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US 9,807,671 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for optimizing resource usage within a group of communication devices
AssigneeMotorola Mobility LLC
InventorsRoger W. Ady, Eric L. Krenz, Andrew S. Lundholm, Murali Narasimha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for wireless communication device connectivity management includes receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices. The members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by a wireless connectivity entity. The method and apparatus also includes managing the wireless connections of the at least two members by the connectivity management entity, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members.
Claims23
A method of operating a connectivity management entity, comprising:
- receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- managing the wireless connections of at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members, comprising:
- selecting, for a first member, a first Internet access point of one or more Internet access points, wherein the first Internet access point is determined based on the metrics received from at least the first member and at least one other member;
- and
- directing the first member to make a wireless connection to the first Internet access point and set up an Internet connection.
2 more elements
A connectivity management entity, comprising:
- a transceiver,
- a processing system, operatively coupled to the transceiver,
- the processing system operative to:
- control the transceiver to receive one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- and
- process the metrics to manage the wireless connections of the at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members;
- select, for a first member, a first Internet access point of one or more Internet access points, wherein the first Internet access point is determined based on the metrics received from at least the first member and at least one other member;
- and
- direct the first member to make a wireless connection to the first Internet access point and set up an Internet connection.
6 more elements
A method of operating a connectivity management entity, comprising:
- receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- and
- managing the wireless connections of at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members, comprising directing the at least two members to each establish a different Internet connection over wireless connections, wherein the information that is communicated over the different Internet connections is combined by one of the at least two members and used by at least one member of the group for Internet communications.
A method of operating a connectivity management entity, comprising:
- receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- managing the wireless connections of at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members, comprising:
- determining that a new member has joined the group;
- and
- directing the new member to measure metrics for connections to one or more Internet access points, based on the one or more metrics reported by the at least two other members.
2 more elements
A method of operating a connectivity management entity, comprising:
- receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- managing the wireless connections of at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members, comprising:
- directing a first member to monitor a first access point for notifications for a second member, wherein the second member has connectivity to a wireless network;
- and
- directing the second member to enter a low power state.
2 more elements
A method of operating a connectivity management entity, comprising:
- receiving one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- managing the wireless connections of at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members, comprising:
- directing a first member to use a first wireless connection;
- receiving an indication of a significant change in at least one of the one or more metrics from one of the members;
- and
- directing the first member to switch to a second wireless connection.
3 more elements
A connectivity management entity, comprising:
- a transceiver,
- a processing system, operatively coupled to the transceiver, the processing system operative to:
- control the transceiver to receive one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- and
- process the metrics to manage the wireless connections of the at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members;
- direct a first member to monitor a first Internet access point for notifications for a second member, wherein the second member has connectivity to a wireless network;
- and
- direct the second member to enter a low power state.
5 more elements
A connectivity management entity, comprising:
- a transceiver,
- a processing system, operatively coupled to the transceiver, the processing system operative to:
- control the transceiver to receive one or more metrics from at least two members of a group whose members are wireless communication devices, wherein the members of the group have agreed to share resources within the group and have their wireless connections controlled by the connectivity management entity;
- and
- process the metrics to manage the wireless connections of the at least two members, based on the one or more metrics, to share resources between the at least two members;
- direct a first member to use a first wireless connection;
- receive an indication of a significant change in at least one of the one or more metrics from one of the members;
- and
- direct the first member to switch to a second wireless connection.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.