US7065367B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interface selection in a wireless communication network
Assignee: Qualcomm Inc
•
Filing: 2002-07-11
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Granted: 2006-06-20
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Expires: 2022-07-11
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to techniques for selection of wireless network interfaces for data communication within an access terminal. The techniques may rely on a set of interface selection rules to identify network interfaces that are eligible to serve a particular communication application or the type of traffic forwarded on behalf of another device. In addition, each network interface may be assigned a priority. Upon identifying eligible interfaces, e.g., interfaces that satisfy all of the interface selection rules, the techniques may involve selection of the eligible interface having the highest priority. The assigned priority may be dynamically adjusted based on the connection state of the interfaces, prioritization according to changes in system latency, interface cost, and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Oliver Michaelis
- 👤 Marcello Lioy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/06; H04W48/00; H04W48/18; H04L; H04L47/00; H04L47/10; H04L47/24; H04L47/50; H04L47/56; H04W72/00; H04W72/50; H04W72/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method comprising: assigning dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces; selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities, wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules; and updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method comprising: assigning dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces; selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities, wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules; and updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting the interface selection rules based on an application requesting the access.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the access comprises transmission of packets via the selected wireless network interface, the method further comprising selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for each of the packets on a packet-by-packet basis based on the interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying one or more of the wireless network interfaces that satisfy the interface selection rules; and in the event more than one of the wireless network interfaces are identified, selecting the identified wireless network interface to which the highest priority is assigned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising associating the interface selection rules with each of the wireless network interfaces, and storing the associations in a data structure in an order generally unrelated to the dynamic priorities assigned to the interfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting one of the wireless network interfaces using different sets of the interface selection rules for different applications requesting the access.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning the dynamic priorities based at least in part on connection states and relative casts of the wireless network interfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless network interfaces include at least one long-range wireless network interface and at least one short-range wireless network interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
An access terminal that assigns dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces, selects one of the wireless network interfaces for access based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and updates the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
An access terminal that assigns dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces, selects one of the wireless network interfaces for access based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and updates the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the access terminal selects the interface selection rules based on at least one of an application requesting the access and the type of traffic forwarded on behalf of another device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the access comprises transmission of packets via the selected wireless network interface, and wherein the access terminal selects one of the wireless network interfaces for each of the packers on a packet-by-packet basis based on the interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the access terminal identifies one or more of the wireless network interfaces that satisfy the interface selection rules, and, in the event more than one of the wireless network interfaces are identified, selects the identified wireless network interface to which the highest priority is assigned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the access terminal associates the interface selection rules with each of the wireless network interfaces, and stores the associations in an order unrelated to the dynamic priorities assigned to the interfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the access terminal selects one of the wireless network interfaces using different sets of the interface selection rules for different applications requesting the access.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the access terminal assigns the dynamic priorities based at least in part on connection states and relative costs of the wireless network interfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The access terminal of claim 9 , wherein the wireless network interfaces include at least one long-range wireless network interface and at least one short-range wireless network interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to assign dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces in an access terminal, select one of the wireless network interfaces for access based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and update the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to assign dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces in an access terminal, select one of the wireless network interfaces for access based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and update the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the access terminal to select the interface selection rules based on at least one of an application requesting the access and the type of traffic forwarded on behalf of another device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the access comprises transmission of packets via the selected wireless network interface, and wherein the instructions cause the access terminal to select one of the wireless network interfaces for each of the packets on a packet-by-packet basis based on the interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the access terminal to identify one or more of the wireless network interfaces that satisfy the interface selection rules, and, in the event more than one of the wireless network interfaces are identified, select the identified wireless network interface to which the highest priority is assigned.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the access terminal to associate the interface selection rules with each of the wireless network interfaces, and store the associations in an order unrelated to the dynamic priorities assigned to the interfaces.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the access terminal to select one of the wireless network interfaces using different sets of the interface selection rules based one at least one of an application requesting the access and the type of traffic forwarded on behalf of another device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions cause the access terminal to assign the dynamic priorities based at least in part on connection states and relative costs of the wireless network interfaces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the wireless network interfaces include at least one long-range wireless network interface and at least one short-range wireless network interface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
135 words
A device comprising: means for assigning dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces; means for selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules; and means for updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
135 words
A device comprising: means for assigning dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces; means for selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules; and means for updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
135 words
A method comprising: assigning dynamic priorities to rule classes in an access control list (ACL); and selecting wireless network interfaces associated with the rule classes for access by an access terminal based on rules set forth in the ACL and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated wit one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
135 words
A method comprising: assigning dynamic priorities to rule classes in an access control list (ACL); and selecting wireless network interfaces associated with the rule classes for access by an access terminal based on rules set forth in the ACL and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated wit one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 26 , further comprising updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the rule classes based on status of the interfaces.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
135 words
An access terminal that assigns dynamic priorities to rule classes in an access control list (ACL), and selects wireless network interfaces associated with the rule classes for access by the access terminal based on rules set forth in the ACL and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated with one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
135 words
An access terminal that assigns dynamic priorities to rule classes in an access control list (ACL), and selects wireless network interfaces associated with the rule classes for access by the access terminal based on rules set forth in the ACL and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated with one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The access terminal of claim 28 , wherein the device updates the dynamic priorities assigned to the rule classes based on status of the interfaces.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to cause a processor within an access terminal to assign dynamic priorities to rule classes in an access control list (ACL), and select wireless network interfaces associated wit the rule classes for access by the access terminal based on rules set forth in the ACL and the dynamic priorities, wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated with one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer-readable medium comprising instructions to cause a processor within an access terminal to assign dynamic priorities to rule classes in an access control list (ACL), and select wireless network interfaces associated wit the rule classes for access by the access terminal based on rules set forth in the ACL and the dynamic priorities, wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated with one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 30 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to update the dynamic priorities assigned to the rule classes based on status of the interfaces.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer-readable medium comprising a data structure defining an access control list containing multiple rule classes for selection of wireless communication interfaces, and dynamic priorities associated with the rule classes wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless communication interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless communication interfaces currently in a connected state and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated with one of the wireless communication interfaces not currently in a connected state.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer-readable medium comprising a data structure defining an access control list containing multiple rule classes for selection of wireless communication interfaces, and dynamic priorities associated with the rule classes wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless communication interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated one of the wireless communication interfaces currently in a connected state and a lower priority is assigned to one of the rule classes associated with one of the wireless communication interfaces not currently in a connected state.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
124 words
A method comprising: updating dynamic priorities assigned to a plurality of wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the wireless network interfaces; and selecting a preferred wireless network interface for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities, wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
124 words
A method comprising: updating dynamic priorities assigned to a plurality of wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the wireless network interfaces; and selecting a preferred wireless network interface for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities, wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 33 , wherein the updating comprises evaluating a cost of establishing a connection using a non-connected wireless network interface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 34 , wherein the cost is monetary.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 34 , wherein the cost is latency in transmission of a communication packet.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 33 , wherein the selecting comprises: applying an access control list (ACL) evaluation process to packet information to determine static priorities; and selecting the preferred wireless network interface based on the dynamic priorities and the static priorities.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 33 , further comprising selecting the interface selection rules based on an application requesting the access.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method in accordance with claim 38 , wherein the access comprises transmission of packets via the selected wireless network interface, the method further comprising selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for each of the packets on a packet-by-packet basis based on the interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
126 words
An access terminal configured to: update dynamic priorities assigned to a plurality of wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the wireless network interfaces; and select a preferred wireless network interface for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
126 words
An access terminal configured to: update dynamic priorities assigned to a plurality of wireless network interfaces based on connection states of the wireless network interfaces; and select a preferred wireless network interface for access by an access terminal based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules, and wherein a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
An access terminal in accordance with claim 40 , the access terminal further configured to evaluate a cost of establishing a connection using a non-connected wireless network interface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
An access terminal in accordance with claim 41 , wherein the cost is monetary.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
An access terminal in accordance with claim 41 , wherein the cost is latency in transmission of a communication packet.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
46 words
An access terminal in accordance with claim 40 , the access terminal further configured to: apply an access control list (ACL) evaluation process to packet information to determine static priorities; and select the preferred wireless network interface based on the dynamic priorities and the static priorities.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
137 words
A method comprising: assigning dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces; selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for access by an access terminal on a packet-by-packet basis based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules; and updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces on a packet-by-packet basis based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
137 words
A method comprising: assigning dynamic priorities to wireless network interfaces; selecting one of the wireless network interfaces for access by an access terminal on a packet-by-packet basis based on interface selection rules and the dynamic priorities wherein the dynamic priorities rank the wireless network interfaces in order of preference in an event more than one of the wireless network interfaces satisfy the interface selection rules; and updating the dynamic priorities assigned to the wireless network interfaces on a packet-by-packet basis based on connection states of the interfaces such that a higher priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal and a lower priority is assigned to one of the wireless network interfaces not currently in a connected state with respect to the access terminal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-06-19 | 2009-12-19 | 2010-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-06-19 | 2013-12-19 | 2014-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-06-19 | 2017-12-19 | 2018-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |