Communications channel selection
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for transferring information when a number of different network channels are available over which the information can be transferred, comprising:
- providing first information for transfer relative to a mobile unit;
providing second information for transfer relative to said mobile unit;
selecting a first network channel from a plurality of different network channels, including said first network channel and a second network channel, over which at least said first information is to be transferred relative to said mobile unit, wherein said network channels communicate directly with network interfaces located with the mobile unit including said first network channel communicating with a first network interface and said network channel communicating with a second network interface;
deciding after said selecting step that said second network channel is to be used to transfer said second information, said deciding step taking into account a position of said mobile unit; and
controlling within said mobile unit a use of said second network interface in transferring said second information relative to said mobile unit, said controlling step including a switching from using said first network channel to using said second network channel, wherein said controlling step is conducted free of any request related to change communicated to said second network channel from said first network channel.
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Abstract
A communications system is provided for sending and receiving information relative to a mobile unit in which a number of network channels are available through which the information can be transferred. The system includes a link selector for selecting an acceptable network channel using application requirements for the particular channel, together with channel operating parameter values. When such a channel does not become available, the link selector is also involved with recovery procedures. These network channel operating parameters include bandwidth, information transfer costs and information transfer packet loss, latency and jitter. Weighting vectors are also utilized with such channel operating parameters in determining suitability values associated with the available network channels. The link selector communicates with a link scheduler that has responsibility for determining when information should be transferred including when there should be a change in the timing of the information transfer. The link selector also receives data from a controller/monitor that obtains such dynamic data associated with selected network channel operation in connection with determining whether a switch should be made from the currently selected network channel to different network channel.
332 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for transferring information when a number of different network channels are available over which the information can be transferred, comprising:
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providing first information for transfer relative to a mobile unit; providing second information for transfer relative to said mobile unit; selecting a first network channel from a plurality of different network channels, including said first network channel and a second network channel, over which at least said first information is to be transferred relative to said mobile unit, wherein said network channels communicate directly with network interfaces located with the mobile unit including said first network channel communicating with a first network interface and said network channel communicating with a second network interface; deciding after said selecting step that said second network channel is to be used to transfer said second information, said deciding step taking into account a position of said mobile unit; and controlling within said mobile unit a use of said second network interface in transferring said second information relative to said mobile unit, said controlling step including a switching from using said first network channel to using said second network channel, wherein said controlling step is conducted free of any request related to change communicated to said second network channel from said first network channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for transferring first and second information when a plurality of different network channels including a first network channel and a second network channel are available over which the information can be transferred, comprising:
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network interfaces located with a mobile unit that communicate with the plurality of network channels including a first network interface communicating with the first network channel and a second network interface communicating with the second network channel; a protocol stack located with the mobile unit and in communication with said network interfaces; and a link selector held with the mobile unit that is used in determining that the first network channel is to be used for transferring at least the first information, said link selector is also used in determining that a change is to be made from using the first network channel to using the second network channel to transfer the second information, said protocol stack receiving an indication that the second network channel is to be used and provides second network channel addressing information to said second network interface that is used in directing the second information to the second network channel for transfer, with the second information then being transferred using the second network channel and all control for said change to using the second network channel being conducted interiorly of the mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification