as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 0) Pub. No.: US 2004/0127208 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Jul. 1, 2004
`
`Nair et al.
`
`US 20040127208A1
`
`(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEAMLESS
`ROAMING BETWEEN WIRELESS
`NETWORKS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Biju Nair, Buffalo Grove, IL (US);
`Ognjen Redzic, Chicago, IL (US);
`Martin Singer, Northbrook, IL (US);
`Robert Boxall, Elmhurst, IL (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Attn: James E. Eakin
`Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
`Intellectual Property Group
`2475 HanoverStreet
`Palo Alto, CA 94304 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/634,536
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 4, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/400,615, filed on Aug.
`2, 2002.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Ente C07 caccccsssssssssssnssessesnstsnssnstsevee H04Q 7/00
`(SL)
`(52) US. Ch.
`cecessssssssssstsessetsstnstvasnetnstnesvesse 455/420
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method for the seamless switching of a wireless device
`between wireless wide area networks (WWANSs) and wire-
`less local area networks (WLANs) includes automatically
`detecting the available WWANs and WLANs,selecting one
`of the available networks for use by the wireless device, and
`connecting the wireless device to the selected network. The
`method also includes maintaining the network connection by
`monitoring the connection and, upon determining that the
`connection has been lost, selecting a another available
`network for use and connecting the wireless device the other
`network. Additionally, the method communicates informa-
`tion about the availability networks and connectionstatus to
`a user of the wireless device, which allows the user to
`manually switch the wireless device connection from the
`automatically selected available network to another avail-
`able network. Further, a wireless device implements the
`above described method.
`
` ----------- 4
`
`Wireless
`Device
`
`14
`
`16
`
`18
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 1
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`10
`
`18
`
`Figure1
`
`Wireless
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 2
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 2
`
`

`

`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`28
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`12
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`WLANH/W-WWANH/W_-ComboH/W|
` Figure2
`
`ConnectivityApplication
`
`Applications
`
` OperatingSystem
`
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 3
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Inter-subcomponent
`
`Communication
`
`3GUISub-
`
`component
`
`UlComponent
`
`2,
`ns—c
`-2
`=¢€
`$8
`=
`
`Figure3
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 4
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 4
`
`

`

`<x
`
`
`
`RulesEngine
`
`c O
`
`o
`oS Cc
`26
`5 oO
`QO 2®
`0 ~/
`2—
`Oo
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Figure4
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 5
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
` Search for
`
`Network
`detected
`
`
`
`oO 100
`network
`?
` 108
`
`Connectto
`
`
`
`network per
`rules engine
`
`recommendation
`
`
`Connection
`maintenance
`
`monitoring and
`
`106
`
`
`
`Search rules
`
` engine
`
`110
`
`Figure 5
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 6
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jul. 1, 2004 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2004/0127208 A1
`
`110 ~
`
`112
`
`Monitor Current
`Connection
`
`
`Current
`connection
`loss ?
`
`
`
`User
`intervention
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`Other
`
`network(s)
`?
`
`Connect to other
`network
`
`Figure 6
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p.7
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 7
`
`

`

`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEAMLESS
`ROAMING BETWEEN WIRELESS NETWORKS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The present application claims the benefit of pri-
`ority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U'S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/400,615 filed on Aug. 2, 2002 to Nair, et
`al. and entitled “Seamless Roaming Between Wireless Net-
`works”.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field
`of wireless technology and, more particularly, to seamless
`roaming between wireless networks.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0005] Wireless technology allows electronic devices to
`communicate with one another without the use of physical
`lines (e.g., wire or fiber optic cable), and accordingly, has
`become increasingly popular in recent years. There are
`different types of access networksin wireless technology, for
`example, the wireless local area network (WLAN) and the
`wireless wide area network (WWAN). WWANsare used by
`traditional cellular companies to provide high-mobility
`access (e.g., for users moving in cars) over a broad coverage
`area. WLANs can be used in buildings (e.g., homes or
`businesses) for stationary or low mobility access.
`
`[0006] While WLANs provide higher throughput rates
`(e.g., ranging from 11 Mbps to 54 Mbps), such networks
`generally do not provide a broad area of coverage, and thus,
`are not always suitable for high mobility access. On the
`other hand, while WWANSsprovide broad ranging coverage,
`they generally have lower throughputrates.
`
`[0007] Previously developed techniques have provided for
`connections to both a WLAN and a WWAN bya mobile
`device. With these techniques, separate device applications
`were used to independently support and manage different
`kinds of connections. That is, one application would be used
`for WWAN connections, and another application would be
`used for WLAN connections. This was problematic in that
`the two applications were independent, and thus, did not
`provide the ability to coordinate connections for different
`types of wireless networks. Thus, whenever there wasa loss
`of connection as a mobile device was moved out of the
`
`coverage area, of one kind of wireless network into the
`coverage area of another kind of network, the previously
`developed techniques were not able to automatically switch
`connections. Instead, a user had to manually switch from
`one application managing hardware for a connection of the
`first kind of wireless network to a different application
`managing hardware for a connection of the second kind of
`wireless network. In order to make this manual switch, the
`user was required to shut down all applications using the
`external network connection and then, after the switch was
`made,
`to reinitiate network connectivity and restart all
`applications. Accordingly, the previously developed tech-
`niques were disruptive,
`time consuming, and not user
`friendly.
`
`[0008] Therefore, what is needed is a way to automatically
`and seamlessly switch between and among different types of
`wireless networks.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] According to embodiments of the present inven-
`tion, systems and methods provide uninterrupted and ubiq-
`uitous wireless access, with seamless hand-off between
`different kinds of networks. Thus, applications are not
`affected as a user roams between and among WLANsand
`WWANS. The embodiments of the present invention may
`also facilitate handing off a user to WLANs, whenever
`possible to more cost effectively use the available WWAN
`bandwidth. Important technical advantages of the present
`invention are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from
`the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present
`invention, for further features and advantages, applicants
`now make the following description, taken in conjunction
`with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`FIG.1 illustrates an environment in which systems
`[0011]
`and methods, according to embodiments of the present
`invention, may operate;
`
`FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary system for seam-
`[0012]
`less roaming between wireless networks according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`
`FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary user interface com-
`[0013]
`ponent according to an embodimentof the present invention;
`
`[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary core component
`according to an embodimentof the present invention;
`
`[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary
`method for seamless roaming between wireless networks
`according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
`
`[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary
`method for network connection monitoring and maintenance
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Turningfirst to the nomenclature of the specifica-
`[0017]
`tion,
`the detailed description that follows is represented
`largely in terms of processes and symbolic representations
`of operations performed by conventional computer compo-
`nents, such as a local or remote central processing unit
`(CPU), processor, server, or other suitable processing device
`associated with a general purpose or specialized computer
`system, memory storage devices operatively associated with
`the processing device, and connected local or remote display
`devices. These operations may include the manipulation of
`data bits by the processing device and the maintenance of
`these bits within data structures resident in one or more of
`
`the memory storage devices. Such data structures impose a
`physical organization upon the collection of data bits stored
`within computer memory and represent specific electrical or
`magnetic elements. These symbolic representations are the
`means used by those skilled in the art of computer program-
`ming and computer construction to most effectively convey
`teachings and discoveries to others skilled in the art.
`
`[0018] For purposes of this discussion, an application,
`process, method, routine, or sub-routine is generally con-
`sidered to be a sequence of computer-executed steps leading
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 8
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 8
`
`

`

`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`to a desired result. These steps generally require manipula-
`tions of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessar-
`ily always,
`these quantities take the form of electrical,
`magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, trans-
`ferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. It is
`conventional for those skilled in the art to refer to these
`
`signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, text,
`terms, numbers,records,files, or the like. It should be kept
`in mind, however, that these and some other terms should be
`associated with appropriate physical quantities for computer
`operations, and that these terms are merely conventional
`labels applied to physical quantities that exist within and
`during operation of the computer.
`
`should also be understood that automatic
`It
`[0019]
`manipulations within the computer system are often referred
`to in terms such as adding, comparing, moving, searching, or
`the like, which are typically associated with manual opera-
`tions performed by a human operator. It must be understood
`that, in most instances, no involvement of the human opera-
`tor is necessary, or even desirable, in the present invention.
`However, some of the operations described herein are
`machine operations performed in conjunction with the
`humanoperator, or user, that interacts with the computer or
`system. Therefore, unless noted as a manual, user operation,
`all operations are presumed to be automatic.
`
`In addition, it should be understood that the pro-
`[0020]
`grams, processes, methods,and the like, described herein are
`but an exemplary implementation of the present invention
`and are not related, or limited, to any particular computer,
`system, apparatus, or computer language. Rather, various
`types of general purpose computing machines or devices
`may be used with programs constructed in accordance with
`the teachings described herein. Similarly,
`it may prove
`advantageous to construct a specialized apparatus, or hard-
`ware device, to perform one or more of the method steps
`described herein by way of dedicated computer systems with
`hard-wired logic or programsstored in non-volatile memory,
`such as read-only memory (ROM).
`
`[0021] Overview
`
`[0022] According to embodiments of the present inven-
`tion, systems and methods provide automatic and seamless
`roaming between wireless networks, including between dif-
`ferent kinds of wireless networks
`(e.g.. WLAN and
`WWAN). Embodimentsof the presentinvention can provide
`seamless access between two disparate wireless access tech-
`nologies, such as a WLAN and a WWAN.The systems and
`methods of the present invention can provide or support
`automatic detection and connection to WLANs
`and
`WWANs.
`
`[0023] System For Seamless Roaming
`
`[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 10 in which
`embodiments of the present
`invention may operate. As
`depicted, environment 10 includes a plurality of wireless
`networks through which a wireless device 12 may migrate
`and communicate. These networks can be, for example, a
`wireless wide area network (WWAN) 14,a first wireless
`local area network (WLAN) 16, and a second WLAN 18.
`
`communications, including, but not limited to, analog cel-
`lular system, digital cellular system, Personal Communica-
`tion System (PCS), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD),
`ARDIS, RAM Mobile Data, Metricom Ricochet, paging,
`and Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR). The
`wireless networks 14, 16, 18 may utilize or support various
`protocols. Exemplary protocols for WLANs16, 18 include
`IEEE 802.11, HomeRF, Bluetooth, HiperLAN andthe like.
`Exemplary protocols for WWAN 14include Time Division
`Multiple Access (TDMA, such as IS-136), Code Division
`Multiple Access (CDMA), 1xRTT, General Packet Radio
`Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution
`(EDGE), Global System for Mobile communications
`(GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
`(UMTS), and Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN)
`Packet Data. Each connection of a wireless network may
`have a respective identifier such as, for example, a particular
`Internet Protocol (IP) address. Transmissions over the wire-
`less networks 14, 16, 18 may be analog or digital. The
`wireless networks may include or be supported by a public
`switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or a private system
`(e.g., cellular system)
`implemented with a number of
`switches, wire lines, fiber-optic cable, land-based transmis-
`sion towers, space-basedsatellite transponders, and the like.
`In one embodiment, the wireless networks may include any
`other suitable communication system, such as a specialized
`mobile radio (SMR) system. Each wireless network 14, 16,
`18 may have a respective range of operation. The ranges of
`the various wireless networks can overlap in coverage.
`
`[0026] The wireless networks 14, 16, 18 can be main-
`tained or operated by the sameor different service providers.
`In general, a service provider can be an entity that delivers
`services to one or more users, who, for example, access the
`network with a wireless device. These services may include
`wireless service, and possibly a host of other services,
`including, for example, plain old telephone service (POTS),
`digital telephony service, cellular service, pager service, and
`the like. The user of the wireless device 12 can be a
`subscriber to one or more of the services provided by one or
`moreof the service providers with the wireless networks 14,
`16, 18.
`
`[0027] The wireless device 12 can be an electronic device
`with capability for communicating by wireless technology.
`Thus, wireless device 12 can be, for example, a laptop or
`desktop computer,
`a wireless personal digital assistant
`(PDA), a cellular phone, or any other wireless-capable,
`suitable electronic device. The wireless device 12 can be
`used by a respective user, who can move among and through
`the effective ranges of operation for the various wireless
`networks 14, 16, 18. If the wireless device 12 is within the
`range a particular wireless network, the device 12 will be
`able to communicate through a link of that wireless network.
`The wireless device 12 may run one or more applications
`that exchange data/information through wireless networks
`as the applications are run. Such an application can be, for
`example, a network browser that exchanges information
`with the distributed application known as the “World Wide
`Web.” Another exemplary application can be electronic mail
`or instant messaging services.
`
`[0025] Each wireless networks 14, 16, 18 can be a com-
`munication network that supports wireless communication.
`Each network supports at least one wireless link or device
`connection. As such, the networks may support a variety of
`
`In general, WLANs provide higher throughput
`[0028]
`rates (e.g., from 11 Mbps to 54 Mbpsand higher), butare not
`conducive to use in higher mobility applications (e.g., such
`as when a user is in a car). WWANscan be used in high
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 9
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 9
`
`

`

`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`mobility applications, but do not provide as much through-
`put as WLANs. Thus, to increase throughput rates for the
`user of the wireless device 12, it is desirable to connect to
`a WLAN when one is available and connection to it is
`
`possible, while connecting to a WWAN when a WLAN
`connection is not available or possible.
`
`[0029] To provide uninterrupted and effective wireless
`access for the wireless device 12 in exemplary environment
`10, the present invention provides systems and methods so
`that WLANs and WWANsare able to automatically and
`seamlessly hand-off communications with the wireless
`device 12 as it roams between or among them, without the
`applications executing on the wireless device 12 being
`adversely affected.
`
`[0030] System For Seamless Roaming
`
`[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system for seam-
`less roaming between wireless networks according to an
`embodimentof the present invention. As shown,this system
`can be incorporated into or comprise a wireless device 12.
`The wireless device 12 can be any suitable electronic device
`such as, for example, a portable personal computer (PC),
`wireless PDA or cellular phone, having a data processing
`facility supported by memory (either internal or external)
`and being wireless network capable.
`
`[0032] A numberof networking hardware devices, such as
`WLAN hardware 26, WWAN hardware28, and combination
`hardware 30, support connections between wireless device
`12 and various wireless networks. WLAN hardware 26
`supports connection with a WLAN. WWAN hardware 28
`supports connection with a WWAN. Combination hardware
`30 supports connection with either a WLAN or a WWAN.
`The networking hardware devices could be a wireless
`modem, a wireless network interface card (NIC), or any
`other suitable hardware peripheral device for supporting a
`wireless connection. In other embodiments, such devices
`can be implemented in any combination of hardware and
`software. A driver layer 32, which may be implemented in
`software or hardware or both, functions as a hardware
`controller for the WLAN hardware 26, WWAN hardware 28,
`and combination hardware 30.
`
`[0033] A user interface (I/F) 34 generally functions to
`enable a human userto interact with the wireless device 12,
`for example,
`to run applications (e.g., word processing),
`browse the Internet, check email, and the like. The func-
`tionality of the user interface 34 can be performed by one or
`more suitable input devices (e.g., keypad,
`touch screen,
`input port, pointing device, microphone, and/or other device
`that can accept user input information) and one or more
`suitable output devices (e.g., video display, output port,
`speaker, or other device, for conveying information, includ-
`ing digital data, visual information,or audio information). In
`one embodiment, each user interface 34 may comprise or be
`operable to display at least one graphical user interface
`(GUI) having a number of interactive devices, such as
`buttons, windows, pull-down menus, and the like to facili-
`tate the entry, viewing, and/or retrieval of information.
`
`[0034] The wireless device 12 may operate under the
`control of a suitable operating system (OS) 20, such as, for
`example, MS-DOS, MAC OS, WINDOWSNIT, WIN-
`DOWS 95, WINDOWSCE, OS/2, UNIX, LINUX, LIN-
`DOWS, XENIX, PALM OS, and the like. One or more
`
`software applications 22 may run on the wireless device 12.
`Each application 22 may interact with the operating system
`20. These applications 22 may support numerousservices or
`functions such as, for example, document sharing, account-
`ing, word processing, application sharing,
`file transfer,
`remote control, browser, voice over Internet Protocol (IP),
`user authentication, address book,files and folders, account-
`ing, database management,andthelike. Atleast a portion of
`these applications 22 may require the exchange of informa-
`tion over the wireless network with other electronic devices
`as the applications 22 are executing on the wireless device
`12.
`
`[0035] A connectivity application 24, provided in the
`software layer, acts as a pseudo router of network addresses
`and connectivity. The connectivity application 24 logically
`resides between the operating system 20 and the driver layer
`32 of hardware controllers. The connectivity application 24
`may logically “sit on top” of operating system 20. Connec-
`tivity application 24 may support the detection of wireless
`connections that are available in any given location to the
`wireless device 12. These connections include both WLAN
`and WWAN connections. Furthermore, unlike previously
`developed techniques, the connectivity application 24 main-
`tains information and handles connectivity for different
`kinds of wireless networks. As such, connectivity applica-
`tion 24 is able to coordinate the connection of the wireless
`device 12 with different wireless networks, thereby provid-
`ing seamless transition or handoff between the networks,
`including from a WLAN connection to a WWAN connec-
`tion, and vice versa, as well as between WLAN or WWAN
`connections. Connectivity application 24 may provide the IP
`address of the wireless connection in use to the operating
`system 20, which in turn publishes this IP address to all
`applications 22. As depicted, in one embodiment, connec-
`tivity application 24 includes a user interface (UI) compo-
`nent 36, a core component 38, a WLAN interface component
`40, a WWAN interface component 42, and a combination
`interface component 44.
`
`[0036] WLAN interface component 40, WWAN interface
`component 42, and combination interface component 44
`provide or support an interface with the driver layer 32
`comprising device drivers, which can be supplied by the
`respective hardware manufacturers of the networking hard-
`ware devices (e.g., WLAN hardware 26, WWAN hardware
`28, and combination hardware 30). WLAN interface com-
`ponent 40 may handle all the communications with, for
`example, any WiFi compliant 802.11a card and its driver.
`WLAN interface component 40 can, for example, interface
`with the application program interface (API) of the WLAN
`card. This component 40 implements both the standard
`interfaces as well as specific aspects of communicating with
`the WLAN card, to retrieve common information such as
`Status, Signal Strength, MAC Address, Firmware version,
`and the like. The WLAN interface component 40 also
`handles sending and receiving messages to the card. The
`WWAN interface component 42 and the combo interface
`component 44 have similar functionality to its WLAN
`counterpart, except that it is implemented to communicate
`with the API of the WWAN card.
`
`[0037] The UI component 36 provides support for the
`presentation (e.g., visually, audibly, physically,etc.) of infor-
`mation relating to the wireless connections for the wireless
`device 12. This information may include, for example,
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 10
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 10
`
`

`

`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`network information for WWAN 14 and WLANs 16, 18.
`The UI component 36 mayalso allow a user to configure or
`set (e.g., enabling and disabling) the wireless connections
`for the device 12. In one embodiment, for example, UI
`component 36 may enable a user to readily and easily, yet
`manually or automatically, switch from one wireless net-
`work connection (e.g., for WWAN 14) to another wireless
`network connections (e.g., for WLAN 16) with no adverse
`effect on applications running on the wireless device 12.
`
`[0038] The core component 38 is in communication with
`UI component 36, WLAN interface component 40, WWAN
`interface component 42, and combination interface compo-
`nent 44. The core component 38 implements the logic for
`keeping track of, handling, and managing the connectivity to
`the wireless networks and informing the operating system 20
`about any changes. The core component 38 may also be
`responsible for automated switching of the connections
`which,in one embodiment, can be rule-based switching. The
`core component 38 may automatically authenticate and
`connect the wireless device 12 to preferred wireless net-
`works that are detected.
`
`In operation, as the wireless device 12 is moved
`[0039]
`between or among the effective ranges of various wireless
`networks (WLAN or WWAN), connectivity application 24
`functions to change connections from one wireless network
`to another wireless network. In one aspect, the change of
`wireless connection can be automatic suchthat, for example,
`upon loss of connectivity from any one connection,
`the
`connectivity application 24 will automatically initiate a new
`connection and pass the respective IP address to operating
`system 20. Then, as applications 22 are subsequently
`refreshed using an IP connection, the applications 22 will
`automatically pick up the new IP address and start using the
`new address for wireless connectivity (e.g., according to the
`rules of core component 38). This may occur without any
`noticeable loss of connectivity to the user of the wireless
`device 12. In another aspect, the change of wireless con-
`nection can be manually initiated by the user. Connectivity
`application 24 supports the detection of wireless connections
`that may be available for any given location. Information
`about the available wireless connections may be accessed by
`the user from connectivity application 24 via user interface
`34. Then, the user can select which wireless connection to
`use for connectivity (e.g., to the Internet).
`
`[0040] As such, the system according to an embodiment of
`the present invention provides ubiquity of access to wireless
`data and efficiency of spectral usage in cellular bands when
`using wireless data. Thus, for example, Internet-enabled
`applications 22 do not experience a loss of connectivity as
`a result of connection loss by wireless device 12 with either
`a WWAN or a WLAN.Nor dothe applications 22 experi-
`ence loss of connection as result of transition from one
`wireless network to another(e.g., from WWAN to WLAN).
`Furthermore, the system allows cellular service providers to
`offer wireless data services supported by a combination of
`their existing two-and-a-half generation (“2.5G”) networks
`(such as, but not limited to, GPRS, CDMA 1xRTT) and
`TEEE 802.11 WLAN networks (such as, but not limited to,
`802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11 g, etc.), with minimal risk of
`wireless data consuming the entire available capacity of the
`cellular networks.
`
`[0041] User Interface Component
`[0042]
`FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary user interface com-
`ponent 36 according to an embodiment of the present
`invention. As shownin FIG.3, the user interface component
`36 can be completely separated from the core functionality
`(e.g., managing connections) provided by core component
`38 (of FIG. 2) of the connectivity application 24. This
`separability can be done in order to allow users of the
`connectivity application 24 to provide their own user inter-
`faces to the application, each interface having the look and
`feel (along with branding) desired by the particular service
`provider. As shown,user interface component 36 includes a
`third-generation (3G) UI subcomponent 50, a WLAN UI
`subcomponent 52, an inter-subcomponent communication
`module 54, and a core interface (I/F) subcomponent 56.
`[0043] The 3G UI subcomponent 50 may handle the
`connect/disconnect
`functionality for various WWANs,
`which can be the 2.5G or 3G of mobile communications
`technology. Examples of such technologies include, but are
`not limited to GPRS, CDMA 1xRTTand iDEN Packet Data
`services (for 2.5G) and W-CDMAbased services such as
`UMTSand CDMA 3xRTT(for 3G). Relative to first gen-
`eration (e.g., analog cellular) and second generation (e.g.,
`digital PCS), 2.5G and 3G technology provides increased
`bandwidth. For example, 3G technology provides up to 384
`Kbps when a wireless device is stationary or moving at
`pedestrian speed, 128 Kbps in a car, and 2 Mbpsin fixed
`applications. 3G UI subcomponent 50 may present or dis-
`play information for the signal strength of each available
`WWAN (e.g., 2.5G or 3G) connection, as well as type of
`connection (e.g., circuit-switched or packet-switched). This
`subcomponent 50 may also display or present information
`about the availability of WWAN service, or lack thereof.
`[0044] WLAN UI subcomponent 52 can, among other
`things, keep track of and/or present all identified WLANsin
`the particular location of wireless device 12, as well as their
`current connections and encryption status. This WLAN U
`subcomponent 52 mayalso handle selection by a user and
`connection of the wireless device 12 to the various WLANs.
`
`[0045] Taken together, 3G UI subcomponent 50 and
`WLAN UI subcomponent52 provide the user of the wireless
`device 12 with a real-time picture of all available connec-
`tions to the various wireless networks, and may direct the
`user to a location where connectivity is available. A user of
`the wireless device 12 can toggle connections between
`WWAN and WLAN connections by interacting with 3G UI
`subcomponent 50 and WLAN UI subcomponent52.
`[0046] The inter-subcomponent communication module
`54 is responsible for communicating the status of each of the
`subcomponents 50 and 52. The inter-subcomponent com-
`munication module 54 may notify core component 38 of
`connection status change for each of these subcomponents.
`The core I/F subcomponent 56 interacts with core compo-
`nent 38 of connectivity application 24. Core interface 54
`may, among other things, communicate the status of the
`wireless connections and user interactions with UI compo-
`nent 36 to the core component38.
`[0047] Core Component
`[0048]
`FIG.4 illustrates an exemplary core component 38
`according to an embodiment of the present invention. As
`shown,the core component38 generally functions to handle
`and manage the connectivity to the wireless networks and
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 11
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 11
`
`

`

`US 2004/0127208 Al
`
`Jul. 1, 2004
`
`inform the operating system 20 about any changes. As
`depicted, the core component 38 includes an active connec-
`tion selection 60 and a rules engine 62.
`[0049] The active connection selection 60 keeps track of
`the various wireless connections which are presently avail-
`able (including both WLAN and WWAN connections) and
`also the particular wireless connection, that is currently in
`use by the wireless device 12. The active connection selec-
`tion 60 publishes the active connection information to the
`operating system 20; thatis, it provides the operating system
`20 with information (e.g., IP address) for the current wireless
`connection. The wireless connection currently in use can be
`changed by modifying (or toggling) current active connec-
`tion 60, either by a direct user intervention or as a result of
`one or more rules in the rules engine 62.
`[0050] The rules engine 62 may implement and execute a
`number of rules for automated switching of the wireless
`connections, and authentication and connection of the wire-
`less device 12 to a preferred wireless network. These rules
`may define, for example, what to do when a GPRS connec-
`tion is lost. Rules engine 62 may also allow the rules
`themselves to be created, modified, or deleted,
`thereby
`defining the characteristic behavior of core component 38.
`[0051] The rules engine 62 is responsible for making the
`decision as to which wireless network (e.g., WWAN 14,
`WLAN 16, or WLAN 18) to connect in the event of lost
`connectivity or the availability of multiple wireless net-
`works. The core component 38 automatically detects any
`available wireless networks in the area of wireless device 12
`
`and uses the rules engine 62 to determine to which network
`to con