GB2628641A - Apparatus and control method for controlling a communications device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a communications device comprising a subscriber identity module, SIM, card. The communications device is configured to communicate with at least one first electronic device and to communicate with at least one second electronic device using the SIM card. The apparatus is configured to: identify bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels via which the communications device can communicate with the at least one second electronic device using the SIM card. Each of the available communication channels represent one or more of: a wireless communication network of a plurality of wireless communication networks, and a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network. The apparatus is configured to obtain selection information indicating a predetermined required bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device and the at least one second electronic device; and select a particular communication channel from the plurality of available communication channels, based on the identified required bandwidth information and the selection information.

Description

Apparatus and control method for controlling a communications device

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method of the apparatus for controlling a communications device to communicate via one or more communication channels via a subscriber identify module, SIM, card. Aspects of the invention relate to an apparatus and to a method for the same.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use a communications device such as a modem or a router comprising a SIM card to connect an electronic device to the internet via a communication channel such as a mobile network, to thereby transmit information between the electronic device and the internet (or another device also connected to the intemet). A mobile network may include a mobile telecommunications network such as a 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, or SG network (with future networks such as 6G planned), and may be a wireless communication network in which electronic devices can communicate via wireless signals such as radio frequency signals with a base station and other devices.

An increasing number of electronic devices are connecting to the internet to provide services and applications in a variety of locations. At some locations, multiple mobile networks and/or frequency bands of mobile networks may be available as communication channels between the electronic device and the internet via the communications device. In some cases, the SIM card may be a multi-network SIM and may be configured to connect to multiple mobile networks rather than just one, as with a single-network SIM.

However, not all available communication channels will provide the same bandwidth to the communications device, and thus the operation of the connected electronic device may be affected as bandwidth speed is a main factor of performance for many applications. For example, some applications may require fast upload speeds in order to transmit a large amount of data to the internet (for example, where the application is a camera application such as in a remote security camera device). Other applications may required fast download speeds in order to receive large amounts of data, such as mapping or navigation systems. Conventional communications devices are not optimised to select the best communication channel, and may only switch to new communication channels if a signal is completely lost. Therefore, fluctuations in bandwidth capacity of communication channels in different areas and over time can be detrimental to the performance of applications.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for controlling a communications device, a communications device, a system, and a method of operation of an apparatus as claimed in the appended independent claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling a communications device comprising a subscriber identity module, SIM, card, the communications device configured to communicate with at least one first electronic device and to communicate with at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, the apparatus configured to: identify bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels via which the communications device can communicate with the at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, wherein each of the available communication channels represent one or more of a wireless communication network of a plurality of wireless communication networks, and a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network; obtain selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device and the at least one second electronic device; and select a particular communication channel from the plurality of available communication channels based on the identified bandwidth information and the selection information.

Advantageously, the apparatus identifies bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels and obtains selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication, and selects a particular communication channel for the communication based on the identified bandwidth information and the obtained selection information. Thus, the apparatus can select a communication channel from a plurality of available communication channels in order to optimise performance of the first electronic device when multiple communication channels are available, based on selection information.

Advantageously, the apparatus can optimise communication between the at least one first electronic device and the at least one second electronic device whether the communication device comprises a single-network SIM (based on frequency bands) or a multi-network SIM (based on networks and/or frequency bands).

In some examples, the communication device is configured to communicate with the at least one first electronic device via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the communication device may be a modem or a router, and may be provided proximal to the at least one first electronic device. In another example, the at least one first electronic device and the communication device and apparatus may be provided as a single device. In this example, the single electronic device may comprise means for performing a function. Data associated with the function may be transmitted to or from the at least one second device via the communication channel and the SIM card based on a selection of the particular communication channel as explained above.

In some examples, the wireless communication network is a mobile telecommunication network.

In some examples, the apparatus is further configured to control the communications device to establish a wireless connection with the at least one second electronic device based on the selected communication channel.

In some examples, to identify the bandwidth information for the plurality of wireless communication networks, the apparatus is configured, for each communication channel, to: connect to the communication channel; measure the bandwidth information of the communication channel; and record the bandwidth information of the communication channel. Advantageously, the apparatus may become aware of the bandwidth information of the communication channels, and thus may optimise the selection of the communication channel for performing the wireless communication.

In some examples, to measure the bandwidth information, the apparatus is configured to: perform a first network speed test to identify one or more of an upper upload speed and an upper download speed; or perform a second network speed test to determine whether one or more of a predetermined upload speed threshold and a predetermined download speed threshold is available.

Advantageously, in the first case, the apparatus may identify an upper (i.e., maximum available) upload or download speed of the available communication channels. In this case, based on the selection information, a fastest communication channel may be selected to provide optimal performance for the first electronic device.

Advantageously, in the second case, the apparatus may identify whether one of the available communication channels can provide at least a threshold (i.e., minimum required or desired) upload or download speed. That is, the apparatus may perform a speed test which identifies a maximum of the available bandwidth in order to identify a communication channel offering optimal performance for the communication. However, performing such a speed test may be expensive as it may require a large amount of data to be transmitted. Thus, in the second case, the apparatus may reduce a cost or power consumption of performing the speed test compared with performing a speed test for all possible available communication channels by considering whether the available communication channels can meet or exceed the predetermined threshold speed. Once a suitable communication channel is identified which meets the threshold, no further speed testing may be performed and the identified suitable channel is used. Thus, a speed test may be performed with less expense, and may optionally be performed more often than a test which checks all available communication channels, for the same cost.

In some examples, to identify the bandwidth information and select the communication channel, the apparatus is further configured to: identify the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels, and select a communication channel for the wireless connection having a highest bandwidth from the identified bandwidth information as the particular communication channel; or identify the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels until a first communication channel having an associated bandwidth satisfying the predetermined bandwidth capacity is identified, and on identification of the first communication channel, cease identifying the bandwidth information and select the first communication channel for the wireless connection as the particular communication channel.

Advantageously, in the first case, the apparatus may identify the bandwidth information for all of the available communication channels, and may select a communication channel which offers the highest speed (and thus performance). Advantageously, in the second case, the apparatus may cease identifying bandwidth in response to identifying a communication channel which satisfies the predetermined bandwidth capacity of the selection information. In this case, a cost and time associated with identifying the bandwidth information (by performing speed tests) is reduced. For example, selection information may be specified which enables satisfactory or optimal performance of the first electronic device, and it may not be necessary to connect to a communication channel which has bandwidth capacity exceeding the selection information.

In some examples, the bandwidth information comprises one or more of an upload speed or a download speed.

In some examples, the selection information indicates at least one of: a predetermined threshold upload speed; a predetermined threshold download speed; or a relative priority of upload speed and download speed. Advantageously, the selection information can be set based on requirements of the first electronic device and an associated function. For example, certain functions (e.g., camera applications) may prioritise upload speed in order to upload data (captured image, video and/or audio data). Other functions (e.g., navigation applications) may prioritise download speed. Yet further, it may be important to set threshold upload or download speeds for certain functions, or it may be sufficient to indicate a priority of upload or download speed.

In some examples, to obtain the selection information, the apparatus is configured to: receive a user input of the selection information; or obtain the selection information from a memory of the apparatus, a memory of the communications device, or an external server. Advantageously, the selection information may be stored in a memory to be reused at a later time.

In some examples, to obtain the selection information, the apparatus is configured to: identify a type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device; and determine the selection information based on the type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device.

Advantageously, the apparatus may automatically determine the selection information based on the type of data associated with the first electronic device. As noted above, different types of first electronic devices (or more specifically, different functions provided by first electronic devices) may require different upload or download speeds to be prioritised in order to improve performance. For example, a first electronic device performing video capture may prioritise upload speed sufficient to upload video data. A first electronic device which provides a navigation application may prioritise download speed.

The apparatus may therefore determine suitable selection information to optimise the performance of the first electronic device based on the type of first electronic device, a function provided by the first electronic device, or a type of data to be sent to or from the first electronic device. Thus, user input in setting up the apparatus to optimise communication with the first electronic device and the internet may be reduced.

In some examples, the type of data is one or more of video data, still image data, text data, audio data, navigation data, or sensor information.

In some examples, the apparatus is configured to identify the bandwidth information in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of that the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device. Advantageously, the bandwidth information may be identified in response to one or more triggers which correspond to a potential change in bandwidth information or available communication channels. Thus, the selection of the particular communication channel for the communication may be optimised despite changes in the bandwidth capacity or availability of communication channels.

In some examples, the apparatus is configured to select the communication channel for the wireless connection in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device. Advantageously, the selection of the communication channel may be made in response to one or more triggers which correspond to a potential change in bandwidth information or available communication channels. Thus, the selection of the particular communication channel for the communication may be optimised despite changes in the bandwidth capacity or availability of communication channels.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a communications device comprising the apparatus of any preceding paragraph and communication means configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one second electronic device via the communication channel and the SIM card, and to transmit data to or receive data from the at least one first electronic device.

In some examples, the communications device is configured to transmit data to or receive data from the at least one first electronic device via a wired or wireless connection.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic device comprising the communications device and the at least one first electronic device.

In some examples, the apparatus comprises an integrated circuit.

In some examples, wherein the apparatus is configured to store the bandwidth information in a memory of the apparatus, a memory of the communication device, or an external server.

In some examples, the SIM card comprises a multi-network SIM; or the SIM card comprises a single-network SIM, and wherein the apparatus is configured to identify bandwidth information for the plurality of frequency bands of a single wireless communication network.

In some examples, the communications device comprises a modem or a router.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising the communications device of any preceding paragraph, the at least one first electronic device communicatively coupled with the communications device and configured to transmit the data to or receive the data from the communications device, and the at least one second electronic device.

In some examples, the at least one first electronic device comprises one or more of a still image camera, a video camera, a microphone, a sensor, or an Internet-of-Things, loT, device.

In some examples, the at least one second electronic device comprises one or more of a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone, or an external server.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an apparatus for use with a communications device comprising a subscriber identity module, SIM, card and configured to communicate with at least one first electronic device and to communicate with at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, the method comprising: identifying bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels via which the communications device can communicate with the at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, wherein each of the available communication channels represent one or more of a wireless communication network of a plurality of wireless communication networks, and a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network; obtaining selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device and the at least one second electronic device; and selecting a particular communication channel from the plurality of available communication channels based on the identified bandwidth information and the selection information.

In some examples, the method further comprises controlling the communications device to establish a wireless connection with the at least one second electronic device based on the selected communication channel.

In some examples, identifying the bandwidth information for the plurality of communication channels comprises, for each communication channel: connecting to the wireless communication network; measuring the bandwidth information of the wireless communication network; and recording the bandwidth information of the wireless communication network.

In some examples, measuring the bandwidth information comprises: performing a first network speed test to identify an upper upload speed or an upper download speed; or performing a second network speed test to determine whether at least a threshold upload speed or a threshold download speed is available.

In some examples, identifying the bandwidth information and selecting the communication channel comprises: identifying the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels, and selecting a communication channel for the wireless connection having a highest bandwidth from the identified bandwidth information as the particular communication channel; or identifying the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels until a first communication channel having an associated bandwidth satisfying the predetermined bandwidth capacity is identified, and on identification of the first communication channel, ceasing identifying the bandwidth information and selecting the first communication channel for the wireless connection as the particular communication channel.

In some examples, the bandwidth information comprises one or more of an upload speed or a download speed; and the selection information indicates at least one of: a predetermined threshold upload speed; a predetermined threshold download speed; or a relative priority of upload speed and download speed.

In some examples, obtaining the selection information comprises: receiving a user input of the selection information; obtaining the selection information from a memory of the apparatus, a memory of the communications device, or an external server; or identifying a type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device and determining the selection information based on the type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device.

In some examples, the method further comprises identifying the bandwidth information in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of thatthe at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device; and selecting the communication channel for the wireless connection in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an apparatus and a communications device according to an

example of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a block diagram illustrating a system according to an example of the present disclosure; Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a communications device according to

another example of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for identifying bandwidth information of a communication channel according to an example of the present disclosure; and Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for identifying bandwidth information and selecting a particular communication channel for a wireless communication according to an example of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling a communications device, and a method of operating the apparatus. The communications device may be a device configured to be communicatively coupled to one or more first electronic devices via a wired or wireless connection, and may further be configured to communicate via a subscriber identity module, SIM, card and a communication channel with at least one second electronic device. The communication channel may be a mobile network such as a 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G or LTE network, or may be a frequency band of such a mobile network, for example. Thus, the communications device may act as a modem or router to connect the first electronic device to the second electronic device via a communication channel of a mobile network connection managed by the communications device under the control of the apparatus. As will be explained below, the apparatus is configured to select a communication channel so as to optimise performance of a function provided by the first electronic device. For example, a function of the first electronic device may be at least partially dependent on a bandwidth capacity of the connection of the first electronic device to a second electronic device via the communications device and the wireless communication network. For example, the function may involve the transmission or reception of data, and thus the performance of the function may be at least partially dependent on the speed with which the first electronic device can send or receive data.

An apparatus for controlling a communications device and a method of operating the apparatus to selecting a communication channel for communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device via the communications device and a communication channel is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The apparatus may be configured to identify bandwidth information of each of a plurality of available communication channels, obtain selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for a wireless communication, and select a particular communication channel based on the bandwidth information and the selection information. A conventional modem may not optimise a selection of a communication channel based on bandwidth information and selection information, and may instead simply select a network having a strongest received signal strength. However, this may not correspond to bandwidth information, and thus the performance of connected devices may be impacted.

Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus 100 and a communications device 110 according to an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus 100 comprises a processor 102, a memory 104, and a communication unit 106. However, it should be understood that the apparatus 100 may not be limited thereto, and may comprise other parts, or may omit parts shown in Figure 1. The communications device 110 may also comprise a processor 112, a memory 114, a communication unit 116, and may further comprise a SIM card 118. It should also be understood that the communications device 110 may not be limited thereto, and may comprise other parts, or may omit parts shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 also shows an external server 120 communicatively coupled to the apparatus 100 via the communication unit 106, but it should be understood that this is optional and the external server 120 may be omitted in other examples.

The processor 102 of the apparatus 100 of Figure 1 is configured to control the operation of the apparatus 100 generally and to control the memory 104 and the communication unit 106 of the apparatus 100. The memory 104 of the apparatus 100 is configured to store information. For example, the memory 104 of the apparatus may store selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device 110 and at least one second electronic device. For example, the selection information may comprise one or more of a predetermined threshold upload speed, a predetermined threshold download speed, or a relative priority of upload or download speed. The memory 104 may also store bandwidth information associated with one or more communication channels. It should be understood that the selection information and the bandwidth information may alternatively or in addition be stored in the external server 120 or the memory 114 of the communications device 110, and may be retrieved by the apparatus 100.

The communication unit 106 is configured to communicate with the external server 120, the communications device 110 and at least one first electronic device. The communication unit 106 may comprise any known wired or wireless communications technology. In some examples, the apparatus 100 and the communications device 110 may be formed as a single device, and the communication unit 106 may be understood as intemal communication means within the device, or may be omitted.

The processor 102 may be configured to generate, and transmit via the communication unit 106, control signals to the communication unit 116 of the communications device 110. For example, the processor 102 may transmit control signals to the communications device 110 to control the communications device 110 to connect to one or more communication channels via the SIM card 118. The processor 102 may also generate control signals to control the communications device 110 to perform a network speed test or scan for available communication channels.

The processor 112 of the communications device 110 may be configured to control the operation of the communications device 110 generally and to control the memory 114, the communication unit 116 and the SIM card 118 of the communications device 110. In some examples, the communications device may be understood as a modem or a router, and may be configured to communicate with at least one second electronic device via a communication channel. The communication channel may be one or more of a wireless communication network (such as a telecommunications network, including for example but not limited to a 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G or LTE network) or a frequency band of the one or more wireless communication networks. For example, depending on the location of the communication device, there may be a plurality of wireless communication networks, optionally operated by different providers, to which the communication device 110 can connect via the multi-network SIM card 118. Each of the available wireless communication networks may operate on one or more frequency bands. The communication device 110 may be configured to communicate via a particular wireless communication network, on a particular frequency band of the wireless communication network.

The SIM card 118 may comprise a single-network SIM or a multi-network SIM. A single-network SIM may be configured to only connect to a single predetermined wireless communication network. A multi-network SIM may be configured to connect to a plurality of different wireless communication networks.

The apparatus 100 may determine whether the SIM card 118 is a single-network SIM or a multi-network SIM.

The apparatus 100 may be configured to identify bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels via which the communications device 110 can communicate with at least one second electronic device using the SIM card 118. As explained above, each of the plurality of available communication channels may represent one or more of a wireless communication network or a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network. The bandwidth information may indicate one or more of an upload speed or a download speed for respectively uploading or downloading data via the communication channel. The bandwidth capacity may be measured in megabits per second.

In some examples, the apparatus 100 may be configured to identify the bandwidth information for a communication channel by controlling the communication device 110 to connect to the communication channel using the SIM card 118 and to measure the bandwidth information of the communication channel. For example, the apparatus 100 may control the communications device 110 to perform a network speed test once connected to the communication channel.

A network speed test may be considered to be a process in which the communication device 110 transmits and/or receives data at increasing data rates with the communication channel in order to identify the bandwidth capacity of the communication channel. The network speed test may be a first network speed test or a second network speed test. The first network speed test may be a speed test in which an upper or maximum bandwidth capacity is determined by iteratively increasing rates at which data is transmitted to or from the communication channel until a limit is reached. The upper bandwidth capacity may indicate an upper upload speed or an upper download speed. The second network speed test may be a speed test in which it is determined whether the communication channel can provide a predetermined bandwidth capacity, by iteratively increasing rates at which data is transmitted to or from the communication channel until the predetermined bandwidth capacity is reached. It would be understood that performing a network speed test, particularly the first network speed test, may be an expensive process due to the requirement to transmit data at high rates and in large volumes to test the bandwidth capacity. Thus, the second network speed test process advantageously reduces a cost and processor power requirement of performing the network speed test by only increasing data transmission rates until a predetermined bandwidth capacity is reached. The predetermined bandwidth capacity may be based on the selection information, in some examples. For example, where the selection information indicates a minimum required upload or download speed, the second network test may be performed in order to determine whether the communication channel can satisfy the selection information. In another example, the apparatus 100 may be configured to determine the predetermined bandwidth capacity for the second network speed test. For example, the apparatus 100 may determine the bandwidth capacity for the second network speed test by detecting a type of the first electronic device or based on data being transmitted to or from the first electronic device. In one example, the apparatus 100 may detect the transmission or reception of images of a certain file size at a certain rate and may determine the bandwidth capacity for the second network speed test according to the file size and transmission rate. It should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, and the apparatus 100 may determine the bandwidth capacity threshold for the second network speed test by other methods.

The apparatus 100 may further be configured to store the identified bandwidth information in the memory 104 or in the external server 120. The apparatus 100 may be configured to retrieve the stored bandwidth information from the memory 104 or the external server 120 instead of identifying the bandwidth information using a speed test, if the bandwidth information is already stored.

As will be discussed with respect to Figure 5, the apparatus 100 may be configured to identify the bandwidth information for all of the available communication channels, or may be configured to identify the bandwidth information for communication channels in turn and cease the identification when a communication channel is identified which has an associated bandwidth information satisfying the predetermined bandwidth information of the selection information. As explained above, performing a speed test to identify the bandwidth information may be an expensive and processor intensive process, and thus by ceasing the identification when the communication channel having associated bandwidth information satisfying the predetermined bandwidth information of the selection information is identified, a cost and time of identifying a suitable communication channel is reduced.

The apparatus 100 may further be configured to obtain selection information. The selection information is indicative of at least one of a predetermined threshold upload speed, a predetermined threshold download speed, or a relative priority of upload speed and download speed. For example, the selection information may indicate a minimum upload or download speed in megabits per second for performing a function associated with the first electronic device, or may indicate a preference for prioritising upload or download speed. It should be understood that the selection information may indicate both a threshold upload speed and a threshold download speed.

The apparatus 100 may obtain the selection information from a user input at one or more of the apparatus 100, the communication device 110, the first electronic device or the second electronic device. Where the user input is received at a device other than the apparatus 100, the apparatus 100 may receive the selection information via the communication unit 106. Alternatively, the apparatus 100 may obtain the selection information from the memory 104 of the apparatus 100, the memory 114 of the communications device 110, or the external server 120. In an example, the selection information may be provided by the manufacturer or supplier of the first electronic device, in consideration of the function of the first electronic device.

In another example, the apparatus 100 is configured to identify a type of device of the first electronic device, or a type of data to be input to or output from the first electronic device, and to determine the selection information based on the identified type of device or type of data. For example, the first electronic device may comprise a camera type device, and the apparatus 100 may identify the first electronic device as a camera type device and may determine the selection information to prioritise upload speed or may determine a minimum upload speed based on the type of data being video or image data. In another example, the first electronic device may be a navigational device (e.g., a satnav), and the apparatus 100 may determine the selection information to prioritise download speed or to have a minimum download speed. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and in particular that the first electronic device may comprise many suitable types of device which transmit or receive many different types of data.

In some examples, the apparatus 100 is configured to identify the bandwidth information and to obtain the selection information during an initial set-up process of the communications device 110 or the first electronic device. The apparatus 100 may also be configured to identify the bandwidth information and/or obtain the selection information in response to one or more trigger conditions. The one or more trigger conditions may include a predetermined time interval passing since the previous identification of bandwidth information and/or obtaining of the selection information; detection of the first electronic device being switch on; detection of a user input at one or more of the apparatus 100, the communications device 110, the first electronic device or the second electronic device; or receipt of a control signal from an external device. It should be understood that other trigger conditions may be suitable for either or both of identifying the bandwidth information and obtaining the selection information. That is, the bandwidth information may be identified and the selection information may be obtained multiple times in response to various triggers, and stored information in the memory 104 may be updated when new information is obtained.

The apparatus 100 is further configured to select a particular communications channel from among a plurality of available communication channels for the wireless communication between the communications device 110 and the at least one second electronic device using the SIM card 118. The apparatus 100 may be configured to select the particular communication channel based on the bandwidth information and the selection information. For example, the apparatus 100 may select a particular communication channel which satisfies a predetermined bandwidth capacity specified by the selection information, or may select a particular communication channel which has the greatest upload speed or download speed depending on a preference indicated by the selection information.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, the apparatus 100 may be configured to select the particular communication channel as the communication channel having the greatest bandwidth capacity of the communication channels having associated bandwidth capacity exceeding the selection criteria. In another example, the apparatus 100 is configured to select the first identified communication channel which has associated bandwidth capacity exceeding the bandwidth capacity indicated by the selection information, and then cease identifying the bandwidth capacity of further communication channels. This may reduce a cost associated with selecting a communication channel.

In some examples, the communications device 110 may comprise a modem or a router. It should be understood that while in Figure 1 the apparatus 100 and the communications device 110 are illustrated as separate devices, the apparatus 100 and the communications device 110 may be provided as a single device. For example, the communications device 110 may comprise an internal modem similar to a modem as is commonly provided in mobile phones, or may comprise an external modem, for example a pocket modem. Further, the apparatus 100 may be provided as a control system integrated within a communications device 110. For example, the apparatus 100 may be provided as an integrated circuit or a system-on-chip (SOC). Alternatively, the apparatus 100 and the communications device 110 may be provided so as to operate on existing hardware of a communications device 110 such as a modem, and the function of the apparatus 100 described above may be implemented on to the communications device 110 by means of a software update or similar.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system 200 according to an example of the present invention.

The system 200 comprises the communications device 110, the apparatus 100, at least one first electronic device 210 and at least one second electronic device 220. The communications device 110, the apparatus 100, the first electronic device(s) 210 and the second electronic device(s) 220 of Figure 2 may be the same as discussed in respect of Figure 1. A repetition of features already described is therefore omitted in the description of Figure 2 below, but it should be understood that features described above in respect of Figure 1 are to be combined with the discussion of Figure 2 set out below.

Figure 2 illustrates the system 200 as comprising three first electronic devices 210, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The communications device 110 may be configured to communicate with any number of first electronic devices 210. The communications device 110 may be configured to communicate 215 by any known means with the first electronic devices 210, including wired and wireless communication networks. For example, the communications device 110 may communicate with the first electronic devices 210 via a wired ethernet connection, a wireless Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth, or a cellular network connection. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the communications device 110 may communicate with the first electronic devices 210 via any suitable means.

The first electronic device(s) 210 comprise device(s) associated with a function, and may take many suitable forms. For example, the first electronic device(s) 210 may comprise one or more of sensor devices, camera devices, Internet-of-Things devices, navigation devices or microphones. An associated function of a first electronic device 210 may include a camera function, a microphone function, audio output function, a navigation function, or a sensor function. However, it should be understood that these are examples only, and that the present disclosure should extend to any type of electronic device having an associated function.

Further, while the communications device 110 and the first electronic devices 210 are illustrated in Figure 2 as separate devices, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another example, the communications device 110 and the first electronic device(s) 210 may be provided as a single device. For example, the communications device 110 may be implemented in an electronic device which performs an associated function. In this case, the communications device 110 may be provided as circuitry within the electronic device. In one example, the first electronic device 210 may be an electronic device (such as a camera device, but not limited thereto) which comprises wireless communication means including the SIM card 118, and which is configured to transmit data to or from the wireless communication network using the SIM card 118. In otherwords, the apparatus 100, the communications device 110 and the first electronic device 210 may be provided as one, two, or three or more devices.

Where the apparatus 100, the communications device 110 and the first electronic device 210 are provided in a single device, the communications between these devices described above may be transmitted internally within the single device.

As shown in Figure 2, the communications device 110 may also be configured to communicate with at least one second electronic device 220. Although three second electronic devices 220 are shown in Figure 2, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any number of second electronic devices 220 may be provided. The communications device 110 communicates with the at least one second electronic devices 220 via a communication channel 225 using the SIM card 118.

As discussed above, the communications channel 225 may comprise one or more of a wireless communication network and a frequency band of the wireless communication network. For example, the wireless communication network may be a mobile telecommunications network, such as a 5G network. The mobile telecommunications network may provide communications at different operating frequency bands. The apparatus 100 of Figure 2 may control the communications device 110 to communicate with the at least one second electronic device 220 using a particular communication channel based on the bandwidth information of the available communication channels 225 and the selection information, as explained in more detail in respect of Figure 1.

The at least one second electronic device 220 may comprise any electronic device to which information associated with the at least one first electronic device 210 is to be transmitted to or received from. In some examples, the at least one second electronic device 220 may comprise one or more of a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone, a server for storing data, or a control system for remotely controlling the at least one first electronic device 210. It should be understood that there are many potential systems where the present invention may be used, and that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular first or second electronic device. Further, it should be understood that the system 200 may comprise a different number of first electronic devices 210 to second electronic devices 220. For example, a single second electronic device 220 may be provided to interface with a plurality of first electronic devices 210.

Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 of operating an apparatus according to an example of the present invention. The method 300 of Figure 3 may be a method for operating the apparatus 100 of Figure 1 or Figure 2. It should be understood that the description of the method 300 of Figure 3 is to be taken in combination with the discussion of Figures 1 and 2 set out above.

At step 310, the method 300 comprises identifying bandwidth information for a plurality of available communication channels. The plurality of available communication channels may comprise at least one communication channels via which a communications device such as the communications device 110 of Figures 1 or 2 can communicate at least one second electronic device 210. The communication channels may represent one or more of a wireless communication network of a plurality of wireless communication networks and a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network. The bandwidth information indicates one or more of an upload speed or a download speed of the communication channel, and may be measured in megabits per second.

As will be explained below in respect of Figure 4, step 310 may comprise identifying the bandwidth information for the plurality of available communication channels by performing a first network speed test or a second network speed test as described above. In particular, the first network speed test may be performed to identify a maximum or upper upload or download speed of the communication channel. The second network speed test may be performed to determine whether the communication channel has an associated bandwidth capacity meeting or exceeding a predetermined bandwidth capacity.

As will be explained below in respect of Figure 5, step 310 may comprise identifying the bandwidth information for all of the available communication channels, or may comprise identifying the bandwidth information for a sub-group of the available communication channels until a first communication channel having an associated bandwidth capacity meeting or exceeding a predetermined threshold bandwidth capacity is identified. The method may then comprise ceasing identifying the bandwidth information for the remaining communication channels in response to identifying the first communication channel having an associated bandwidth capacity meeting or exceeding the predetermined threshold bandwidth capacity.

The method 300 comprises at step 320 obtaining selection information. The selection information may indicate a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device 110 and the at least one second electronic device 220. The selection information may comprise one or more of a predetermined threshold upload speed, a predetermined threshold download speed, or a relative priority of upload speed and download speed.

The selection information may be obtained from a user input or may be retrieved from a memory. In another example, the selection information may be determined based on a type of device of the first electronic device 210, or a type of data to be transmitted to or from the first electronic device 210. As explained above, different first electronic devices may provide different functions, and a priority of upload speed and download speed, as well as suitable speeds, may be dependent on the type of function provided by the first electronic device 210. Thus, the method may include identifying a type of the first electronic device 210 and determining the selection information based on the type of the first electronic device 210.

The method 300 further comprises at step 330 selecting a particular communication channel based on the identified bandwidth information and the selection information. In some examples, selecting the particular communication channel comprises selecting a wireless communication network from among a plurality of wireless communication networks. The selection may be based on the selection information indicating a threshold upload or download speed, and the particular communication channel may be selected as a communication channel among the plurality of available communication channels which has an associated upload or download speed exceeding the threshold upload or download speed. In some examples, a communication channel having the highest upload or download speed may be selected based on a relative priority of upload and download speeds indicated by the selection information. The selection information may further indicate both a threshold upload and download speed, and the method 300 may comprise selecting the communication channel having the greatest total upload and download speed from among the communication channels having associated bandwidth capacity exceeding the threshold upload and threshold download speeds indicated by the selection information.

The selection at step 330 may be understood by way of the following examples, although it should be understood that these are examples only.

Example one -in a first example, the SIM card 118 is a multi-network SIM, and the selection information indicates that the user wants to select the best mobile network for download speeds. In this example, the selection information may indicate that the method should select the mobile network and frequency for fastest download speed, and may indicate a minimum threshold upload speed at 5mbps. If the identified bandwidth capacity for 4 available networks were: Network 1 -3mbps download -20mbps upload Network 2 -60mbps download -4mbps upload Network 3 -20mbps download -2mbps upload Network 4 -50mbps download -10mbps upload Network 4 would be selected because it has the highest download speeds where upload speed is greater than 5mps. Alternatively, if the minimum upload speed has been set to 4mbps the selection would have been Network 2.

Example two -in a second example, the SIM card 118 is a single-network SIM, and the selection information indicates that the user wants to select the best frequency band for download speeds. In this example, the selection information may indicate that the method should select the frequency band for fastest download speed, and may indicate a minimum threshold upload speed at 6mbps. If the identified bandwidth capacity for 4 available frequency bands on the wireless communication network were: Frequency 1 -50mbps download -7mbps upload Frequency 2 -30mbps download -4mbps upload Frequency 3 -60mbps download -5mbps upload Frequency 4 -2mbps download -10mbps upload Frequency 1 would be selected because it has the highest download speeds where upload speed is greater than 7mps. Alternatively, if the minimum upload speed has been set to 5mbps the selection would have been Frequency 4. It should be understood that these are examples only, and that the present disclosure is not limited to any range of upload or download speeds.

It should be understood that method 300 or steps thereof may be performed on an initial set-up process of one or more of the apparatus 100, the communications device 110, the first electronic device 210 or the second electronic device 220. Alternatively or in addition, the method 300 or steps thereof may be performed in response to one or more trigger conditions. The one or more triggers may include a predetermined time interval passing since the previous identification of bandwidth information and/or obtaining of the selection information; detection of the first electronic device being switch on; detection of a user input at one or more of the apparatus 100, the communications device 110, the first electronic device or the second electronic device; or receipt of a control signal from an external device. It should be understood that other trigger conditions may be suitable for either or both of identifying the bandwidth information and obtaining the selection information. That is, the bandwidth information may be identified and the selection information may be obtained multiple times in response to various triggers, and stored information in the memory 104 may be updated when new information is obtained. The selection of a particular communication channel may be performed again when new information is available, for example at the same time as the one or more trigger conditions are met.

It should be understood that the method 300 of Figure 3 may comprise further steps not shown in the flowchart of Figure 3, or that steps of the method 300 may be omitted or performed in a different order. In particular, it should be understood that steps 310 and 320 may be performed in a different order, or may be performed simultaneously. Further, if one or more of selection information and bandwidth information is already known to the device performing the method 300, then one or more of steps 310 and 320 may be omitted.

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 of operating an apparatus and/or a communications device 110 according to an example of the present invention. The method 400 of Figure 4 may be a method for operating the apparatus 100 or the communications device 110 of Figure 1 or Figure 2. It should be understood that the description of the method 400 of Figure 4 is to be taken in combination with the discussion of Figures 1 to 3 set out above. The method 400 of Figure 4 may be understood as being part of step 310 of Figure 3. That is, the method 400 of Figure 4 is a method for identifying the bandwidth information of a communication channel. It should be understood that the method 400 of Figure 4 may be repeated for each respective communication channel which is to have an associated bandwidth information identified.

Step 410 of the method 400 of Figure 4 comprises connecting to the wireless communication channel.

The connection to the wireless communication channel may be performed using the SIM card 118, and may comprise transmitting information required by the wireless network to register with the network.

The method 400 of Figure 4 comprises at step 420 measuring the bandwidth information of the wireless communication network. Measuring the bandwidth information of the wireless communication network may comprise performing a network speed test. As explained above, a network speed test may be a process in which data is sent to or received from a wireless network at increasing data rates in order to test whether the wireless network can achieve certain data transfer rates, or upload or download speeds.

The network speed test performed at step 420 may be one of a first network speed test or a second network speed test. The first network speed test may comprise iteratively increasing data transfer rates until an upper (or maximum) upload or download speed of the communication channel is identified. The second network speed test may comprise iteratively increasing data transfer rates until it is determined whetherthe communication channel can meet or exceed a predetermined threshold upload or download speed. Advantageously, the second network speed test may reduce a cost of performing a speed test by determining whether the communication channel satisfies a threshold requirement rather than determining an upper or maximum upload or download speed provided by the communication channel.

At step 430, the method 400 comprises recording the measured bandwidth information of the communication channel of the wireless communication network. The bandwidth information may be stored in the memory 104 of the apparatus 100, the external server 120, the memory 114 of the communications device 110, or elsewhere.

It should be understood that the method 400 of Figure 4 may comprise further steps not shown in the flowchart of Figure 4, or that steps of the method 400 may be omitted or performed in a different order.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 according to an example of the present disclosure. The method 500 of Figure 5 may be a method for operating the apparatus 100 or the communications device 110 of Figure 1 or Figure 2. It should be understood that the description of the method 500 of Figure 5 is to be taken in combination with the discussion of Figures 1 to 4 set out above. The method 500 of Figure 5 may be understood as being part of steps 310 and 330 of Figure 3. That is, the method 500 of Figure 5 is an example method 500 for identifying the bandwidth information of a plurality of communication channels and selecting a communication channel from among the plurality of communication channels. The selected communication channel is a communication channel which is to be used for the wireless communications between the communications device 110 and the at least one second electronic device 220.

At step 510, the method 500 comprises determining whether the device performing the method 500 is in a first mode or a second mode. A first mode may be a mode in which associated bandwidth information for all available communication channels is to be identified. A second mode may be a mode in which associated bandwidth information is to be identified for communication channels only until a first communication channel having bandwidth information meeting or exceeding a predetermined threshold bandwidth capacity is identified, at which point the method comprises ceasing identifying bandwidth information and selecting the first communication channel as the communication channel for wireless communication. As discussed above, the second mode may be a faster and/or more cost-effective mode for selecting the particular communication channel for the communication, while the first mode may be a mode which identifies the best communication channel to optimise the performance of the first electronic device 210. The first mode or the second mode may be selected by a user, or may be set at manufacture or during an initial set-up of the apparatus 100, the communications device 110 or the first electronic device 210.

If it is determined that the device is in the first mode at step 510, the method 500 progresses to step 520. If it is determined that the device is in the second mode at step 510, the method 500 progresses to step 540.

At step 520, the method 500 comprises identifying the bandwidth information for all available communication channels. The bandwidth information may comprise at least one of an upload speed or a download speed of the communication channel, and may be measured in megabits per second, as explained above. The bandwidth information may be identified as explained in Figure 4 using either the first network speed test or the second network speed test. The bandwidth information may be identified for each available communication channel in turn and the associated bandwidth information of each available communication channel may be recorded. In the example where the SIM card 118 of the communications device 110 is a single-network SIM card, the plurality of communication channels comprises a plurality of frequency bands for communication on a single wireless network. In the example where the SIM card 118 of the communications device 110 is a multi-network SIM card, the plurality of communication channels may comprise a plurality of wireless communication networks, each of which may comprise a plurality of frequency bands for communication. The bandwidth information may be identified for each of the frequency bands and/or for each of the wireless communication networks.

At step 530, the method comprises selecting a particular communication channel from among the plurality of available communication channels, based on the bandwidth information identified at step 520 and based on selection information. The selection information may be obtained as explained in Figure 3, or may be available in a memory of a device. The particular communication channel selected in step 530 may be selected as a communication channel which has the greatest bandwidth capacity of the communication channels having associated bandwidth capacity meeting or exceeding a threshold bandwidth capacity indicated by the selection information, as explained in respect of Figure 3 above. For example, from among the plurality of available communication channels, one or more communication channels having associated bandwidth capacity satisfying the selection information may be identified. From among these identified one or more communication channels, the particular communication channel for communication may be selected as the communication channel having the greatest upload speed, the greatest download speed, or the greatest total of upload speed and download speed, based on the selection information.

If it is determined that the method 500 operates in the second mode, the method progresses to step 540. At step 540, the bandwidth information for a single communication channel is identified. The bandwidth information is identified in the same way as previously discussed, using either the first network speed test or the second network speed test. The method then progresses to step 550.

At step 550, it is determined whether the bandwidth information associated with the communication channel identified at step 540 satisfies the selection information. That is, if the selection information indicates one or more of a threshold upload speed or a threshold download speed, it is determined if the identified bandwidth information meets or exceeds the threshold upload speed or the threshold download speed. If the identified bandwidth information does meet or exceed the threshold upload speed or the threshold download speed, the associated communication channel is selected as the particular communication channel to be used for the communication between the communications device 110 and the second electronic device 220, at step 560. If the identified bandwidth information does not meet or exceed the threshold upload speed or the threshold download speed, the associated communication channel is not selected as the particular communication channel to be used for the communication between the communications device 110 and the second electronic device 220, and the method returns to step 540 and the bandwidth capacity of a different communication channel is identified. Thus, in the second mode, the method 500 comprises identifying the bandwidth information associated with communication channels until a first communication channel having associated bandwidth information satisfying the selection information is identified, at which point the first communication channel is selected and no further bandwidth information of other communication channels is identified.

It should be understood that the method 500 of Figure 5 is to be taken in combination with the description of Figures 1 to 4. In particular, the selection information may be obtained during the method 500 of Figure 5 as explained in Figure 3. Alternatively or in addition, the bandwidth information may be identified based on the method 400 of Figure 4.

The present disclosure therefore provides an apparatus 100 and a method for selecting a communication channel for wireless communication between a communications device 110 and at least one second electronic device 210 via a wireless communication channel and a SIM card 118. However, while the disclosure above has been described as selecting a single communication channel for the communication, it should be understood that multiple communication channels may be selected.

The present disclosure achieves improvements in the performance of one or more first electronic devices 210 by selecting the communication channel for the wireless communication between the communications device 110 (connected to the one or more first electronic devices 210) and the at least one second electronic device 220. Further improvements are made to the operation of the first electronic device 210 by consideration of the selection information, which may be input by a user or may be determined based on the type of the first electronic device 210, so as to correspond to bandwidth capacity for communication which improves the performance of the first electronic device 210. Further, methods for identifying bandwidth information of a plurality of communication channels are described which achieve improvements in the efficiency of identifying the bandwidth information. Further still, methods for selecting the communication channel to be used for the wireless communication are described which improve the efficiency of the identification and selection process by considering each communication channel in turn with respect to the selection information, or which identify the best communication channel to improve the performance of the first electronic device 210. It should be understood that the present disclosure may provide advantages other than those described above.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS1. An apparatus for controlling a communications device comprising a subscriber identity module, SIM, card, the communications device configured to communicate with at least one first electronic device and to communicate with at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, the apparatus configured to: identify bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels via which the communications device can communicate with the at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, wherein each of the available communication channels represent one or more of: a wireless communication network of a plurality of wireless communication networks, and a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network; obtain selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device and the at least one second electronic device; and select a particular communication channel from the plurality of available communication channels based on the identified bandwidth information and the selection information.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further configured to control the communications device to establish a wireless connection with the at least one second electronic device based on the selected communication channel.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein to identify the bandwidth information for the plurality of wireless communication networks, the apparatus is configured, for each communication channel, to: connect to the communication channel; measure the bandwidth information of the communication channel; and record the bandwidth information of the communication channel.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein to measure the bandwidth information, the apparatus is configured to: perform a first network speed test to identify one or more of an upper upload speed and an upper download speed; or perform a second network speed test to determine whether one or more of a predetermined upload speed threshold and a predetermined download speed threshold is available.
5. 5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein to identify the bandwidth information and select the communication channel, the apparatus is further configured to: identify the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels, and select a communication channel for the wireless connection having a highest bandwidth from the identified bandwidth information as the particular communication channel; or identify the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels until a first communication channel having an associated bandwidth satisfying the predetermined bandwidth capacity is identified, and on identification of the first communication channel, cease identifying the bandwidth information and select the first communication channel for the wireless connection as the particular communication channel.
6. 6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the bandwidth information comprises one or more of an upload speed or a download speed.
7. 7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the selection information indicates at least one of: a predetermined threshold upload speed; a predetermined threshold download speed; or a relative priority of upload speed and download speed.
8. 8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein to obtain the selection information, the apparatus is configured to: receive a user input of the selection information; or obtain the selection information from a memory of the apparatus, a memory of the communications device, or an external server.
9. 9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein to obtain the selection information, the apparatus is configured to: identify a type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device; and determine the selection information based on the type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device.
10. 10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to identify the bandwidth information in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device.
11. 11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to select the communication channel for the wireless connection in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device.
12. 12. A communications device comprising: the apparatus of any preceding claim; and communication means configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one second electronic device via the communication channel and the SIM card, and to transmit data to or receive data from the at least one first electronic device.
13. 13. The communications device of claim 12, wherein: the SIM card comprises a multi-network SIM; or the SIM card comprises a single-network SIM, and wherein the apparatus is configured to identify bandwidth information for the plurality of frequency bands of a single wireless communication 10 network.
14. 14. The communications device of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the communications device comprises a modem or a router.
15. 15. A system comprising: the communications device of any of claims 12 to 14; the at least one first electronic device communicatively coupled with the communications device and configured to transmit the data to or receive the data from the communications device; and the at least one second electronic device.
16. 16. A method for controlling an apparatus for use with a communications device comprising a subscriber identity module, SIM, card and configured to communicate with at least one first electronic device and to communicate with at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, the method comprising: identifying bandwidth information for each of a plurality of available communication channels via which the communications device can communicate with the at least one second electronic device using the SIM card, wherein each of the available communication channels represent one or more of: a wireless communication network of a plurality of wireless communication networks, and a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands of a wireless communication network; obtaining selection information indicating a predetermined bandwidth capacity for wireless communication between the communications device and the at least one second electronic device; and selecting a particular communication channel from the plurality of available communication channels based on the identified bandwidth information and the selection information.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising controlling the communications device to establish a wireless connection with the at least one second electronic device based on the selected communication channel.
18. 18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein identifying the bandwidth information for the plurality of communication channels comprises, for each communication channel: connecting to the wireless communication network; measuring the bandwidth information of the wireless communication network; and recording the bandwidth information of the wireless communication network.
19. 19. The method of any one of claim 18, wherein measuring the bandwidth information comprises: performing a first network speed test to identify an upper upload speed or an upper download speed; or performing a second network speed test to determine whether at least a threshold upload speed or a threshold download speed is available.
20. 20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein identifying the bandwidth information and selecting the communication channel comprises: identifying the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels, and selecting a communication channel for the wireless connection having a highest bandwidth from the identified bandwidth information as the particular communication channel; or identifying the bandwidth information for each of the plurality of communication channels until a first communication channel having an associated bandwidth satisfying the predetermined bandwidth capacity is identified, and on identification of the first communication channel, ceasing identifying the bandwidth information and selecting the first communication channel for the wireless connection as the particular communication channel.
21. 21. The method of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the bandwidth information comprises one or more of an upload speed or a download speed; and wherein the selection information indicates at least one of: a predetermined threshold upload speed; a predetermined threshold download speed; or a relative priority of upload speed and download speed.
22. 22. The method of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein obtaining the selection information 30 comprises: receiving a user input of the selection information; obtaining the selection information from a memory of the apparatus, a memory of the communications device, or an external server; or identifying a type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device and determining the selection information based on the type of data to be input to or output from the at least one first electronic device.
23. 23. The method of any one of claims 16 to 22, comprising: identifying the bandwidth information in dependence on one or more of: a predetermined time interval passing; detection of the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device; and selecting the communication channel for the wireless connection in dependence on one or more of a predetermined time interval passing; detection of the at least one first electronic device being switched on; detection of a user input; and receipt of a control signal from an external device.
24. 24. Computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method according to any of claims 16 to 23.