be, for example, cell phones, smartphones, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computer devices, satellite radio, global positioning systems, handheld computers and / or other suitable devices in order to communicate via wireless system 100. In wireless system 100, the periodic transmission of small data packets (usually called beacons) from access point 102 may report the presence of wireless system 100 and transmit information systems 100. Mobile devices 104 may read beacons and attempt to establish a wireless connection to access points 102 and / or other mobile devices 104.

System 100 facilitates seamless transition through various networks and / or protocols to provide a user using mobile device 104 with the ability to take advantage of available networks and protocols. System 100 also automatically provides the user with the ability to use the best network and / or protocol for the current location or use the user data in the same way as other network users.

A component located in mobile device 104 may work with one or more access points 102 to facilitate control of which user is on each network, and may be facilitated through a GPS component and / or WWAN component associated with mobile device 104. Alternatively or in addition, location information can be provided from a WLAN access point to a WLAN component associated with a mobile device that does not contain GPS or other location component (s). Location information may be provided to a mobile device (a) that does not have location capabilities via location information obtained via GPS or a nearby WAN multi-mode access terminal (s), or communication with access point 102 (including receiving beacons and transmission).

Location information can be used to predict which user is best suited to transparently redirect to a secondary network. For example, in an open area of a shopping center, a user can use a mobile device 104 connected to a common broadband network. Mobile device 104 can continuously switch to Bluetooth, a narrower band, etc., as the user approaches a specific seller. The network to which the mobile device is switched may be a function of the content that the user wishes to place or move into the mobile device 104.

Since distribution networks may overlap due to the dynamics of the shopping center, mobile device 104 can continuously switch between different distribution networks autonomously without user interaction. System 100 allows networks to collaborate with each other and forwarded mobile device 104 from one network to another. This can be achieved with a GPS component that can control the user's location and the desired content to be placed / moved to the device.

2 is an illustration of a wireless multiple-access communication system according to one or more embodiments. A system 200 is illustrated that includes a WLAN associated with a wired local area network (LAN). Access point 102 may be in communication with mobile devices 104. Access point 102 is connected to an Ethernet hub or LAN switch 202. An Ethernet hub 202 may be connected to one or more electronic devices 204, which may include personal computers, peripherals (e.g., fax machines, copiers, printers, scanners, etc.), servers, and the like. An Ethernet hub 202 can be connected to a router 206 that transmits data packets to a modem 208. The modem 208 can transmit data packets to a wide area network (WAN) 210, such as the Internet. System 200 illustrates a single, simple network configuration. Many additional system configurations 200 are possible containing alternative electronic devices. Although the system 200 has been illustrated and described with respect to a LAN, it is possible that the system 200 may use other technologies, including WWAN and / or WPAN, separately or simultaneously.

System 200 may facilitate mobile device 104 to continuously switch between an access point currently used by mobile device 140 to access point 102 associated with system 200. Such movement to access point 102 and to a network supported by access point 102 may be selected for in order to provide the user of the mobile device 104 with search functionality, and there may be location functions or data of the mobile device 104 that the user wishes to access or download to the mobile device property 104. By way of example, and not limitation, a wireless device may be connected to electronic device (s) 204 to utilize WWAN and / or WLAN functionality available through electronic device (s) 204. Such a transition may be initialized by the user or made autonomously by system 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile device 300. Mobile device 300 may comprise a WWAN (eg, code division multiple access (CDMA), which is a technology that uses spread spectrum technologies), a WLAN (eg, IEEE 802.11 ), and / or related technologies. Mobile device 300 can be used as a telephone with voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP contains the transmission of a voice communication session by telephone over the Internet and / or over IP networks. VoIP can be used by the mobile device 300 at home or when it is near a wireless access point (WAP) associated with a broadband network that provides VoIP services. In other situations, the mobile device 300 may function as a regular wireless mobile phone, providing communication services.

In an embodiment, a WWAN component 302 that provides WWAN functionality and a WLAN component 304 that provides WLAN functionality are located together and are capable of communicating with the transceiver 308 via bus 306 or other structures or devices. It should be understood that communication media other than tires could be used with the disclosed embodiments. The transceiver 308 is connected to one or more antennas 310 to allow transmission and / or reception by the mobile device 300. The WLAN 304 component can generate voice data transmitted to the transceiver 308 for communication. In an embodiment, the WWAN functionality component 302 and / or the WLAN functionality component 304 may be included in the processor of the mobile device 300. In another embodiment, the WWAN functionality and WLAN functionality may be provided by various integrated circuits. In a further embodiment, WWAN functionality and WLAN functionality may be provided by one or more integrated circuits including functionality that is used by both. Mobile device 300 is equipped with communication options for a wide area (WWAN) and local area (WLAN and WPAN) to allow a rich combination of services and user capabilities.

The WLAN functionality component 304 may comprise an additional WPAN functionality component 312. Mobile device 300 may connect to either WWAN, or WLAN and WPAN, or both simultaneously, based on one or more criteria that are relevant to the functions of the mobile device. Criteria can be stored in the memory of the mobile device, and the processor can analyze the network based on the stored criteria. These criteria and the associated connection definition are described with respect to FIG. 4, which illustrates a method 400 for determining the type of network with which a mobile device should connect. While, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the methodology is shown and described as a series of actions, it should be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of actions, since some actions, in accordance with these methodologies, can occur in a different order and / or simultaneously with other actions from shown and described here. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interacting states or events, for example, in a state diagram. In addition, not all illustrated actions may be required to implement the following methodologies.

The method starts at position 402 with a mobile device requesting network access. The network may be WWAN, WLAN and / or WPAN. When a request is sent, one or more access points associated with the network (s) may receive the request and respond with network information that may contain characteristics of each network. For example, a mobile device can obtain information about the type of network, information about throughput, cost of services, available applications, report signal strength, the number of identified access points, etc.

At approximately the same time, when receiving network information, the mobile device can analyze certain criteria, position 406, to determine which network connection will provide the best user experience for the mobile device. For example, the criteria may include the bandwidth available for the mobile device based on the bandwidth needs of the application (s) used by the mobile device, or applications that will be downloaded to the mobile device. In other embodiments, the criteria may be the price for a user of a WWAN and / or WLAN mobile device (for example, the lowest system service cost). In further embodiments, the definition may be based on the application (s) available for use by WWAN and / or WLAN. In additional embodiments, the criteria may be the best coverage available for a mobile device at its current location (for example, based on signal strength or the number of identified access points for WWAN and / or WLAN). Other embodiments may combine one or more of the above identified criteria, as well as other criteria that may be determined by the user of the mobile device or system service. The criteria may be embodied in a WWAN functionality component, a WLAN functionality component and a WWAN functionality component, and a WLAN functionality component or other controller resident in a mobile device.

Based on the analyzed criteria, position 406, the mobile device can connect, in 408, to WWAN or WLAN and WPAN separately. In a further embodiment, the mobile device can connect to both WWAN, WLAN, and WPAN simultaneously. Determining whether to connect separately or simultaneously is based on the criteria analyzed and the best connection that can satisfy one or more criteria.

The interworking between the WWAN and the WLAN (and WPAN) may involve multiple wireless network providers, multiple system services and databases of available communication location options, or other heterogeneous network topology. For example, the WWAN system service may maintain a modern database of affordable networking and location services, as new access points have been added by network service providers or private entities for WLAN and / or WPAN functionality (for example, access points provided by private companies or the like) . In addition, in some embodiments, the WWAN can expand communications by exploiting the presence of a WLAN and / or a WPAN relay network that is not installed by a system service. In a network with relays, small nodes can be installed that act as simple routers. Each node then transmits a low power signal that can reach other neighboring nodes. These neighboring nodes transmit to another node that is adjacent. This process can be repeated until the data reaches its final destination.

The combination of these technologies in mobile devices allows for new types of models and services that are not available from each technology (WWAN, WLAN, and / or WPAN) individually. These applications, created through the interaction between WWAN and WLAN technologies, can be classified into many areas. For example, these technologies can be classified into location based services, time based services, and / or topology based services. A location-based service may contain emergencies where the location of the mobile device user must be set up to provide such emergency services, however, the embodiments described herein are not limited to emergency services. For example, mobile device users (end user) may desire location-based billing services. These types of services contain those services in which users are billed at different rates depending on the user's location. For example, a user could have one cost if the user is at home, and another cost when the user is in the office (or other place of work) or in an Internet kiosk or cafe. In another embodiment, location information may be used to provide multimedia content that can be downloaded to a mobile device. This multimedia content may be location dependent based on whether the user is in a sports stadium or in a shopping center for which other multimedia content can be provided.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of a mobile device 500 is provided. In an embodiment, a WWAN component 502 that provides WWAN functionality and a WLAN component 504 that provides WLAN functionality are located within the mobile device 500 and capable of communicating with transceiver 508 via bus 506 or other structures or devices. A transceiver 508 is connected to one or more antennas 510 to allow transmission and reception by the mobile device 500. The WLAN functionality component 504 may include an additional WPAN functionality component 512. In addition, a global positioning service (GPS) functionality component 514 may be provided for taking into account position and / or time-based functionality. You can provide many applications that use position or location information and time-based functionality.

For example, in a retail center or shopping center (open and / or closed), retail establishments may have access points that are served by the same or other system services. As the user walks in the center, different access points can pick up the user at the same time. Since there may be several WLAN overlaps due to the location of retail establishments, the exact or approximate location of the user can be set via the GPS component or other positioning tools. If the user is close to a music store or video kiosk, etc., the user can receive an offer from a retail establishment to buy a movie or music. The retailer may recommend the offer using the user's location, as the system (s) knows where the user is. The offer may also be based on a user preference that was previously set by the user, or is located internally in a mobile device, or outside a system service. The user may want to take advantage of offers or decline the offer. You must understand that if the user preference is known, certain retailers may be prevented from offering unwanted services to the user.

If the user wants to download the movie, for example, the user can go to the global network and pay for the movie with a credit card and / or a predefined payment method (for example, an electronic wallet). After confirming payment, the user can receive the selected movie, along with the rights, management and other features associated with owning a particular movie. Various networks can be used to deliver rights and content. In one scenario, rights can be set using WWAN, while the content itself is accessed via WLAN. An up-to-date service (such as a movie) can be accessed via WLAN or WWAN, depending on requirements. A DVD, for example, can be downloaded to a mobile device via WLAN due to bandwidth. Determining which functionality to use to load data can be decided by a WWAN component that provides WWAN functionality, a WLAN component that provides WLAN functionality, or a combination of WWAN components and WLAN components. The determination may also be made by a controller or processor associated with the mobile device.

6 illustrates a method 600 for locating a request received from a user of a mobile device that uses a GPS functionality component. The method starts at position 602 when the request is initialized by the user of the mobile device. This request may be an emergency phone call (for example, calling 911) or it may be a request that is not critical. In an embodiment, when the request is initialized, at 602, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling message may carry location information provided by the GPS functionality component. SIP is a signaling protocol that can be used to initiate, modify, and end an interactive user session, which may contain additional multimedia elements such as an Internet conference, phone, event notification, video, instant messaging, network games and / or virtual world. Location information may be transmitted, position 604, to a VoIP request agent, for example. Thus, if an emergency occurs, the VoIP call agent has location information and knows the location of the calling program. The VoIP call agent can deliver this information to the relevant agencies, position 606. This is useful when the calling program does not know the location of the request and / or cannot communicate such information to the recipient of the request.

In another embodiment, the call may be made outside the scope of the user's home network / WLAN. For example, a WLAN AP can be located in the user's home, and the user can talk on a cell phone in the backyard. As the user says, the user can walk around and wander (intentionally and / or unintentionally) in the coverage area served by different WLANs. In another embodiment, the user can pick up the mobile phone at a remote location (for example, a friend’s company, relative’s company, school).

In another embodiment, the call is initialized at position 602. If the mobile device is in a location that has broadband access via a wireless access point (WAP), the mobile device uses such broadband access, position 608. The location of the mobile device can be provided, position 610, within call, through the transceiver, which can transmit the received use of the location information of the WWAN interface of the device. Voice data generated by the WLAN functionality can be transmitted to a transceiver for communication that is sent with location information. This methodology can be used, for example, in a school or educational institution where a child can use the handset to make a location-critical (or non-critical) call. The handset can take advantage of the broadband access provided by the school and / or other means to locate the user (child) and provide information to the recipient of the call (e.g., police, fire department). Thus, the location information of a child (or another person) can be found without such a child.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrating a method 700 for locating a wireless device (eg, a mobile phone) that does not use a GPS receiver or GPS component that provides GPS functionality. Separate mode access terminals are those that have separate functionality, such as a WLAN or WPAN. For example, mobile phones that handle VoIP in-house do not use the integrated GPS technology at all. However, in a small fraction of situations (for example, an emergency), it may still be important to locate a mobile device that does not have GPS technology. Even when the device is away from home because the user was transporting the device to another location (for example, an educational institution, a friend’s company), the location of the device can still be determined. This determination may be based on the known location of another device that is near a mobile device that does not use GPS technology. The neighborhood may contain the same access point and / or access points within a certain geographic area of the access point used by a mobile phone without GPS technology.

Positioning begins at 702 when the call is initiated by a user of a mobile device without GPS technology. The mobile device makes contact with the access point to place a call. An access point can have a list or simultaneously receive information from a dual-mode device (for example, one that uses WLAN, WPAN, and / or GPS functionality). The dual mode device (a) may provide its location information to the access point or to other WLAN stations (user terminals) depending on the mode of operation (infrastructural or specialized) through a control or management message. An access point that has location information from a dual access terminal can wirelessly transmit this information in the infrastructure network. Other user terminals near the access point may use location management information, position 708. VoIP access terminals may use location information in SIP signaling messages to indicate location information, position 710. Location information may be used for location-based services and / or to provide marketing and / or sales communications to mobile device (a), position 712. If the user is in a retail center, such as open or closed of that shopping center, location information can also be used to provide the user with mobile device information regarding specific retail information. You must understand that marketing and / or advertising are optional, as shown by dotted lines, and can not be used with the disclosed variants of embodiment.

The location of a user who is inside the building can be roughly approximated because the user enters the building from a specific location, which is the user's last known coordinate. The last known coordinate can be fixed or maintained by the access terminal as long as the user leaves the building, and GPS functionality and / or other location tools can be used to establish a new location. When the user leaves the building or structure, the access terminal receives its current position via GPS or other means of determining the location. In addition, there can be many users that enter the building, and the last known coordinate of each user can be combined to create a range definition for a specific access point (WLAN) and / or base station (WAN). An access point (WLAN) can determine its position relative to a base station (WAN) and / or with respect to any devices that return location information. Thus, even if the access point could not have the means to determine its own location, location information is provided through mobile devices that access this access point.

FIG. 8 illustrates a methodology 800 for using an access point within a WWAN, WLAN, and / or WPAN. A mobile device having WWAN and WLAN and / or WPAN functionality can receive accurate network synchronization from, for example, a GPS receiver, which can be located on a mobile device or via a WWAN control message. This synchronization may be used over Quality of Service (QoS) and / or call forwarding management. A mobile device in and / or near hotspots or multiple access points can receive a beacon from the access point, position 802. Upon receipt of the beacon, the mobile device can set a timestamp for the time of arrival of the beacon, position 804, using the internal GPS functionality or via WWAN synchronization, obtained through the WWAN interface. Beacon information may include access point identifier, access point location, current network load in WLAN AP, etc. The timestamp of the time of arrival and other information can be sent by the mobile device to the network management system (NM), position 806, through, for example, WWAN communication. The NM system maintains a list of access points and / or arrival times, position 808. This information can be maintained by a database or memory associated with the NM system. The NM system for WWAN and / or WLAN, for example, maintains a list of detected access points in the area of the WLAN / WPAN channels that the access points use and / or their beacon transmission time and current load in each AP. The user can use this information when choosing the appropriate AP and / or network to connect to.

The NM system can send to the mobile device, position 810, a list of access points in the area to which the mobile device can connect. The access point list may contain appropriate channels and / or beacon transmission times and the current download at the access points, as well as other information collected and maintained by the NM system, position 808.

In another embodiment, a mobile device (eg, an access terminal) can tune to each of the access points during beacon times and measure received channel quality information (eg, SNR). The mobile device can share information about the quality of communication of the current network and other networks with the current AP. This information can be transmitted to the NM system, item 808, and it may be available to other users. In this way, you can provide forwarding control for WLAN / WPAN. In addition or alternatively, this information can be transmitted by radio to each access point through a specific message and / or through an information beacon element. The beacon element may be used by the mobile device (s) near the access point to update the NM system or the information of the network neighborhoods.

In another embodiment, the location information may be used to continuously switch the mobile device between WWAN and WLAN / WPAN, as illustrated in method 900, FIG. 9. The method starts at position 902, where the location information of the mobile device can be made available through the GPS functionality component or other location means (eg, triangulation, location of other devices nearby ...). At 904, an indication that the signal quality available via WWAN is poor can be sent to the mobile device. For example, a mobile device may indicate that a specific bandwidth and / or strength message should be available in order to fulfill a specific function and / or satisfy a requirement / quality of service for a specific communication for that device and if the communication conditions do not meet these requirements and / or quality level, a message can be sent and / or generated by a mobile device. Information regarding system requirements (eg, bandwidth, signal strength ...) may be stored in the memory of the mobile device and may be based on information provided by the system service and / or user, as it relates to one or more device applications. The processor associated with the mobile device can analyze the stored information and determine if the system requirements are satisfied. If the requirements are met, the device can connect to the current network. If the requirements are not satisfied, the device may search for a network that meets the requirements of the device.

For example, WLAN functionality can detect beacons at 906 and determine the signal strength and / or bandwidth available at the WLAN access point. This information can be used by the mobile device through the WWAN and / or WLAN functionality component, item 908, for example, to make a determination to switch WWAN to WLAN if the bandwidth and / or signal strength is higher on the WLAN than on the WWAN. The information can also be used to switch WLAN to WWAN. It must be appreciated that the transition from WLAN to WWAN and / or WWAN to WLAN is continuous, and the user of such a device may not know that there was a switch in the type of network.

In another embodiment, the signal strength and / or specific bandwidth, position 906, can be used to connect to other devices, position 910. For example, if a mobile device allows communication with other devices, the mobile device can be connected to these other devices. In this way, the mobile device uses the connection provided through the WLAN. By way of example, and not limitation, a wireless device may be connected to a computer to utilize the WWAN and / or WLAN functionality available through the computer.

10 illustrates another method 1000 that uses location information to automatically extend the service (e) of a mobile device. For example, a telephone video call may begin at an access terminal via WWAN. Due to, for example, insufficient bandwidth on the WWAN, video and / or resolution of graphic symbols may already be or become poor. Alternatively or in addition, the user can start the conference at the office, and during the conference might wish to move to another location (for example, home, buffet, library ...). This includes the situation where the last night call is placed in order to place programs that are in different time zones. The request can start at one location and during a communication session, or when both sides can move to another location. The call can continue without interruption as the user (s) has changed location, and the mobile device can be continuously authenticated as it is moved through other access points and / or networks.

When the mobile device moves to a close area of the access point (eg, WWAN access points), position 1002, location information provided by the GPS component or other means of determining the location of the mobile device, can be sent to a network management system (NM). The NM system may request the access terminal to find the access point, position 1004, and provide information about the WLAN APs represented in the area, their operating channels, and beacon times, and other information. The access terminal may then search for the access point and may join the beacon, position 1006, which may be the beacon time provided by the NM system. At 1008, a forwarding may be performed to switch the device from WWAN to WLAN and / or from WLAN to WWAN, for example. Since the WLAN typically associates with the WAN, the quality of the request can be significantly improved if the transmission of the request is redirected to the WLAN. The resolution of video and graphic symbols can be significantly improved, and a mobile device (e.g., an access terminal) can be connected to a computer display to take advantage of high-resolution video calling. This enables advanced services, such as advanced work or work in areas where access was previously unavailable.

Alternatively or in addition, in the IEEE 802.1 standard in a WLAN, a time-based schedule may take place. For example, an access point may advertise a list for transmitting and / or receiving packets to access terminals. Access terminals can receive packets at predetermined times and can then send packets when it is time to send packets. These lists can be communicated and coordinated by the NM system via WWAN reporting communications. The NM system can distribute different access terminals to different access points, along with the corresponding list information.

In another embodiment, certain applications may have demand fluctuation requirements and may require synchronization from the network. For example, in VoIP, a fluctuation — a change in time between arrival of packets — can be caused by network congestion, calculating route changes and / or drift. The accurate synchronization available on the mobile device can be used for applications with fluctuation needs. Access points and mobile device can be controlled from a network clock. If the access point does not have an accurate clock, the mobile device can provide synchronization to the access point, for example, through a GPS component that provides GPS functionality. An access point can make this synchronization received from a mobile device accessible by access terminals that do not have dual mode and / or do not have synchronization functionality.

In another embodiment, WWAN and WLAN technologies can be used to create self-configuring ad hoc networks. Specialized networks can operate in infrastructure mode using access points, or can be wireless networks that contain only stations (for example, mobile devices) but do not have any access points, or networks that use both infrastructure modes (access points) and peer-to-peer mode. Specialized networks may also be referred to as Independent Core Service Set (IBSS) networks.

Specialized networks can have different properties depending on application scenarios. For example, in certain emergency scenarios (e.g. disasters), different agencies (e.g. firefighters, police, security ...) might use different frequencies so that communication can be maintained with minimal interruptions. Therefore, these agencies may not be able to respond effectively or may have difficulty communicating with each other. Dual-mode access terminals can provide low-cost commercial systems that can address the needs of multiple agencies during a critical (and routine) situation.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated is a method 1100 that provides a dedicated network in situations where there are no available access points. This can be useful inside a building where emergency personnel, for example, have dual-mode access terminals. The method starts at 1102, where terminals located within a building or other content area are in WLAN mode. When a message is initialized in the terminal, the terminal transmits all the information to the access terminals within its vicinity. Each terminal that receives information transmits the information that it has (both from the terminal user and from other terminals) to the terminals within their respective vicinity, position 1104. This redirection of information between the terminals forms the IBSS network, position 1106. Information, position 1108 ultimately makes its way to the access terminal, which may also have a WWAN connection. Thus, a simple implementation in a rapidly changing emergency environment can be configured for access terminals to broadcast information that it receives from a terminal user, as well as other access terminals in its vicinity. While this may create sub-optimal use of bandwidth, it also provides sufficient redundancy to allow information ultimately to be transmitted from the building and received by the appropriate recipient.

In another embodiment, a more sophisticated embodiment may use the “Open Short Routes First” (OSPF) protocol type to construct the route, as indicated by 1110. OSPF is an internal gateway forwarding protocol originally developed for IP networks. The protocol is based on the “shortest first part” algorithm or a communication-state algorithm that the router can use to send routing information to nodes on the network. The shortest path to each node can be calculated based on the topography that contains the nodes. However, it should be noted that these protocols could take some time to converge and may not be suitable for environments where the topology is constantly changing.

12 illustrates an exemplary self-configuring ad hoc network 1200 that can be created using WLAN and / or WWAN technologies. For example, an area of a big city can serve as a cluster of WLAN nodes for applications that should have high bandwidth but not require high mobility. In general, backhaul traffic from each LAN node on fiber to the global network is an expensive solution, so a self-configuring dedicated network can provide a less expensive alternative.

As illustrated, mobile devices 1202 can communicate wirelessly with a cluster of WLAN nodes 1204, 1206, 1208. Several nodes 1204, 1206 can be connected to a fiber backhaul device 1210, while the other node (s) 1208 are not connected to a fiber device return traffic 1210. It must be appreciated that although one device 1210 is shown, a network may contain more than one device. WLAN nodes 1204, 1206, 1208 can be used to transmit traffic from a mobile device 1202 and / or a source node, for example, from a node 1208 to a node associated with fiber transmission devices, such as nodes 1204 and 1206.

One or more nodes may be hotspot nodes configured to operate on multiple WLAN channels at the same time, such as node 1208. One of channels 1212 may be used to collect traffic from stations associated with the node. Another (or more) channel 1214 may be used to perform a relay function. Alternatively, a single channel 1216 may be associated with a hotspot node 1204, and a single channel 1216 may be used to collect traffic and perform redirection functionality.

The configuration of the network topology, the distribution of channels to different nodes and / or routing decisions must be ensured through the management, coordination, and communication between the WLAN nodes 1204, 1206, 1208. In order to achieve this functionality, one or more WLAN nodes could have a WWAN function built into illustrated in node 1206. Dual functionality is made available from a channel strip that can be used for control purposes.

A network management system (NM) 1218 may be coupled to a dedicated network 1200 to create an initial topography. The NM system can also decide which channels 1212, 1214, 1216 to use. Another function of the NM system may be to determine redirection among nodes 1204, 1206, 1208.

By way of example, and not limitation, the handset can provide or receive information through the WAN, for example, that the first access point is at its peak or the use of most of its resources at a specific time and at what frequency. Other access points, in close proximity to the first access point, may reach its peak at another time and / or at a different frequency. With this information, the handset should not be continuously tuned to the channel or frequency used by the second access point, because it may already be provided with information about the first and second access points. In this way, the handset knows when to tune in and listen to the beacon of any access point. She can also determine if she can move to another access point and / or frequency using location and time information.

Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated is a methodology 1300 for utilizing WLAN and / or WWAN technology to create a self-configuring ad hoc network similar to that shown and described with respect to FIG. 12. The method starts at position 1302, where each node uses the WWAN channel to indicate its GPS coordinates, which can be reported to the NM system. The NM system, knowing the locations of each node, can create an initial topology, position 1304. The topology is designed to achieve good communication between the nodes and the various routes from the node to the node connected to the global fiber network. The NM system can also determine the channels that are used for routing, position 1306. Information suitable for each node can be uploaded to WWAN, position 1308. Once the wireless hot spots are activated, further measurements can be collected at position 1310. The received forces The signal can be sent to the NM system, position 1312, which can use the initial topology and direction to take into account the actual field conditions. In addition, the access point can use the synchronization information generated by WWAN to synchronize itself.

The method and system described above is a centralized approach and can be used for a large network of hot spots with the needs of large QoS. Network bandwidth can be maximized while minimizing interference.

FIG. 14 illustrates another method 1400 for initializing neighbor lists on a WWAN control channel to facilitate synchronization of access terminals. The method can be used in a self-configuring wireless network. The method starts at 1402 when the WLAN nodes are initialized. At substantially similar times, as the nodes initialize, they exchange lists of the neighbors on the WWAN control channel, position 1404. These neighbor lists may contain information about access points in the surrounding area and / or mobile devices that use these access points. For example, neighbor lists may comprise a synchronization signal transmitted by a mobile device in response to WWAN communication. A protocol such as Short Path First Open (OSPF) can be used to exchange neighbor lists and create the shortest paths in a distributed way. The synchronized list exchange, item 1404, may comprise a second synchronization signal transmitted via the WLAN and based on the synchronization signal sent in response to WWAN communication. The mobile device or access terminal may use the synchronization information generated by WWAN for self-synchronization, position 1406, for communication via WLAN with one or more access terminals, based on the second synchronization signal. This can be done directly through the WWAN or WLAN closest to the access point, the proximity of which is known (for example, from the neighbor list or directly through its own WWAN function). Alternatively, this information can be obtained from an access terminal with combined WWAN and WLAN functionality. For example, the transmission of the synchronization signal may comprise sending a synchronization signal from the first access terminal to one or more other terminals that is synchronized with the first access terminal.

15 illustrates peer-to-peer communication 1500 in a WLAN. In certain scenarios, individual access terminals 1502 and 1504 can communicate with each other using one or more WLAN access points 1506, 1508. To improve this communication, synchronization information from WWAN access points 1508, 1510 may be used to synchronize the clocks of the access terminal. It must be appreciated that some access points may contain only the functionality of WLAN 1506, or the functionality of WWAN 1510, or a combination of the functionality of both WLAN and WWAN 1508.

Synchronization information may be provided through a WLAN access point if the device has WWAN 1512, 1514 functionality or WWAN access point knowledge. Alternatively, WWAN functionality on one or both access terminals can be used to provide this information to access terminals, which can then use the information for WLAN communication.

FIG. 16 illustrates a method 1600 for registering and / or identifying in an Independent Core Service Set (IBSS) network. IBSS Network - An IEEE 802.11 based wireless network that does not have any underlying infrastructure. An IBSS network consists of at least two wireless stations. An IBSS network can be referred to as a dedicated network because it can be created quickly with little or no planning. WWAN functionality resident in either the access terminal or the WLAN access point can be used to register and / or identify the access terminal for communication or access to services through the WLAN access point.

The method begins at 1602, where the WWAN functionality in the access terminal may indicate a device identification or registration message (e.g., device identification resident on a subscriber authentication module). The first registration message may contain an encryption key. The device identification or registration message may be authenticated via WWAN from the first access terminal. A second device identification or registration message may be transmitted and provided to the WLAN access point or other services, position 1604. The second registration message may be based on the first registration message. A message to a WLAN can be transmitted either through reverse traffic, or through an air token, or an air interface received through WWAN for an access terminal. It also allows the use of device-specific encryption keys, which can be authenticated through the WWAN system or the WLAN system.

The registration / authentication approach is advantageous in a situation where the user of the access terminal is in radio communication with a kiosk that has WLAN functionality but lacks broadband transmission or full connection of the return traffic to the network, for example, the Internet. In this situation, identification or billing information for sales scenarios (eg, music, video, or other information) can be provided via WWAN. For example, user identification, whether it is a device or a specific user (for example, a password or encryption key), can be exchanged throughout the WWAN. This enables the access terminal to receive a marker or other identity, position 1606. A marker or other identity can be transmitted over the air to the kiosk, position 1608, allowing the access terminal to access video, song or other multimedia content. In this way, access is provided through the WLAN to the access terminal. It must be appreciated that after the second registration message is transmitted via WWAN to the access terminal, the third registration message based on the second registration message can be sent from the access terminal to the WLAN access point. This third registration message can be sent through a variety of media, including an air interface.

This multimedia content can also be provided based on the location of the mobile device. For example, in a shopping center, multimedia content may be provided from one or more retail outlets or other retail establishments based on a user location, as well as a user preference. A user preference may be a preference previously communicated by the user and stored in the memory of the mobile device. The processor associated with the mobile device can analyze the information stored in the memory and determine whether the multimedia content should be received and shown to the user, or should be ignored and not communicated to the device user. In another embodiment, a user preference may be transferred to a system service that serves the information. For example, if a user is located near a sporting goods store and it is preliminarily determined that such a user does not want any information (for example, current commercial or price reductions, events ...) regarding sports and / or sports goods, information transmitted by radio to a specific store, should be kept from being transferred to the user's mobile device. You must understand that the multimedia content is optional and the disclosed embodiments may be used without using the multimedia content.

According to another embodiment, dedicated WLANs can be connected via WWAN. For example, if one or more IBSS networks are discovered, they can be connected through the reverse traffic provided by WWAN. This could be available if one or more WLAN nodes / stations, in a given IBSS, were discovered or discovered by a WWAN access point. This allows you to connect WLAN stations from different IBSSs through WWAN reverse traffic, which may have greater bandwidth, or may have access to improved services. Different IBSSs can provide radio coverage in different areas that may not be continuous with respect to each other.

According to another embodiment, there is the ability for multicast and / or radio transmission in an IBSS network. Broadcast and multicast messages can be provided through WWAN return traffic. This may facilitate the provision of radio broadcasts or multicast messages or data based on location information. Further, this can provide the ability to transmit a synchronized broadcast or multicast messages based on synchronization information available via WWAN (for example, a synchronization signal from a neighboring WWAN access point can be used to calculate targets).

17 illustrates an example ad hoc network 1700. The network 1700 is illustrated as an ad hoc network using four access points or base stations “A” 1702, “B” 1704, “C” 1706, and “D” 1708. The ad hoc network 1700 may use any number of access points, and four access points are selected for illustration purposes only. You must understand that the network 1700 specialized network can be a network in infrastructure mode using access points (as shown), a peer-to-peer network that does not use access points, or a network that uses both infrastructure modes (access points) and peer-to-peer mode.

The network topology 1700 illustrates that access point A 1702 is connected through radio communication to access point 1704 B, access point C 1706 and / or access point 1708 D. A decision regarding effective communications must be established for access points. This decision can be made through a global control channel in which each access point sends its GPS coordinate (or other location means) to a central network management system (NM) 1710. The NM 1710 system, having the location of all access points 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708 on the network 1700, determines the network and communication topology between access points 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708. For example, an NM 1710 network could decide that in the topology, access point 1702 should communicate with access point 1704, access point 1704 should communicate with access point 1706, and access point 1706 should communicate with access point 1708. NM system 1710 can also determine which channel each access point should use as a function of frequency control. For example, an NM 1710 system may decide that access point 1702 should use channel A or a 20 MHz channel and that access point B should use another channel, such as another 20 MHz channel, etc.

On a dedicated network, access points can be deleted or added at any time. However, communication between access points must remain constant in order to ensure smooth communication. When a major event occurs (disaster, etc.), the entire topology may need to change. Thus, the control channel must be configured to provide adequate communication without undue interference. Each access point can be configured with WLAN functionality that automatically configures each access point with an enable channel, allowing anyone to communicate through this network management channel. This enable channel mitigates problems associated with a lack of control channel availability. The channel communicates its coordinates to the NM 1710 system. This can be set through any level of bandwidth, and a narrow WAN band channel may be sufficient for this purpose. Once location information is received, the ad hoc network can be reconfigured or a new ad hoc network installed.

The NM 1710 system can also provide routing for specific packets. The NM 1710 system can access each access point 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708 and provide or download routing tables to each access point 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708. The routing table may provide routing information for specific packets or certain types of packets. For example, if a voice packet is to be forwarded, the NM 1710 (via the routing table) can instruct the access point that the voice packet should be routed to access point 1704 B, then to access point C 1706, then to access point D 1708, etc. e. until the voice packet reaches its final destination. If the packet is a data packet, the routing could be from access point D 1708, to access point 1704 1704, to access point 1702 A. The video packet could take a different route. In this way, the NM 1710 system determines both the topology or configuration of the ad hoc network 1700 and how packets are routed in real time. In this way, the WWAN can provide strong control and signaling capabilities for the specialized 1700 network (s) and can provide data paths to fill the gaps in WLAN communication. You must understand that the routing and / or discussed topology are for examples and are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments.

The NM 1710 system may take into account the sensitivity of the traffic to determine the routing of the packet. For example, communications can be re-established during a certain time of the day, week, etc. The NM 1710 system can monitor traffic during potentially peak times (for example, morning rush hour, evening rush hour ...). During this peak time, there may be a certain flow of traffic and routing, or communications can be established and / or changed on demand, with a high level of flexibility.

In a network that operates in peer-to-peer mode (no access points) or a combination of infrastructure mode and peer-to-peer mode, handsets are used to establish a network or part of a network. In such a situation, the NM system cannot be used, since the network configuration can change rapidly. In this situation, each handset broadcasts its information, and handsets that receive information would retransmit information to other handsets by radio. This passage through or retransmission of information by radio should continue until the information reaches its destination. In such a peer-to-peer network, the first handset A can access the handset B using a WLAN. Handset B could communicate with handset C using WWAN. Handsets can communicate using mixed modes or sets if the handsets have WWAN, WWAN, WPAN, Wi-Fi, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a system 1800 is illustrated that facilitates coordinated communication between multiple communication protocols in a wireless communication environment in accordance with one or more disclosed embodiments. System 1800 may reside at an access point and / or user device. System 1800 includes a receiver 1802 that can receive a signal from, for example, a receiver antenna. The receiver 1802 may perform actions following this, typical, such as filtering, amplification, down-conversion, etc. received signal. Receiver 1802 may also digitize the conditioned signal to the resulting samples. Demodulator 1804 may receive received symbols during each symbol period to provide received symbols to processor 1806.

The processor 1806 may be a processor specialized to analyze information received by the component of the receiver 1802 and / or generate information for transmission by the transmitter 1816. The processor 1806 monitors one or more components of the user device 1800 and / or a processor 1806 that analyzes information received by the receiver 1802 generates information for transmission by transmitter 1816 and controls one or more components of user device 1800. Processor 1806 may comprise a controller component capable of coordinating communication with additional user devices.

User device 1800 may also comprise a memory 1808 that operates while connected to processor 1806, and it stores information related to coordinating communication and any other type of suitable information. Memory 1808 may further store protocols related to coordinating communication. It must be appreciated that the components of the data warehouse (eg, memory blocks) described herein may be either volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may contain both volatile and non-volatile memory. By way of illustration, but not limitation, non-volatile memory may include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may contain random access memory (RAM), which acts as an external cache. By way of illustration, and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms, such as synchronous random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), synchronous dynamic memory with double data transfer rate (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Memory (ESDRAM), Synchlink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), and Rambus Direct Memory (DRRAM). The memory of 1808 slave systems and / or methods is intended to include, without being limited, these any other suitable types of memory. User devices 1800 further comprise a symbol modulator 1810 and a transmitter 1812 that transmits a modulated signal.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a system 1900 that facilitates coordination of communication protocols in accordance with various aspects. System 1900 comprises a base station or access point 1902. As illustrated, base station 1902 receives signal (s) from one or more user devices 1904 by receiver antenna 1906 and transmits it to one or more user devices 1904 via transmit antenna 1908.

Base station 1902 comprises a receiver 1910 that receives information from receive antenna 1906, and is operatively coupled to a demodulator 1912 that demodulates the received information. Demodulated symbols are analyzed by a processor 1914, which is connected to a memory 1916, which stores information associated with code clusters, user device assignments associated with lookup tables, unique scrambling sequences, and the like. Modulator 1918 may multiplex the signal for transmission by transmitter 1920 through transmit antenna 1908 to user devices 1904.

20 illustrates an example wireless communication system 2000. A radio communication system 2000 depicts one base station and one terminal for the sake of brevity. However, it must be appreciated that the system 2000 may comprise more than one base station or access point, and / or more than one terminal or user device, where additional base stations and / or terminals may be substantially the same or different from the exemplary base station and terminal described below. In addition, it must be appreciated that the base station and / or terminal can use the systems and / or methods described herein to facilitate radio communication among themselves.

Turning now to FIG. 20, in a downlink transmission of information to an access point 1905, a data processor (TX) 2010 receives, formats, encodes, interleaves and modulates (or displays) traffic data and provides modulation symbols (“data symbols”) . The symbol modulator 2015 receives and processes data symbols and control symbols, and provides a stream of symbols. The symbol modulator 2015 multiplexes data and pilot symbols and receives a series of N transmitted symbols. Each transmitted symbol may be a data symbol, a control symbol, or a signal value of zero. Control characters can be sent continuously in each character period. The pilot symbols may be frequency multiplexing, multiplexed (frequency modulation), orthogonal frequency multiplexing (OFDM), time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency multiplexing (FDM), or code division multiplexing (CDM).

The Transmitter Module (TMTR) 2020 receives and converts the symbol stream into one or more analog signals and additionally sets the conditions (e.g., amplifies, filters, and increases the frequency) of the analog signals to generate a downlink information signal suitable for transmission over a wireless channel. The downlink information signal is then transmitted through an antenna 2025 to the terminals. At terminal 2030, the antenna 2035 receives the downlink information signal and provides the received signal to the receiver module (RCVR) 2040. The receiver module 2040 sets the conditions (for example, filters, amplifies and lowers the frequency) of the received signal and digitizes the conditioned signal to obtain samples. The character demodulator 2045 receives N received symbols and provides the received pilot symbols to a processor 2050 for channel estimation. The character demodulator 2045 further obtains a frequency response estimate for transmitting information on the downlink from the processor 2050, performs demodulation of the data on the received data symbols to obtain estimates of the data symbols (which are estimates of the transmitted data symbols), and provides estimates of the data symbols to the 2055 RX processor , which demodulates (for example, does a symbol back mapping), interleaves and decodes the data symbol estimates to return the transmitted traffic data. Processing by the symbol demodulator 2045 and the 2055 RX processor is complementary to processing by the symbol modulator 2015 and the TX processor 1910, respectively, at access point 2005.

On a communications channel, the TX 2060 processes traffic data and provides data symbols. The symbol modulator 2065 receives and multiplexes data symbols with pilot symbols, performs modulation, and provides a stream of symbols. The transmitter module 2070 then receives and processes the symbol stream to generate a connection signal, which is transmitted by the antenna 2035 to the access point 2005.

At access point 2005, a connection signal from terminal 2030 is received by antenna 2025 and processed by receiver module 2075 to obtain samples. The symbol demodulator 2080 then processes the samples and provides received experimental symbols and data symbol estimates for the communication channel. An RX processor 2085 processes the data symbol estimates in order to recover traffic data transmitted by the terminal 2030. The processor 2090 performs channel estimation for each active transmission of the terminal on the communication channel.

Processors 2090 and 2050 control (e.g., manage, coordinate, monitor, etc.) operations at access point 2005 and terminal 2030, respectively. Corresponding processors 2090 and 2050 may be associated with memory modules (not shown) that store program codes and data. Processors 2090 and 2050 can also perform calculations to obtain frequency and impulse transfer function estimates for a communication channel and downlink information, respectively.

For a multiple access system (e.g., FDMA, OFDMA, CDMA, TDMA, etc.), multiple terminals can transmit simultaneously on a communication channel. For such a system, the control subbands may be divided among different terminals. Channel estimation techniques may be used in cases where the control subbands for each terminal span the entire operational band (possibly with the exception of the band edges). Such a control subband structure would be desirable to obtain frequency diversity for each terminal. The methods described herein can be carried out by various means. For example, these methods may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, there may be processors used for channel estimation implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) ), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic modules to perform the functions described here, or a combination of these. With software, implementation can be implemented through modules (eg, procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described here. Program codes can be stored in a memory module and executed by processors 2090 and 2050.

You must understand that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, firmware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When systems and / or methods are implemented in software, firmware, firmware or firmware, program code or encoded parts, they can be stored on a machine-readable medium, such as a memory component. The code part may be a procedure, function, subprogram, program, subprogram, subprogram, module, program package, class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. The code part can be connected to another code part or hardware circuit, passing and / or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. can be transferred, forwarded or redirected using any suitable means, including memory sharing, messaging, relay transmission, network transmission, etc.

For software implementation, the methods described herein may be implemented with modules (eg, procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Program codes can be stored in memory modules and executed by processors. The memory module may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively connected to the processor through various means, as is known in the art.

What has been described above contains examples of one or more embodiments. Of course, it is not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies in order to describe the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many additional combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to encompass all such changes, modifications, and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, the term “includes”, used in the description or claims, is interpreted as “including”, similarly to the term “comprising”, used in the claims as a transition word.

Claims (22)

1. A method for registering in a wireless communication system, comprising the steps of:
selecting, via a mobile device, a WLAN access point for conducting a wireless transaction, the selection being based at least in part on the number of access points associated with the selected WLAN access point;
wirelessly transmitting from the mobile device to WWAN, the first registration message requesting identification information for access to the selected WLAN access point;
receive from WWAN a second registration message containing a token that contains identification information for accessing the selected WLAN access point;
transmitting a third registration message containing the token to the selected WLAN access point;
receiving access to the WLAN access point on the mobile device based on the token; and
conduct at least a portion of the wireless transaction using the selected access WLAN access point. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the first registration message includes transmitting an encryption key, wherein the encryption key is device-specific and allows WWAN to identify the mobile device. 3. The method according to claim 1, which also includes conducting at least another part of the wireless transaction using WWAN, including receiving rights to the content from WWAN, while conducting at least part of the wireless transaction using the selected point A WLAN access that has access also includes receiving content. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a WLAN access point also comprises a selection based on available applications associated with the selected WLAN access point. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a WLAN access point also comprises a selection based on one or more network types, network bandwidth, cost of service, signal strength associated with the selected WLAN access point. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting a WLAN access point also comprises a selection based on the type of content provided by the selected WLAN access point. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection step is based at least in part on one or more types of provider and the location of the content of the provider. 8. The method according to claim 1, which also comprises receiving the contents of the WLAN access point based on user settings corresponding to the mobile device. 9. The method according to claim 8, in which the reception of the content also includes a determination based on user settings whether to accept the content and transmit it to the user of the mobile device or ignore and not transmit it to the user of the mobile device. 10. The method of claim 8, which also includes transmitting user settings from the mobile device to the WLAN access point to direct the content provided by the WLAN access point related only to user settings to the mobile device. 11. An apparatus for registering in a wireless communication system, comprising: means for selecting, via a mobile device, a WLAN access point for conducting a wireless transaction, the selection being based at least in part on the number of access points associated with the selected WLAN access point;
means for transmitting wirelessly from a mobile device to WWAN the first registration message requesting identification information for access to a selected WLAN access point;
means for receiving from WWAN a second registration message containing a token that contains identification information for accessing the selected WLAN access point;
means for transmitting a third registration message containing a token to a selected WLAN access point;
means for receiving on a mobile device access to a WLAN access point based on a token; and
means for conducting at least part of the wireless transaction using the selected WLAN access point having access. 12. The device according to claim 11, which also contains means for conducting at least another part of a wireless transaction using WWAN, including means for receiving rights to content from WWAN, while means for conducting at least part A wireless transaction using a selected access WLAN access point also includes means for receiving content. 13. The device according to claim 11, in which the means for selecting a WLAN access point also comprises a selection based on available applications associated with the selected WLAN access point. 14. The device according to claim 11, in which the means for selecting a WLAN access point also comprises a selection based on one or more network types, network bandwidth, cost of service, signal strength associated with the selected WLAN access point. 15. The device according to claim 11, in which the means for selecting a WLAN access point also comprises a selection based on the type of content provided by the selected WLAN access point. 16. The device according to claim 11, in which the means for selection also contains a selection based at least in part on one or more types of provider and the location of the content of the supplier. 17. The device according to claim 11, which also comprises means for receiving the contents of the WLAN access point based on user settings corresponding to the mobile device. 18. The device according to 17, in which the means for receiving content also contains means for determining, based on user settings, whether to accept the content and transmit it to the user of the mobile device or ignore and not transmit it to the user of the mobile device. 19. The device according to 17, which also contains means for transmitting user settings from a mobile device to a WLAN access point for sending content provided by a WLAN access point related only to user settings to the mobile device. 20. Computer-readable media containing computer-executable instructions stored thereon for:
selecting, via a mobile device, a WLAN access point for conducting a wireless transaction, the selection being based at least in part on the number of access points associated with the selected WLAN access point;
wirelessly transmitting from the mobile device to WWAN the first registration message requesting identification information for access to the selected WLAN access point;
receiving from WWAN a second registration message containing a token that contains identification information for accessing the selected WLAN access point;
transmitting the third registration message containing the token to the selected WLAN access point;
receiving on a mobile device access to a WLAN access point based on a token; and
conducting at least a portion of the wireless transaction using the selected access WLAN access point. 21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the computer-executable instructions also comprise instructions for:
conducting at least another part of the wireless transaction using the WWAN, including receiving rights to the content from the WWAN, while conducting at least part of the wireless transaction using the selected access WLAN access point also includes receiving the content. 22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions for selecting a WLAN access point also comprise instructions for selection based on available applications associated with the selected WLAN access point.

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