HK1159930B - Communication method and system for location-based dynamic radio selection - Google Patents

Description

Communication method and system for location-based dynamic radio selection

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to a method and system for location-based dynamic radio selection.

Background

Next generation mobile networks will employ several different radio access (radio access) technologies, such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), bluetooth network, and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, in combination to form a heterogeneous wireless access network system. Different radio access networks provide different levels of capacity and coverage to end users. A large variety of services are provided to end users through the heterogeneous wireless access network system using different radio access technologies. The adoption of a heterogeneous radio access network system ensures that the end user can have enhanced network connectivity anywhere at any time to improve quality of service.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A method and/or system for dynamic location-based radio selection, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method, the method comprising:

performing, by one or more processors and/or circuits within a multi-radio mobile device comprising a plurality of different radios, the steps of:

obtaining location-based radio information for a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device;

selecting a radio from the plurality of different radios for the particular location based on the obtained location-based radio information.

Preferably, the obtained location-based radio information includes available radios for the specific location and a radio weight (weight) corresponding to the specific location.

Preferably, the method further comprises selecting the radio from the available radios based on the radio weight corresponding to the particular location.

Preferably, the method further comprises receiving signals of the desired service at the particular location using the selected radio.

Preferably, the method further comprises measuring at the specific location the signal strength of the signal of the desired service received by the selected radio.

Preferably, the method further comprises generating a location-based radio measurement report for the selected radio using the signal strength measurement value for the particular location, the information about the selected radio at the particular location, and the information about the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device.

Preferably, the method further comprises receiving location updates for the multi-radio mobile device from a remote location server.

Preferably, the method further comprises transmitting the generated location based radio measurement report to the remote location server.

Preferably, the remote location server receives a plurality of location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of mobile devices corresponding to the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device.

Preferably, the remote location server calculates radio quality information for the available radios within the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device using the received plurality of location-based radio measurement reports.

Preferably, the remote location server determines the radio weights of the available radios within the particular location based on the calculated radio quality information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising:

one or more processors and/or circuitry for use within a multi-radio mobile device, the one or more processors and/or circuitry to:

obtaining location-based radio information for a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device;

selecting a radio from the plurality of different radios for the particular location based on the obtained location-based radio information.

Preferably, the obtained location-based radio information includes available radios for the specific location and radio weights corresponding to the specific location.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits select the radio from the available radios based on a radio weight corresponding to the particular location.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits receive signals of a desired service at the particular location using the selected radio.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits measure signal strength of signals of the desired service received by the selected radio at the particular location.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to generate a location-based radio measurement report for the selected radio using the signal strength measurement for the particular location, the information about the selected radio at the particular location, and the information about the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to receive location updates for the multi-radio mobile device from a remote location server.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits transmit the generated location-based radio measurement report to the remote location server.

Preferably, the remote location server receives a plurality of location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of mobile devices corresponding to the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device.

Preferably, the remote location server calculates radio quality information for the available radios within the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device using the received plurality of location-based radio measurement reports.

Preferably, the remote location server determines the radio weights of the available radios within the particular location based on the calculated radio quality information.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully described with reference to the following description and drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example communication system supporting location-based dynamic radio selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example multi-wireless mobile device performing location-based dynamic radio selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example location server providing location-based radio information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of method steps for generating a location-based radio measurement report by a multi-radio mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of method steps for tracking location-based radio measurements by a location server to build a reference database, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of method steps for performing location-based dynamic radio selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a method and system for location-based dynamic radio selection. In embodiments of the present invention, a multi-radio mobile device including multiple different radios, e.g., WLAN radio, WiMAX radio, may perform location-based dynamic radio selection. For example, in the event of a location update, a multi-radio mobile device at a particular location may obtain corresponding location-based radio information from a remote location server. The multi-radio mobile device may select one radio from a plurality of different radios for the particular location based on the obtained location-based radio information. The acquired location-based radio information includes available radios for the particular location, and corresponding radio weights. The radio may be selected from the available radios based on the corresponding radio weight for the particular location.

The transmission of the desired service may be received by the multi-radio mobile device at the particular location using the selected radio. The signal strength of the received transmission may be measured at that particular location. Using the signal strength measurement, the information about the selected radio, and the information about the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device, a location-based radio measurement report can be generated for the selected radio. The generated location-based radio measurement reports may be transmitted to a remote location server to build or accurately reference a location database. The location server may track or receive a plurality of location-related information, such as location-based radio measurement reports, from a plurality of users, such as mobile devices, corresponding to a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device. Radio quality information, such as uncertainty level and reliability level, of the available radios for the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device may be calculated by the location server using the received plurality of location-based radio measurement reports. The corresponding radio weights for the available radios for the particular location may be determined based on the calculated radio quality information.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example communication system supporting location-based dynamic radio selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1, a communication system 100 is shown. The communication system 100 includes service areas 110a-110c, a plurality of multi-radio mobile devices (shown as multi-radio mobile devices 112 and 116), a heterogeneous network system 120, a location server 130 having a reference database 132, a Satellite Reference Network (SRN)140, and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite facility 150. The heterogeneous network system 120 includes a plurality of different radio access networks, of which a WLAN121, a bluetooth network 122, a CDMA network 123, a UMTS network 124 and a WiMAX network 125 are shown.

The multi-radio mobile device 112, 116 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to communicate radio frequency signals with a plurality of mobile communication access networks, such as the WLAN121, the bluetooth network 122, the CDMA network 123, the UMTS network 124 and/or the WiMAX network 125. Depending on device capabilities, a multi-radio mobile device, such as multi-radio mobile device 112, may utilize one or more radios, such as WLAN radios and cellular radios, to communicate with a corresponding radio site (radio) to receive a desired service. In this application, a radio station of a particular radio access network includes one or more base stations or Access Points (APs). For receiving the desired service, a suitable radio, e.g. a WLAN radio, may be selected from a set of available radios.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the multi-radio mobile device 112 may measure the signal strength of the selected radio. Signal strength measurements may be performed on selected radios at different locations over a period of time. In this regard, the location of the multi-radio mobile device 112 may be determined in response to corresponding signal strength measurements of the selected radio. The signal strength measurements for the determined locations of the multi-radio mobile device 112 may vary depending on the corresponding radio selection information. The radio selection information includes, for example, information regarding which radio access network was selected, and which radio site, base station, or access point was used by the multi-radio mobile device 112 for the determined location. In this regard, the multi-radio mobile device 112 may location stamp the radio selection information and corresponding signal strength measurements using the determined location to generate a location-based radio measurement report. The generated location-based radio measurement reports may be transmitted to a location server to build the reference database 132.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, radio information, e.g., available radios and/or radio quality information such as uncertainty and reliability levels of available radios, may vary at different locations. In this regard, the multi-radio mobile device 112 may obtain location-based radio information from the location server 130 whenever a location update occurs. In an example embodiment of the invention, when the multi-radio mobile device 112 is moving from a location within service area 110a to a location within service area 110b, the multi-radio mobile device 112 may obtain location-based radio information from the location server 130 regarding the location within service area 110 b. The acquired location-based radio information may be used by multi-radio mobile device 112 to determine which radio and radio site may be selected for the location within service area 110b to support the desired service. For example, the multi-radio mobile device 112 may select a radio site of an available radio within the service area 110b that has the highest radio reliability level or the lowest radio uncertainty level of the available radios.

The heterogeneous network system 120 may comprise suitable devices, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide a radio connection between a wireless mobile device, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112, and a selected radio site in a suitable wireless radio communication system or radio network, depending on the usage and/or mobility state of the multi-radio mobile device 112. Different radio access technologies may be used in the heterogeneous network system 120 to provide the multi-radio mobile device 112 with access to desired services. In particular, heterogeneous network system 120 may support location-based dynamic radio selection at an associated user, such as multi-radio mobile device 112, to optimize radio usage on multi-radio mobile device 112.

The WLAN121 may comprise suitable devices, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide data services to various WLAN communication devices, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112, using WLAN technology. Example WLAN technologies include, for example, IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11d, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11v, and/or 802.11 u. The WLAN121 includes a plurality of WLAN access points, such as WLAN access points 121a-121 c. The WLAN121 may communicate various data services, such as Location Based Services (LBS), over the WLAN connection between the WLAN access points 121a-121c and a corresponding WLAN device, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112. In this regard, the signal strength of signals transmitted over a WLAN connection between a multi-radio mobile device 112 at a particular location and a WLAN access point, e.g., 112a, may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 112. The location server 130 may evaluate or determine radio quality information, such as uncertainty or reliability level, about the WLAN access point 121a at the particular location. The location of the WLAN access point 121a may be determined for location-based applications, such as location-based access control over the WLAN access point 121 a. The signal strength measurements of the transmissions from the WLAN access point 121a at the particular location, the location information of the WLAN access point 121a, and the radio quality information about the WLAN access point 121a at the particular location may be collected or tracked by the location server 130. The location server 130 shares the collected information among multiple users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116, to support location-based radio selection.

The bluetooth network 122 may comprise suitable devices, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide data services to various bluetooth mobiles, such as the multiradio mobile 112, using bluetooth technology. Exemplary bluetooth technologies include, for example, IEEE standards IEEE802.15WPAN and/or LEEE802.14.4. The bluetooth network 122 includes a plurality of bluetooth access points, such as bluetooth access points 122a-122 c. The bluetooth network 122 may communicate various data services, such as Location Based Services (LBS), over a bluetooth connection between the multi-radio mobile device 112 and a bluetooth access point, such as 112 a. In this regard, the signal strength of signals transmitted over a bluetooth connection between a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device 112 and a bluetooth access point, e.g., 122a, may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 112. Location server 130 may evaluate or determine radio quality information, such as uncertainty or reliability level, about bluetooth access point 122a at the particular location. The location of bluetooth access point 122a may be determined for location-based applications, such as location-based access control on bluetooth access point 122 a. Signal strength measurements of signals transmitted by bluetooth access point 122a at the particular location, location information of bluetooth access point 122a, and radio quality information about bluetooth access point 122a at the particular location may be collected or tracked by location server 130. The location server 130 shares the collected information among multiple users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116, to support location-based radio selection.

CDMA network 123 may comprise suitable devices, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable providing data services to various CDMA mobile devices, such as multi-radio mobile device 112, using CDMA techniques. CDMA network 123 includes a plurality of base stations, such as base stations 123a-123 b. The CDMA network 123 may communicate various data services, such as Location Based Services (LBS), over a CDMA connection between the multi-radio mobile device 112 and a CDMA base station, such as 112 a. In this regard, the signal strength of signals transmitted over a CDMA connection between a multi-radio mobile device 112 and a CDMA base station, such as 123a, at a particular location may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 112. The location server 130 may evaluate or determine radio quality information, such as uncertainty or reliability level, about the CDMA base station 123a at the particular location. The location of CDMA base station 123a may be determined for location-based applications, such as location-based access control at CDMA base station 123 a. The signal strength measurements of the signals transmitted by CDMA base station 123a at the particular location, the location information of CDMA base station 123a, and the radio quality information about CDMA base station 123a at the particular location may be collected or tracked by location server 130. The location server 130 shares the collected information among multiple users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116, to support location-based radio selection.

The UMTS network 124 may comprise suitable devices, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide data services to various UMTS mobile devices, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112, using UMTS technology. The UMTS network 124 includes a plurality of UMTS base stations, such as base stations 124a-124 b. The UMTS network 124 may communicate various data services, such as Location Based Services (LBS), over a UMTS connection between the multi-radio mobile device 112 and a UMTS base station, such as 112 a. In this regard, the signal strength of signals transmitted over the UMTS connection between the multi-radio mobile device 112 and the UMTS base station, e.g., 124a, at a particular location may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 112. The location server 130 may evaluate or determine radio quality information, such as uncertainty or reliability level, about the UMTS base station 124a at the particular location. The location of the UMTS base station 124a may be determined for location-based applications, such as location-based access control on the UMTS base station 124 a. Signal strength measurements of the signals transmitted by the UMTS base station 124a at the particular location, location information for the UMTS base station 124a, and radio quality information about the UMTS base station 124a at the particular location may be collected or tracked by the location server 130. The location server 130 shares the collected information among multiple users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116, to support location-based radio selection.

WIMAX network 125 may comprise suitable devices, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide data services to various WIMAX mobile devices such as multi-radio mobile device 112 using WIMAX technology. The WIMAX network 125 includes a plurality of WIMAX base stations, such as base stations 125a-125 b. The WIMAX network 125 may communicate various data services, such as Location Based Services (LBS), over a WIMAX connection between the multi-radio mobile device 112 and a WIMAX base station, such as 112 a. In this regard, the signal strength of signals transmitted over the WIMAX connection between the multi-radio mobile device 112 and the WIMAX base station, e.g., 125a, at a particular location may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 112. The location server 130 may evaluate or determine radio quality information, such as uncertainty or reliability level, about the WIMAX base station 125a at the particular location. For location based applications, such as location based access control on WIMAX base station 125a, the location of WIMAX base station 125a may be determined. The signal strength measurements of the signals transmitted by WIMAX base station 125a at the particular location, the location information of WIMAX base station 125a, and the radio quality information about WIMAX base station 125a at the particular location may be collected or tracked by location server 130. The location server 130 shares the collected information among multiple users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116, to support location-based radio selection.

The location server 130 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be enabled to access a Satellite Reference Network (SRN)140 to collect GNSS satellite data by tracking a GNSS constellation (constellation) via the SRN 140. The location server 130 may utilize the collected GNSS satellite data to generate GNSS assistance data, which may include, for example, ephemeris data, LTO data, reference location, and/or time information. Location server 130 collects and/or obtains location-related information for associated users. In this regard, the location server 130 may collect or receive location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116. The location-based radio measurement reports received from, for example, multi-radio mobile device 112, may include information such as location information for multi-radio mobile device 112, the selected radio, and the corresponding signal strength measurement for the selected radio at a particular location. In the case where a radio site, such as base station 123a in CDMA network 123, is selected by a multi-radio mobile device 112 at a particular location, radio quality information, such as uncertainty and reliability level, associated with base station 123a at the particular location may be calculated by location server 130 using the corresponding radio signal strength measurement of base station 123a at the particular location. Based on the calculated radio quality information, the radio weight of the base station 123a at the specific location can be determined. The radio weights provide a relative measure of signal quality. For example, smaller radio weights are due to lower signal quality radios. The radio quality information calculated for the base station 123a at the particular location and/or the determined radio weights may be stored in the reference database 132.

The location server 130 may provide radio information, such as radio quality information or radio weights, to the user depending on the user location information. For example, when the location server 130 receives a radio information request for a particular location from a user, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112, the location server 130 may identify radios and corresponding radio sites, i.e., base stations or access points, that are available to serve the particular location and/or surrounding area. The radio quality information or radio weights for that particular location in relation to the identified radio stations may be obtained from the reference database 132. Location server 130 may utilize some information, such as the identified available radios for the particular location, location information for the identified available radio sites, and/or radio quality information or radio weights obtained for the identified available radio sites at the particular location, to generate location-based radio information for multi-radio mobile device 112 at the particular location.

The SRN140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to continuously collect and/or distribute GNSS satellite data. SRN140 may include multiple GNSS reference tracking stations located worldwide to provide assisted GNSS (a-GNSS) coverage throughout a home network and/or any visited network.

The GNSS satellites 150a-150b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to generate and broadcast satellite navigation information. The broadcasted satellite navigation information may be collected by the SRN140 for use by the location server 130 to enhance the LBS service. The GNSS satellites 150a-150b may include GPS, Galileo, and/or GLONASS satellites.

In exemplary operation, a multi-radio mobile device, such as multi-radio mobile device 112, may receive a desired service using an appropriate radio selected from a set of available radios. The signal strength of the selected radio may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 112 at various different locations over a period of time. In response to the corresponding signal strength measurements for the selected radio, the location of the multi-radio mobile device 112 may be determined. Using the determined location of the multi-radio mobile device 112, the signal strength measurements and related radio selection information, such as radio access network selection and radio site selection, may be location stamped to generate location-based radio measurement reports. The generated location-based radio measurement reports may be provided to the location server 130 to build the reference database 132. The location server 130 may track location information for the associated communication devices, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112, the base stations 123a-123b, and the Bluetooth access points 122a-122 c. The location server 130 may evaluate radio quality information, such as reliability or uncertainty level, of the radios, such as cellular radios and WLAN radios, for the location of interest. For example, location server 130 may determine or calculate radio quality information for available radios for a particular location based on a plurality of location-based radio measurement reports received for the particular location. Based on the correspondingly calculated radio quality information, radio weights for the available radios in a particular location may be determined. The determined radio weights for a particular location may be stored in the reference database 132. Upon receiving a radio information request from the multi-radio mobile device 112 at a particular location, the location server 130 communicates with the reference database 132 to obtain radio information associated with the particular location. The location-based radio information may include available radios at the particular location, location information for corresponding radio sites serving the particular location, and/or radio quality information for the particular location. Location server 130 provides location-based radio information to multi-radio mobile device 112 for location-based radio selection. For example, the multi-radio mobile device 112 may select the radio with the highest radio weight among the available radios in the particular location to support the desired service.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example multi-wire mobile device that performs location-based dynamic radio selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, a multi-radio mobile device 200 is shown. The multi-radio mobile device 200 includes a GNSS radio 202, a WLAN radio 204, a Bluetooth radio 206, a cellular radio 208, a WiMAX radio 210, a local radio database 212, and a memory 216.

The GNSS radio 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to detect and receive GNSS signals from a plurality of visible GNSS satellites such as the GNSS satellite 162 and 166. The GNSS radio 202 may utilize the received GNSS signals to calculate navigation information such as GNSS position and/or velocity of the GNSS radio 202. The computed GNSS position of the GNSS radio 202 may be provided to the host processor 214 for various applications, such as position stamping signal strength measurements of selected radios.

The WLAN radio 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable receiving and/or transmitting Radio Frequency (RF) signals using WLAN techniques. The WLAN radio 204 may transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals over a WLAN connection between the multi-radio mobile device 200 and a WLAN access point, e.g., 121 a. In this regard, radio frequency signals received by the WLAN radio 204 may be communicated to the host processor 214 to calculate or measure signal strength of the WLAN radio 204.

The bluetooth radio 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable receiving and/or transmitting signals using bluetooth technology. The bluetooth radio 206 may transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals over a bluetooth connection between the multi-radio mobile device 200 and a bluetooth access point, e.g., 122 a. In this regard, radio frequency signals received by the Bluetooth radio 206 may be communicated to the host processor 214 to calculate or measure the signal strength of the Bluetooth radio 206.

The cellular radio 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable receiving and/or transmitting signals using various cellular technologies (e.g., CDMA, UMTS, GSM and/or LTE). The cellular radio 208 may transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals over a cellular radio connection between the multi-radio mobile device 200 and a cellular base station, e.g., 123a, within the CDMA network 123. In this regard, radio frequency signals received by the cellular radio 208 may be communicated to the main processor 214 to calculate or measure the signal strength of the cellular radio 208.

The WiMAX radio 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive and/or transmit signals using WiMAX technology. The WiMAX radio 210 may transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals over a WiMAX radio connection between the multi-radio mobile device 200 and a WiMAX base station, e.g., 125a, within the WiMAX network 125. In this regard, radio frequency signals received by the WiMAX radio 210 may be communicated to the host processor 214 to calculate or measure the signal strength of the WiMAX radio 210.

The local radio database 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable recording and storing of data associated with local radio information. The stored data includes, for example, signal strength measurements of the selected radio, and radio selection information. The stored data also includes location-based radio information, such as available radios within the locations of the multi-radio mobile device 200, location information for radio sites of available radios, and/or radio quality information. The contents of the local radio database 212 may be used by the multi-radio mobile device 200 for location-based radio selection. At least a portion of the local radio database 212 may be transmitted to the location server 130 to establish and/or accurately reference the database 132. The local radio database 212 may be updated or accurate as needed, on an irregular or periodic basis.

The host processor 214 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable management and/or control of operations of associated equipment component units, such as the GNSS radio 202, the cellular radio 208 and/or the local radio database 212, based on usage. For example, the host processor 214 may activate or deactivate one or more associated radios, such as the GNSS radio 202, as needed to save power. The main processor 214 may coordinate the operation of the relevant device component units for a particular application. Depending on the capabilities of the device, the host processor 214 may utilize one or more radios, such as the WLAN radio 204 and the cellular radio 208, to receive the desired service. In this regard, the primary processor 214 may select an appropriate radio from a set of available radios for receipt of the desired service.

In an example embodiment of the invention, the host processor 214 may measure the signal strength of a selected radio (e.g., the WLAN radio 204) using signals received from the WLAN access point, e.g., 121a, via the WLAN radio 204. Signal strength measurements may be performed on signals received by the WLAN radio 204 at different locations. In this regard, the host processor 214 may activate the GNSS radio 202 to determine location information of the multi-radio mobile device 200 corresponding to the signal strength measurements. The main processor 214 may use the determined location of the multi-radio mobile device 200 to location stamp the signal strength measurements and corresponding radio selection information. The resulting location-stamped information may be used by the host processor 214 to generate a location-based radio measurement report. The generated location-based radio measurement reports may be transmitted to the location server 130 to build the reference database 132.

In one example embodiment of the invention, the main processor 214 sends a location information request to the location server 130 to obtain location-based radio information for an outdoor location when a location update occurs, such as when the multi-radio mobile device 200 is moving from an indoor location to an outdoor location. The obtained location-based radio information includes some information, such as which radios are available in the outdoor location, radio weights of the available radios in the outdoor location, and/or location information of the radio sites of the available radios in the outdoor location. The main processor 214 may utilize the acquired location-based radio information to determine which radio may be selected for the outdoor location to support the desired service. For example, the cellular radio with the highest radio weight of the available radios within the outdoor location, such as cellular radio 208, may be selected to support the desired service at the outdoor location.

The memory 216 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of information such as executable instructions and data used by the host processor 214 and/or other associated component units (e.g., the WLAN radio 204 and the bluetooth radio 206). Memory 216 includes RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

In an example operation, the main processor 214 may manage and coordinate the operation of the relevant device units to dynamically select an appropriate radio usage based on the location of the multi-radio mobile device 200. In this regard, the primary processor 214 may monitor the performance of the selected cellular radio 208 by measuring the signal strength of the signals received by the cellular radio 208. Corresponding location information for the multi-radio mobile device 200 for signal strength measurements may be determined using GNSS signals received through the GNSS radio 202. The signal strength measurements and associated radio selection information may be location stamped with the determined location of the multi-radio mobile device 200 to generate a location-based radio measurement report. The generated location-based radio measurement report may be transmitted to the location server 130 via the cellular radio 208.

While the multi-radio mobile device 200 is moving to a particular location within service area 110b, the main processor 214 communicates with the location server 130 for location-based radio information regarding the particular location within service area 110 b. The acquired location-based radio information may be used by the main processor 214 to determine the appropriate radio to use at that particular location to support the desired service. For example, the radio for the particular location within service area 110b may be selected according to the corresponding radio weight and device capabilities of multi-radio mobile device 200.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an example location server providing location-based radio information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 3, a location server 300 is shown. The location server 300 includes a processor 302, a reference database 304, and a memory 306.

The processor 302 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable managing and/or controlling the operation of the reference database 304 and the memory 306. The processor 302 may communicate with the SRN150 to collect GNSS satellite data by tracking a GNSS constellation via the SRN 150. The processor 302 may utilize the collected GNSS satellite data to build the reference database 304, and the reference database 304 may be internally or externally connected to the location server 300.

Processor 302 collects and/or obtains location-related information for associated users. In this regard, the processor 302 may collect or receive location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116. The received location-based radio measurement report may include some information such as the location of the multiradio mobile device 112 and 116, the associated radio selection, and the corresponding signal strength measurement. The processor 302 evaluates or determines radio quality information, such as uncertainty or reliability levels, of the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116 at the different locations using the corresponding signal strength measurements. Based on the determined radio quality information, radio weights for the selected radio may be calculated. The calculated radio weights may be stored in the reference database 304.

Location-based radio quality information may be provided to the user in accordance with the user location information. For example, when processor 302 receives a radio information request from a user at a particular location, such as multi-radio mobile device 112, processor 302 may identify the radio and corresponding radio site serving the particular location and/or surrounding area. The radio weights for that particular location in relation to the identified radio stations may be obtained from the reference database 304. Location-based radio information, such as the identified available radios for the particular location, location information for the identified available radio sites, and/or the acquired radio weights for the identified available radio sites, may be generated by the processor 302 to provide to the multi-radio mobile device 112 for location-based radio selection.

The memory 306 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of information such as executable instructions and data used by the host processor 304 and/or other associated component units (e.g., the reference database 304). Memory 306 includes RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage means.

In an example operation, the processor 302 tracks location related information for the relevant user to build the reference database 304. Processor 302 collects and/or obtains location-related information, such as location-based radio measurement reports, from associated users. The received location-based radio measurement report may include some information such as the location of the multiradio mobile device 112 and 116, the associated radio selection, and the corresponding signal strength measurement. The processor 302 determines the location based radio weights based on signal strength measurements in the received location based radio measurement reports. The determined radio weights may be stored in the reference database 304 so as to be sharable among the users. In this regard, the processor 302 may provide location-based radio information, such as available radios and corresponding radio weights, to the user as a function of the user location information. The location-based radio information may be provided to the multi-radio mobile device 112 to support location-based radio selection.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of method steps for generating location-based radio measurement reports by a multi-radio mobile device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 4, an example step test and step 402. In step 402, a multi-radio mobile device, such as the multi-radio mobile device 200, receives a transmission of a desired service over a connection between the multi-radio mobile device 200 and a radio site of a selected radio (base station 125a within the WiMAX network 125). In step 104, the host processor 214 calculates a signal strength measurement of the signal transmitted by the WiMAX radio 210. In step 406, the host processor 214 activates the GNSS radio 202 to receive GNSS signals from visible GNSS satellites such as 162 and 166. The GNSS signals received by the GNSS radio 202 may be used by the host processor 214 to calculate or determine a location of the multi-radio mobile device 200 corresponding to the signal strength measurements. In step 408, the main processor 214 generates a location-based radio measurement report using the determined location of the multi-radio mobile device 200, the signal strength measurements, and the corresponding radio selection information. In step 410, the main processor 214 may transmit the generated location-based radio measurement reports to a remote location server, such as the location server 300, to establish or precisely reference the database 304.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of method steps for tracking location-based radio measurements by a location server to build a reference database, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, example steps begin at step 502. In step 502, the location server 300 collects or receives location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of users, such as the multi-radio mobile device 112 and 116. The received location-based radio measurement report may include some information, such as signal strength measurements for a particular radio station and/or the location at which the signal strength measurements were performed. In step 504, the location server 300 identifies the location of a particular radio station. In step 506, the location server 300 calculates location based radio quality information, such as an uncertainty level or a reliability level, for the identified specific radio station using the corresponding signal strength measurement values within the received location based radio measurement report. In step 508, the location server 300 determines location-based radio weights for the identified specific radio station based on the calculated location-based radio quality information. In step 510, location server 300 generates location-based radio information for the intended location of a multi-radio mobile device, such as multi-radio mobile device 200. The generated location-based radio information includes, for example, available radios within the intended location, location information for radio stations with available radios within the intended location range, and/or radio weights for radio stations with available radios within the intended location range. In step 512, the location server 300 transmits the generated location-based radio information to the intended user as needed.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of method steps for performing location-based dynamic radio selection in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, exemplary steps begin at step 602. In step 602, a multi-radio mobile device, such as multi-radio mobile device 112, receives a transmission of a desired service. When the multi-radio mobile device 112 is moving to a different location, such as a particular location within service area 110a, a request for location-based radio information for the particular location within the service area 110a is sent to a remote location server, such as remote location server 130. The location-based radio information request includes information such as an Identifier (ID) of a particular location and/or multi-radio mobile device 112 within service area 110 a. Upon receiving the request from the multi-radio mobile device 112, the location server 130 identifies a group of radio sites serving a particular location within the service area 110a based on the user ID in the received radio information request, step 604. In step 606, location server 130 obtains radio quality information for the identified group of radio stations serving the particular location. In step 608, the location server 130 transmits the generated location-based radio information to the multiradio mobile device 112. In step 610, the multi-radio mobile device 112 selects a radio site based on the location-based radio information received from the location server 130. In step 612, the multiradio mobile device 112 receives transmissions of the desired service from the selected radio sites. The example method steps end in step 614.

In exemplary aspects of the present method and system for location-based dynamic radio selection, a multi-radio mobile device, such as multi-radio mobile device 200, includes a plurality of different radios, such as WLAN radio 204 and cellular radio 206. The multi-radio mobile device 200 may perform location-based dynamic radio selection. For example, in the event a location update occurs, the multi-radio mobile device 200 may obtain corresponding location-based radio information from a remote location server, such as location server 300, for a particular location. The multi-radio mobile device 200 may select a radio from a plurality of different radios for the particular location based on the obtained location-based radio information. The acquired location-based radio information includes available radios for the particular location, and corresponding radio weights. Based on the corresponding radio weights for that particular location, the multi-radio mobile device 200 may select an appropriate radio from the available radios.

The multi-radio mobile device 200 receives the transmission of the desired service using the selected radio at the particular location. The signal strength of the received signal for the desired service may be measured by the multi-radio mobile device 200 at that particular location. Using the signal strength measurement, the information about the selected radio, and the information about the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device, the multi-radio mobile device 200 generates a location-based radio measurement report for the selected radio, as described in connection with fig. 4. The generated location-based radio measurement reports may be transmitted to the location server 300 to establish or accurately reference the location database 304. The location server 300 may track or receive a plurality of location-related information, such as location-based radio measurement reports, from a plurality of mobile devices corresponding to a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device 200. Radio quality information, such as uncertainty level and reliability level, for the available radios for that particular location of the multi-radio mobile device may be calculated by the location server 300 using the received plurality of location-based radio measurement reports. The corresponding radio weights for the available radios for the particular location may be determined based on the calculated radio quality information.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a non-transitory computer readable storage and/or medium having stored thereon machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer to cause the machine and/or computer to perform the steps described above to implement location-based dynamic radio selection.

Thus, the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or both. The present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program means any expression, any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) replicate into different material morphologies.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

performing, by one or more processors and/or circuits within a multi-radio mobile device comprising a plurality of different radios, the steps of:

obtaining location-based radio information from a remote location server for a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device, wherein the obtained location-based radio information includes available radios for the particular location and radio weights corresponding to the particular location;

selecting a radio from the plurality of different radios for the particular location based on the obtained location-based radio information,

the method further includes generating location-based radio measurement reports for the selected radios using the signal strength measurement for the particular location, information about the selected radios at the particular location, and information about the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device, and the remote location server receives a plurality of location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of mobile devices corresponding to the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device and calculates radio quality information for the selected radios at the particular location based on the radio measurement reports, determining the radio weights for the selected radios at the particular location based on the calculated radio quality information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the radio from the available radios based on a radio weight corresponding to the particular location.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving signals of a desired service at the particular location using the selected radio.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising measuring signal strength of signals of the desired service received over the selected radio at the particular location.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a location update for the multi-radio mobile device from the remote location server.

6. A communication system, comprising:

one or more processors and/or circuitry for use within a multi-radio mobile device, the one or more processors and/or circuitry to:

obtaining location-based radio information from a remote location server for a particular location of the multi-radio mobile device, wherein the obtained location-based radio information includes available radios for the particular location and radio weights corresponding to the particular location;

selecting a radio from the plurality of different radios for the particular location based on the obtained location-based radio information, an

Generating location-based radio measurement reports for the selected radios using the signal strength measurements for the particular location, information about the selected radios at the particular location, and information about the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device, and the remote location server receiving a plurality of location-based radio measurement reports from a plurality of mobile devices corresponding to the particular location of the multi-radio mobile device and calculating radio quality information for the selected radios at the particular location based on the radio measurement reports, the radio weights for the selected radios at the particular location being determined based on the radio quality information calculated accordingly.