• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    methods and apparatus for discovering network capabilities available via wireless networks. methods and example apparatus for discovering network capabilities available over wireless networks are disclosed. a disclosed example method involves discovering early network capabilities by performing an exchange between a wireless terminal and an access port of a wireless local area network. the method also involves comparing the first 10 network capacities with cached network capacities and matching the wireless terminal to the access point based on at least a portion of the first network capacities by matching at least a portion of the cached network capacities.
    公开号:BR112013007542B1
    申请号:R112013007542-2
    申请日:2011-02-14
    公开日:2022-01-11
    发明作者:Michael Montemurro；Stephen McCann
    申请人:Blackberry Limited；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    field of revelation
    The present disclosure relates generally to network communications and more particularly to methods and apparatus for discovering available network capabilities over wireless networks. background
    Wireless network deployments, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), allow wireless endpoints to access Internet and network services when in close proximity to wireless communication signals from those wireless networks. Different WLANs provide different network capabilities for wireless clients. Such network capabilities may include access to specific subscription service provider (SSP) networks, roaming agreements to allow connections from wireless clients associated with different SSPs, authentication capabilities to enable secure communications, support for emergency services, for specific types of multimedia access (eg streaming audio and/or video, downloading, etc.), and/or support for other types of network services. If a wireless client joins a WLAN that does not provide a specific network capability, the wireless client cannot utilize that capability while associated with that WLAN. Brief description of drawings
    Figure 1 represents an example communication network in which a wireless terminal can communicate with a plurality of wireless local area networks.
    Figure 2 represents a portion of the example communication network of Figure 1 in which the wireless terminal can discover example network capabilities that can be accessed via one of the wireless local area networks of Figure 1.
    Figure 3 represents sample data structures cached and/or stored in a wireless terminal to facilitate the selection of wireless networks to join based on network capabilities received from those networks and profiles of network capabilities associated with the wireless terminal. .
    Figure 4 depicts another example network capabilities profile data structure having network capabilities profiles defining different sets of network capabilities.
    Figure 5 represents an example wireless access point that can be used to implement the example methods and apparatus described herein.
    Figure 6 depicts an example wireless access point that can be used to implement the example methods and apparatus described herein.
    Figures 7A-7C represent a representative flowchart of an example process that may be implemented by a wireless terminal to discover network capabilities available via one or more wireless local area networks.
    Figure 8 represents a representative flowchart of another example process that can be implemented by the wireless terminal of Figures 1-5 to discover network capabilities available via one or more WLANs.
    Fig. 9 represents a representative flowchart of an example process that can be implemented by a wireless local area network access point to send network capabilities information to a wireless terminal. Detailed Description
    While the following discloses example methods and apparatus including, among other components, software running on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting. For example, it is understood that all or any such hardware and software components could be incorporated solely in hardware, solely in software, solely in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Therefore, while the following describes example methods and apparatus, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods and apparatus.
    The example methods and apparatus described herein can be used by wireless terminals to discover network capabilities that are available over wireless networks. Network capabilities are also mentioned here as network services supported by wireless networks. The example methods and apparatus described herein may be used in connection with mobile communication devices, mobile computing devices, or any other device capable of wirelessly communicating with a wireless network. Such devices, also referred to as endpoints, wireless endpoints, or user equipment (UE), may include mobile smart phones (e.g., a BlackBerry® smart phone, wireless personal digital assistants (PDA), laptop/notebook/ netbook with wireless adapters, etc. the methods and example apparatus are described here with respect to the wireless local area network (WLAN) communication standard known as IEEE® (Institute for Electrical and electronics Engineers) 802.11, which, among other things, defines interworking with external networks. However, the example methods and apparatus may additionally or alternatively be implemented with respect to other wireless communication standards including other WLAN standards (e.g. any IEEE® 802.1x standard), personal area network (PAN), wide area network (WAN) standards, or cellular communication standards.
    While the example methods and apparatus described here can be implemented in any environment that provides WLAN access for network connectivity, the example methods and apparatus can be advantageously implemented in WLAN access locations or environments in which one or more users carrying respective wireless terminals frequently connect to (or join with) and disconnect from a WLAN as they enter and leave WLAN access locations or environments. WLAN locations or environments are sometimes known as “hotspots” in reference to a location or environment that is within communication range of WLAN signals. Such example WLAN locations or environments include coffee shops, retail stores, educational facilities, office environments, airports, public transport stations and vehicles, hotels, etc. such WLANs are often implemented as access networks that provide access to the Internet and may be associated with, or support access to, external networks (or WLAN-supported networks) owned and/or operated by subscription-based service providers. For example, an external network may be owned and/or operated by an Internet access service provider or a telecommunications service provider/carrier that provides subscription-based Internet access for a fee (e.g., a monthly fee) . Thereby, a subscriber/user subscribed to such a service may utilize wireless network access services and/or Internet access based on such subscription when the subscriber is in close proximity to WLAN communication with an appropriate wireless terminal. In some cases, different WLANs may provide access to different types of network capabilities. For example, some WLANs may provide access to specific subscription service provider (SSP) networks, while others do not. In addition, some WLANs may support roaming agreements to allow connections from wireless endpoints associated with different SSPs. In addition, some WLANs may provide connection authentication capabilities to allow secure communications, may support specific emergency services, and/or may support specific types of multimedia access (eg, streaming audio and/or video). WLANs may additionally or alternatively support other types of network access capabilities.
    Known techniques for discovering network capabilities or network services available over WLANs can be time consuming and can adversely affect power consumption (and thus battery charge) of mobile devices. In addition, the user experience of known techniques or standards for associating a wireless terminal with a WLAN hotspot can be frustrating when network capabilities required by a wireless terminal and/or desired by a wireless terminal user are absent through the WLAN hotspot. For example, known techniques for associating a wireless endpoint with a WLAN involve the wireless endpoint passively or actively exploring to discover one or more WLANs. The wireless terminal then selects a WLAN to join (e.g. based on advertised WLAN network properties such as service set identifier (SSID), 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 through the WLAN. However, if the network capabilities required by the wireless terminal and/or desired by a user of the wireless terminal are not available, the WLAN association would be undesirable, yet the processing power and time to associate the WLAN would have already been spent.
    Unlike known techniques for discovering network capabilities, the methods and example apparatus described here can be used to perform queries during a network discovery process to discover available network capabilities over WLANs. In this way, a wireless terminal can obtain information about network capabilities made available by WLANs to determine, based on the network capabilities information, whether to proceed with a connection process to join the wireless terminal to a WLAN. In accordance with the example techniques described here, wireless endpoints can request network capabilities information from WLANs using an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP). ANQP supports retrieval of information from an Advertisement Server that supports a generic Advertisement Service (GAS). ANQP and GAS are defined in IEEE® 802.11u. Additionally or alternatively, other query protocols (e.g. Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) as defined in IEEE® 802.11af, Hotspot Query Protocol (HSQP), and Online Subscription Advertisement Protocol (OSAP) as defined on the Wi-Fi alliance) can also be used in a similar way to ANQP. An example ANQP exchange involves a requesting station (STA) (eg, a wireless terminal) querying another STA (eg, a WLAN access point (AP)) for information such as network capabilities information. The receiving or consulted STA may respond to the received inquiry with the requested information. The receiving or querying STA can generate the response information with or without proxying the query to a server on an external network (eg, an SSP network). For example, an external network connected to a queried WLAN may have specific network capabilities accessible through the WLAN of which a querying wireless terminal must be made aware. While example methods and apparatus are described herein with respect to ANQP and GAS, other query protocols and information exchange services may alternatively or additionally be used.
    To facilitate the selection of WLANs as candidates for membership, a wireless terminal can locally store one or more network capabilities profiles, each of which can define a different set of network capabilities. In this way, when the wireless terminal receives information indicative of network capabilities that are available over a WLAN, the wireless terminal can compare the network capabilities with its stored network capabilities profiles. Network capacity profiles specifying network capacities or minimum network capacity requirements that match the network capacities of the WLAN can be identified by the wireless terminal as indicating that the WLAN is a suitable candidate to join. If the wireless terminal finds that the WLAN is suitable for pairing, the wireless terminal can proceed with the pairing with the WLAN.
    A wireless terminal can join a WLAN using a manual mode (eg in response to a user selection from one of a plurality of available WLANs) or using an automatic mode. In the illustrated examples described here, an automatic mode involves a wireless terminal selecting a WLAN candidate based on a filtering scheme. For example, network capabilities profiles stored on a wireless terminal can be assigned classification levels (e.g., by a user, the wireless terminal, an SSP, etc.) so that the wireless terminal can select a highest ranking of network capability profiles that meet at least a minimal amount of network capability matches. In some example implementations, the automatic mode of joining a WLAN can be advantageously used with respect to wireless terminals that do not provide displays or user input interfaces to allow users to enter WLAN selections. 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 here can enable such a portable music player to join a WLAN hotspot when the portable music player has stored in it a network capabilities profile having a minimal amount of matches with available network capabilities through the WLAN hotspot.
    In some example implementations, the network capacity discovery techniques described here can be used for network discovery instead of SSID-based network discovery. For example, instead of using SSIDs as the primary mode for network discovery, a wireless endpoint can use network capabilities information received from APs and their stored WLAN profiles to determine when it is in proximity to appropriate WLANs for association.
    Turning now to Figure 1, an example communication network 100 in which the example methods and apparatus described here can be implemented is shown. As shown in Figure 1 , the example communication network 100 includes a plurality of WLAN access sites 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 an external network A 108a and 3 access network B 106b provides access to an external network B 108b. In the illustrated example, each of external networks A 108a and B 108b may be a subscription service provider (SSP) network owned and/or operated by data subscription service providers, internet subscription service providers, Internet service providers, media subscription service (eg audio/video), wireless communication subscription service providers, or any combination thereof. In the illustrated example, external networks A 108A and B 108b are connected to the Internet 112 and can, for example, provide subscription-based Internet access to wireless terminals. In some example implementations, roaming agreements between different SSPs may enable external networks A 108a and B 108b to support roaming connections to wireless endpoints associated with other SSPs.
    Unlike access networks A 106a and B 106b which do not directly connect to the Internet 112, access network C 110 is directly connected to the Internet. Thus, access network C 106c can be a public network, while access networks A 106a and B 106b can be private networks.
    Although not shown, each of the APs 104a-c and a wireless terminal 114, which communicates with the APs 104a-c, is provided with a station (STA), which is the interface or component, such as a network adapter or interface card. network (NIC), which connects to a wireless medium.
    Each of the access networks 106a-c and the external networks 108a-b can be associated with and/or provide access to different network capabilities. Network capabilities may include roaming relationships, network services, multimedia access services, authentication methods and/or supported security, emergency services, etc. Network capabilities may be selected by the respective owners or operators of networks 106a-c, 108a and 108b based on different factors such as subscription usage plans, desired security levels, business objectives, roaming agreements, services supported, multimedia access supported, Internet access available, etc. For example, if an SSP associated with external network A 108a only allows access by subscribers to its services, external network A 108a may advertise that it does not support roaming connections.
    The example methods and apparatus described here may also enable wireless terminal 114 to join different APs (eg, APs 104a-c) based on different network capability profiles stored in wireless terminal 114. This is , when the wireless terminal 114 is moved to a location other than the WLAN access locations 102a-c, the wireless terminal 114 can dynamically discover available network capabilities at the WLAN access locations 102a-c and join anyone Appropriateness of APs 104a-c even when wireless endpoint 114 has not previously encountered APs 104a-c or the network capabilities available through APs 104a-c have changed from a previous connection between wireless endpoint 114 and APs 104a-c .
    As shown generically with respect to the WLAN access location 102a, the wireless terminal 114 may send a NETCAP REQUEST (NETCAP REQUEST) message 116 to the AP 104a and receive a NETCAP RESPONSE response (NETCAP RESPONSE) message. ) 118 including network information 120 indicating one or more network capabilities (from access network A 106a and/or external network A 108a) available through access point 104a. Wireless terminal 114 and AP 104a can exchange NETCAP REQUEST 116 and NETCAP RESPONSE 118 using the ANQP protocol after wireless terminal 114 receives an SSID from AP 104a or without wireless terminal 114 needing to have received the SSID. In addition, NETCAP REQUEST 116 and NETCAP RESPONSE 118 can be interchanged on a media access control (MAC) sublayer of the well-known Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model without needing to use operations at or above the layer. protocol (IP) interface (i.e., a network layer) or otherwise need to provide access to the IP layer while discovering available network capabilities through the AP 104a.
    Discovering network capabilities using messages exchanged at or above the network layer requires relatively more processing power from a wireless terminal than implementation processes at the MAC sublayer. Mobile wireless terminals (e.g., wireless terminal 114 of Figure 1) such as mobile smart phones, PDA's, etc., often have relatively limited processor cycles and less electrical power available than fixed-location computing devices powered using of alternating current (AC) electricity. The example methods and apparatus described herein can be advantageously used to configure, design, or otherwise build mobile wireless terminals to operate more efficiently (i.e., do more with fewer processor cycles) and thereby reduce power usage. drums. That is, the example methods and apparatus described herein can be advantageously used to promote mobile wireless terminal designs that consume relatively less power and operate relatively more efficiently. For example, low-level resource operations at the MAC sublayer require relatively less system resources than user interface-intensive and operating system (OS)-intensive operations (e.g., web browser operations) at an application layer. OSI reference model.
    Another example advantage of discovering available network capabilities through APs using the MAC sublayer is that a network capacity discovery process can, with no or minimal user involvement, determine whether an AP is a suitable candidate for association based on minimum requirements of network capabilities profiles stored on wireless endpoint 114. For example, if AP 104 advertises that it does not support roaming and wireless endpoint 114 needs to join AP 104 under a roaming program, wireless terminal 114 can be configured to ignore the presence of AP 104a because wireless terminal 114 would be denied network access through AP 104a. In some example implementations, wireless terminal 114 can be configured not to inform its user about the presence of AP 104a during a WLAN discovery process when it would not be possible for wireless terminal 114 to connect to AP 104a without capabilities network capabilities required by the wireless endpoint's network capabilities profiles 114. Such example implementations substantially reduce or eliminate user frustration because the user would not need to engage in any attempts to join a specific AP when the AP does not meet the requirements. wireless terminal minimum network capacity requirements 114.
    Although an SSID is used with respect to some of the example implementations described here, an AP can alternatively be configured to broadcast a Homogeneous Extended Service Set Identifier (HESSID). A HESSID includes an SSID associated with a specific AP and a network ID corresponding to a supported external network (eg an SSP network). For example, if the AP 104a of Figure 1 were configured to broadcast a HESSID, it would include the SSID of the AP 104a and the network ID corresponding to the external network A 108a.
    Other example advantages of the example techniques described here result from the wireless terminal 114 discovering network capabilities each time it encounters an AP. thus, the wireless terminal 114 does not need to be preprogrammed to learn about network capabilities available through different APs. Also, networking capabilities of different networks (e.g. access networks 106a-c, 108a, and 108b) can be changed at any time because wireless terminals can discover new network capabilities every time wireless terminals discover (or rediscover) networks.
    Figure 2 represents a portion of the example communication network 100 of Figure 1 in which the wireless terminal 104 can discover example network capabilities that can be accessed via AP 104a. Although not shown, wireless terminal 104 can discover network capabilities available through APs 104b and 104c or any other AP using similar or identical techniques as described with respect to Figure 2. In the illustrated example of Figure 2, external network A 108a includes an external network capabilities data store 202 for storing network capabilities 206a-f of the external network A 108a. In the illustrated example, network capabilities 206a-f include one or more roaming programs 206a, network service(s) capabilities 206b, emergency services support 206c, subscription service provider (SSP) identifier(s) 206d, multimedia access types 206e, and authentication methods 206f.
    In the illustrated example, one or more roaming programs 206a may be based on agreements between the SSP(s) of external network A 108a and one or more other SSP(s) to allow wireless terminals to join the access network 106a under a roaming mode and, in turn, the external network A 108a. Network service(s) 206b may identify one or more network services (e.g., Internet connectivity, media streaming, secure protocols, no payment required, etc.) supported for communication with or over the external network. The 108th The emergency service(s) 206 may indicate the types of emergency services that are supported or provided by the external network A 108a. The SSP ID(s) 206d identify one or more SSPs that support or provide service over the external network A 108a. A wireless terminal associated with a service subscription of an SSP that supports or provides service over external network A 108a may join access network A 106a to access external network A 108a without requiring a roaming agreement. Multimedia access types 206e indicate the types of multimedia (eg, video, audio, IP television (IPTV), etc.) that can be accessed via the external network A 108a. Authentication methods 206f may include identifiers of one or more authentication methods supported by external network A 108a. An example authentication method is an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) method. 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 can be identified using a corresponding integer format value assigned by an industry standard resource coordinating body such as the Internet assigned numbers authority (IANA) (HTTP://WWW.IANA.ORG). Other EAP methods may also include vendor-specific methods.
    In the illustrated example, access network A 106a is provided with an access network capabilities data store 208 for storing network capabilities of access network A 106a. Although not shown, the access capabilities stored in the access network capabilities data store 208 may be of the same type as the network capabilities 206a-f stored in the external network capabilities data store 202 or may be of any other type. appropriate type of network capabilities.
    In the illustrated example, network capabilities 206a-f and network capabilities stored in access network capabilities data store 208 can be organized using an extensible markup language (XML) framework. In this way, AP 104a and wireless terminal 114 can exchange registration requirements and registration information using XML format. Alternatively, network capabilities 206a-f and network capabilities stored in the access network capabilities data store 208 may exchange record requirements and record information using a length-type value (TLV) structure format. For example, AP 104a can encapsulate one of the network capabilities in TLV-like structures for communication with wireless terminal 114 (e.g., via NETCAP RESPONSE 118).
    In the illustrated example of Figure 2, the wireless terminal 114 stores network capability profiles 210, each of which can define a different set of network capabilities. Wireless terminal 114 can use network capabilities profiles 210 to identify appropriate WLAN candidates that wireless terminal 114 can join. In some example implementations, each of the network capabilities profiles 210 may be assigned a respective rating so that the wireless terminal 114 can perform a rating process when a WLAN (e.g., access network A 106a) has capabilities. networks that meet a minimum capacity requirement of more than one of the 210 Network Capacity Profiles. Example implementations of the 210 Network Capacity Profiles are described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
    In the illustrated example of Figure 2, wireless terminal 114 uses network capabilities profiles 210 during a network discovery process to determine whether any APs in wireless communication proximity to wireless terminal 114 are appropriate candidates for association. As shown in Figure 2, during a network discovery process, the wireless terminal 114 can receive an SSID 212 and an encryption mode status 214 from the AP 104a. In the illustrated example, the encryption mode status 214 indicates whether an encryption mode (eg, Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), etc.) is enabled on the AP 104a. Although not shown, wireless terminal 114 can also simultaneously receive other SSIDs and encryption mode status from other nearby APs. In some example implementations, the AP 104a may also communicate a GAS support indicator 216 (typically implemented as an interworking element in the beacon or probe response of an IEEE® 802.11 WLAN) to the wireless terminal 114, as shown in Figure 2 The GAS support indicator 216 indicates that the access network A 106a supports GAS. Wireless terminal 114 may use this information to communicate with AP 104a using protocols carried over GAS (e.g., ANQP messages). If a WLAN does not support GAS, it will not broadcast the GAS support indicator 216.
    In some example implementations, after receiving SSID 212 and encryption mode status 214 (and GAS support indicator 216, if applicable), wireless terminal 114 sends NETCAP REQUEST 116 to AP 104a to request encryption capabilities. network that are available through access network A 106a. In the illustrated example, network capabilities may be provided by access network A 106a and/or external network A 108a. If external network A 108a provides some network capabilities, access network A 106a may relay, issue, or otherwise send an external network capabilities request (EXT-NETCAP REQUEST) 218 to external network A 108a in response to the receipt of NETCAP REQUEST 116 from wireless terminal 114. In response to EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218, external network A 108a sends its network capabilities (for example, one or more of the network capabilities 206a-f) to the network 106a access via an EXT-NETCAP RESPONSE 220.
    Access network A 106a forms 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 NETCAP RESPONSE 118 to wireless terminal 114 to inform wireless terminal 114 of network capabilities that are available through access network A 106a. The wireless terminal 114 can then compare the received network capacities with network capacities indicated in each of its 210 network capacity profiles to determine whether the minimum network capacity requirements are met for any of the 210 network capacity profiles for indicate that access network A 106a is a suitable candidate for association.
    Turning now to Figure 3, wireless terminal 114 caches and/or stores an example network capabilities profile data structure 302 having network capabilities profiles (e.g., network capabilities profiles 210 of Fig. 2 ) specifying different sets of network capabilities. In the illustrated example, wireless terminal 114 also caches discovered network capabilities 304 received from one or more wireless networks (eg, wireless networks associated with APs 104a-c) during a wireless network scan. In example implementations, the wireless terminal 114 uses the network capabilities profile data structure 302 and the discovered network capabilities 304 to select wireless networks to join based on the network capabilities of the discovered wireless networks (e.g. (e.g., discovered network capabilities 304) and network capabilities (e.g., one or more network capabilities specified in the network capabilities profile data structure 302) that are desired for use with wireless terminal 114. In some For example implementations, wireless terminal 114 may also utilize a cached or stored SSID priority list 306 indicating a priority order of one or more SSIDs to select a wireless network to join when two or more wireless networks advertise capabilities. network capabilities also desired for use with wireless terminal 114 (e.g., based on the network capabilities specified in the network capabilities profile data structure 302).
    In the illustrated example of Figure 3, each network capabilities profile in the network capabilities profile data structure 302 is assigned a unique profile ID 308 and includes ratings 310, minimum capabilities 312, and additional capabilities 314. Returning to capabilities 304, during wireless network scans performed by wireless terminal 114 to discover available WLANs (e.g., access networks 106a-c of figure 1) in its proximity, wireless terminal 114 caches discovered SSIDs 316. For each discovered SSID 316, wireless terminal 114 sends an ANQP query to each discovered WLAN requesting the networking capabilities of those networks. The wireless terminal 114 then caches the received network capabilities 318 as shown in Figure 3. In the illustrated example of Figure 3, the cached network capabilities 318 are shown as <X>, <Y> and <M> for each respective WLAN . Each notation <X>, <Y> and <M> represents a listing of one or more network capabilities or services available via the respective WLAN.
    Referring again to the network capabilities profile data structure 302, the minimum capabilities 312 are indicated as <X>, <Y>, <M>, <N> and <O>, each of which indicates one or more network capabilities (for each profile) that must be available through a WLAN (e.g., access network 106a of Figures 1 and 2) to consider that WLAN a suitable candidate for wireless terminal 114 to join. For example, if discovered network capacities (e.g. <Y> network capacities cached in discovered network capacities 304) available through access network A 106a do not meet the minimum network capacities of profile ID 0001, then the network Access 106a would not be considered an appropriate candidate based on profile ID 0001.
    However, if the same discovered network capacities (e.g. network <Y> capacities) of access network A 106a meet the minimum network capacities of profile ID 0002, then access network A 106a would be considered a appropriate candidate based on profile ID 0001. Thus, a WLA's network capabilities need to at least meet the minimum network capabilities of a network capabilities profile for that WLAN to be considered an appropriate candidate for wireless terminal joining 114.
    In the illustrated example of Fig. 3, additional capabilities 314 specify network capabilities for each profile of network capabilities that are not necessarily required for a WLAN to be considered a suitable membership candidate. However, the network capabilities specified in additional capabilities 314 could be additional, desired network capabilities. In some example implementations, the additional capabilities 314 may be used to select a WLAN that the wireless terminal 114 should join when multiple WLANs have been identified as appropriate membership candidates. For example, wireless terminal 114 can discover access network A 106a and access network B 106b of Figure 1 during the same network scan, and access network A 106a can meet the minimum network capacity requirements of the Profile ID 0001, while access network B 106b can meet the minimum network capabilities requirements of profile ID 0002. In such an example, wireless terminal 114 or a user of wireless terminal 114 can select to connect to the access network A 106a if the network capabilities accessible via the access network A 106a more closely match the network capabilities specified in additional capabilities 314 for profile ID 0001 than the percentage amount of matches between the network capabilities accessible via access network B 106b and the additional capabilities 314 for profile ID 0002.
    In some example implementations, WLANs may be selected for association based on network capability profile classifications. In the illustrated example, network capabilities profiles are assigned rank values 310 to indicate their order of preference for use when selecting a WLAN from more than one appropriate membership candidate. Rating values 310 can be specified by wireless terminal 114 or an SSP based on rules or criteria related to preferred wireless connections. Alternatively, rating values 310 may be specified by a user of wireless terminal 114 based on the user's wireless connection preferences. During a network discovery process, when wireless terminal 114 discovers that more than one WLAN (e.g., access networks A 106a, B 106b, and C 106c) is a suitable association candidate, wireless terminal 114 can classify each of the WLANs based on the classification values 310 assigned to corresponding profiles of the network capability profiles that match those WLANs. For example, if the network capabilities available through 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, both access networks A 106a and B 106b are appropriate association candidates, but wireless terminal 114 selects access network A 106a because the network capabilities profile (profile ID 0003) is met by the network capabilities of the access network The 106a has the highest capacity rating.
    In the illustrated example, wireless terminal 114 can use SSID priorities listed in the SSID priority table 306 to break a 'loop' when more than one discovered WLAN obtains the same ratings 310. That is, if two WLANs with different SSIDs meet the minimum capabilities 312 of the same network capabilities profile, the wireless terminal 114 can select the WLAN having the highest priority SSID according to the SSID priority list 306.
    Turning now to Figure 4, another example network capabilities profile data structure 400 is shown with example minimum network capabilities or services shown for each network capabilities profile. In addition, Figure 4 shows that network capability profiles can be defined independent of network SSIDs. That is, unlike traditional network discovery techniques that rely on a network's SSID to determine whether to join that network, wireless terminal 114 can instead rely on the networking capabilities of a WLAN's unique WLAN. WLAN SSID to determine if the WLAN is an appropriate candidate to join.
    The network capabilities profile data structure 400 may be cached or stored in the wireless terminal 114. In the illustrated example of Figure 4, the network capabilities profile data structure 400 stores a plurality of network capabilities profiles ( for example, the network capabilities profiles 210 of figure 2) specifying different sets of network capabilities. Each network capabilities profile is provided with a profile ID 402 and minimum capabilities 404 specifying the network capabilities required to recognize that a WLAN (e.g., any of the access networks 106a-c of Figure 1) is available to associate at wireless terminal 114. For example, the network capabilities profile having profile ID 0001 only requires that a WLAN having a network access identifier (NAI) of “MYPROVIDER.COM” be considered a suitable membership candidate for the terminal wireless 114. In such an example, 'MYPROVIDER.COM' may be the NAI of an SSP that provides a subscription service to the wireless terminal 114.
    In the illustrated example, each of the network capabilities profiles is associated with a wildcard(*) as an SSID 406. The SSID wildcard(*) indicates that the SSID of a WLAN can be anything. That is, regardless of a specific SSID, the wireless terminal 114 can detect a WLAN as being available for association if the network capabilities available through the WLAN meet the network capabilities specified in the minimum capabilities 404 for any of the network capabilities profiles. of the network capabilities profile data structure 400.
    In some example implementations, the network capabilities profile data structure 400 may also be provided with rank values such as the rank values 310 of Fig. 3 and additional capabilities such as the additional capabilities 314 of Fig. 3.
    Although not shown, the minimum capabilities 404 of figure 4 (and/or the minimum capabilities 312 of figure 3) can specify credentials for specific network services. For example, a roaming credential can be specified in a network capabilities profile indicating that, for that specific profile, a roaming network service on a wireless network must support roaming access to roam over a network of an indicated SSP by the roaming credential. In such example implementations, if a network capabilities profile specifies a roaming credential as a minimum capability, wireless terminal 114 must confirm that a WLAN supports roaming access to an SSP specified by that profile's roaming credential. Thus, if roaming access corresponding to that roaming credential is not supported by a specific WLAN, wireless terminal 114 will not consider that WLAN as an appropriate candidate for joining.
    Referring now to Figure 5, an illustrated example of the wireless terminal 114 of Figures 1-4 is shown in block diagram form. In the illustrated example, wireless terminal 114 includes a processor 502 that can be used to control the general operation of wireless terminal 114. Processor 502 can 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 analyzer 506. The terminal message generator 504 can be used to generate network capability discovery messages such as NETCAP REQUEST 116 of Figures 1 and 2. The terminal data analyzer 506 may be used to retrieve information from memory (eg, a RAM 510, a cache, etc.). For example, Terminal Data Analyzer 506 can retrieve SSIDs (for example, SSID 212 in Figure 2), encryption mode status (for example, encryption mode status 214 in Figure 2), GAS support indicators (e.g., GAS support indicator 216 of Figure 2) and network capabilities that are cached on 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 analyzer 506 are shown as separate from and connected to the processor 502 in Figure 5, in some example implementations the terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data analyzer 506 may be implemented in the processor 502 and/or in a wireless communication subsystem (e.g., a wireless communication subsystem 518). The terminal message generator 504 and the terminal data analyzer 506 can 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 analyzer 506, or parts thereof, could be implemented using one or more circuit(s), programmable processor(s), circuit(s). s) application-specific integrated(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s), etc. terminal message 504 and terminal data analyzer 506 or parts thereof, may be implemented using instructions, code, and/or other software and/or firmware, etc., stored on machine-accessible and executable media, for example , by a processor (e.g. example processor 502) When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software implementation, at least one of the terminal message generator 504 or the terminal data parser 506 is at least expressly defined as including a tangible means such as a solid state memory, a magnetic memory, a DVD, a CD, etc. As used herein, the term tangible computer-readable miai is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable storage and exclude propagation signals. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the terminal message generator 504 or terminal data analyzer 506 is hereby expressly defined to include non-transient computer readable media such as flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a memory access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage medium on which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for prolonged periods of time, permanently, for brief instances, for temporary buffering, and/or for caching the information ). As used herein, the term non-transient computer readable media is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable media and exclude propagation signals.
    The example wireless terminal 114 shown in Figure 5 also includes flash memory 508, random access memory (RAM) 510, and expandable memory interface 512 communicatively coupled to processor 502. FLASH memory 508 may be used for, for example, storing computer readable instructions and/or data. In some example implementations, FLASH memory 508 may be used to store one or more of the data structures discussed above with respect to Figures 3 and 4. RAM 510 may also be used to, for example, store data and/or instructions .
    Wireless terminal 114 is provided with a security hardware interface 514 for receiving a SIM card (or a USIM card or an NFC secure element) from a wireless service provider. A SIM card can be used as an authentication parameter to authenticate the wireless terminal 114 to establish a connection to a WLAN supported network. In some example implementations, a SIM card may also store registration information required to register with external networks. Wireless terminal 114 is also provided with an external data I/O interface 516. External data I/O interface 516 may be used by a user to transfer information to wireless terminal 114 via wired media.
    Wireless terminal 114 is provided with a wireless communication subsystem 518 to enable wireless communications with APs (for example, APs 104a-c of Figure 1). Although not shown, wireless terminal 114 may also have a long-range communication subsystem for receiving messages from, and sending messages to, a cellular wireless network. In the illustrated examples described here, the 518 wireless communication subsystem can be configured according to the IEEE® 802.11 standard. In other example implementations, the wireless communication subsystem 518 can be implemented using a BLUETOOTH® radio, a ZIGBEE® device, a USB wireless device, an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio, a Field Communication device (NFC), or a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) device.
    To allow a user to use and interact with or through the wireless terminal 114, the wireless terminal 114 is provided with a speaker 520, a microphone 522, a display 524, and a user input interface 526. 524 can be an LCD display, an e-paper display, etc. The user input interface 526 can be an alphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad, a multi-directional trigger or rollerwheel with dynamic button press capability, a touch panel, etc. As discussed above, the methods and example apparatus described herein may also be advantageously used with respect to wireless terminals that do not have user interfaces, and thus speaker 520, microphone 522, display 524, user interface user input 526, and/or any combination thereof may optionally be omitted. In the illustrated example, the wireless terminal 114 is a battery powered device and is thus provided with a battery 528 and a battery interface 530.
    Turning now to Figure 6, the example AP 104a of Figures 1 and 2 is shown in block diagram form. The APs 104b and 104c of Figure 1 may be implemented using a substantially similar or identical configuration. The example AP 104a includes a processor 602 to perform the general operations of the AP 104a. In addition, the AP 104a includes an AP message generator 604 for generating messages in XML or TLV format or messages of any other type of format (e.g., NETCAP RESPONSE 118 of Fig. 1, EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218 of Fig. 2, and/or messages to send SSID 212, encryption mode status 214, and GAS support indicator 216 in figure 2). The AP 104a also includes an AP data analyzer 606 for retrieving information from received messages sent by the wireless terminal 114 and/or the external network A 108a (FIGS. 1 and 2). The AP message generator 604 is substantially similar to the endpoint message generator 504 of Fig. 5, and the AP data analyzer 606 is substantially similar to the endpoint data analyzer 506 of Fig. 5. Thus, the AP message generator 606 is substantially similar to the endpoint data analyzer 506 of Fig. 604 and AP data analyzer 606 may be implemented in processor 602 and/or a wireless communication subsystem (e.g., a wireless communication subsystem 612) using any combination of hardware, firmware and/or software including instructions stored in tangible computer-readable media and/or non-transient computer-readable media.
    The example AP 104a also includes a FLASH memory 608 and a RAM 610, which are both coupled to the processor 602. The FLASH memory 608 may be configured to store network capabilities information (e.g., the storage of network capabilities data). access network 208 of figure 2). RAM 610 may be used to generate messages for communication with wireless terminal 114 and/or external network A 108a and/or store received messages communicated by wireless terminal 114 and/or external network A 108a.
    To communicate with wireless terminals such as the wireless terminal 114, the AP 104a is provided with a wireless communication subsystem 612, which may be substantially similar or identical to the wireless communication subsystem 518 (FIG. 5) of the wireless terminal 114. To communicate with a WLAN supported network or external network (for example, networks 106a-c, 108a, and 108b of figure 1), the AP 104a is provided with a network uplink communication interface 614.
    Figures 7A-7C represent a representative flowchart of an example process that can be implemented by the wireless terminal 114 of Figures 1-5 to discover network capabilities available through one or more WLANs (e.g., access networks 106a- c of figures 1 and 2). Figure 8 represents a representative flowchart of another example process that may be implemented by the wireless terminal 114 of Figures 1-5 to discover network capabilities across one or more WLANs. Figure 9 represents a representative flowchart of an example process that can be implemented by an AP (e.g., one or more of the APs 104a-c of Figures 1 and 2) to send network capabilities information to the wireless terminal 114. The example processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9 can be performed using a processor, controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example processes in Figures 7A-7C, 8, and 9 can be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions) stored on tangible computer-readable media such as FLASH memory, a read-only memory ( ROM), and/or random access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable media is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and exclude signs of propagation. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8, and 9 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer-readable instructions) stored on non-transient computer-readable media such as flash memory, flash-only memory. read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage medium on which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for prolonged periods of time, permanently, for brief instances, for temporary buffering, and /or for caching information). As used herein, the term non-transient computer-readable media is expressly defined to include any type of computer-readable media and exclude propagation signals.
    Alternatively, some or all of the example processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9 may be implemented using any (any) combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), device Programmable Logic(s) (PLD(s)), Field Programmable Logic Device(s) (FPLD(S)), Discrete Logic, Hardware, Firmware, etc. in addition, some or all of the example processes of figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9 may be implemented manually or as any (any) combination(s) of any of the above techniques, e.g. any combination of firmware, software, logic discrete and/or hardware. Furthermore, while the example processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9 are described with reference to the flow charts of Figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9, other methods of implementing the processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9 may be employees. For example, the execution order of the blocks can be changed, and/or some of the blocks described can be changed, deleted, subdivided or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example processes of Figures 7A-7C, 8 and 9 may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices. Discrete logic, circuits, etc.
    Turning now to Figure 7A, the illustrated example process can be performed by the wireless terminal 114 during a network discovery process. Initially, wireless terminal 114 performs a wireless network scan (block 702). For example, the wireless terminal 114 can perform a passive network scan in which it waits for one or more access points (for example, one or more of the APs 104a-c in Figure 1) to broadcast its SSID (for example, the SSID 212 in Figure 2) and encryption mode status (for example, encryption mode status 214 in Figure 2), if applicable. Alternatively, wireless terminal 114 may perform an active scan in which wireless terminal 114 broadcasts a probe request to actively request SSIDs (and encryption mode status and GAS support indicators) from any nearby WLANs.
    Wireless terminal 114 determines whether any of its stored SSIDs match any of the SSIDs received in block 702 (block 704). Stored SSIDs may be pre-stored by a user or an SSP or may have been previously stored by wireless terminal 114 when received during a previous network discovery process. In some example implementations, wireless network scan operations from blocks 702 and 704 may be omitted and wireless terminal 114 may proceed to block 706 based on SSIDs that have been pre-stored in one of its memories (e.g. example, the FLASH memory 508 or the RAM 510 of figure 5).
    Of the WLANs identified as having SSIDs that match SSIDs stored in wireless terminal 114, wireless terminal 114 selects the WLAN(s) that support GAS (block 706). For example, during the wireless network scan of block 702, the wireless terminal 114 may receive GAS support indicators (eg, GAS support indicator 216 of Figure 2) indicating which WLANs support GAS.
    Wireless terminal 114 uses an ANQP swap to retrieve network capabilities for each WLAN selected in block 706 (block 710). For example, for the WLAN associated with AP 104a of Figures 1 and 2, wireless terminal 114 sends NETCAP REQUEST 116 to AP 104a and AP 104a responds with NETCAP RESPONSE 118 as discussed above with respect to Figures 1 and 2 Wireless terminal 114 exchanges similar messages with any other WLAN selected in block 706.
    Wireless endpoint 114 determines whether any of the WLANs advertised network capabilities that fully match all of the network capabilities (e.g., minimum capabilities 312 and additional capabilities 314 of figure 3) specified in a single network capabilities profile ( for example, the network capabilities profiles 210 of figure 2 and/or the network capabilities profiles of figure 3 and/or figure 4) (block 712). If wireless terminal 114 finds total matches (block 712), wireless terminal 114 selects the WLAN that advertised network capabilities by matching the network capabilities profile with the highest rank relative to the other matching profiles (block 714). In some example implementations, wireless terminal 114 can be configured to select a WLAN based on the network capabilities profile that has the relatively highest rating and closest proximity.
    If at block 712, wireless terminal 114 finds no full match, wireless terminal 114 determines whether any of the WLANs have advertised network capabilities that partially match the network capabilities specified in a single network profile (e.g., the network capabilities profiles 210 of figure 2 and/or the network capabilities profiles 302 of figure 3 and/or 400 of figure 4) (block 716) (figure 7B). If the wireless terminal 114 finds partial matches (block 716), the wireless terminal 114 selects the WLAN(s) that advertised network capabilities that matched at least all of the minimum capabilities (e.g., the minimum capacities 312 of figure 3 or 404 of figure 4) of one or more network capacity profile(s) (block 718). If wireless terminal 114 selected any WLAN in block 720, wireless terminal 114 then selects the WLAN that advertised network capabilities that match the minimum 312 capabilities (or the minimum 404 capabilities) of a network capabilities profile with the highest rating (block 722). In some example implementations, wireless terminal 114 can be configured to select a WLAN based on the network capabilities profile that has the highest rating and closest proximity.
    If wireless terminal 114 has not selected any WLANs in block 720 or if wireless terminal 114 has not found any partial matches in block 716, wireless terminal 114 displays the available WLAN(s) discovered in block 702 for a user (block 724). If the wireless terminal 114 receives a user selection from a WLAN (block 726) or if the wireless terminal 114 selects a WLAN at block 722 or if the wireless terminal 114 selects a WLAN at block 714 (Figure 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 can also be registered with an external network (for example, external network A 108a of figures 1 and 2). As shown in Figure 7B, after joining the WLAN (block 728) or if the wireless terminal 114 has not received a user selection from a WLAN (for example, within a timeout period) in block 726, the process of example of figures 7A-7C ends.
    Returning to Figure 7A, if at block 704, wireless terminal 114 does not discover that any of its stored SSIDs match any of the SSIDs received at block 702, control advances to block 730 shown in Figure 7C. Wireless terminal 114 presents the available WLAN(s) discovered at block 702 through a display of wireless terminal 114 (block 730). If the wireless terminal 114 receives a user selection of one or more WLANs (block 732) that the user would like to try to join, the wireless terminal 114 selects the WLAN(s) that support GAS ( block 734). For example, wireless terminal 114 can determine which WLANs support GAS based on which WLANs have transmitted the GAS support indicator 216 (Figure 2) (e.g., based on GAS support indicators received at block 702).
    Wireless terminal 114 uses an ANQP swap to retrieve network capabilities for each WLAN selected in block 734 (block 736). For example, for the WLAN associated with AP 104a of Figures 1 and 2, wireless terminal 114 sends NETCAP REQUEST 116 to AP 104a and AP 104a responds with NETCAP RESPONSE 118 as discussed above with respect to Figures 1 and 2 Wireless terminal 114 exchanges similar messages with any other WLAN selected in block 736.
    Wireless terminal 114 presents the network capabilities retrieved at block 736 for each WLAN through a display of wireless terminal 114 (block 738). If the wireless terminal 114 receives a user selection from 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 can also be registered with an external network (for example, external network A 108a of figures 1 and 2). As shown in Figure 7C, after association with the selected WLAN (block 742) or if the wireless terminal 114 has not received one or more user selection(s) from the WLAN(s) in block 732 (for example, in a specific timeout period) or has not received a user selection at block 740 (e.g. within a specific timeout period), the example process of Figures 7A-7C ends.
    Turning now to Figure 8, the flowchart represents another example process that can be performed by the wireless terminal 114 of Figures 1-5 to discover network capabilities available through one or more WLANs. Initially, wireless terminal 114 performs a wireless network scan (block 802). For example, the wireless terminal 114 can perform a passive network scan in which it waits for one or more access points (for example, one or more of the APs 104a-c in Figure 1) to broadcast its SSID (for example, the SSID 212 in Figure 2) and encryption mode status (for example, encryption mode status 214 in Figure 2), if applicable. Alternatively, wireless terminal 114 may perform an active scan in which wireless terminal 114 broadcasts a probe request to actively request SSIDs (and encryption mode status and GAS support indicators) from 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, wireless terminal 114 may use an ANQP exchange to retrieve network services (e.g., discovered network capabilities 304 of Fig. 3) for each discovered WLAN that supports GAS. Wireless terminal 114 filters incoming network services (block 808). For example, wireless terminal 114 can filter out any WLANs that do not meet the minimum network capabilities (e.g., minimum capabilities 312 of figure 3 or 404 of figure 4) specified in wireless terminal 114 and can additionally filter the remaining WLANs based on the ratings (eg, the 310 ratings of figure 3) associated with those minimum network capabilities. In this way, wireless terminal 114 can determine which of the WLANs are suitable candidates for joining.
    Wireless terminal 114 presents network services through a display (block 810) for each WLAN it has identified as a suitable candidate for joining. If the wireless terminal 114 determines that one or more of the presented services have been selected (e.g., by a user of the wireless terminal 114) (block 812) the wireless terminal 114 joins the WLAN that provides one or more service(s) selected(s) (block 814).
    At some point after joining the WLAN at block 814, wireless terminal 114 can determine whether to discover other available networks (block 816). For example, wireless terminal 114's network capability needs may change, or wireless terminal 114 may become disconnected from the WLAN with which it has joined at block 814. Additionally, wireless terminal 114 may determine whether to discover other networks available at block 816 in instances when wireless terminal 114 does not discover a network at block 804 or one or more services are not selected at block 812. If wireless terminal 114 determines that it must discover another network (block 816), the control passes back to block 804. Otherwise, the example process of figure 8 ends.
    Turning now to Fig. 9, the illustrated example process can be performed by AP 104a during a network discovery process. The example process can be similarly performed by any other AP (for example, APs 104b and 104c of Figure 1 or any other AP) during a network discovery process. Initially, AP 104a broadcasts its SSID (for example, SSID 212 in Figure 2) and any encryption mode status (for example, encryption mode status 214 in Figure 2) and GAS support indicator (for example , the GAS support indicator 216 of figure 2) (block 902). The AP 104a can send this information based on a periodic SSID broadcast for passive network discovery scans or based on an active network discovery initiated by a wireless endpoint (for example, wireless endpoint 114 in Figures 1-5 ).
    If AP 104a receives a network capabilities request (e.g., NETCAP REQUEST 116 of Figures 1 and 2) (block 906), AP 104a determines whether to issue a network capabilities request (e.g., EXT- NETCAP REQUEST 218 of figure 2) to an external network (for example, external network A 108a of figures 1 and 2) (block 906). For example, if the AP 104a is communicating with an external network, it may send a request for network capabilities to the external network. Otherwise, if not communicating with an external network, do not send a request for network capabilities to an external network.
    If AP 104a determines that it should send a network capabilities request to an external network (e.g., external network A 108a) (block 906), AP 104a sends EXT-NETCAP REQUEST 218 to external network A 108a ( block 908) and receives EXT-NETCAP RESPONSE 220 from external network A 108a (block 910) including network capabilities of external network A 108a as described above with respect to Figure 2. After receiving network capabilities of external network A 108a in block 910 or if AP 104a determines in block 906 that it should not send a network capabilities request to an external network, AP 104a collects network capabilities from access network A 106a (FIGS. 1 and 2) (block 912). AP 104a generates NETCAP RESPONSE 118 (Figures 1 and 2) (block 914) to include the network capabilities of access network A 106a and/or eternal network A 108a and sends NETCAP RESPONSE 118 to wireless terminal 114 (block 916).
    After sending NETCAP RESPONSE 118 in block 916 or if AP 104a has not received NETCAP REQUEST 116 in block 904, AP 104a determines whether to send another SSID (block 918), for example, based on a periodic SSID broadcast or a request from a wireless terminal. If the AP 104a determines that it should send another SSID, control returns to block 902. Otherwise, the AP 104 determines whether to terminate its processes (block 920), for example, based on a shutdown event or a low power mode event. If the AP 104a should not terminate its processes, control returns to block 904. Otherwise, the example process of Fig. 9 terminates.
    Although certain industrial methods, devices and products have been described here, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited to them. Rather, this patent covers all industrial methods, apparatus and products that are reasonably within the scope of the appended claims literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
    权利要求:
    Claims (24)
    [0001]
    1. Method for network selection, the method characterized in that it comprises: discovering first network capabilities by performing an exchange between a wireless terminal and an access point of a wireless local area network; compare early network capabilities with cached capabilities; finding a match between at least a portion of the first network capabilities and at least a portion of the cached capabilities; filtering the matched capabilities in the wireless terminal based on a rating, filtering the matched capabilities comprising filtering one of the matched capabilities based on the rating; and joining the wireless terminal to the access point based on at least a portion of the first network capabilities matching at least a portion of the cached capabilities.
    [0002]
    2. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises, before performing the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point: exploring in relation to available networks; and determine whether the access point supports a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS).
    [0003]
    3. Method, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the GAS contains consultation protocols.
    [0004]
    4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that one of the query protocols is an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP).
    [0005]
    5. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point is carried out based on the determination that the access point supports GAS.
    [0006]
    6. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the exchange between the wireless terminal and the wireless local area network access point is performed using GAS.
    [0007]
    7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point is an exchange of GAS.
    [0008]
    8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first network capabilities include at least one of a roaming program, a roaming credential, a supported emergency service or access to a service provider network of signature.
    [0009]
    9. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the classification attributed to cached capabilities refers to the wireless terminal.
    [0010]
    10. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the wireless terminal and the access point is established based on at least one of the matched capacities, the highest ranked in relation to the other capacities married.
    [0011]
    11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point is performed in responses to a first service set identifier (SSID) of the access point matching a second SSID cached on the wireless terminal.
    [0012]
    12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point to discover the first network capabilities is performed before the wireless terminal is joined to an external network in communication. with the access point.
    [0013]
    13. Apparatus for selecting networks, characterized in that it comprises: a processor configured to: discover first network capabilities by performing an exchange between a wireless terminal and an access point of a wireless local area network; compare early network capabilities with cached capabilities; finding a match between at least a portion of the first network capabilities and at least a portion of the cached capabilities; filtering the matched capabilities in the wireless terminal based on a rating, filtering the matched capabilities comprising filtering one of the matched capabilities based on the rating; and joining the wireless terminal to the access point based on at least a portion of the first network capabilities matching at least a portion of the cached network capabilities.
    [0014]
    14. Device, according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor must, before performing the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point: explore in relation to available networks; and determine whether the access point supports a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS).
    [0015]
    15. Device, according to claim 14, characterized in that the GAS contains consultation protocols.
    [0016]
    16. Device, according to claim 15, characterized in that one of the query protocols is an Access Network Query Protocol (ANPQ).
    [0017]
    17. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the processor must perform the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point based on the determination that the access point supports GAS.
    [0018]
    18. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the processor must perform the exchange between the wireless terminal and the wireless local area network access point using GAS.
    [0019]
    19. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor must perform the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point using a GAS exchange.
    [0020]
    20. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the first network capabilities include at least one of a roaming program, a roaming credential, a supported emergency service or access to a service provider network of signature.
    [0021]
    21. Device, according to claim 13, characterized in that the classification assigned to cached capabilities refers to the wireless terminal.
    [0022]
    22. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor must establish the connection between the wireless terminal and the access point based on at least one of the matched capacities 5 being the highest classified in relation to the other of the married capabilities.
    [0023]
    23. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor must perform the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point in response to a first service set identifier (SSID) of the access point matching a second cached SSID on the wireless terminal.
    [0024]
    24. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the processor must perform 15 the exchange between the wireless terminal and the access point to discover the first network capabilities before joining the wireless terminal with a network external device in communication with the access point.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    BR112013007542B1|2022-01-11|METHOD FOR SELECTING NETWORK AND DEVICE TO SELECT NETWORKS
    EP2622821B1|2018-08-29|Methods and apparatus to present network capabilities available via wireless networks
    CA2848754C|2018-08-14|Discovering network information available via wireless networks
    US9930614B2|2018-03-27|Public land mobile network | discovery communications in a wireless network
    CA2854947A1|2013-05-16|Caching network discovery responses in wireless networks
    BR112013007547B1|2021-11-30|METHOD AND DEVICE TO IDENTIFY AVAILABLE NETWORK SERVICES ON A WIRELESS TERMINAL
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US9642075B2|2017-05-02|
    MX2013003654A|2013-08-29|
    CN105657059B|2019-08-06|
    CN103229482B|2016-04-13|
    US20160165528A1|2016-06-09|
    CA2812839A1|2012-04-05|
    WO2012041401A1|2012-04-05|
    HK1222960A1|2017-07-14|
    WO2012041532A1|2012-04-05|
    US8923257B2|2014-12-30|
    US9271226B2|2016-02-23|
    US20150156710A1|2015-06-04|
    AU2011307130A1|2013-04-18|
    KR101484644B1|2015-01-21|
    SG189140A1|2013-05-31|
    CN105657059A|2016-06-08|
    JP2013539307A|2013-10-17|
    TWI489902B|2015-06-21|
    CA2812839C|2017-08-22|
    US20120076117A1|2012-03-29|
    EP2622822A1|2013-08-07|
    BR112013007542A2|2016-07-05|
    TW201218845A|2012-05-01|
    JP5642288B2|2014-12-17|
    CN103229482A|2013-07-31|
    AU2011307130B2|2014-11-20|
    KR20130096284A|2013-08-29|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    EP1076463A3|1999-08-11|2002-01-02|Lucent Technologies Inc.|Supporting network in telecommunications systems|
    US7688727B1|2000-04-17|2010-03-30|Juniper Networks, Inc.|Filtering and route lookup in a switching device|
    US7302465B2|2001-10-22|2007-11-27|Comverse, Inc.|Distributed multimedia transfer|
    CN1703918A|2002-10-08|2005-11-30|诺基亚公司|Network selection in a WLAN|
    US7684432B2|2003-05-15|2010-03-23|At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.|Methods of providing data services over data networks and related data networks, data service providers, routing gateways and computer program products|
    US7324474B2|2003-10-21|2008-01-29|Qualcomm Incorporated|Methods and apparatus for Network Initiated Data Services|
    US7171203B2|2004-01-07|2007-01-30|Research In Motion Limited|Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating selection by a mobile node of a network through which to communicate|
    CN1705290A|2004-06-03|2005-12-07|华为技术有限公司|Method for accessing WLAN|
    WO2006043956A1|2004-10-20|2006-04-27|Thomson Licensing|Method for mobile terminal access to wireless lan based on access point services and service parameters|
    US20060160537A1|2005-01-14|2006-07-20|Research In Motion Limited|Network selection when multiple networks are available in a coverage area|
    EP2076080A1|2005-01-14|2009-07-01|Research In Motion Limited|Network selection when muliple networks are available in a coverage area|
    US7535884B2|2006-04-18|2009-05-19|Cisco Technology, Inc.|Battery-efficient generic advertising service for wireless mobile devices|
    US9319967B2|2006-05-15|2016-04-19|Boingo Wireless, Inc.|Network access point detection and use|
    US20080161054A1|2006-12-29|2008-07-03|Nokia Corporation|Node selection function for multipoint radio network configurations|
    JP5068852B2|2007-06-01|2012-11-07|エルジーエレクトロニクスインコーポレイティド|Scanning procedure in wireless run, station supporting this, and frame format for this|
    CN101779417B|2007-07-04|2013-02-06|Lg电子株式会社|Interworking procedure with external network in wireless lan and message format for the same|
    CN101272627B|2008-04-30|2010-12-22|杭州华三通信技术有限公司|Network access control method and apparatus for implementing roaming|
    CN102016894A|2008-04-30|2011-04-13|北方电讯网络有限公司|Advertising support for a plurality of service networks by a wireless access point|
    CN102100111B|2008-07-16|2014-08-06|诺基亚公司|Methods and apparatuses for providing temporal information|
    KR20100030078A|2008-09-09|2010-03-18|주식회사 탑 엔지니어링|Substrate for thin resistor and method for manufacturing thereof|
    WO2011145796A1|2010-05-18|2011-11-24|Lg Electronics Inc.|Method and apparatus for dynamic station enablement procedure in a wireless local area network system|
    US20120076118A1|2010-09-29|2012-03-29|Michael Montemurro|Methods and apparatus to present network capabilities available via wireless networks|
    US8923257B2|2010-09-29|2014-12-30|Blackberry Limited|Methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks|CA2696037A1|2010-03-15|2011-09-15|Research In Motion Limited|Advertisement and dynamic configuration of wlan prioritization states|
    WO2011162524A2|2010-06-20|2011-12-29|엘지전자 주식회사|Method and apparatus for identifying channel information in a wireless network|
    US8923257B2|2010-09-29|2014-12-30|Blackberry Limited|Methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks|
    US8681759B2|2011-04-15|2014-03-25|Blackberry Limited|Methods and apparatus for use in efficiently scanning for wireless networks based on application type|
    EP2710823B1|2011-05-17|2018-11-14|Nec Corporation|Network communication system|
    US9749932B2|2011-07-07|2017-08-29|Google Technology Holdings LLC|Wireless communication device, wireless communication system, and related methods|
    CA2845281A1|2011-08-22|2013-02-28|Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson |Virtual access point using single service set identifiers|
    US8750180B2|2011-09-16|2014-06-10|Blackberry Limited|Discovering network information available via wireless networks|
    US9143197B2|2011-10-18|2015-09-22|Texas Instruments Incorporated|Joining process for G3 networks|
    CN103096421B|2011-11-01|2018-12-07|华为技术有限公司|Cut-in method, website and the access point of WLAN|
    KR102321841B1|2012-01-11|2021-11-08|인터디지탈 패튼 홀딩스, 인크|Methods and apparatus for accelerated link setup between sta and access point of ieee 802.11 network|
    WO2013122396A1|2012-02-14|2013-08-22|엘지전자 주식회사|Method and apparatus for setting up high-speed link in wlan system|
    US20130265985A1|2012-04-10|2013-10-10|Motorola Mobility, Inc.|Wireless communication device, communication system and method for establishing data connectivity between a wireless communicaiton device and a first access network|
    JP6095277B2|2012-04-13|2017-03-15|キヤノン株式会社|COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM|
    US9204299B2|2012-05-11|2015-12-01|Blackberry Limited|Extended service set transitions in wireless networks|
    WO2013185841A1|2012-06-15|2013-12-19|Nokia Siemens Networks Oy|Dynamic control of network selection|
    US10812964B2|2012-07-12|2020-10-20|Blackberry Limited|Address assignment for initial authentication|
    US9137621B2|2012-07-13|2015-09-15|Blackberry Limited|Wireless network service transaction protocol|
    US9516584B2|2012-08-24|2016-12-06|Lg Electronics Inc.|Method for setting up high-speed link in WLAN system and device for same|
    CN102917475A|2012-09-04|2013-02-06|苏州汉辰数字科技有限公司|Wireless fidelitywireless access point surfing method based on digital set top box|
    CN104641693B|2012-09-18|2018-10-19|诺基亚技术有限公司|Association in wireless network|
    CN103781154B|2012-10-19|2017-08-29|华为技术有限公司|A kind of method and apparatus that inquiry Cellular Networks information is indicated in non-cellular net|
    US9622156B2|2012-10-19|2017-04-11|Futurewei Technologies, Inc.|System and method for efficient access network query protocoldiscovery of multiple access points |
    CN104718779B|2012-10-19|2018-10-19|华为技术有限公司|System and method for carrying out efficient communication system scanning|
    US9480005B2|2012-11-06|2016-10-25|Futurewei Technologies, Inc.|System and method for common attributes in HESSID and the associated queries|
    US9398526B2|2013-01-11|2016-07-19|Intel Corporation|Techniques for establishing communications with a local wireless network|
    US8837328B2|2013-01-23|2014-09-16|Qualcomm Incorporated|Systems and methods for pre-association discovery of services on a network|
    US9301127B2|2013-02-06|2016-03-29|Blackberry Limited|Persistent network negotiation for peer to peer devices|
    KR102060373B1|2013-02-21|2019-12-30|삼성전자주식회사|Method and apparatus for connecting short-distance wireless communication in terminal|
    US9204375B2|2013-02-21|2015-12-01|Apple Inc.|Determining parameters of an access point|
    EP2959701A4|2013-02-22|2016-09-28|Intel Corp|Location based advertisement system using wi-fi|
    US9198119B2|2013-03-05|2015-11-24|Qualcomm Incorporated|Method and apparatus for peer-2-peer Wi-Fi ranging using near field communication|
    KR102064389B1|2013-08-30|2020-01-13|삼성전자 주식회사|Method and apparatus for scanning an access point in wireless communication system|
    WO2015038126A1|2013-09-12|2015-03-19|Intel Corporation|Techniques for device power management in a local wireless network|
    US10015737B2|2013-11-12|2018-07-03|Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.|Network selection recommender system and method|
    KR102103457B1|2013-11-18|2020-04-22|주식회사 케이티|Method for searching access point managing linkage in wireless LAN system|
    WO2015108462A1|2014-01-16|2015-07-23|Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson |Methods and nodes for information transfer in wlan|
    US10349341B2|2014-01-17|2019-07-09|Blackberry Limited|Wireless network service type|
    US9332480B2|2014-03-28|2016-05-03|Qualcomm Incorporated|Decoupling service and network provider identification in wireless communications|
    CN105493540A|2014-04-17|2016-04-13|华为技术有限公司|Wireless local area network user side device and information processing method|
    US20150327158A1|2014-05-12|2015-11-12|Qualcomm Incorporated|Basic probe request|
    US20170150355A1|2014-05-20|2017-05-25|Nokia Technologies Oy|Cellular network authentication control|
    WO2015198014A1|2014-06-27|2015-12-30|British Telecommunications Public Limited Company|Dynamic wireless network access point selection|
    US9578513B2|2014-09-16|2017-02-21|LenovoPte. Ltd.|Identifying untrusted network access points|
    CN105635223A|2014-11-06|2016-06-01|华为技术有限公司|Method and device of synchronizing network state|
    US9439068B2|2014-12-05|2016-09-06|Technical Consumer Products, Inc.|Dynamic configuration for a wireless peripheral device|
    US10002357B2|2014-12-23|2018-06-19|Intel IP Corporation|Wi-Fi location based application download and discovery|
    US20160234808A1|2015-02-11|2016-08-11|Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson |Wireless Device, Node and Methods Therein for Deciding Whether or Not to Activate a WLAN Interface|
    JP2016163186A|2015-03-02|2016-09-05|富士通株式会社|Mobile communication device, radio communication method, and communication control program|
    JP6444270B2|2015-06-23|2018-12-26|キヤノン株式会社|Information processing apparatus, control method, and program|
    CN106341863A|2015-07-08|2017-01-18|华为终端（东莞）有限公司|Capability notification method, access point connection method, access point and workstation|
    US10368232B2|2015-08-05|2019-07-30|Qualcomm Incorporated|Methods for connection capability exchange|
    US9807673B2|2015-08-25|2017-10-31|Apple Inc.|Cellular network capabilities exchange protocol|
    US10986563B2|2016-06-10|2021-04-20|Apple Inc.|Adaptive Wifi roaming|
    WO2018014339A1|2016-07-22|2018-01-25|广东欧珀移动通信有限公司|Information transmission method and apparatus|
    US10033819B2|2016-07-28|2018-07-24|GM Global Technology Operations LLC|Operating a vehicle wireless access point to selectively connect to wireless vehicle devices|
    US10089610B2|2016-09-26|2018-10-02|The Toronto-Dominion Bank|Automatic provisioning of services to network-connected devices|
    CN110582109A|2019-08-31|2019-12-17|华为技术有限公司|Wireless Local Area Networknetwork access method and device|
    法律状态:
    2018-01-02| B25D| Requested change of name of applicant approved|Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED (CA) |
    2018-01-23| B25G| Requested change of headquarter approved|Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED (CA) |
    2019-01-08| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2020-05-12| B15K| Others concerning applications: alteration of classification|Free format text: AS CLASSIFICACOES ANTERIORES ERAM: H04L 29/08 , H04W 48/16 Ipc: H04L 29/08 (2006.01), H04W 48/16 (2009.01), H04W 8 |
    2020-05-12| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-06-01| B350| Update of information on the portal [chapter 15.35 patent gazette]|
    2021-11-09| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2022-01-11| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 14/02/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME ADI 5.529/DF, QUE DETERMINA A ALTERACAO DO PRAZO DE CONCESSAO. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US12/893,835|2010-09-29|
    US12/893,835|US8923257B2|2010-09-29|2010-09-29|Methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks|
    PCT/EP2011/052157|WO2012041532A1|2010-09-29|2011-02-14|Methods and apparatus to discover network capabilities available via wireless networks|
    [返回顶部]