HK1222960B - Methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for discovering network capabilities available via a wireless network

Divisional Application Instructions

The present application is a divisional application of an application with the application date of February 14, 2011, the application number of 201180057316.9 (international application number of PCT/EP2011/052157), and the title of “Method and apparatus for discovering network capabilities available via a wireless network”.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to network communications and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for discovering network capabilities available via a wireless network.

Background Art

Wireless network deployments, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), allow wireless terminals to access network and internet services when they are in the vicinity of the wireless communication signals of these wireless networks. Different WLANs provide different network capabilities to wireless clients. These network capabilities may include access to specific subscription service provider (SSP) networks, roaming agreements for allowing connections from wireless clients associated with different SSPs, authentication capabilities for enabling secure communications, support for emergency services, support for specific types of multimedia access (e.g., audio and/or video streaming, downloading, etc.), and/or support for other types of network services. If a wireless client joins a WLAN that does not provide specific network capabilities, the wireless client cannot use such capabilities while associated with the WLAN.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication network in which a wireless terminal may communicate with multiple wireless local area networks.

2 depicts a portion of the exemplary communication network of FIG. 1 in which a wireless terminal may discover exemplary network capabilities accessible via one of the wireless local area networks of FIG. 1 .

3 illustrates an exemplary data structure cached and/or stored in a wireless terminal for facilitating selection of a wireless network to join based on received network capabilities of those networks and a network capability profile associated with the wireless terminal.

FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary network capability profile data structure having a network capability profile specifying a different set of network capabilities.

5 illustrates an example wireless terminal that may be employed to implement the example methods and apparatus described herein.

6 illustrates an example wireless access point that may be used to implement the example methods and apparatus described herein.

7A-7C depict flow diagrams representing example processes that may be performed by a wireless terminal to discover network capabilities available via one or more wireless local area networks.

8 depicts a flow diagram representative of another exemplary process that may be performed by the wireless terminal of FIGs. 1-5 to discover network capabilities available via one or more WLANs.

9 depicts a flow diagram representative of an exemplary process that may be performed by an access point of a wireless local area network to send network capability information to a wireless terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although exemplary methods and apparatus are disclosed below, including, inter alia, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that these methods and apparatus are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components may be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Therefore, while exemplary methods and apparatus are described below, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the examples provided are not the only way to implement these methods and apparatus.

The exemplary methods and apparatus described herein can be used by a wireless terminal to discover network capabilities available via a wireless network. In this document, network capabilities are also referred to as network services supported by a wireless network. The exemplary methods and apparatus described herein can be used in conjunction with a mobile communication device, a mobile computing device, or any other device capable of wirelessly communicating with a wireless network. These devices, also referred to as terminals, wireless terminals, or user equipment (UE), can include mobile smartphones (e.g., smart phones), wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers/notebooks/netbook computers with wireless adapters, and the like. The exemplary methods and apparatus are described herein in conjunction with the wireless local area network (WLAN) communication standard known as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, which, in particular, specifies intercommunication with external networks. However, the exemplary methods and apparatus can be performed in addition or alternatively in conjunction with other wireless communication standards, including other WLAN standards (e.g., any 802.1x standard), personal area network (PAN) standards, wide area network (WAN) standards, or cellular communication standards.

While the example methods and apparatus described herein can be implemented in any environment that provides WLAN access for network connectivity, they can be advantageously performed in WLAN access locations or environments where it is expected that one or more users carrying corresponding wireless terminals will frequently connect (or join) and disconnect from the WLAN as they enter and exit the WLAN access location or environment. WLAN locations or environments are sometimes referred to as "hotspots," referring to locations or environments within the communication range of a WLAN signal. Examples of such WLAN locations or environments include cafes, retail stores, educational facilities, office environments, airports, public transportation stations and vehicles, hotels, and the like. These WLANs are typically implemented as access networks that provide access to the Internet and may be associated with or support access to external networks (or networks supported by the WLAN) owned and/or operated by subscription-based service providers. For example, the external networks may be owned and/or operated by an Internet access service provider or telecommunications operator/service provider that provides subscription-based Internet access for a fee (e.g., a monthly subscription). In this way, when a subscriber/user subscribed to such a service is in communication proximity of a WLAN with a suitable wireless terminal, the subscriber can use wireless network access and/or Internet access services based on such subscription. In some cases, different WLANs may provide access to different types of network capabilities. For example, some WLANs may provide access to a specific subscription service provider (SSP) network, while other WLANs may not provide such access. In addition, some WLANs may support roaming agreements for allowing connections from mobile terminals associated with different SSPs. In addition, some WLANs may provide connection authentication capabilities for enabling secure communications, may support specific emergency services, and/or may support specific types of multimedia access (e.g., audio and/or video streaming). WLANs may additionally or alternatively support other types of network access capabilities.

Known techniques for discovering network capabilities or network services available via a WLAN can be time-consuming and can adversely impact the power consumption (and therefore, battery charging) of a mobile device. Furthermore, the user experience with known techniques or standards for associating a wireless terminal with a WLAN hotspot can be frustrating when the network capabilities required by the wireless terminal and/or desired by the user of the wireless terminal are not available via the WLAN hotspot. For example, known techniques for associating a wireless terminal with a WLAN include the wireless terminal passively or actively scanning to discover one or more WLANs. The wireless terminal then selects a WLAN to join (e.g., based on advertised WLAN network characteristics, such as a service set identifier (SSID), encryption mode (e.g., Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), etc.), and received signal strength indication (RSSI)) and joins the selected WLAN. After joining the WLAN, known techniques can then be used to discover network capabilities available via the WLAN. However, if the network capabilities required by the wireless terminal and/or desired by the user of the wireless terminal are not available, WLAN association is undesirable, as processing power and time have already been consumed to associate with the WLAN.

Unlike known techniques for discovering network capabilities, the example methods and apparatus described herein can be used to perform queries during the network discovery process to discover network capabilities available via a WLAN. In this way, a wireless terminal can obtain information about the network capabilities provided by the WLAN and determine whether to continue the connection process to join the wireless terminal based on the network capability information. According to the example techniques described herein, a wireless terminal can use the Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) to request network capability information from a WLAN. ANQP supports information retrieved from an advertising server that supports the Generic Advertising Service (GAS). ANQP and GAS are specified in 802.11u. Additionally or alternatively, other query protocols (e.g., the Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) specified in 802.11af, the Hotspot Query Protocol (HSQP), and the Online Sign-Up Advertising Protocol (OSAP) specified in the WiFi Alliance) can also be used in a manner similar to ANQP. An example ANQP exchange involves a requesting station (STA) (e.g., a wireless terminal) querying another STA (e.g., a WLAN access point (AP)) for information such as network capability information. The queried STA or the receiving STA can respond to the received query using the requested information. The queried STA or the receiving STA can generate response information without proxying the query to a server in an external network (e.g., an SSP network) or without proxying the query to a server in an external network (e.g., an SSP network). For example, the external network connected to the queried WLAN may have specific network capabilities that are accessible via the WLAN and that the querying wireless terminal should be aware of. Although exemplary methods and apparatus are described herein in conjunction with ANQP and GAS, other query protocols and information exchange services may be used alternatively or in addition.

To facilitate selection of a WLAN as a candidate for association, the wireless terminal may locally store one or more network capability profiles, each of which may specify a different set of network capabilities. In this manner, when the wireless terminal receives information indicating network capabilities available via the WLAN, the wireless terminal may compare these network capabilities with its stored network capability profiles. The wireless terminal may identify a network capability profile that specifies network capabilities or minimum network capability requirements that match the network capabilities of the WLAN as indicating that the WLAN is a suitable candidate for joining. If the wireless terminal finds the WLAN suitable for joining, the wireless terminal may proceed to join the WLAN.

A wireless terminal can join a WLAN using a manual mode (e.g., in response to a user selecting one of multiple available WLANs) or an automatic mode. In the illustrated examples described herein, the automatic mode includes the wireless terminal selecting a WLAN candidate based on a filtering scheme. For example, a ranking ranking can be assigned to network capability profiles stored in the wireless terminal (e.g., by a user, a mobile terminal, an SSP, etc.) so that the wireless terminal can select the highest-ranked network capability profile that satisfies at least a minimum network capability match. In some exemplary implementations, the automatic mode of joining a WLAN can be advantageously used in conjunction with wireless terminals that do not provide a display or a user input interface for allowing a user to input a WLAN selection. For example, an 802.11-based wireless Ethernet portable music player may provide a user interface to enable selection of streaming music stations, but the user interface may not be sophisticated enough to enable other types of user-entered information (e.g., WLAN selection). However, the methods and apparatus described herein can enable such a portable music player to join a WLAN hotspot when the portable music player has stored therein a network capability profile that has a minimum match with network capabilities available via the WLAN hotspot.

In some example implementations, the network capability discovery techniques described herein may be used for network discovery other than SSID-based network discovery. For example, rather than using SSID as the primary mode for network discovery, a wireless terminal may use network capability information received from an AP and its stored WLAN profiles to determine when it is in the vicinity of a WLAN suitable for association.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary communication network 100 is shown in which the exemplary methods and apparatus described herein may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1 , exemplary communication network 100 includes multiple WLAN access locations 102a-c having respective access points 104a-c that provide access to respective access networks 106a-c. In the illustrated example, access network A 106a provides access to external network A 108a, and access network B 106b provides access to external network B 108b. In the illustrated example, each of external network A 108a and external network B 108b may be a subscription service provider (SSP) network owned and/or operated by a data subscription service provider, an internet subscription service provider, a media (e.g., audio/video) subscription service provider, a wireless communication subscription service provider, or any combination thereof. In the illustrated example, external network A 108a and external network B 108b are connected to the internet 112 and may, for example, provide subscription-based internet access to wireless terminals. In some exemplary implementations, roaming agreements between different SSPs may enable External Network A 108a and External Network B 108b to support roaming connections for wireless terminals associated with the other SSPs.

Access network C 110 is directly connected to the Internet 112, unlike access network A 106a and access network B 106b, which are not directly connected to the Internet 112. Thus, access network C 106c may be a public network, while access network A 106a and access network B 106b may be private networks.

Although not shown, each of the APs 104a-c and the wireless terminals 114 communicating with the APs 104a-c is equipped with a station (STA), which is an interface or component such as a network adapter or network interface card (NIC) that connects to a wireless medium.

Each of the access networks 106a-c and the external networks 108a-b may be associated with and/or provide access to different network capabilities. Network capabilities may include roaming relationships, network services, multimedia access services, supported authentication and/or security methods, emergency services, and the like. These network capabilities may be selected by the respective owners or operators of the networks 106a-c, 108a, and 108b based on various factors, such as subscription usage plans, desired security levels, business objectives, roaming agreements, supported emergency services, supported multimedia access, available Internet access, and the like. For example, if the SSP associated with external network A 108a only allows access to subscribers of its services, external network A 108a may advertise that it does not support roaming connections.

The example methods and apparatus described herein may also enable the wireless terminal 114 to join different APs (e.g., APs 104a-c) based on different network capability profiles stored in the wireless terminal 114. That is, as the wireless terminal 114 moves to different ones of the WLAN access locations 102a-c, the wireless terminal 114 may dynamically discover the network capabilities available at the WLAN access locations 102a-c and join any appropriate one of the APs 104a-c even when the wireless terminal 114 has not previously encountered the APs 104a-c or when the network capabilities available via the APs 104a-c have changed since a previous connection between the wireless terminal 114 and the APs 104a-c.

As generally illustrated in conjunction with the WLAN access location 102a, the wireless terminal 114 may send a NETCAP REQUEST message 116 to the AP 104a and receive a NETCAP RESPONSE message 118 that includes network information 120 indicating one or more network capabilities (of the access network A 106a and/or the external network A 108a) available via the access point 104a. After the wireless terminal 114 receives the SSID of the AP 104a or in the event that the wireless terminal 114 does not need to receive the SSID, the wireless terminal 114 and the AP 104a may exchange the NETCAP REQUEST 116 and the NETCAP RESPONSE 118 using the ANQP protocol. Furthermore, NETCAP REQUEST 116 and NETCAP RESPONSE 118 may be exchanged at the media access control (MAC) sublayer of the well-known Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model while discovering network capabilities available via AP 104a without utilizing operations at or above the Internet Protocol (IP) layer (i.e., the network layer) and without otherwise providing access to the IP layer.

Compared to performing processes at the MAC sublayer, discovering network capabilities using messages exchanged at or above the network layer requires relatively more processing power from the wireless terminal. Compared to fixed-location computing devices powered by alternating current (AC) power, mobile wireless terminals such as mobile smartphones, PDAs, and the like (e.g., wireless terminal 114 of FIG. 1 ) typically have relatively limited processor cycles and less available power. The exemplary methods and apparatus described herein can be advantageously used to configure, design, or otherwise manage mobile wireless terminals to operate more efficiently (i.e., do more with fewer processor cycles), thereby reducing battery power usage. In other words, the exemplary methods and apparatus described herein can be advantageously used to facilitate the design of mobile wireless terminals that consume relatively less power and operate relatively more efficiently. For example, compared to user interface-intensive operations and operating system (OS)-intensive operations (e.g., website browsing operations) at the application layer of the OSI reference model, low-level resource operations at the MAC sublayer require relatively fewer system resources.

Another exemplary advantage of using the MAC sublayer to discover the network capabilities available via an AP is that the network capability discovery process can determine whether an AP is a suitable candidate for association based on the minimum requirements of the network capability profile stored in the wireless terminal 114 without user involvement or with minimal user involvement. For example, if AP 104a advertises that it does not support roaming and the wireless terminal 114 will need to join AP 104 under a roaming policy, the wireless terminal 114 can be configured to ignore the presence of AP 104 because the wireless terminal 114 will be denied network access via AP 104a. In some exemplary implementations, when the wireless terminal 114 cannot connect to AP 104a without having the minimum network capabilities required by the network capability profile of the wireless terminal 114, the wireless terminal 114 can be configured not to notify its user of the presence of AP 104a during the WLAN discovery process. This exemplary implementation significantly reduces or eliminates user frustration because the user will not need to participate in any attempts to join a particular AP when the AP does not meet the minimum network capability requirements of the wireless terminal 114.

While an SSID is used in conjunction with some example implementations described herein, an AP may alternatively be configured to broadcast a homogeneous extended service set identifier (HESSID). The HESSID includes the SSID associated with a particular AP and a network identifier corresponding to a supported external network (e.g., an SSP network). For example, if the AP 104a of FIG. 1 is configured to broadcast a HESSID, the HESSID would include the SSID of the AP 104a and a network identifier corresponding to the external network A 108a.

Other exemplary advantages of the exemplary techniques described herein arise from the fact that the wireless terminal 114 discovers network capabilities each time it encounters an AP. In this way, the wireless terminal 114 does not need to be pre-programmed to understand the network capabilities available via different APs. Furthermore, the network capabilities of different networks (e.g., access networks 106a-c, 108a, and 108b) can be changed at any time because each time the wireless terminal discovers (or rediscovers) a network, the wireless terminal can rediscover the changed network capabilities.

FIG2 illustrates a portion of the exemplary communication network 100 of FIG1 in which the wireless terminal 104 can discover exemplary network capabilities accessible via the AP 104a. Although not shown, the wireless terminal 104 can utilize techniques similar or identical to those described in conjunction with FIG2 to discover network capabilities available via the APs 104b and 104c, or any other APs. In the example shown in FIG2 , the external network A 108a includes an external network capabilities data storage device 202 for storing network capabilities 206a-f of the external network A 108a. In the example shown, the network capabilities 206a-f include one or more of a roaming policy 206a, a network service capability 206b, emergency services support 206c, a subscription service provider (SSP) identifier 206d, a multimedia access type 206e, and an authentication method 206f.

In the illustrated example, one or more roaming policies 206a may be based on an agreement between the SSP of external network A 108a and one or more other SSPs to allow a wireless terminal to join access network 106a, and thereby external network A 108a, in roaming mode. Network services 206b may identify one or more network services supported for communications with or via external network A 108a (e.g., internet connectivity, media streaming, secure protocols, no payment required, etc.). Emergency services 206c may indicate the type of emergency services supported or provided by external network A 108a. SSPID 206d identifies one or more SSPs that support or provide services via external network A 108a. A wireless terminal associated with a service subscription of an SSP that supports or provides services via external network A 108a may join access network A 106a to access external network A 108a without a roaming agreement. The multimedia access type 206e indicates the type of multimedia that can be accessed via the external network A 108a (e.g., video, audio, IP television (IPTV), etc.). The authentication method 206f may include identifiers of one or more authentication methods supported by the external network A 108a. Exemplary authentication methods are Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) methods. Known EAP methods include EAP-WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider), EAP-MD5, EAP-OTP, EAP-GTC, EAP-TLS, EAP-IKEv2, EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA, EAP-FAST, EAP-TTLS, and PEAP. Each EAP method may be identified using a value in a corresponding integer format assigned by an industry standard resource coordination group such as the Internet Numbers Authority (IANA) (http://www.iana.org). Other EAP methods may also include provider-specific methods.

In the example shown, access network A 106 a is equipped with an access network capabilities data storage device 208 for storing network capabilities of access network A 106 a. Although not shown, the access capabilities stored in the access network capabilities data storage device 208 may be of the same type as the network capabilities 206 a-f stored in the external network capabilities data storage device 202, or may be of any other suitable network capability type.

In the illustrated example, the network capabilities 206a-f and the network capabilities stored in the access network capabilities data storage device 208 can be organized using an Extensible Markup Language (XML) structure. In this manner, the AP 104a and the wireless terminal 114 can exchange registration requirements and registration information using the XML format. Alternatively, the network capabilities 206a-f and the network capabilities stored in the access network capabilities data storage device 208 can be organized as a set of enumerated types, and the AP 104a and the wireless terminal 114 can exchange registration requirements and registration information using a type-length-value (TLV) structure format. For example, the AP 104a can encapsulate individual network capabilities in a TLV type structure for transmission to the wireless terminal 114 (e.g., via the NETCAP RESPONSE 118).

In the example shown in FIG2 , the wireless terminal 114 stores network capability profiles 210, each of which may specify a different set of network capabilities. The wireless terminal 114 may use the network capability profiles 210 to identify suitable WLAN candidates that the wireless terminal 114 may join. In some exemplary implementations, each of the network capability profiles 210 may be assigned a corresponding ranking, such that when a WLAN (e.g., access network A 106a) has network capabilities that meet the minimum capability requirements of more than one of the network capability profiles 210, the wireless terminal 114 may perform a ranking process. Example implementations of the network capability profiles 210 are described below in conjunction with FIG3 and FIG4 .

In the example shown in FIG2 , the wireless terminal 114 uses the network capability profile 210 during the network discovery process to determine whether any APs in the wireless communication vicinity of the wireless terminal 114 are suitable candidates for association. As shown in FIG2 , during the network discovery process, the wireless terminal 114 may receive an SSID 212 and an encryption mode status 214 from the AP 104a. In the example shown, the encryption mode status 214 indicates whether an encryption mode (e.g., Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), etc.) is enabled on the AP 104a. Although not shown, the wireless terminal 114 may also simultaneously receive other SSIDs and encryption mode statuses from other neighboring APs. In some exemplary implementations, the AP 104a may also transmit a GAS support indicator 216 (typically implemented as an interworking element in a beacon or probe response of an 802.11 WLAN) to the wireless terminal 114, as shown in FIG2 . The GAS support indicator 216 indicates that the access network A 106a supports GAS. The wireless terminal 114 may use this information to communicate with the AP 104a using a protocol carried over the GAS (eg, ANQP messages). If the WLAN does not support GAS, then it will not send the GAS support indicator 216.

In some exemplary implementations, after receiving the SSID 212 and the encryption mode state 214 (and, if applicable, the GAS support indicator 216), the wireless terminal 114 sends a NETCAP REQUEST 116 to the AP 104a to request network capabilities available via the access network A 106a. In the illustrated example, the network capabilities may be provided by the access network A 106a and/or the external network A 108a. If the external network A 108a provides some network capabilities, the access network A 106a may, in response to receiving the NETCAP REQUEST 116 from the wireless terminal 114, relay, forward, or otherwise send an external network capability request (EXT-NETCAP REQUEST) 218 to the external network A 108a. In response to the EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218, the external network A 108a sends its network capabilities (e.g., one or more of the network capabilities 206a-f) to the access network A 106a via an EXT-NETCAP RESPONSE 220.

Access network A 106a forms a NETCAP RESPONSE 118 to include the network capabilities of external network A 108a and any network capabilities provided by access network A 106a. AP 104a then sends a NETCAP RESPONSE 118 to wireless terminal 114 to inform wireless terminal 114 of the network capabilities available via access network A 106a. Wireless terminal 114 then compares the received network capabilities with the network capabilities indicated in each of its network capability profiles 210 to determine whether the minimum network capability requirements are met for any of the network capability profiles 210, thereby indicating that access network A 106a is a suitable candidate for association.

3 , the wireless terminal 114 caches and/or stores an exemplary network capability profile data structure 302 having network capability profiles (e.g., the network capability profile 210 of FIG. 2 ) that specify different sets of network capabilities. In the illustrated example, the wireless terminal 114 also caches discovered network capabilities 304 received from one or more wireless networks (e.g., wireless networks associated with APs 104 a-c) during a wireless network scan. In an exemplary implementation, the wireless terminal 114 uses the network capability profile data structure 302 and the discovered network capabilities 304 to select a wireless network to join based on the network capabilities of the discovered wireless networks (e.g., the discovered network capabilities 304) and the network capabilities desired for the wireless terminal 114 (e.g., the one or more network capabilities specified in the network capability profile data structure 302). In some exemplary implementations, when two or more wireless networks advertise network capabilities that are equally desirable for the wireless terminal 114, the wireless terminal 114 may also use a cached or stored SSID priority list 306 indicating a priority order of one or more SSIDs to select a wireless network to join (e.g., based on the network capabilities specified in the network capability profile data structure 302).

In the example shown in FIG3 , each network capability profile in the network capability profile data structure 302 is assigned a unique profile ID 308, and each network capability profile includes a ranking 310, a minimum capability 312, and additional capabilities 314. Turning to discovered network capabilities 304, during a wireless network scan performed by the wireless terminal 114 to discover available WLANs in its vicinity (e.g., access networks 106a-c of FIG1 ), the wireless terminal 114 caches discovered SSIDs 316. For each discovered SSID 316, the wireless terminal 114 sends an ANQP query to each discovered WLAN requesting the network capabilities of those networks. The wireless terminal 114 then caches the received network capabilities 318, as shown in FIG3 . In the example shown in FIG3 , the cached network capabilities 318 are shown as <X>, <Y>, and <M> for each corresponding WLAN. Each symbol <X>, <Y>, and <M> represents one or more network capabilities or service lists available via the corresponding WLAN.

Referring back to the network capability profile data structure 302, minimum capabilities 312 are labeled <X>, <Y>, <M>, <N>, and <O>, each of which indicates one or more network capabilities (for each profile) that are definitely available via a WLAN (e.g., access network 106a of Figures 1 and 2) and therefore considered a suitable candidate for joining by the wireless terminal 114. For example, if the discovered network capabilities available via access network A 106a (e.g., network capabilities <Y> cached in discovered network capabilities 304) do not meet the minimum network capabilities of profile ID 0001, then access network A 106a is not considered a suitable candidate based on profile ID 0001. However, if the same discovered network capabilities of access network A 106a (e.g., network capabilities <Y>) do meet the minimum network capabilities of profile ID 0002, then access network A 106a is considered a suitable candidate based on profile ID 0002. Therefore, the network capabilities of a WLAN need to satisfy at least the minimum network capabilities of one network capability profile for the WLAN to be considered a suitable candidate for joining by the wireless terminal 114 .

In the example shown in FIG3 , additional capabilities 314 specify network capabilities for each network capability profile that are not necessarily required for a WLAN to be considered a suitable association candidate. However, the network capabilities specified in additional capabilities 314 may be additional desired network capabilities. In some example implementations, additional capabilities 314 may be used to select a WLAN that wireless terminal 114 should join when multiple WLANs have been identified as suitable association candidates. For example, wireless terminal 114 may discover access network A 106a and access network B 106b of FIG1 during the same network scan, and access network A 106a may meet the minimum network capability requirements of profile ID 0001, while access network B 106b may meet the minimum network capability requirements of profile ID 0002. In this example, the wireless terminal 114 or the user of the wireless terminal 114 may choose to connect to access network A 106a if the network capabilities accessible via access network A 106a for profile ID 0001 match more of the network capabilities specified in additional capabilities 314 than the amount or percentage of matches between the network capabilities accessible via access network B 106b for profile ID 0002 and additional capabilities 314.

In some exemplary implementations, a WLAN for association may be selected based on a ranking of network capability profiles. In the illustrated example, a ranking value 310 is assigned to the network capability profiles to indicate a preferred order of the network capability profiles for use in selecting a WLAN from more than one suitable association candidate. The ranking value 310 may be specified by the wireless terminal 114 or by the SSP based on rules or criteria regarding preferred wireless connections. Alternatively, the ranking value 310 may be specified by a user of the wireless terminal 114 based on the user's wireless connection preferences. During the network discovery process, when the wireless terminal 114 discovers more than one WLAN (e.g., access networks A 106a, B 106b, and C 106c) as suitable association candidates, the wireless terminal 114 may rank each of the WLANs based on the ranking value 310 assigned to the corresponding network candidate profiles that match the network candidate profiles of the WLANs. For example, if the network capabilities available via access network A 106a align with the minimum capabilities 312 of profile ID 0003, and the network capabilities of access network B 106b align with the minimum capabilities 312 of profile ID 0005, then both access network A 106a and access network B 106b are suitable association candidates, but the wireless terminal 114 selects access network A 106a because the network capabilities profile (profile ID 0003) satisfied by the network capabilities of access network A 106a has a higher capability ranking.

In the example shown, when more than one discovered WLAN achieves the same ranking in ranking 310, the wireless terminal 114 may break a tie using the SSID priorities listed in SSID priority table 306. That is, if two WLANs with different SSIDs meet the same minimum capability 312 of the network capability profile, the wireless terminal 114 may select the WLAN with the highest priority SSID according to SSID priority table 306.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , another exemplary network capability profile data structure 400 is shown with exemplary minimum network capabilities or services shown for each network capability profile. Furthermore, FIG. 4 illustrates that network capability profiles can be specified independently of a network SSID. That is, unlike conventional network discovery techniques that rely on a network's SSID to determine whether to join a network, the wireless terminal 114 can instead rely on the network capabilities of a WLAN in addition to its SSID to determine whether the WLAN is a suitable candidate for joining.

The network capability profile data structure 400 may be cached or stored in the wireless terminal 114. In the example shown in FIG4 , the network capability profile data structure 400 stores a plurality of network capability profiles (e.g., the network capability profile 210 of FIG2 ) that specify different sets of network capabilities. Each network capability profile has a profile ID 402 and minimum capabilities 404 that specify the network capabilities required for the wireless terminal 114 to identify a WLAN (e.g., any of the access networks 106a-c of FIG1 ) as suitable for association. For example, the network capability profile with profile ID 0001 only requires that a WLAN have a network access identifier (NAI) of “MYPROVIDER.COM” to be considered a suitable association candidate for the wireless terminal 114. In this example, “MYPROVIDER.COM” may be the NAI of an SSP that provides subscription services to the wireless terminal 114.

In the example shown, each of the network capability profiles is associated with a wildcard (*) as the SSID 406. The SSID wildcard (*) indicates that the SSID of the WLAN can be anything. That is, if the network capabilities available via the WLAN meet the network capabilities specified in the minimum capabilities 404 for any of the network capability profiles in the network capability profile data structure 400, then the wireless terminal 114 can detect the WLAN as suitable for association, regardless of the specific SSID.

In some example implementations, network capability profile data structure 400 may also have a ranking value, such as ranking value 310 of FIG. 3 , and additional capabilities, such as additional capabilities 314 of FIG. 3 .

Although not shown, the minimum capabilities 404 of FIG. 4 (and/or the minimum capabilities 312 of FIG. 3 ) can specify credentials for a particular network service. For example, a roaming credential can be specified in a network capability profile, indicating that for that particular profile, the roaming network service of the wireless network must support roaming access to roam to the network of the SSP indicated by the roaming credential. In this exemplary implementation, if the network capability profile specifies roaming credentials as a minimum capability, the wireless terminal 114 must confirm that the WLAN supports roaming access to the SSP specified by the roaming credentials of that profile. Otherwise, if the roaming access corresponding to the roaming credential is not supported by the particular WLAN, the wireless terminal 114 will not consider the WLAN to be a suitable candidate for joining.

5, an illustrated example of the wireless terminal of FIG1 through FIG4 is shown in block diagram form. In the illustrated example, the wireless terminal 114 includes a processor 502 that may be used to control the overall operation of the wireless terminal 114. The processor 502 may be implemented using a controller, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, dedicated hardware, or any combination thereof.

The wireless terminal 114 also includes a terminal message generator 504 and a terminal data parser 506. The terminal message generator 504 can be used to generate network capability discovery messages such as the NETCAP REQUEST 116 of Figures 1 and 2. The terminal data parser 506 can be used to retrieve information from a memory (e.g., RAM 510, cache, etc.). For example, the terminal data parser 506 can retrieve an SSID (e.g., SSID 212 of Figure 2), an encryption mode state (e.g., encryption mode state 214 of Figure 2), a GAS support indicator (e.g., GAS support indicator 216 of Figure 2), and network capabilities cached in the wireless terminal 114 after receiving them from a WLAN (e.g., access networks 106a-c of Figure 1).

Although the terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data parser 506 are shown as being separate from and connected to the processor 502 in FIG. 5 , in some exemplary implementations, the terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data parser 506 may be implemented in the processor 502 and/or in a wireless communication subsystem (e.g., the wireless communication subsystem 518). The terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data parser 506 may be implemented using any desired combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. For example, one or more integrated circuits, discrete semiconductor components, and/or passive electronic components may be used. Thus, for example, the terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data parser 506, or portions thereof, may be implemented using one or more circuits, programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable logic devices (FPLDs), and the like. The terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data parser 506, or portions thereof, can be implemented using instructions, code, and/or other software and/or firmware stored on a machine-accessible medium and executable by, for example, a processor (e.g., the exemplary processor 502). When any of the appended claims is interpreted as encompassing a purely software implementation, at least one of the terminal message generator 504 or the terminal data parser 506 is expressly defined herein as including tangible media such as solid-state memory, magnetic memory, DVD, CD, etc. As used herein, the term tangible computer-readable medium is expressly defined herein to include any type of computer-readable storage device and does not include propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the terminal message generator 504 or the terminal data parser 506 is expressly defined herein as including non-transitory computer-readable media, such as flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache, or any other storage medium that can store information for any duration (e.g., for an extended period of time, permanently, temporarily, during temporary caching, and/or during caching of information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable media and to exclude propagating signals.

The exemplary wireless terminal 114 shown in FIG5 also includes a flash memory 508, a random access memory (RAM) 510, and an expandable storage interface 512 that are communicatively coupled to the processor 502. The flash memory 508 can be used, for example, to store computer-readable instructions and/or data. In some exemplary implementations, the flash memory 508 can be used to store one or more of the data structures discussed above in conjunction with FIG3 and FIG4. The RAM 510 can also be used, for example, to store data and/or instructions.

The wireless terminal 114 is equipped with a secure hardware interface 514 to receive a SIM card (or USIM card or NFC secure element) from a wireless service provider. The SIM card can be used as authentication parameters for authenticating the wireless terminal 114 to establish a connection with a WLAN-supported network. In some exemplary implementations, the SIM card can also store registration information required to register with an external network. The wireless terminal 114 is also equipped with an external data I/O interface 516. The external data I/O interface 516 can be used by a user to transmit information to the wireless terminal 114 via a wired medium.

The wireless terminal 114 is equipped with a wireless communication subsystem 518 to implement wireless communication with an AP (e.g., APs 104a-c of FIG. 1 ). Although not shown, the wireless terminal 114 may also have a long-range communication subsystem to receive messages from and send messages to a cellular wireless network. In the illustrated example described herein, the wireless communication subsystem 518 may be configured according to the 802.11 standard. In another exemplary implementation, the wireless communication subsystem 518 may be implemented using a radio, a device, a wireless USB device, an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio, a near field communication (NFC) device, or a radio frequency identifier (RFID) device.

To enable a user to use, interact with, or interact via wireless terminal 114, wireless terminal 114 is equipped with a speaker 520, a microphone 522, a display 524, and a user input interface 526. Display 524 may be an LCD display, an electronic paper display, or the like. User input interface 526 may be an alphanumeric keyboard and/or a telephone-type keypad, a multi-directional actuator or scroll wheel with dynamic button pressing capabilities, a touchpad, or the like. As discussed above, the exemplary methods and apparatus described herein may also be advantageously employed in conjunction with wireless terminals that do not have a user interface, and thus, speaker 520, microphone 522, display 524, user input interface 526, and/or any combination thereof may be optionally omitted. In the illustrated example, wireless terminal 114 is a battery-powered device and is therefore equipped with a battery 528 and a battery interface 530.

Turning now to FIG6 , the exemplary AP 104a of FIG1 and FIG2 is shown in block diagram form. The AP 104b and AP 104c of FIG1 can be implemented using substantially similar or identical configurations. The exemplary AP 104a includes a processor 602 for performing the overall operation of the AP 104a. Furthermore, the AP 104a includes an AP message generator 604 for generating messages in TLV or XML format, or messages having any other format type (e.g., the NETCAP RESPONSE 118 of FIG1 , the EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218 of FIG2 , and/or a message for transmitting the SSID 212, encryption mode status 214, and GAS support indicator 216 of FIG2 ). The AP 104a also includes an AP data parser 606 for retrieving information from received messages sent by the wireless terminal 114 and/or the external network A 108a ( FIG1 and FIG2 ). The AP message generator 604 is substantially similar to the terminal message generator 504 of Figure 5, and the AP data parser 606 is substantially similar to the terminal data parser 506 of Figure 5. Thus, the AP message generator 604 and the AP data parser 606 may be implemented in the processor 602 and/or the wireless communication subsystem (e.g., the wireless communication subsystem 612) using any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software, wherein the software includes instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium and/or a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

The exemplary AP 104a also includes a flash memory 608 and a RAM 610, both of which are coupled to the processor 602. The flash memory 608 may be configured to store network capability information (e.g., the access network capability data storage device 208 of FIG. 2). The RAM 610 may be used to generate messages for transmission to the wireless terminal 114 and/or to the external network A 108a, and/or to store received messages transmitted by the wireless terminal 114 and/or the external network A 108a.

To communicate with wireless terminals, such as wireless terminal 114, AP 104a is equipped with a wireless communication subsystem 612, which may be substantially similar to or identical to wireless communication subsystem 518 ( FIG. 5 ) of wireless terminal 114. To communicate with a WLAN-supported network or an external network (e.g., networks 106a-c, 108a, and 108b of FIG. 1 ), AP 104a is equipped with a network uplink communication interface 614.

Figures 7A through 7C depict flow charts representing exemplary processes that may be performed by the wireless terminal 114 of Figures 1 through 5 to discover network capabilities available via one or more WLANs (e.g., access networks 106a-c of Figures 1 and 2). Figure 8 depicts a flow chart representing another exemplary process that may be performed by the wireless terminal 114 of Figures 1 through 5 to discover network capabilities via one or more WLANs. Figure 9 depicts a flow chart representing an exemplary process that may be performed by an AP (e.g., one or more of APs 104a-c of Figures 1 and 2) to send network capability information to the wireless terminal 114. The exemplary processes of Figures 7A through 7C, 8, and 9 may be performed using a processor, a controller, and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the exemplary processes of Figures 7A through 7C, 8, and 9 may be performed using coded instructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer-readable medium (e.g., flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), and/or random access memory (RAM)). As used herein, the term tangible computer-readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable storage device and does not include propagating signals. In addition or alternatively, the exemplary processes of Figures 7A to 7C, Figures 8, and Figure 9 can be performed using encoded instructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache, or any other storage medium that can store information for any duration (e.g., during an extended period of time, permanently, temporarily, during a temporary cache, and/or during the caching of information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer-readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable medium and does not include propagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the exemplary processes of Figures 7A to 7C, Figures 8, and 9 may be performed using any combination of the following: an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. In addition, some or all of the exemplary processes of Figures 7A to 7C, Figures 8, and 9 may be performed manually, or may be implemented as any combination of any of the aforementioned techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic, and/or hardware. In addition, although the exemplary processes of Figures 7A to 7C, Figures 8, and 9 are described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 7A to 7C, Figures 8, and 9, other methods of performing the processes of Figures 7A to 7C, Figures 8, and 9 may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, subdivided, or combined. Furthermore, any or all of the example processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8, and 9 may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel, for example, by separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 7A , the exemplary process illustrated may be performed by the wireless terminal 114 during a network discovery process. First, the wireless terminal 114 performs wireless network discovery (block 702). For example, the wireless terminal 114 may perform a passive network scan, in which the wireless terminal 114 waits for one or more access points (e.g., one or more of the APs 104a-c of FIG. 1 ) to broadcast their SSIDs (e.g., SSID 212 of FIG. 2 ) and encryption mode states (e.g., encryption mode states 214 of FIG. 2 ), as appropriate. Alternatively, the wireless terminal 114 may perform an active scan, in which the wireless terminal 114 sends a probe request to actively solicit the SSIDs (as well as the encryption mode states and GAS support indicators) of any nearby WLANs.

The wireless terminal 114 determines whether any of its stored SSIDs matches any of the SSIDs received at block 702 (block 704). The stored SSIDs may be pre-stored by the user or SSP, or may have been previously stored by the wireless terminal 114 when received during a previous network discovery process. In some example implementations, the wireless network scanning operations of blocks 702 and 704 may be omitted, and the wireless terminal 114 may proceed to block 706 based on an SSID that has been pre-stored in one of its memories (e.g., flash memory 508 or RAM 510 of FIG. 5 ).

The wireless terminal 114 selects a WLAN that supports GAS from among the WLANs identified as having an SSID that matches an SSID stored in the wireless terminal 114 (block 706). For example, during the wireless network scan of 702, the wireless terminal 114 may receive a GAS support indicator (e.g., the GAS support indicator 216 of FIG. 2 ) indicating which WLANs support GAS.

The wireless terminal 114 uses an ANQP exchange to retrieve network capabilities for each WLAN selected at block 706 (block 710). For example, for the WLAN associated with the AP 104 of Figures 1 and 2, the wireless terminal 114 sends a NETCAP REQUEST 116 to the AP 104a, and the AP 104 responds with a NETCAP RESPONSE 118, as discussed above in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2. The wireless terminal 114 exchanges similar messages with any other WLAN selected at block 706.

The wireless terminal 114 determines whether any of the WLANs advertises network capabilities that fully match all network capabilities (e.g., minimum capabilities 312 and additional capabilities 314 of FIG. 3 ) specified in a single network capability profile (e.g., network capability profile 210 of FIG. 2 and/or the network capability profiles of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4 ) (block 712). If the wireless terminal 114 finds a full match (block 712), the wireless terminal 114 selects the WLAN that advertises network capabilities that match the network capability profile with the highest ranking relative to the other matching profiles (block 714). In some example implementations, the wireless terminal 114 may be configured to select a WLAN based on the network capability profile with the highest relative ranking and the closest neighbor.

If, at block 712, the wireless terminal 114 does not find any exact matches, the wireless terminal 114 determines whether any of the WLANs advertise network capabilities that partially match the network capabilities specified in a single network profile (e.g., network capability profile 210 of FIG. 2 and/or network capability profile 302 of FIG. 3 and/or network capability profile 400 of FIG. 4) (block 716) (FIG. 7B). If the wireless terminal 114 finds a partial match (block 716), the wireless terminal 114 selects a WLAN that advertises network capabilities that match at least all of the minimum capabilities of one or more network capability profiles (e.g., minimum capabilities 312 of FIG. 3 or minimum capabilities 404 of FIG. 4) (block 718). If, at block 720, the wireless terminal 114 selects any WLAN, the wireless terminal 114 then selects the WLAN that advertises network capabilities that match the minimum capabilities 312 (or minimum capabilities 404) of the network capability profile with the highest ranking (block 722). In some example implementations, the wireless terminal 114 may be configured to select a WLAN based on the network capability profile having the highest ranking and closest proximity.

If the wireless terminal 114 does not select any WLAN at block 720 or if the wireless terminal 114 does not find any partial matches at block 716, the wireless terminal 114 presents the available WLANs discovered at block 702 to the user (block 724). If the wireless terminal 114 receives a user selection of a WLAN (block 726) or if the wireless terminal 114 selects a WLAN at block 722 or if the wireless terminal selects a WLAN at block 714 ( FIG. 7A ), the wireless terminal 114 joins the selected WLAN (block 728). In some example implementations, after joining the selected WLAN (block 728), the wireless terminal 114 may also register with an external network (e.g., external network A 108a of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 ). As shown in FIG. 7B , after joining the WLAN (block 728) or if the wireless terminal 114 does not receive a user selection of a WLAN at block 726 (e.g., within a timeout period), the example processes of FIG. 7A through FIG. 7C end.

Returning to FIG7A , if at block 704 the wireless terminal 114 does not find any of its stored SSIDs to match any of the SSIDs received at block 702 , control proceeds to block 730 as shown in FIG7C . The wireless terminal 114 presents the available WLANs discovered at block 702 via a display of the wireless terminal 114 (block 730 ). If the wireless terminal 114 receives a user selection of one or more WLANs that the user may attempt to join (block 732 ), the wireless terminal 114 selects a WLAN that supports GAS (block 734 ). For example, the wireless terminal 114 may determine which WLANs support GAS based on which WLANs sent the GAS support indicator 216 ( FIG2 ) (e.g., based on the GAS support indicator received at block 702 ).

The wireless terminal 114 uses an ANQP exchange to retrieve network capabilities for each WLAN selected at block 734 (block 736). For example, for the WLAN associated with the AP 104a of Figures 1 and 2, the wireless terminal 114 sends a NETCAP REQUEST 116 to the AP 104a, and the AP 104a responds with a NETCAP RESPONSE 118, as discussed above in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2. The wireless terminal 114 exchanges similar messages with any other WLAN selected at block 736.

The wireless terminal 114 presents the network capabilities retrieved at block 736 for each WLAN via a display of the wireless terminal 114 (block 738). If the wireless terminal 114 receives a user selection of a WLAN (block 740), the wireless terminal 114 joins the selected WLAN (block 742). In some example implementations, after joining the selected WLAN (block 742), the wireless terminal 114 may also register with an external network (e.g., external network A 108a of Figures 1 and 2). As shown in Figure 7C, after associating with the selected WLAN (block 742) or if the wireless terminal 114 does not receive one or more user selections of WLANs at block 732 (e.g., within a specified timeout period) or does not receive a user selection at block 740 (e.g., within a specified timeout period), the example processes of Figures 7A-7C end.

Turning now to FIG8 , a flow chart depicts another exemplary process that may be performed by the wireless terminal 114 of FIG1 through FIG5 to discover network capabilities available via one or more WLANs. Initially, the wireless terminal 114 performs a wireless network scan (block 802). For example, the wireless terminal 114 may perform a passive network scan, in which the wireless terminal 114 waits for one or more access points (e.g., one or more of the APs 104a-c of FIG1 ) to broadcast their SSIDs (e.g., SSID 212 of FIG2 ) and encryption mode states (e.g., encryption mode state 214 of FIG2 ), as appropriate. Alternatively, the wireless terminal 114 may perform an active scan, in which the wireless terminal 114 sends a probe request to actively solicit the SSIDs (as well as the encryption mode states and GAS support indicators) of any nearby WLANs.

If the wireless terminal 114 determines that one or more WLANs have been discovered (block 804), the wireless terminal 114 retrieves network services for each discovered WLAN (block 806). For example, the wireless terminal 114 may use an ANQP exchange to retrieve network services for each discovered WLAN that supports GAS (e.g., discovered network capabilities 304 of FIG. 3 ). The wireless terminal 114 filters the received network services (block 808). For example, the wireless terminal 114 may filter out any WLANs that do not meet minimum network capabilities specified in the wireless terminal 114 (e.g., minimum capabilities 312 of FIG. 3 or minimum capabilities 404 of FIG. 4 ), and may further filter the remaining WLANs based on a ranking associated with those minimum network capabilities (e.g., ranking 310 of FIG. 3 ). In this manner, the wireless terminal 114 may determine which of the WLANs are suitable candidates for joining.

The wireless terminal 114 presents, via a display, network services for each WLAN that the wireless terminal 114 considers a suitable candidate for joining (block 810). If the wireless terminal 114 determines (e.g., by a user of the wireless terminal 114) that one or more of the presented services has been selected (block 812), the wireless terminal 114 joins the WLAN that offers the one or more selected services (block 814).

At some time after joining the WLAN at block 814, the wireless terminal 114 may determine whether it should discover other available networks (block 816). For example, the network capability needs of the wireless terminal 114 may change, or the wireless terminal 114 may become disconnected from the WLAN it joined at 814. Additionally, in the event that the wireless terminal 114 did not discover a network at block 804 or did not select one or more services at block 812, the wireless terminal 114 may determine whether other available networks were discovered at 816. If the wireless terminal 114 determines that it should discover another network (block 816), control returns to block 804. Otherwise, the example process of FIG. 8 ends.

Turning now to FIG. 9 , the exemplary process shown may be performed by AP 104a during a network discovery process. The exemplary process may be similarly performed by any other AP (e.g., AP 104b and AP 104c of FIG. 1 , or any other AP) during a network discovery process. First, AP 104a sends its SSID (e.g., SSID 212 of FIG. 2 ) and any encryption mode status (e.g., encryption mode status 214 of FIG. 2 ) and GAS support indicator (e.g., GAS support indicator 216 of FIG. 2 ) (block 902). AP 104a may send this information based on a periodic SSID broadcast during a passive network discovery scan or based on an active network discovery scan initiated by a wireless terminal (e.g., wireless terminal 114 of FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 ).

If the AP 104a receives the network capability request (e.g., the NETCAP REQUEST 116 of Figures 1 and 2) (block 906), the AP 104a determines whether to forward the network capability request (e.g., the EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218 of Figure 2) to an external network (e.g., the external network A 108a of Figures 1 and 2) (block 906). For example, if the AP 104a is communicating with the external network, it may send the network capability request to the external network. Otherwise, if the AP 104a is not communicating with the external network, it does not send the network capability request to the external network.

If the AP 104a determines that it should send a network capabilities request to an external network (e.g., external network A 108a) (block 906), the AP 104a sends an EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218 to the external network A 108a (block 908) and receives an EXT-NETCAP RESPONSE 220 including the network capabilities of the external network A 108a from the external network A 108a (block 910), as described above in conjunction with FIG2. Upon receiving the network capabilities of the external network A 108a at block 910 or if the AP 104a determines at block 906 that it should not send a network capabilities request to the external network, the AP 104a collects the network capabilities of the access network A 106a (FIGS. 1 and 2) (block 912). The AP 104a generates a NETCAP RESPONSE 118 (FIGS. 1 and 2) (block 914) to include the network capabilities of the access network A 106a and/or the external network A 108a, and sends the NETCAP RESPONSE 118 to the wireless terminal 114 (block 916).

After sending the NETCAP RESPONSE 118 at block 916 or if the AP 104a has not received the NETCAP REQUEST 116 at block 904, the AP 104a determines whether it should send another SSID (block 918), for example, based on periodic SSID broadcasts or requests from wireless terminals. If the AP 104a determines that it should send another SSID, control returns to block 902. Otherwise, the AP 104a determines whether it should end its process, for example, based on a power-off event or a low-power mode event (block 920). If the AP 104a should not end its process, control returns to block 904. Otherwise, the exemplary process of FIG. 9 ends.

Although certain methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims (15)

1. A method for network discovery in a mobile device, the method comprising: Scan access network; Perform an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query to discover the capabilities of the access network prior to IEEE 802.11 association, wherein the capabilities of the access network are identified by at least one credential. The at least one credential is compared with a second credential in one or more network capability profiles stored in the mobile device; Filter out access networks that do not match the second credential; Sort the one or more network capability profiles; and The access network is selected based on the ranking of one or more network capability profiles. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: enabling the mobile device to manually select at least one access network to connect to. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ANQP query comprises: Send a query to the wireless local area network (WLAN); and Based on the determination that the WLAN supports ANQP, a response is received from the WLAN. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Determine whether the mobile device stores a second credential in one or more network capability profiles that enables the mobile device to access an available access network. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein selecting an access network based on the ranking of the one or more network capability profiles further comprises: selecting an access network based on at least a portion of the capabilities of the access network matching at least a portion of the one or more network capability profiles. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network capabilities include at least one of roaming relationships, network services, multimedia access services, supported authentication, security methods, or emergency services. 7. A mobile device, comprising: Memory; and At least one hardware processor, communicatively coupled to memory, is configured to: Scan access network; Perform an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query to discover the capabilities of the access network prior to IEEE 802.11 association, wherein the capabilities of the access network are identified by at least one credential; The at least one credential is compared with a second credential in one or more network capability profiles stored in the mobile device; Filter out access networks that do not match the second credential; Sort the one or more network capability profiles; and The access network is selected based on the ranking of one or more network capability profiles. 8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to enable the mobile device to manually select at least one access network to connect to. 9. The mobile device according to claim 7, wherein the ANQP query includes: Send a query to the wireless local area network (WLAN); and Based on the determination that the WLAN supports ANQP, a response is received from the WLAN. 10. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to: Determine whether the mobile device stores a second credential in one or more network capability profiles that enables the mobile device to access an available access network. 11. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein selecting an access network based on the ranking of the one or more network capability profiles further comprises: selecting an access network based on at least a portion of the capabilities of the access network matching at least a portion of the one or more network capability profiles. 12. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the access network capabilities include at least one of roaming relationships, network services, multimedia access services, supported authentication, security methods, or emergency services. 13. A method for network selection in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the method comprising: Perform an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query with the mobile device to provide the network capabilities of the WLAN access point, wherein the network capabilities of the access point are identified by at least one credential; and Based on the matching of the at least one credential with a second credential in one or more network capability profiles stored in the mobile device, the mobile device is enabled to join a WLAN associated with an access point, wherein the one or more network capability profiles are assigned a sorting level, and the enabling of the mobile device to join the WLAN associated with the access point is performed based on the sorting level of the one or more network capability profiles. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the ANQP query comprises: Based on the determination that the mobile device supports ANQP, a request is received from the mobile device; and Send a response from the access point. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the network capabilities include at least one of roaming relationships, network services, multimedia access services, supported authentication, security methods, or emergency services.