HK1090230A - Systems and methods for seamless roaming between wireless networks - Google Patents

Description

System and method for seamless roaming between wireless networks

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless technology, and more particularly to seamless roaming between wireless networks.

Background

Wireless technology has become increasingly popular in recent years because it allows electronic devices to communicate with each other without the use of physical wires (e.g., electrical or optical cables). There are different types of access networks in wireless technology, such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) and Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs). Conventional cellular network companies use WWANs to provide wide coverage high mobility access (e.g., for users in automobiles). WLANs may be used in buildings (e.g., homes or businesses) for stationary or low mobility access.

While WLANs offer higher throughput rates (e.g., from 11Mbps to 54Mbps), such networks typically do not provide wide coverage and are therefore not always suitable for high mobility access. On the other hand, while WWANs provide broad coverage, they typically have lower throughput rates.

Previously developed technologies have provided connectivity for mobile devices to WLANs and WWANs. With these techniques, separate device applications are used to independently support and manage different kinds of connections. That is, one application will be for a WWAN connection and another application will be for a WLAN connection. The problem is that the two applications are independent and thus cannot coordinate the connections for different types of wireless networks. Thus, as a mobile device moves from the coverage of one wireless network to the coverage of another, no previously developed technology can automatically switch connections whenever a connection is lost, but must be manually switched by a user from one application management hardware for a first type of wireless network connection to a different application management hardware for a second type of wireless network connection. To make such a manual switch, the user needs to shut down all applications using the external network connection, and then reinitialize the network connection and restart all applications after the switch is made. As a result, previously developed techniques are disruptive, time consuming, and user unfriendly.

Therefore, there is a need for a method that can automatically and seamlessly switch between different types of wireless networks.

Disclosure of Invention

Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention provide uninterrupted and universal wireless access with seamless handoff between heterogeneous networks. Thus, applications are not affected when a user roams between multiple WLANs and WWANs. Embodiments of the present invention may also facilitate user handoff to a WLAN whenever it is possible to use more cost-effective available WWAN bandwidth. Important technical advantages of the present invention are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which systems and methods according to embodiments of the invention may operate;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system for seamless roaming between wireless networks according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates components of an exemplary user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary core component in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method for seamless roaming between wireless networks, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method for network connection monitoring and maintenance, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

First, as to the terminology of the specification, the detailed description which follows is presented primarily in terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations performed by conventional computer components, such as a local or remote Central Processing Unit (CPU), processor, server, or other suitable processing device associated with a general purpose or special purpose computer system, memory storage devices which can be associated with the processing device, and a connected local or remote display device. These operations may include data bit processing performed by a processing device and the preservation of these bits within data structures stored in one or more memory storage devices. These data structures impose physical structures on the collected data bits that are stored in the computer memory and represent specific electronic or magnetic elements. These symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the art of computer programming and computer construction to most effectively provide teachings and inventions to others skilled in the art.

For purposes of discussion, an application, process, method, routine, or subroutine is generally considered to be a sequence of computer-executed steps that produce a desired result. These steps generally require physical manipulations of quantities. Usually, though not always, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in the art to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, text, terms, numbers, records, files, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that these and other terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities for computer operation and are merely conventional labels applied to physical quantities that exist during computer operation.

It should also be understood that automated operations within a computer system are often denoted as operations such as adding, comparing, moving, searching, etc., which are typically associated with manual operations performed by an operator. It must be understood that in most cases it is necessary to exclude the operator, even if this is desirable in the present invention. However, some of the operations described herein are machine operations performed in conjunction with an operator or user interacting with a computer or system. Thus, unless indicated as manual user operation, all operations are assumed to be automatic.

Further, it should be understood that the programs, processes, methods, etc., described herein are merely exemplary implementations of the present invention and are not related or limited to any particular computer, system, device, or computer language. Rather, various different types of general purpose computers or devices may be used in conjunction with programs constructed in accordance with the methods described herein. Similarly, it may prove advantageous to create a dedicated apparatus or hardware device to perform one or more of the method steps described herein by way of a dedicated computer system having hardwired logic or programs stored in non-volatile memory, such as Read Only Memory (ROM).

Overview

Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention provide automatic and seamless roaming between heterogeneous wireless networks, including heterogeneous wireless networks (e.g., WLAN and WWAN). Embodiments of the present invention can provide seamless access between two different wireless access technologies, such as WLAN and WWAN. The system and method of the present invention can provide or support automatic detection and connection to a WLAN and WWAN.

System for seamless roaming

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment 10 in which embodiments of the present invention may operate. As shown, environment 10 includes a plurality of wireless networks through which wireless devices 12 may move and communicate. Such as a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)14, a first Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)16, and a second WLAN 18.

Each wireless network 14, 16, 18 may be a communication network that supports wireless communication. Each network supports at least one wireless link or device connection. As such, these networks may support a variety of communications including, but not limited to, analog cellular systems, digital cellular systems, Personal Communication Systems (PCS), Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), ARDIS, RAM mobile data, MetricomRicochet, paging, and Enhanced Special Mobile Radio (ESMR). The wireless networks 14, 16, 18 may use or support various protocols. Typical protocols for the WLANs 16, 18 include IEEE802.11, HomeRF, bluetooth, HiperLAN, etc. Typical protocols for the WWAN14 include time division multiple access (TDMA, such as IS-136), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), 1xRTT, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and Integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN) packet data. The connections of each wireless network may have a respective identifier, such as a particular Internet Protocol (IP) address. The transmissions over the wireless networks 14, 16, 18 may be analog or digital. Wireless networks may include or be supported by a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or private systems (e.g., cellular systems) implemented with switches, wires, cables, terrestrial transmission towers, space satellite transponders, and the like. In one embodiment, the wireless network may include any other suitable communication system, such as a dedicated mobile radio (SMR) system. Each wireless network 14, 16, 18 may have a respective operating range. The range of the various wireless networks may overlap in coverage.

The wireless networks 14, 16, 18 may be maintained or operated by the same or different service providers. In general, a service provider may be an entity that provides services to one or more users, such as network access with wireless devices. These services may include wireless services and possibly many other services including services such as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), digital telephone service, cellular service, paging service, etc. The user of the wireless device 12 may be a user of one or more services provided by one or more service providers with the wireless network 14, 16, 18.

The wireless device 12 may be an electronic device capable of communicating using wireless technology. Thus, the wireless device 12 may be, for example, a portable or desktop computer, a wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, or any other suitable electronic device capable of wireless communication. The wireless device 12 may be used by respective users who are able to move between or through the effective operating ranges of the various wireless networks 14, 16, 18. If the wireless device 12 is within range of a particular wireless network, the device 12 will be able to communicate using the links of that wireless network. When running an application, the wireless device 12 may run one or more applications that exchange data/information over the wireless network. Such an application may be, for example, a web browser that exchanges information with a distributed application known as the "world wide web". Another typical application may be an email or instant messaging service.

Generally, WLANs offer higher throughput rates (e.g., from 11Mbps to 54Mbps and higher), but are not suitable for use in higher mobility scenarios (e.g., such as when a user is in a car). WWAN can be used for high mobility scenarios but cannot provide as high throughput as WLAN. Thus, to increase throughput for the user of wireless device 12, it is desirable to connect to a WLAN when one WLAN is available and connectable to it, and to connect to a WWAN when a WLAN connection is unavailable or unavailable.

To provide uninterrupted and efficient wireless access for wireless device 12 in exemplary environment 10, the present invention provides systems and methods to enable automatic and seamless handoff of communications with wireless device 12 between a plurality of WLANs and WWANs when wireless device 12 roams between them without adversely affecting applications running on wireless device 12.

System for seamless roaming

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary system for seamless roaming between wireless networks in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the system may be incorporated into the wireless device 12 or include the wireless device 12. The wireless device 12 may be any suitable electronic device, such as a portable Personal Computer (PC), a wireless PDA or a cellular phone, having data processing means supported by (internal or external) memory and having access to a wireless network.

Many network hardware devices, such as WLAN hardware 26, WWAN hardware 28, and combination hardware 30, support connections between the wireless device 12 and various wireless networks. The WLAN hardware 26 supports connections with a WLAN. The WWAN hardware 28 supports connections with a WWAN. The combined hardware 30 supports connections with a WLAN or WWAN. These network hardware devices may be wireless modems, wireless Network Interface Cards (NICs) or any suitable hardware peripherals for supporting wireless connections. In other embodiments, these devices may be implemented in any combination of hardware and software. The driver layer 32, which may be implemented in software or hardware or a combination thereof, serves as a hardware controller for the WLAN hardware 26, WWAN hardware 28, and combination hardware 30.

The user interface (I/F)34 generally operates to enable a user to interact with the wireless device 12, such as running applications (e.g., word processing), browsing the internet, checking mail, and so forth. The functions of user interface 34 may be performed by one or more suitable input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen, an input port, a pointing device, a microphone, and/or other devices capable of receiving user input information) and one or more suitable output devices (e.g., a video display, an output port, a speaker, or other devices for communicating information, including digital data, visual information, or audio information). In one embodiment, each user interface 34 may include or be operable to display at least one Graphical User Interface (GUI) having a number of interactive devices such as buttons, windows, drop down menus, etc. to facilitate the entry, viewing and/or retrieval of information.

The wireless device 12 may operate under the control of a suitable Operating System (OS)20, such as MS-DOS, MAC OS, WINDOWS NT, WINDOWS 95, WINDOWS CE, OS/2, UNIX, LINUX, LINDOS, XENIX, PALMOS, and the like, among others. One or more software applications 22 may be running on the wireless device 12. Each application 22 may interact with the operating system 20. These applications 22 may support a number of services and functions, such as file sharing, billing, word processing, application sharing, file transfer, remote control, browser, voice over Internet Protocol (IP), user authentication, address book, files and folders, computing, database management, and so forth. At least a portion of the applications 22 may require information to be exchanged with other electronic devices over a wireless network while the applications 22 are running on the wireless device 12.

The connectivity application 24 provided in the software layer acts as a pseudo router (pseudo router) for network addresses and connections. The connectivity application 24 is logically located between the operating system 20 and the driver layer 32 of the hardware controller. The connectivity application 24 may be logically located on top of the operating system 20. Connectivity application 24 may support the detection of wireless connections to any given location available to wireless device 12. These connections include WLAN and WWAN connections. Also, unlike previously developed technologies, the connectivity application 24 maintains information and handles connectivity for heterogeneous wireless networks. In this manner, connectivity application 24 can coordinate the connection of wireless device 12 with different wireless networks to provide seamless transitions or handoffs between networks, including from a WLAN connection to a WWAN connection and from a WWAN connection to a WLAN connection, as well as between WLAN connections or between WWAN connections. Connection application 24 may provide operating system 20 with the IP address of the wireless connection in use, which in turn publishes this IP address to all applications 22. As described above, in one embodiment, the connectivity application 24 includes a User Interface (UI) component 36, a core component 38, a WLAN interface component 40, a WWAN interface component 42, and a composite interface component 44.

The WLAN interface component 40, the WWAN interface component 42, and the combined interface component 44 can provide or support connectivity to the driver layer 32, wherein the driver layer 32 includes device drivers that can be provided by respective hardware manufacturers of the network hardware devices (e.g., the WLAN hardware 26, the WWAN hardware 28, and the combined hardware 30). The WLAN interface component 40 can handle all communications with, for example, any 802.11a compliant WiFi card and its drivers. For example, the WLAN interface component 40 can interface with an Application Program Interface (API) of the WLAN card. This component 40 implements standard interfaces and specific aspects for communicating with the WLAN card to recover common information such as status, signal strength, MAC address, firmware version, etc. The WLAN interface component 40 also processes messages sent to the card and messages received by the card. The WWAN interface component 42 and the combo interface component 44 have functions similar to WLAN counterparts except that it is implemented to communicate with the API of the WWAN card.

UI component 36 provides support for the (visual, audible, physical, etc.) representation of information about the wireless connection of wireless device 12. This information may include, for example, network information for the WWAN14 and WLANs 16, 18. UI component 36 may also allow a user to configure or set (e.g., use and disable) wireless connections for device 12. In one embodiment, for example, UI component 36 may enable a user to easily and easily switch from one wireless network connection (e.g., the network connection of WWAN 14) to another wireless network connection (e.g., the network connection of WLAN 16) in a manual or automatic manner without adversely affecting applications running on wireless device 12.

Core component 38 communicates with UI component 36, WLAN interface component 40, WWAN interface component 42, and combo interface component 44. The core component 38 implements logic for keeping track of, handling and managing connections to the wireless network and notifying the operating system 20 of any changes. The core component 38 may also be responsible for automatic switching of connections, which may be rule-based switching in one embodiment. Core component 38 may automatically authenticate wireless device 12 and connect wireless device 12 to the detected preferred wireless network.

In operation, the connectivity application 24 operates to change connectivity from one wireless network to another as the wireless device 12 moves within range of, or within range of, various wireless networks (WLAN or WWAN). In one aspect, the change in wireless connection may be automatic such that, for example, upon loss of a connection from any one connection, the connection application 24 will automatically initiate the new connection and pass the corresponding IP address to the operating system 20. Then, when the application 22 is subsequently updated by using the IP connection, the application 22 will automatically assume the new IP address and begin using the new IP address for the wireless connection (e.g., according to the rules of the core component 38). This is without any significant loss of connection for the user of the wireless device 12. In another aspect, the change in wireless connection may be initiated manually by a user. The connectivity application 24 supports the detection of wireless connections available at any given location. Information regarding available wireless connections may be accessed by a user from the connectivity application 24 through the user interface 34. The user can then select which wireless connection to use for the connection (e.g., to the internet).

In this way, a system according to embodiments of the present invention can provide universal access to wireless data and efficiency of spectrum usage in a cellular bandwidth when using wireless data. Thus, for example, internet-enabled applications 22 may not experience a connection loss due to a loss of connection of wireless device 12 to a WWAN or WLAN. The application 22 also does not experience a connection loss due to a handoff from one wireless network to another (e.g., from WWAN to WLAN). Moreover, the system allows cellular network service providers to provide wireless data services supported by a combination of their already existing two-point five-generation ("2.5G") networks (such as, but not limited to GPRS, CDMA 1xRTT) and IEEE802.11 WLAN networks (such as, but not limited to 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11G, etc.), which places minimal risk on the consumption of wireless data to the entire available cellular network capacity.

User interface assembly

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary user interface component 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the user interface component 36 can be completely separated from the core functionality (e.g., managing connections) provided by the core component 38 (of FIG. 2) of the connectivity application 24. This separation may be made in order to allow users connected to the application 24 to provide their own user interfaces to the application, each interface having the look and feel (along with the trademark) desired by a particular service provider. As shown, user interface component 36 includes a third generation (3G) UI subcomponent 50, a WLAN UI subcomponent 52, an inter-subcomponent communication module 54, and a core interface (I/F) subcomponent 56.

The 3G UI subcomponent 50 can handle connect/disconnect functionality for various WWANs, which can be 2.5G or 3G mobile communication technologies. Examples of these technologies include, but are not limited to, GPRS, CDMA 1xRTT, and iDEN packet data services (for 2.5G) and W-CDMA based services such as UMTS and CDMA 3xRTT (for 3G). 2.5G and 3G technologies provide increased bandwidth relative to first generation (e.g., analog cellular) and second generation (e.g., digital PCS). For example, 3G technology provides up to 384Kbps when the wireless device is stationary or moving at walking speed, 128Kbps when in a car, and 2Mbps when in a fixed location. The 3G UI subcomponent 50 may provide or display information for the signal strength and connection type (e.g., circuit switched or packet switched) for each available WWAN (e.g., 2.5G or 3G) connection. This sub-component 50 may also display or provide information regarding the availability or absence of WWAN services.

In particular, WLAN UI subcomponent 52 can track or provide all identified WLANs at a particular location of wireless device 12, as well as their current connection and encryption status. This WLAN ui subcomponent 52 may also handle the user's selections and connection of wireless device 12 to various WLANs.

In summary, 3G UI subcomponent 50 and WLAN UI subcomponent 52 provide the user of wireless device 12 with a real-time picture of all available connections to the various wireless networks and guide the user to locations where connections are available. By interacting with 3G UI subcomponent 50 and WLAN UI subcomponent 52, the user of wireless device 12 can switch (toggle) connections between WWAN and WLAN connections.

The inter-sub-component communication module 54 is responsible for the communication status of each sub-component 50 and 52. The inter-subcomponent communication module 54 may notify the core component 38 of the connection state change for each of these subcomponents. Core I/F subcomponent 56 interacts with core component 38 of connectivity application 24. Core interface 54 may communicate, among other things, the status of the wireless connection and user interaction with UI component 36 to core component 38.

Core assembly

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary core component 38 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the core component 38 generally functions to handle and manage connections to the wireless network and to notify the operating system 20 of any changes. As shown, the core component 38 includes an active connection selection 60 and a rules engine 62.

Active connection selection 60 keeps track of the various wireless connections currently available (including WLAN and WWAN connections) and the particular wireless connection currently being used by wireless device 12. The active connection selection 60 publishes the active connection information to the operating system 20; that is, it provides information (e.g., an IP address) for the current wireless connection to the operating system 20. The currently used wireless connection may be changed by modifying (or switching) the currently active connection 60, either due to direct intervention by the user or due to one or more rules in the rules engine 62.

Rules engine 62 may implement and execute a number of rules for automatically switching wireless connections, as well as authenticating and connecting wireless device 12 to a preferred wireless network. These rules may define, for example, what should be done when a GPRS connection is lost. Rules engine 62 may also allow for the generation, modification, or deletion of rules themselves, thereby defining the feature capabilities of core component 38.

The rules engine 62 is responsible for deciding which wireless network (e.g., WWAN14, WLAN 16, or WLAN 18) to connect to in the event of a lost connection or multiple wireless networks being available. The core component 38 automatically detects any available wireless networks within the area of the wireless device 12 and uses the rules engine 62 to determine which network to connect to. The rules engine 62 operates based on input from the user and a combination of predetermined rules provided by one or more service providers (that operate or maintain the wireless network and/or provide services to the user). By way of illustration, two examples of the operation of the rules engine 62 according to embodiments of the present invention are given below.

The first rule instance illustrates the operation of the user to provide the rule. In the vicinity of the user, there are two wireless networks, network a and network B. Network a provides fast connection but is unreliable and reduces time by approximately 50%. Network B is very reliable but only provides network a 50% data rate. The user generates rules in rules engine 62 that give network a priority over network B. When the core component 38 decides which detected network to connect to using the rules engine 62, the rules engine 62 will recommend that the wireless device 12 connect to network a. In the event that the connection between the wireless device 12 and network a is lost, the core component 38 will again use the rules engine 62, which returns a recommendation that the wireless device 12 be connected to network B next.

The second rule instance illustrates the operation of the service provider to provide the rule. The service provider provides WWAN services through network P and WLAN services through network Q. For technical reasons, such as conserving spectrum availability on the WWAN (network P), the service provider may specify rules in the rules engine 62 that recommend that users currently on the WWAN must intelligently switch to the WLAN once the WLAN is available, thereby minimizing the number of users on the WWAN.

Because core component 38 maintains information and handles connections for various wireless networks (e.g., WWAN and WLAN), connectivity application 24 can coordinate seamless transitions or handoffs between wireless networks, including from WLAN connections to WWAN connections, and from WWAN connections to WLAN connections, or between different WWAN connections or between different WLAN connections. Such seamless session handover functionality may be handled by a specialized implementation of well-defined standards, such as mobile Internet Protocol (IP) or IPv6 (also known as IPng or next generation IP).

Method for seamless roaming

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 100 for seamless roaming between wireless networks in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 5, the method 100 can be performed, at least in part, by a connectivity application 24 running on the wireless device 12, wherein the wireless device 12 has mobility for coverage provided over one or more wireless networks. The method 100 begins at step 102, where the wireless device 12 searches for available wireless networks (e.g., WWAN, WLAN, etc.). At step 104, connectivity application 24 determines whether at least one network has been detected. If no network is detected, the method 100 returns to step 102 where the wireless device 12 continues to search for a wireless network.

If at least one network is detected, wireless device 12 searches rules engine 62 of connectivity application 24 to identify one or more applicable rules for connecting wireless device 12 to one of the detected networks at step 106. At step 108, the connectivity application 24 directs the wireless device 12 to connect to the particular detected network via the recommendations of the rules engine 62. Once connected, the connection is monitored and maintained at step 110 (discussed further below).

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method for network connection monitoring and maintenance, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 6, the connectivity application monitors the current network connection at step 112. Such monitoring may include, for example, measuring the presence or strength of the current network connection, or perceiving a desire to maintain the current network connection. At step 114, wireless device 12 determines whether there has been a loss in the wireless connection. If there is a loss, the method 100 returns to step 102 where the wireless device 12 searches for available wireless networks. Otherwise, if the connection has not been lost, then at step 116, connectivity application 24 determines whether there has been any user intervention, such as the user shutting down wireless device 12 or initiating a manual switch of wireless connectivity between different available networks. If there has not been any user intervention, the method 100 returns to step 112 where the current network connection is further monitored.

On the other hand, if there is user intervention at step 116, then at step 118, the connectivity application 24 determines whether the user has initiated an instruction to manually switch to a connection to another wireless network. If so, connectivity application 24 directs wireless device 12 to connect to the user-specified network at step 120. Based on making this user-initiated handoff, the method 100 returns to step 112 and begins monitoring of the new network connection. Otherwise, if there has been user intervention, but a manual network connection switch has not been initiated, the method 100 ends.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope such changes and modifications as are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (27)

1. A wireless device for seamlessly roaming between one or more Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs) and one or more Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the wireless device comprising:

a user interface enabling a user to interact with the wireless device;

one or more network interfaces connected to the wireless device and to the one or more WWANs and the one or more WLANs;

an operating system running on the wireless device;

a connectivity application running on top of the operating system, comprising:

a user interface component connected to the user interface;

a core component connected to the user interface component; and

one or more network interface components connected to the core component; and

a driver layer operative above the operating system and connected to the one or more network interface components and the one or more network interfaces.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises:

an input device, the input device including at least one of:

a keyboard;

a touch screen;

an input port;

a pointing device; and

a microphone; and

an output device comprising at least one of:

a video display;

an output port; and

a loudspeaker.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, further comprising at least one Graphical User Interface (GUI) having a plurality of interaction means designed to facilitate user interaction with the wireless device through the input device and the output device.

4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the one or more network interfaces comprise at least one of:

a WWAN interface and a WLAN interface; and

a WWAN/WLAN interface is combined.

5. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein the WWAN interface and the combined WWAN/WLAN interface are connectable to at least one of the following networks:

simulating a cellular network;

a digital cellular network;

a TDMA network;

a CDMA network;

a 1xRTT network;

a GPRS network;

a GSM network;

an EDGE network;

a UMTS network; and

iDEN packet data networks.

6. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein the WLAN interface and the combined WWAN/WLAN interface are connectable to at least one of:

an IEEE802.11 network;

a HomeRF network;

a Bluetooth network; and

HiperLAN networks.

7. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the WWAN interface, the WLAN interface, and the combined WWAN/WLAN interface is implemented in hardware.

8. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the WWAN interface, the WLAN interface, and the combined WWAN/WLAN interface is implemented in software.

9. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the WWAN interface, the WLAN interface, and the combined WWAN/WLAN interface is implemented simultaneously by hardware and software.

10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the operating system comprises one of:

MS-DOS；

MAC OS；

WINDOWS；

OS/2；

UNIX；

LINUX；

LINDOWS；

XENIX; and

PALM OS。

11. the wireless device of claim 1, wherein the user interface component comprises:

a third generation subcomponent;

a WLAN user interface subcomponent;

an inter-sub-component communication module connected to the third generation sub-component and the WLAN user interface sub-component; and

a core interface subassembly connected to the inter-subassembly communication module.

12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein:

the inter-sub-component communication module is further connected to the user interface component; and is

The core interface subassembly is further connected to the core component.

13. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the core comprises an active connection selection subcomponent and a rules engine subcomponent, wherein:

the active connection selection subcomponent implements logic to:

detecting an availability of the one or more WWANs and the one or more WLANs via the one or more network interface components;

establishing and maintaining a connection to a first of the available one or more WWANs and one or more WLANs; and

communicating the availability and connection status to a user through the user interface component; and is

The rules engine subcomponent implements logic to:

a selection criterion is defined by which the active connection selection subcomponent establishes and maintains a connection to a first one of the available one or more WWANs and one or more WLANs.

14. The wireless device of claim 13, the active connection selection subcomponent further implements logic to automatically switch the connection from a first one of the available one or more WWANs and one or more WLANs to a second one of the available one or more WWANs and one or more WLANs based on selection criteria of the rules engine subcomponent.

15. The wireless device of claim 13, the active connection selection subcomponent further implements logic to switch the connection from a first one of the available one or more WWANs and one or more WLANs to a second one of the available one or more WWANs and one or more WLANs based on a manual switch selection by a user.

16. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein the user interface component provides the availability and connection status to a user through the user interface.

17. The wireless device of claim 1, further comprising one or more other applications running on top of the operating system and connected to the one or more WWANs and the one or more WLANs through the connectivity application.

18. A method for seamless handover of a wireless device between one or more Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs) and one or more Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the method comprising the steps of:

detecting available networks from the one or more WWANs and the one or more WLANs;

selecting one of the available networks for use by the wireless device, the selecting comprising:

searching the rules engine for applicable rules defining which available network to select; and

applying the applicable rules;

connecting the wireless device to the selected available network; and

maintaining the wireless device connection.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more WWANs comprise at least one of:

simulating a cellular network;

a digital cellular network;

a TDMA network;

a CDMA network;

a 1xRTT network;

a GPRS network;

a GSM network;

an EDGE network;

a UMTS network; and

iDEN packet data networks.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more WLANs include at least one of:

an IEEE802.11 network;

a HomeRF network;

a Bluetooth network; and

HiperLAN networks.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the steps of detecting, selecting, connecting, and maintaining are performed automatically.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the rules engine includes rules for one or more service providers.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rules of the one or more service providers comprise WLAN preference rules.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the maintaining step comprises:

monitoring the selected available network connection to determine a loss of connection;

once it is determined that the connection is lost, the steps of selecting and connecting are repeated.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

communicating the network availability and connection status to a user of the wireless device; and

enabling a user to manually switch the wireless device connection from the selected available network to another available network.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

facilitating user definition of selection criteria to be included in the rules engine.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the enabling step comprises:

detecting user interference;

determining whether the intervention is a request by a user to switch the wireless device connection from the selected available network;

disconnecting the network device from the selected available network and reconnecting the network device to another available network if the intervention is the request; and

if the intervention is not the request, ending the network device connection.