Method and apparatus for switching between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a wide area network (WAN) employing operator and user criteria

Apparatus for determining the propriety of switching from a first to a second network, comprising:

• a) means for receiving input relating to input conditions of said first and second networks;
• b) a fuzzifier for generating membership values having linguistic variables based on current input conditions which are factors in determining the propriety of performing a switching operation;
• c) a rules stage for applying a set of predetermined rules to the current input conditions from said fuzzifier to obtain output membership data;
• and
• d) a defuzzifier responsive to said rules stage for generating a non-fuzzy prediction recommending a given switching operation.

Apparatus for switching between a first network and a second network, comprising:

• means for identifying and obtaining a plurality of inputs for use in making a switch determination, said inputs being selected from the group consisting of:
• application quality of service (QoS) requirement, user service subscription particulars, state of the first network, state of the second network, cost of switching from that network presently connected, for example, the first network, for example, the second network;
• means for sorting the identified inputs obtained at step (a) into membership values having an associated linguistic variable;
• means for providing output membership data based on said membership values;
• means for providing a control output based on said membership values;
• and
• means for enabling said means for providing responsive to a request for a switching operation.