Application layer integration into a multi-rat access and handover environment
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| Title: | Application layer integration into a multi-rat access and handover environment |
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| Patent Number: | 9,521,268 |
| Publication Date: | December 13, 2016 |
| Appl. No: | 14/295011 |
| Application Filed: | June 03, 2014 |
| Abstract: | A wireless communication device communicating with a serving base station in a wireless communication environment may have one or more applications running. When seeking to handover from the serving base station to a target base station, the wireless communication device adjusts the configurations of the applications based on the new communication link properties. Likewise, when an application is loaded that prefers communication link properties that exceeds a current communication link's capabilities, the wireless communication device may seek out and hand over to other communication links. By cooperatively coordinating the functionality of installed applications with communication link properties, the wireless communication device can maintain high levels of device and application functionality. |
| Inventors: | Broadcom Corporation (Irvine, CA, US) |
| Assignees: | Broadcom Corporation (Irvine, CA, US) |
| Claim: | 1. A method of handing over by a wireless communication device from a current communication link to a target communication link within a wireless communication environment, the method comprising: running an application that communicates on the wireless communication environment; receiving load information and a link property of the target communication link; determining from the load information whether the target communication link is in a high-load state by comparing the received load information of the target communication link to previously-stored load information of the target communication link; calculating a power consumption associated with communicating over the target communication link based on the link property by calculating an application power consumption of the application communicating over the target communication link; and requesting authorization to handover to the target communication link based on the power consumption and the determination of whether the target communication link is in the high-load state. |
| Claim: | 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein if the determining determines that the target communication link is in the high-load state, prohibiting the handover to the target communication link. |
| Claim: | 3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calculating includes determining a power consumption cost of the application communicating on the target communication link. |
| Claim: | 4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising calculating a data rate cost based on a data cost of a data service plan provided by a wireless service provider with respect to the wireless communication device. |
| Claim: | 5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the requesting includes: providing the calculated power consumption cost to an interface of the wireless communication device; and receiving an input indicating whether the power consumption cost is accepted or rejected. |
| Claim: | 6. The method of claim 5 , wherein if the input indicates a rejection of the power consumption cost, prohibiting the handover to the target communication link. |
| Claim: | 7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the calculated power consumption cost is provided on a display screen. |
| Claim: | 8. A wireless communication device, comprising: a receiver that receives load information and a link property of a target communication link; and one or more processors and/or circuits configured to: determine whether the target communication link is in a high-load state by comparing the received load information to a previously-stored link load of the target communication link; run an application that communicates on a wireless communication environment; calculate a power consumption associated with communicating over the target communication link based on the link property by calculating an application power consumption of the application communicating over the target communication link; and request authorization to handover to the target communication link based on the power consumption and the determination of whether the target communication link is in the high-load state. |
| Claim: | 9. The wireless communication device of claim 8 , wherein the calculation includes calculating a power consumption cost of communicating on the target communication link. |
| Claim: | 10. The wireless communication device of claim 9 , wherein the power consumption cost is indicative of an amount of power that the wireless communication device will expend while connected to the target communication link. |
| Claim: | 11. The wireless communication device of claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to determine a data rate cost based on a data cost of a data service plan provided by a wireless service provider with respect to the wireless communication device. |
| Claim: | 12. The wireless communication device of claim 8 , further comprising a display, wherein the request for authorization includes: displaying the power consumption cost on the display; and receiving an input accepting or rejecting the power consumption cost. |
| Claim: | 13. The wireless communication device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors and/or circuits are further configured to: handover to the target communication link in response to receiving the input accepting the power consumption cost; and terminate a handover procedure to the target communication link in response to receiving the input rejecting the power consumption on cost. |
| Claim: | 14. A method for determining whether, in a wireless communication device, to handover from a current communication link to a target communication link, the method comprising: running an application that communicates over at least one of the current communication link or the target communication link; measuring communication properties of the target communication link; determining, from the measured communication properties, a plurality of communication parameters; calculating a power consumption associated with communicating over the target communication link based on the plurality of communication parameters by calculating an application power consumption of the application communicating over the target communication link; and determining whether to complete the handover to the target communication link based on the power consumption, wherein the plurality of communication parameters include a link property and load information, and wherein the determining of the plurality of communication parameters includes determining whether the target communication link is in a high-load state or a low-load state by comparing a current load of the target communication link to a previously-stored link load. |
| Claim: | 15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the load information is indicative of whether the target communication link is in the high-load state or the low-load state. |
| Claim: | 16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the determining of whether to complete the handover includes: displaying a cost associated with performing the handover; and receiving an input accepting or rejecting the cost. |
| Claim: | 17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the determining of the power consumption includes adjusting operating parameters of applications running on the wireless communication device. |
| Claim: | 18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the operating parameters are stored in a table in association with cost values. |
| Patent References Cited: | 8995278 March 2015 Vivanco 2006/0025149 February 2006 Karaoguz 2006/0166677 July 2006 Derakshan 2008/0242301 October 2008 Osterling 2010/0099393 April 2010 Brisebois 2010/0150102 June 2010 Li 2010/0273486 October 2010 Kharia |
| Primary Examiner: | Htun, San |
| Attorney, Agent or Firm: | Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC |
| Accession Number: | edspgr.09521268 |
| Database: | USPTO Patent Grants |
| Abstract: | A wireless communication device communicating with a serving base station in a wireless communication environment may have one or more applications running. When seeking to handover from the serving base station to a target base station, the wireless communication device adjusts the configurations of the applications based on the new communication link properties. Likewise, when an application is loaded that prefers communication link properties that exceeds a current communication link's capabilities, the wireless communication device may seek out and hand over to other communication links. By cooperatively coordinating the functionality of installed applications with communication link properties, the wireless communication device can maintain high levels of device and application functionality. |
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