Method for transmitting data in a wireless telecommunications network using multiple data channels
AssigneeSprint Spectrum L.P.
InventorsLisa J. Brown, Joel E. Campbell, James B. Flack, Hugh H. Fletcher, Robert W. Hammond, Terry T. Yu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device can connect to a packet data network through a first data channel, such as a connection with a wireless telecommunications network. The device can additionally connect to the packet data network through a second data channel. The device can simultaneously transmit data over the first and second data channels. Data channels can be added or removed in order to change the bandwidth available to the device.
Claims20
A method for sending data over multiple data channels, the method comprising:
- a client application running on a computer receiving a packet;
- the client application dividing the packet into at least a first fragment and a second fragment;
- the client application adding a header to each of the fragments;
- the client application assigning the first fragment for transmission over a first data channel and assigning the second fragment for transmission over a second data channel, wherein the first data channel is a wireless channel and the second data channel is a non-wireless channel;
- the computer transmitting the first fragment over the first data channel and the second fragment over the second data channel;
- and
- the computer determining that bandwidth usage on the wireless and non-wireless channels is below a predetermined threshold and responsively terminating either the wireless channel or the non-wireless channel.
A method for receiving data over multiple data channels, the method comprising:
- a computer, having a wireless interface and a non-wireless interface, accessing both a first data channel and a second data channel, wherein the first data channel is a wireless channel and the second data channel is a non-wireless channel, wherein the computer accesses the first data channel via the wireless interface and accesses the second data channel via the non-wireless interface;
- a client application running on the computer receiving fragments of a packet, wherein the fragments include at least a first fragment sent over the first data channel, and received via the wireless interface, and a second fragment sent over the second data channel, and received via the non-wireless interface;
- the client application removing a header from each of the fragments;
- the client application reassembling the fragments to form the packet;
- and
- the computer determining that bandwidth usage on the wireless and non-wireless channels is below a predetermined threshold and responsively terminating either the wireless channel or the non-wireless channel.
A device, comprising:
- a wireless interface;
- a non-wireless interface;
- a processor;
- memory;
- and
- an application, stored in the memory and configured to, in response to execution by the processor, cause the device to:
- receive a packet,
- divide the packet into at least a first fragment and a second fragment,
- add a header to each of the fragments,
- access both a first data channel and a second data channel, wherein the first data channel uses the wireless interface and the second data channel uses the non-wireless interface,
- assign the first fragment to the first data channel and assign the second fragment to the second data channel, and
- transmit the first fragment over the first data channel and the second fragment over the second data channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.