Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A MESSAGE TRANSPORT FOR A
MULTI-MODE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
[0001] The present disclosure described herein relates to a system and method
for
selecting a communications transport mechanism for a wireless, communication
device.
In particular, the system and method may select an appropriate transport mode
for
sending an outbound message, such as via a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or a
cellular
connection.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless handheld mobile communication devices perform a variety of
functions to enable mobile users to stay organized and in contact with others
in a
communication network through email, schedulers and address books.
[0003] As wireless communication devices are portable, they connect and
communicate with several different wireless communication networks as they
roam. A
multi-mode wireless communication device provides multiple types of message
transports for the device, giving it more connection flexibilities for its
transmissions,
allowing some types of transmissions to be sent over different communication
networks.
For example, a dual-mode communication device may be both cellular and Wi-Fi
enabled. As such, an email may be sent from that device via a Wi-Fi connection
through
a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) adhering to Wi-Fi transmission protocols;
additionally or alternatively, the same email may be sent via a cellular
network
connection following its transmission protocols. Each communication network
has
performance and costing characteristics which may make it preferable for a
device to use
one network over another for its transmissions, depending on the
circumstances.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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[0005] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of communication networks
that are in communication with a wireless device as provided in an
embodiment;
[0006] Fig. 2A is a flowchart of a process executed by the wireless device of
Fig.
1 in creating an outbound email transmission and evaluating
connections to communication networks to select a network to use
for its transmissions;
[0007] Fig. 2B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary graphical user interface
(GUI) generated on the device of Fig. 1 when executing the
process of Fig. 2A;
[0008] Fig. 2C is a schematic diagram of a second GUI generated on the device
of
Fig. 1 when executing the process of Fig. 2A;
[0009] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the wireless electronic device
in
Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0010] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of certain internal components of the device
of
Fig. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0011] The description which follows and the embodiments described therein are
provided by way of illustration of an example or examples of particular
embodiments of
the principles of the present disclosure. These examples are provided for the
purposes of
explanation and not limitation of those principles and of the present
disclosure. In the
description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification
and the
drawings with the same respective reference numerals.
[0012] In a first aspect, a method for selecting a network for use by a
communication
device to process a data transmission is provided. The method comprises:
tracking a
transmission characteristics of networks; accessing a set of options to
identify a set of the
transmission characteristics; evaluating the transmission characteristics for
each network
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networks to identify a selected network for each option; and when an option is
selected,
processing the data transmission using the related selected network.
[0013] In the method, prior to processing the data transmission using the
selected
network, the method may further comprise: displaying the set of options in a
list on the
device; and utilizing a selected choice from the list to be the selected
option.
[0014] In the method, the data transmission may be an outbound transmission;
the
networks include at least a cellular network and a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
network; and
one transmission characteristics is a cost to transmit the outbound
transmission.
[0015] In the method, the outbound transmission may be an email.
[0016] In the method, the options may include an option to use an immediately
previously used network.
[0017] In the method, the options may further comprise an option identifying a
network that has the strongest transmission characteristics.
[0018] In the method, the options may further comprise an option identifying a
network that has a predetermined level of security.
[0019] In the method, the options may further comprise an attachment option
identifying a default network that has been identified to transmit data
transmissions
having attachments.
[0020] In the method, the options may further comprise an option identifying a
network to transmit the data transmission when the data transmission is a
predetermined
size.
[0021] In the method, the options may be presented as single options or a
collection
of any set of options.
[0022] In the method, the networks may include (at least) two networks of the
same
technology. Further, the list may further comprises an option to use a network
that has
accesses those two networks.
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[0023] In the method, during transmission of the data transmission, each data
packet
associated with the data transmission may be marked as being transmitted via
the selected
network.
[0024] In the method, transmission of the data transmission through the
network may
be deferred if the network is currently unavailable to the device until the
network is
available to the device.
[0025] In a second aspect, a communication device having communication
capabilities several networks is provided. The device comprises: a
microprocessor; a
display; memory; a communication subsystem providing transmission and
reception of a
data transmission with those networks; a first module to track transmission
characteristics
of the networks and to store results in the memory; a second module to monitor
a set of
options relating to the networks based on transmission characteristics and to
determine a
selected network after evaluating the options to carry the data transmission;
a third
module to selectively display a list relating to the set of options on the
display and to
allow a selection to be made to from the list to become the selected network;
a fourth
module to process the data transmission at the device utilizing the selected
network.
[0026] In the device, the data transmission may be an outbound transmission;
the
networks may include at least a cellular network and a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-
Fi)
network; the transmission characteristics may include a cost of usage to
transmit the
outbound transmission; and the options may include a cost-based option
reflecting the
cost of usage.
[0027] In the device, the outbound transmission may be an email and the fourth
module may be an application operating through the microprocessor to generate
and
review emails directed to the device.
[0028] In the device, the options may include a default option to select an
immediately previously used network for the selected network.
[0029] In the device, the options may include an option to select a network
that has
the strongest transmission characteristics.
[0030] The device may further comprise a fifth module to encode the email in a
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manner determined from a selected encoding option. Therein, the options may
include an
encoding option for the email prior to the third module configuring the email
for
transmission using the selected network.
100311 In the device, the fourth module may mark each data packet associated
with
the email as being transmitted by the selected network.
[0032] In the device, the fourth module may defer transmission of the email
through
the selected network if the selected network is currently unavailable to the
device until
the selected network is available to the device.
[0033] In a third aspect, a method for selecting a network for use by a
communication
device to process an outbound data transmission from the device is provided.
The
method comprises: tracking transmission characteristics of the networks;
accessing a set
of options to identify a set transmission characteristics; evaluating the set
transmission
characteristics for each network to identify a selected network for each
option; displaying
the options in a list on a display on the device in a graphical user interface
(GUI); and
when an option is selected through said GUI, processing the outbound data
transmission
using the selected network associated with the selected option. Preferably,
one network
is Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network; and one transmission characteristic is a
cost to
transmit the outbound transmission.
[0034] In the method, the options may further include at least one of the
following
options: a first option to use an immediately previously used network for the
selected
network; a second option to use a first network that has a transmission
characteristic
stronger than a transmission characteristic of a second network; and a third
option to use
a network that has a predetermined level of security.
100351 In other aspects, various combinations of sets and subsets of the above
aspects
are provided.
[0036] Exemplary details of embodiments are provided herein. Briefly an
embodiment provides a method and system for a multi-mode communication device,
such as a dual-mode cellular phone, to select a network for transmitting and /
or receiving
its data, such an email. A choice for a network may be provided to the device
at some
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stage during the processing of transmission of the data. The choice may be
encoded as a
default selection, which may be updated. Additionally, the network choices may
be
evaluated to identify a preferred option for each selection and then the
selection is used to
transmit the data. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of choices (each
possibly having
separate defaults) may be presented to the user via a user interface on the
device. For
example, for an email, the user interface may be presented on the device when
the email
is first composed or when it is about to be sent. In order to assist with the
selection
process, an embodiment tracks, provides and presents characteristics relating
to each
available network to the user on the device. The characteristics may relate to
transmission
quality, costing, signal strength and others. The characteristics may be
monitored
continuously or at given intervals (e.g. once every 10 minutes or so) or at
given events
(e.g. at the composition of an email or at the initiation of a send command).
[0037] First, a description is provided on general concepts and features of an
embodiment, its related network connections and characteristics that may be
presented to
the user for each network connection available to the device. Then, further
detail is
provided on an exemplary algorithm used to select which network connection to
use for
the transmission.
[0038) Fig. 1, provides details on a set of interconnected networks are
provided in
communication system 100. Exemplary networks in system 100 are network 102,
Local
Area Network (LAN) 106, wireless network 110, cellular network 114 and Wide
Area
Network (WAN) 128. Each is described in turn.
[0039] Network 102 provides a suite of applications, services and data to its
connected devices 104 through its local associated servers. Network 102 can be
implemented in any known architecture, providing wired or wireless connections
to its
elements.
[0040] Wireless network 110 normally delivers information to and from mobile
devices via RF transmissions between base stations and the mobile devices 108
through
transmission area 112.
[0041] WAN 128 is connected to network 102 and provides connections among its
(remote) devices 104 and other devices in system 100.
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[0042] Cellular network 114 provides wireless communications between wireless
devices 108 that are within the coverage area of cellular network 114. The
coverage area
may overlap with the coverage areas of other networks, such as LAN 106,
network 102
and wireless network 110. Cellular network 114 provides voice and data
services to
devices 108. Data-centric technologies for cellular network 114 include the
Mobitex
(trademark) Radio Network ("Mobitex") and the DataTAC (trademark) Radio
Network
("DataTAC"). Voice-centric technologies for cellular network 114 include
Personal
Communication Systems (PCS) networks like Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems. Certain
networks provide multiple systems. For example, dual-mode wireless networks
include
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS) networks, and so-called third-generation (3G) networks, such as
Enhanced Data
rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications
Systems
(UMTS). Other network communication technologies that may be employed include,
for
example, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), and
High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), etc.
[0043] In network 102, a series of linking modules and servers are provided to
connect network 102 to other networks. Interface server 118 provides an
interface for
network 102 to a wireless network I 10. Functions such as providing addresses
for
mobile devices 108, encoding or otherwise transforming messages for wireless
transmission, and any other required interface functions are performed by the
server 118.
Although server 118 operates with the single wireless network 110, wireless
gateways
may be configured to operate with more than one wireless network in
alternative
embodiments. WAN 128 is also connected to network 102 via server 118. As such,
any
device (computer) 104 (directly) connected to WAN 128 may exchange messages
with a
mobile device 108 in wireless network I 10 through interface 118.
Alternatively, private
wireless network gateways, such as wireless Virtual Private Network (VPN)
routers,
could be implemented to provide a private interface to a wireless network. For
example,
a wireless VPN router implemented in LAN 106 may provide a private interface
from
LAN 106 to one or more mobile devices 108 through interface server 118.
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[0044] Wireless VPN routers and other types of private interfaces to mobile
device
108 may effectively be extended to entities outside the LAN 106 by providing a
message
forwarding or redirection system that operates with the message server using
redirectors
known to those of skill in the art. An exemplary system is described in U.S.
patent
6,219,694. In this type of redirection system, incoming messages received by
the
message server and addressed to a user of a mobile device 108 are sent through
the
wireless network interface, either a wireless VPN router, a wireless gateway
or other
interface, to the wireless network 110 and to the users mobile device 108.
[0045] In network 102, LAN 106 provides a messaging client to its connected
devices 104. It is normally located behind a security firewall (not shown) in
network
102. Within LAN 106, message server 120 operates on a computer behind the
firewall
and serves as the primary interface to exchange messages both within the LAN
106. Two
known message servers 120 are Microsoft Exchange (trademark) and Lotus Domino
(trademark). Messages are received by message server 120, distributed to the
appropriate
mailboxes for user accounts addressed in the received message, and then
accessed by a
user through a computer system operating as a messaging client. A Wireless
Application
Protocol (WAP) gateway provides an alternate interface to a user's mailbox on
server
120, through which a list of messages in a user's mailbox on the message
server, and
possibly each message or a portion of each message, could be sent to the
mobile device
108. Database 122 provides a data storage system for one or more elements in
network
102, including LAN 106. Security systems within network 102 can be provided by
known techniques and systems. Gateway 124 provides and monitors selected
communications between elements in network 102 and external devices connected
through Internet 126.
[0046] Further detail is now provided on wireless network 110. As with
cellular
network 114, wireless network 110 may be a data-centric network, a voice-
centric
network, or a dual-mode network. In one embodiment, wireless network 110 is
implemented as a Wi-Fi network generally following standards set by the IEEE
LAN/MAN Standards Committee, known as IEEE 802, through its working group "11
".
The 802.11 standard defines media access control (MAC) and physical (PHY)
layers in
the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol model for WLAN. Such standards
are
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known to those of skill in the art. Administrative functions for wireless
network 110 may
be provided by software controlling it. The software may administer functions
such as
network identification and network access parameters. The initia1802.11
standard was
followed with a series of amendments, where each amendment was identified by
an
alphabetic suffix following in the standard's numeric identifier "802.11". The
family of
802.11 amendments is sometimes referred to as the 802.11 x family. Currently,
the
802.11 amendments encompass six wireless modulation techniques that all use
the same
communication protocol among their communicating elements. Such networks are
deployed in one or more of the five current versions of 802.11: 802.11 a, b, g
and n.
Specific transmission details and parameters of these networks are known to
those of skill
in the art.
[0047] Wireless network 110 includes an antenna and supporting radio
transmission
equipment known to those skilled in the art. Access point (AP) 116 is shown in
network
102 and in an embodiment, each AP 116 is an IEEE 802.11 radio
receiver/transmitter (or
transceiver) and functions as a bridge between its respective WLAN 110 and
network
102. For security, each AP 116 may be communicatively coupled to network 102
through a respective firewall and/or VPN (not shown). The AP provides data
distribution
services among devices 108 within wireless network 110 and between devices 108
in
wireless network 110 and other devices in other connected networks. One
distribution
service provided by access point 108 for its related stations is to establish
a logical
connection to its communicating devices 108.
[0048] Device 108 may be a data communication device, a voice communication
device, or a multiple-mode device capable of voice, data and other types of
communications. Wireless device 108 may be a handheld device, cell phone,
smart
phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), and / or computer (either desktop or
portable)
having a (wireless) network card, network adapter and/or network interface
controller
(NIC) installed therein.
[0049] In certain locations, device 108 may be able to simultaneously access
to
multiple networks, such device 108A which is within the coverage zones of
wireless
network 110 and cellular network 114 simultaneously. In an embodiment. device
108A
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has communication modules to communicate with both networks 110 and 114.
Device
108A also has modules to evaluate each connection to each network and to
provide the
user with information and options to allow him to select an appropriate
network for a
particular transmission, such as an outbound data transmission.
[0050] Different networks have different operating characteristics. For
example,
cellular networks generally have slower data rates compared with LAN / WLAN
networks, and have relatively high fees (especially when roaming). However,
cellular
networks are accessible in a very wide swath of locations and attachment to
cellular
networks is generally automatic and transparent to the user and the underlying
application. Wi-Fi networks provide relatively fast data rates and are
generally cheaper
in fees (or even free) compared with cellular networks. However, Wi-Fi
networks
presently are accessible in select locations and attaching to a Wi-Fi network
requires
actions to be taken by the user. Further, the user actions often need to be
repeated for
different Wi-Fi networks. Cost is not the only consideration when choosing a
network.
Additionally, it may be useful to choose a network based upon the operating
characteristics of the networks. Different characteristics may be more or less
important
for the current communications depending on the context, location, time, size,
or other
parameters or characteristics of the current communication.
[0051] It will be appreciated that device 108A may be in simultaneous contact
with
several networks of a given technology class or type. For example, device 108A
may
simultaneously have connections to several Wi-Fi networks and / or several
cellular
networks.
[0052] Creation, encapsulation and transmission of an outbound data
transmission
from device 108A may follow any structured protocols. However, one commonly
used
set of layered applications is provided in the Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI)-
connection layers. Therein, the host layers generally handle the creation of
the outbound
transmission through the software operating on device 108A and the media
layers handle
the encapsulation and transmission the outbound transmission. The selection of
the
transmitting network (e.g. Wi-Fi or cellular) will determine how the outbound
transmission is encapsulated and transmitted. Each data packet of the outbound
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transmission may be tagged with data to identify the transmitting network. For
some
outbound traffic, data may be encapsulated by applications following the OSI
model, but
then the actual transmission of the data stream may be handled by a process
that may not
necessarily conform to the OSI model.
[0053] Referring to Figs. 2A-2C, further details on an embodiment are
provided. In
Fig. 2A, process 200 is executed on device 108A to compose an outbound data
transmission then to determine options for transmission of the outbound
transmission,
then to package and send the outbound transmission according to a selection
made by the
user. It will be appreciated that process 200 may be implemented on device
108A in one
or more of the following: software, firmware and hardware modules. For
example, Fig. 4
shows email module 420B, transmission tracking module 420M and network
connection
module 420N. Each module will be described later in more detail. For the
purpose of
describing process 200, the outbound transmission is an email.
[0054] At step 202, process 200 starts. At step 204, an email module has been
activated and an outbound email has been composed in the graphical user
interface
presented by the email program on device 108A. Referring to Fig. 2B, GUI 212
is an
exemplary GUI generated by the email module used to control creation of the
email.
When the user has completed the email, activation of the "send" command
initiates a
process to select a transport mode for the email. The command may be activated
through
a predefined "send" icon or a selection command through a command menu in the
program.
[0055] Referring back to Fig. 2A, after the send command is activated, before
the
actual transmission of the email, in step 206, device 108A evaluates the
transmission
characteristics of network(s) available to transmit the email. This may
involve actively
reconfirming operating parameters of all types of transmission modes that are
able to
transmit the email by device 108A (e.g. cellular, Wi-Fi, etc.). This may also
involve
accessing a database containing last parameters for each transmission mode.
Alternatively or additionally, a set of transmission characteristics may be
stored for each
network and the stored data may be periodically updated.
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[0056] Once the evaluations (and / or data accesses) are complete, process 200
collects and analyses the result. From the results, a set of transmission
options are
available to the user. The options are presented on device 108A through a GUI
in step
208. Referring to Fig. 2C, GUI 214 is an exemplary GUI generated on device
108A to
present the options 216 to the user. The GUI also allows a selection to be
made from the
options. As noted, options 216 provide a selection of transmission networks,
including,
for example, "default", "cellular"; "Wi-Fi"; "cheapest"; "fastest", "strongest
signal",
"size threshold", "prior transmission history", "attachment," "last" and "most
secure."
Other options may also be provided. Sub-options and parameters may be provided
for
each option to tailor its parameters. It can be seen that the options can be
grouped into
one or more broad categories, including: options based on transmission costs
or histories
(e.g. "cheapest", "prior transmission history", etc.); options based on a
characteristics of a
network (e.g. "fastest", "strongest signal", "most secure" etc.);
characteristics of the
current transmission (e.g. "attachment", "size threshold", etc.), options
providing
default(s) (e.g. "default", "cellular", "Wi-Fi", "last", etc.). Other
categories may be
provided. Options may be listed in one or more categories. Options may be
presented as
single options in separate GUIs.
[0057] A brief description of exemplary options is below. It will be
appreciated that
other options may be provided and that the options listed below are not
exhaustive.
Names can be changed for the options.
[0058] One option is a "default" option, where default network is selected.
The
default network may be set to be the lower cost route. The parameters for the
default
may be changed. The default may also be set to be the last network selected
for the last
communication sent by the program (or any other program).
[0059] Another option is a "cellular" option that send the message over the
connected
cellular network.
[0060] Another option is a "Wi-Fi" option that sends the message over the
connected
Wi-Fi network.
[0061] Another option is a "Cheapest" option that selects the network having
the
lower cost. Cost may be measured to account for any one or more cost-based
factors,
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including access time charges, roaming charges, prime time charges, excess
charges in
view of prepayment plans, power usage to transmit the message, etc.
[0062] Another option is a "Fastest" option that selects the network having
the faster
available data transmission rate.
[0063] Another option is a "Strongest" option that selects the network having
the
stronger current transmission signal quality or other measure of strength for
a network.
[0064] Another option is a "Size Threshold" option that selects the network
based on
the size of the message and / or its attachment. The user may be allowed to
enter a size
parameter through a GUI selection: "Send over Wi-Fi if message exceeds N
Kbytes".
This option may be provided as a default. This default option may save the
user from
having to modify that field each time a message is sent. Alternatively all
messages under
a certain size (in Kbytes) may be sent over a selected network (e.g.
cellular).
[0065] Another option is a "Prior Transmission History" option where the
selected
network is chosen based on the amount of data that has been sent over a given
network
over a given time period. If one network has a reached a data limit, another
network
would be selected. For example if the user's data plan for a given network
(e.g. cellular)
is 1 MByte, this option would then switch the selected network and send
subsequent
messages via another network (e.g. Wi-Fi) when the data plan approaches or
passes its
limit. Additionally, any default settings for a selected network may be
changed when a
switch occurs. The selected network may revert to a previous network upon a
given
event (e.g. the changing of a month or the billing period would reset the
limit).
[0066] Another option is an "Attachment" option where the selected network is
determined on a network's abilities to process an attachment. The abilities
could include
cost, speed and / or security thresholds.
[0067] Another option is a "Last" option where the message is sent over the
last used
network.
[0068] Another option is a "Most secure" or "Sufficiently secure" option where
the
selected network is chosen based on the level of security provided by a given
network.
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[0069] It will be appreciated that in order to determine the "cheapest"
network, the
process may compare a cost-based factor for a network against comparable cost-
based
factors of the other networks. Similarly, in order to determine the "fastest"
or "strongest"
network, the process may compare relevant speed and strength factors of the
networks
against each other. Once all comparisons are made, the process can rank them
and
present options to the user in the GUI. It will be appreciated that the
options in GUI 214
may be incorporated into GUI 212. It will be appreciated that when parameters
are set
for an option and an option is selected for the transmission network, the user
may not
necessarily be prompted with a network choice, as the embodiment would select
an
appropriate transport based on current setting. A default selection may be
provided,
having regard to current cost and quality characteristics of current networks.
For
example, with current networks, utilizing a Wi-Fi network is likely cheaper
than utilizing
a cellular network. As such, a default choice may be set to utilize a Wi-Fi
network
connection. Additionally, an option may be provided in the GUI to change such
settings
and to provide lists (such as an order list or cost list) of the different
transport mediums,
as they may differ depending on the network providers' or users' plans.
[0070] The GUI may also present technical, transmission strength information
to the
user relating to the various networks. Such information may include the signal
strength(s) of each network, the current transmission rates, the current loss
of data rates,
etc. One or more aspects of the transmission information may be provided
through
graphical meters, ribbons, scales etc. in the GUI. Additionally or
alternatively, the
transmission strength information may be collected and ranked and the
"strongest"
network may be identified as the network associated with the "strongest"
option.
[0071] In some cases, there may only be one available choice for transmitting
the
email due to some circumstance. For example, the connection to cellular
network 114
may be temporarily lost. In such as instance, GUI 214 may be modified
accordingly to
present only the options that are currently viable. If there is only one
transmission option
currently viable, then GUI 214 may not be generated. Alternatively, a GUI may
be
generated indicating that only one transmission option is available and
requesting that the
user confirm use of same for transmission. Alternatively still, if an option
is not viable, it
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may still be presented, but a message may be provided to indicate that the
network is not
currently available and that if the option is selected, the transmission will
be made using
that network once it is available. This may be tracked by network
communication
modules in the device. Unsent messages may be queued within the device until
the
selected network is available.
[0072] As noted earlier, device 108A may be in simultaneous contact with
several
networks of a given technology. As such, part of the evaluations include
evaluating
different connections for a given technology for a given option, determining
the
characteristics of the connections for that option and utilizing the "best"
connection for
that option.
[0073] Referring back to Fig. 2A, after the user initiates a selection, in
step 210
device 108A identifies the selected network type for transmission of the
email, then
processes the data transmission for transmission. It will be appreciated that
the term
processing a data transmission may include one or more processes, including
encoding
the email in an appropriate data stream for the selected network and
initiating
transmission of the data stream over the selected network. Generally, the
device
transmits all packets for the email over the same network. The tracking data
for the
transmission modes is also updated.
[0074] In other embodiments, step 206 may be done at intervals (e.g. once
every
minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes etc.) and / or at specific events
(e.g. when
device is turned on, when a "compose" message command is initiated, when a
"send"
message command is initiated, etc.).
[0075] In other embodiments, the GUI of step 208 may not be presented to the
user
during the composition of a message or may be presented only at selected times
and / or
events. In such configurations, a set of default option preferences for
networks may be
established (e.g. through a preferences GUI) for one or more characteristics
through a
GUI screen which is separate from the composition screen. Through the
preferences
screen, the transmission characteristics may be ranked. The data and rankings
associated
with the settings in the GUI screen may be saved. When a message is sent, the
data
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relating to the preferences are reviewed and the characteristics of the
networks and the
identified default selection may be used without further evaluations.
Alternatively, one
or more of the preferences may be evaluated to determine the network to use
for the
transmission. As such, the "default" network may be preset or dynamic. One
embodiment may have the default set to the last network by the device. Such
data may
be stored in a data variable tracked by device 108A. Additionally, such data
may be
extracted from a transport recipient cache.
[0076] In step 208, if the user selects a network to transmit the email that
is different
from the stored "default" network, in one embodiment, the device 108A can
check the
transmission characteristics of the selected network and evaluate whether or
not device
108A has sufficient coverage in its current location to use the selected
network. If the
evaluation indicates that there is not sufficient coverage (e.g. weak signal
strength, high
rate of lost packets, etc.), transmission may be deferred until such
sufficient coverage for
the selected network is confirmed. This can be confirmed through status
messages
generated on device 108A.
[0077] Another option (not shown) allows the user to select an encoding
protocol for
the message. Such encoding protocols may include, without limitation: none,
S/MIME
or PGP.
[0078] In an embodiment, the selection of the network is conducted on a per-
email
basis. In other embodiments, the default network selection may be preset and
then
subsequently changed.
[0079] While the above noted example describes processing of an outbound email
message, in other embodiments, other outbound data or messages may be provided
with
similar options for transmission. For example, other embodiments may process
text
messages, SMS messages, calendar data, data synchronization messages,
semaphores,
GPS signals, or other transmissions.
[0080] In another embodiment, a transport may be selected by allowing the user
to
choose the transport during composition of a message instead of after the
message is
composed and the send command is initiated.
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[0081] It will be appreciated that an embodiment provides the user of device
108A
with more flexibility and options when initiating an outbound data
transmission. For
example, an embodiment allows a user to specifically select a type of network.
This may
be beneficial if the user has a specific security concern and requires use of
a specific
network.
[0082] Further still, in other embodiments, a setting may be provided to have
inbound
data streams monitored on a communication network that is either the same or
different
than the network selected for outbound communications.
[0083] Further still, in other embodiments, error detection and correction
algorithms
may be used during the data transmission.
[0084] Fig. 3 provides general features of an electronic device for processing
electronic communications in accordance with an embodiment, which is indicated
generally at 108. In an embodiment, electronic device 108 is based on a
computing
platform having functionality of an enhanced personal digital assistant with
cellphone
and email features. It is, however, to be understood that electronic device
108 can be
based on construction design and functionality of other electronic devices,
such as smart
telephones, desktop computers, pagers or laptops having telephony equipment.
In a
present embodiment, electronic device 108 includes a housing 300, an LCD 302,
speaker
304, an LED indicator 306, a trackball 308, an ESC ("escape") key 310, keypad
312, a
telephone headset comprised of an ear bud 314 and a microphone 316. ESC key
310 can
be inwardly depressed along the path of arrow "A" as a means to provide
additional input
to device 108. Similarly, trackball 308 may be depressed inwardly to provide
an
additional input.
[0085] It will be understood that housing 300 can be made from any suitable
material
as will occur to those of skill in the art and may be suitably formed to house
and hold all
components of device 108.
[0086] Device 108 is operable to conduct wireless telephone calls, using any
known
wireless phone system such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)
system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, CDMA 2000 system,
Cellular
Digital Packet Data (CDPD) system and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
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system. Other wireless systems can implement one of the 802.11 protocols,
which may
include support for voice. Additionally, a Bluetooth network may be supported.
Other
embodiments include Voice over IP (VoIP) type streaming data communications
that can
simulate circuit-switched phone calls. Further in other embodiments, device
108 may be
able to communicate with a Wi-Max network, i.e. a 802.16-class network. Ear
bud 314
can be used to listen to phone calls and other sound messages and microphone
316 can be
used to speak into and input sound messages to device 108.
[0087] Referring to Fig. 4, functional components of device 108 are provided
in
schematic 400. The functional components are generally electronic, structural
or electro-
mechanical devices. In particular, microprocessor 402 is provided to control
and receive
almost all data, transmissions, inputs and outputs related to device 108.
Microprocessor
402 is shown schematically as coupled to keypad 312 and other internal
devices.
Microprocessor 402 controls the overall operation of the device 108 and its
components.
Exemplary microprocessors for microprocessor 402 include microprocessors in
the Data
950 (trademark) series, the 6200 series and the PXA900 series, all available
at one time
from Intel Corporation. Microprocessor 402 is connected to other elements in
device 108
through a series of electrical connections to its various input and output
pins.
Microprocessor 402 has an IRQ input line which allows it to receive signals
from various
devices. Appropriate interrupt firmware is provided which receives and reacts
to the
signals detected on the IRQ line.
[0088] In addition to the microprocessor 402, other internal devices of the
device 108
are shown schematically in Fig. 3. These include: display 302; speaker 304;
keypad 312;
communication sub-system 404; short-range communication sub-system 406;
auxiliary
I/O devices 408; serial port 410; microphone port 412 for microphone 316;
flash memory
414 (which provides persistent storage of data); random access memory (RAM)
416;
clock 418 and other device sub-systems (not shown). Device 108 may comprise a
two-
way radio frequency (RF) communication device having voice and data
communication
capabilities. In addition, device 108 may have the capability to communicate
with other
computer systems via the Internet.
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[0089] Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 402 may be
stored
in a computer-readable medium, such as flash memory 414, or may be stored in
other
types of memory devices, such as read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage
element.
In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof,
may be
temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 416. Communication
signals
received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM 416.
100901 In addition to an operating system operating on device 108, additional
software modules 420 enable execution of software applications on device 108.
A set of
software (or firmware) applications, generally identified as applications 420,
that control
basic device operations, such as voice communication module 420A and email
module
420B (to handle generation of emails and incoming/outgoing messages), may be
installed
on the device 108 during manufacture or downloaded thereafter. Email module
420B
allows the processing of emails, data and other data transmission at by device
108 to
enable device 108 to generate views of aspects of the emails, data and data
transmissions.
As such, inbound and outbound data transmissions can be viewed and processed
by email
module 420B. In the embodiment, other processes and modules are provided to
handle
the selection and transmission of the emails, data and data transmissions.
These other
module receive the completed outbound data transmissions from email module
420B and
then parse, package and transmit the resulting data stream through the
selected network.
As well, software modules, such as calendar module 420C, address book 420D and
location module 420E are provided.
[0091] Transmission tracking module (TTM) 420M comprises software and / or
firmware that tracks data, such as the current state of availability and
characteristics of
various network with which device 108 has or had a connections. Such data may
include
relevant connection data such as signal strength, time of last connection,
transmission
characteristics of the previous n transmissions or any other relevant
trackable statistical
feature of a transmission. TTM 420M may implement or encode one or more
processes
as described herein relating to tracking network connections, identifying a
particular
network connection to use and providing any GUI modules to set transmission
defaults
and provide options in the GUI for using any defaults or overrides.
Additionally or
alternatively, a separate module (not shown) may be provided to manage at
least part of
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the GUI relating to the setting of defaults, the presentation of options and
the selection of
new options for the selected network.
[0092] Network connection module (NCM) 420N comprises software and / or
firmware that extracts local data relating to a one or more networks, which
can then be
used by TTM 420M. It also handles the lower level functions for processing
communications by device 108.
[0093] Additional modules such as a personal information manager (PIM)
application
may be provided. Any module may be installed during manufacture or downloaded
thereafter into device 108.
[0094] Data associated with each application, the status of one or more
networks,
profiles for networks and trigger conditions for commands for networks can be
stored and
updated in flash memory 414.
[0095] Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are
performed through the communication sub-system 404 and the short-range
communication sub-system 406. Collectively, sub-systems 404 and 406 provide
the
signal-level interface for all communication technologies processed by device
108.
Various applications 420 provide the operational controls to further process
and log the
communications. Communication sub-system 404 includes receiver 422,
transmitter 424
and one or more antennas, illustrated as receive antenna 426 and transmit
antenna 428.
In addition, communication sub-system 404 also includes processing modules,
such as
digital signal processor (DSP) 430 and local oscillators (LOs) 432. The
specific design
and implementation of communication sub-system 404 is dependent upon the
communication network in which device 108 is intended to operate. For example,
communication sub-system 404 of device 108 may operate with the Mobitex
(trademark),
DataTAC (trademark) or GPRS mobile data communication networks and also
operate
with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as 802.11-class
networks,
Bluetooth networks, AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, CDMA 2000, PCS, GSM, GPRS, EGDE,
UMTS networks etc. Other types of data and voice (telephonic) networks, both
separate
and integrated, may also be utilized with device 108. In any event,
communication sub-
system 404 provides device 108 with the capability of communicating with other
devices
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using various communication technologies, including instant messaging (IM)
systems,
text messaging (TM) systems and short message service (SMS) systems.
[0096] Short-range communication sub-system 406 enables communication between
device 108 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily
be similar
devices. For example, the short-range communication sub-system may include an
infrared device and associated circuits and components, a Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth
(TM)
communication module to provide for communication with similarly enabled
systems and
devices. Sub-system 406 may have one or more inputs or outputs to sub-system
404 in
processing signals for its networks.
[0097] In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 430 provides
control of
receiver 426 and transmitter 424. For example, gains applied to communication
signals
in receiver 426 and transmitter 424 may be adaptively controlled through
automatic gain-
control algorithms implemented in DSP 430. One particular operational aspect
of
receiver 422 and antenna 426 is that they need to be tuned to receive signals
in the 802.11
network bands, e.g. signals in the 2.4 GHz to 5.8 GHz range for sub-systems
406 and if
needed, sub-system 404. Additional filters on antenna may also be used to
provide such
functionality. NCM 420N can receive and interpret the signals and can generate
its own
queries to networks 110 and 114 to acquire technical performance data relating
to each
network. Such data can then be stored and used by TTM 420M.
[0098] Receiver 422, antenna 426 and NCM 420N provide at least some of the
hardware and software elements needed to detect when device 108 is in the
presence of
communication signals from wireless network 110, thereby enabling device 108
to
communication with other devices in wireless network 110.
[0099] Powering the entire electronics of the device 108 is power source 434.
In one
embodiment, the power source 434 includes one or more batteries. In another
embodiment, the power source 434 is a single battery pack, especially a
rechargeable
battery pack. In another embodiment, the device may be solar-powered. A power
switch
(not shown) provides an "on/off' switch for device 108. A power source
interface (not
shown) may be provided in hardware, firmware, software or a combination of
such
elements to selectively control access of components in device 108 to power
source 434.
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Upon activation of the power switch an application 420 is initiated to turn on
device 108.
Upon deactivation of the power switch, an application 420 is initiated to turn
off device
108. Power to device 108 may also be controlled by other devices and by
software
applications 420.
[00100] Device 108 may also have global positioning system 436 to assist in
identifying a present location of device 108 and may also have light sensor
438 to
provide data on the ambient light conditions for device 108.
[00101] It will be appreciated that modules 420M, 420N and other applications
in the
embodiments can be implemented using known programming techniques, languages
and
algorithms. The titles of the modules are provided as a convenience to provide
labels and
assign functions to certain modules. It is not required that each module
perform only its
functions as described above. As such, specific functionalities for each
application may
be moved between applications or separated into different applications.
Modules may be
contained within other modules. Different signalling techniques may be used to
communicate information between applications using known programming
techniques.
Known data storage, access and update algorithms allow data to be shared
between
applications. It will further be appreciated that other applications and
systems on device
108 may be executing concurrently with any module 420. As such, one or more
aspects
of modules 420M and 420N may be structured to operate in as a "background"
application on device 108, using programming techniques known in the art.
[00102] It will be appreciated that a feature of the embodiment provides an
easy
selection mechanism to allow a user to assess and decide which communication
network
to use for a transmission. Such a selection mechanism addresses deficiencies
in the prior
art.
[00103] Although an embodiment has been described in terms of evaluating and /
or
otherwise searching for a set of connections for a multi-mode communication
device
when it is about to transmit a data transmission, it will be appreciated that
in other
embodiments, additional tests or accommodations made by made for one or more
networks and one or more data communication (both receiving and transmitting)
conditions.
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[00104] As used herein, the wording "and / or" is intended to represent an
inclusive-or.
That is, "X and / or Y" is intended to mean X or Y or both.
[00105] The present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto, with
the
foregoing description being merely illustrative of embodiments of the present
disclosure.
Those of ordinary skill may envisage certain modifications to the foregoing
embodiments
which, although not explicitly discussed herein, do not depart from the scope
of the
invention, as defined by the appended claims.
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