US 2007/0165583 A1 · Methods and apparatus for use in switching communication operations between a wireless wide area network and a wireless local area network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for use by a mobile communication device in switching operation for communications from a wireless wide area network (WWAN) to a wireless local area network (WLAN) are disclosed. While providing operation for communications in the WWAN, the mobile device continually maintains visited cell site history information in its memory. The visited cell site history information is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the WWAN that served the mobile device over a moving time period of its operation. The mobile device continually monitors the visited cell site history information to identify whether it has been contained within a local geographic region over the moving time period. When the mobile device is identified to have been contained within the local geographic region, it is permitted to operate for communications with the WLAN. In response to such permission, the mobile device may enable its WLAN radio transceiver and select the WLAN for communications. Advantageously, switching operation for communications from the WWAN to the WLAN is performed only when appropriate. The WLAN radio transceiver may be enabled only when needed, which reduces power consumption and saves battery life in mobile device.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method for use by a mobile communication device in switching operation for communications from a wireless wide area network to a wireless local area network, the method comprising the acts of:

providing operation for communications in a wireless wide area network;
continually maintaining, in memory, visited cell site history information which is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the wireless wide area network that served the mobile communication device over a moving time period of operation of the mobile communication device;
and
determining whether the mobile communication device is permitted to operate for communications in a wireless local area network based on the visited cell site history information.

1 more element

A mobile communication device, comprising:

a first wireless transceiver portion which is adapted to operate for communications with a wireless wide area network;
a second wireless transceiver portion which is adapted to operate for communications with a wireless local area network;
one or more processors coupled to the first and the second wireless transceiver portions;
memory coupled to the one or more processors;
the one or more processors being operative to:
provide operation for communications in the wireless wide area network with use of the first wireless transceiver portion;
continually maintain, in the memory, visited cell site history information which is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the wireless wide area network that served the mobile communication device over a moving time period of operation of the mobile communication device;
and
determine, based on the visited cell site history information, whether the mobile communication device is permitted to operate for communications in the wireless local area network with use of the second wireless transceiver portion.

6 more elements

A communication system, comprising:

a wireless wide area network;
a wireless local area network;
one or more mobile communication devices which are adapted to operate for communications in both the wireless wide area network and the wireless local area network;
each mobile communication device being operative to:
provide operation for communications in the wireless wide area network with use of a first wireless transceiver portion;
continually maintain, in memory, visited cell site history information which is indicative of one or more visited cell sites of the wireless wide area network that served the mobile communication device over a moving time period of operation of the mobile communication device;
and
determine, based on the visited cell site history information, whether the mobile communication device is permitted to operate for communications in the wireless local area network with use of a second wireless transceiver portion.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for use in switching communication operations between a wireless wide area network and a wireless local area network

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for use in switching communication operations between a wireless wide area network and a wireless local area network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23