Methods and user equipment for selecting wireless network connections

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems and methods for selecting a network connection for a user equipment (UE). The described systems and methods include the UE receiving a wireless network proposal requesting the UE to connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN), the wireless network proposal being received from a network proposal entity. The UE reviews at least one of the following: connection performance data relating to one or more previous network connections to the WLAN and / or proposer performance data relating to one or more previous wireless network proposals received from the network proposal entity. The UE then determines, based on the review, whether the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. If the criteria are met, the UE establishes a wireless connection to the WLAN.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The proliferation of wireless communications has significantly increased the number of entities, both on and off user equipment devices, that can attempt to control the wireless network connectivity of user equipment devices.

[0002] Typically, a User Equipment (UE) device can only wirelessly connect to a single network at a given time (e.g., a single Service Set Identifier (SSID)). This single network connection can lead to conflicts between network advisory entities that wish to control the network connectivity of the UE device. For example, a conflict might occur when a first network advisory entity desires a first network connection, while a second network advisory entity desires a second (different) network connection. In this situation, the current solution is to let the "last caller win" and fulfill the most recently received network connection call (in this example, from the second network advisory entity). As a result of this last caller-wins solution, the first network advisory entity can then request a connection to the first network connection again, potentially triggering a connection loop in which the UE device repeatedly connects and disconnects from both network connections to satisfy requests from both network advisory entities, unnecessarily consuming power and network resources.

[0003] Sometimes, the UE device will be unable to connect to the wireless network connection suggested by the network suggestion entity. In such cases, the UE device and the network may unnecessarily consume power and network resources while attempting to establish such a connection.

[0004] Sometimes, a UE device will connect to a wireless network connection suggested by a network recommendation entity, but may not actually use that connection. In this case, the UE device and the network will unnecessarily consume power and network resources while establishing such a connection.

[0005] Sometimes, a UE device will connect to a wireless network connection recommended by a network recommending entity for restrictive purposes (e.g., a local-only (no internet access) wireless LAN (WLAN)). When this restrictive purpose is fulfilled, the UE device can continue to use the wireless network connection, even though an internet-enabled WLAN network connection is available to the UE device. In some instances, the device's internet access availability will be unnecessarily interrupted. In some cases, the UE device may connect to a cellular data network to provide internet access to the UE device, and the user may incur unnecessary cellular network charges (e.g., due to unnecessarily using cellular data).

[0006] Sometimes, a UE device may connect to a wireless network connection (e.g., a cellular network) recommended by a network recommending entity for restrictive purposes, and the UE device may continue to use the wireless network once the restrictive purpose is fulfilled, even though a wireless LAN connection is available to the UE device. In this case, the user may incur unnecessary cellular network charges (e.g., due to unnecessary use of cellular data). Furthermore, even if the recommended network is a WLAN network, the user may incur unnecessary charges (e.g., a user might connect to a fast WLAN network at an airport to download an important document, but the airport may also offer a free but slower WLAN network sufficient for web browsing and email. In this case, once the important document is downloaded, the user may incur unnecessary WLAN network charges for not utilizing the free WLAN network). Summary of the Invention

[0007] This document describes the technologies and equipment used by a user equipment (UE) device to select a wireless network connection to connect to, particularly when multiple wireless network connection options are presented. These technologies include the UE device receiving a suggested network connection from a network recommendation entity and reviewing performance data about the network recommendation entity and / or the suggested network connection to determine whether the UE device should connect to the suggested network connection.

[0008] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the specification, the drawings, and the claims. This summary is provided to introduce the subject matter further described in the detailed description and drawings. Therefore, this summary should not be described as merely describing essential features, nor should it be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0009] This specification describes the technologies and devices for selecting wireless network connections by a user equipment apparatus with reference to the following accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to similar features and components:

[0010] Figure 1 The illustration shows a wireless network environment that allows users to select various aspects of a wireless network connection on their device.

[0011] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an example device of a user equipment device that allows for the selection of various aspects of wireless network connectivity within the user equipment device.

[0012] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates an example of a base station device that allows users to select various aspects of a wireless network connection within a user equipment device.

[0013] Figure 4The diagram illustrates an example device for selecting various aspects of a wireless local area network access point within a user equipment device.

[0014] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates an example device of another user equipment device that enables the selection of various aspects of wireless network connectivity within the user equipment device.

[0015] Figure 6 The illustration shows an example method for a user equipment device to select a WLAN network connection to connect to.

[0016] Figure 7 The illustration shows an example method for a user equipment device to select a WLAN network connection to connect to. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Overview

[0018] Typically, cellular data connections are significantly more expensive for users than data connectivity via accessible wireless local area networks (WLANs). Furthermore, cellular data connections generally offer lower performance (e.g., lower reliability, latency, and end-to-end throughput) than WLAN network connections. As a result, there are substantial advantages to utilizing WLAN networks for data connectivity whenever possible.

[0019] This document describes the technologies and devices used by a user equipment (UE) device to select a wireless network connection. The described technologies and devices include a UE device receiving one or more network suggestions from one or more network suggestion entities (suggestors). Reductions in transmission frequency and power savings in transmission received by the UE device can be achieved by utilizing the technologies and devices described herein.

[0020] Examples of a proposer (network proposal entity) include one or more applications on the UE device and / or internal implementations of the UE device. The proposer's wireless network proposal may request the UE device to connect to a wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN)) and may include mechanisms for connecting to the wireless network (e.g., credentials).

[0021] In some aspects, the described technologies and devices further include the UE device reviewing connection performance data (e.g., data related to the proposed network connection, data related to the connection performance of the proposed network connection, such as signal strength or data rate) and / or proposer performance data (e.g., data about the network proposal entity making the network proposal, data indicating the ease of use and / or availability of the network proposal entity, such as during the monitored time period), determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet one or more criteria, and if one or more criteria are met, the UE device establishes a wireless connection with the proposed wireless network.

[0022] For example, even though a user of a UE device may have configured their UE device to utilize a WLAN connection for data connectivity instead of cellular data when available, the network recommendation entity may be aware of another wireless network (e.g., cellular network, WLAN network, public hotspot, ad hoc network, WiFi network provided by a cellular network provider) that provides some additional services (e.g., connection to a wireless printer, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS)) to the UE device and / or the network recommendation entity may utilize, and the network recommendation entity may recommend a connection to the other wireless network.

[0023] In another example, the network recommendation entity may recommend connections to wireless networks that the UE device user is unaware of (e.g., the WLAN network of a nearby coffee shop). In yet another example, the network recommendation entity may recommend networks that the UE device user can access or networks that the user device has already subscribed to (e.g., Xfinity). TM Wireless (WiFi) hotspot, Boingo TM WiFi hotspot, iPass TM (WiFi hotspot). In another example, a network recommendation entity can recommend wireless networks, and a wireless carrier can offload services to said wireless network (e.g., Project Fi). TM Mobile Virtual Network, Verizon TM (Stadium WiFi). In another example, the network recommends entities that can recommend devices for supplying Internet of Things (IoT) devices (e.g., cameras, Chromecast). TM Wireless networks (devices). In another example, a network recommendation entity may recommend networks integrated with a user's service industry, profession, and / or business (e.g., hospitality, healthcare). In yet another example, a network recommendation entity may recommend networks of services and / or businesses frequented by the user.

[0024] In some aspects, the described technologies and apparatus may further include scan result prediction utilizing the prediction of future connectivity scan results. For example, based on a received Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal, the UE device may generate a scan result RSSI prediction that predicts future RSSI values ​​based on previously received RSSI values, and this scan result RSSI prediction may be used by the UE device to be more selective in when to perform a full wireless connectivity scan.

[0025] Improvements in network utilization, network capacity, interference mitigation, and power savings are provided by using one or more of network recommendations, connectivity performance data, recommender performance data, and / or scan result predictions.

[0026] This disclosure describes techniques and devices for a UE device to select a wireless network connection, particularly when multiple network connection options are presented. These techniques and devices enable the UE device to select a network connection more efficiently, especially when multiple network connection options are presented. As a result, there is a reduction in the frequency of transmissions sent / received by the UE device and power savings.

[0027] In contrast to cellular networks, this technology and equipment also increase the proportion of user equipment devices using wireless local area networks (WLANs) in order to: deliver a low-cost and high-performance connectivity experience to users, increase the percentage of time users spend connected to WLAN networks (compared to cellular networks), reduce the percentage of cellular data consumed by user consumers, and increase the quality of average network connections for users (e.g., reliability, data downtime, end-to-end throughput, latency).

[0028] The aspects described below also include a method for a UE device to select a wireless network connection for connection when presented with multiple wireless network connection options. The method, performed by the UE device, includes receiving, by at least one processor of the UE device, a wireless network proposal requesting the user equipment to connect to a wireless network, and receiving the wireless network proposal from a network proposal entity. The method includes the UE device reviewing connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to the wireless network and / or proposer performance data related to previous wireless network proposals received from the network proposal entity. Additionally, the method includes the UE device determining, based on the reviewed data, that the reviewed data meets at least one criterion. The reviewed data may include one or more comparisons of multiple simultaneously proposed data. The method also includes the UE device establishing a wireless connection with the wireless network. The wireless network may be a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0029] The aspects described below also include a method for a UE device to use when selecting a wireless network connection for connection. This method is performed by the UE device and includes storing connection performance data related to previous network connections with the wireless network, and storing proposer performance data received by the user equipment related to previous wireless network proposals. At a later time, the user equipment may receive a new wireless network proposal requesting the user equipment to connect to the wireless network. The method may further include the UE device reviewing the connection performance data and proposer performance data, and determining, based on the review, that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet certain criteria. Additionally, the method includes the UE device establishing a wireless connection with the wireless network. This wireless network may be a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0030] The aspects described below also include a UE device comprising a transceiver; at least one processor configured to receive a current wireless network proposal requesting the UE device to connect to a wireless network, and the processor and a computer-readable storage medium including instructions to implement a grading manager. The grading manager is configured to cause the UE device to measure (e.g., actively or passively) connection performance data related to previous network connections with the wireless network, store connection performance data related to previous network connections with the wireless network, measure (e.g., actively or passively) proposer performance data related to previous wireless network proposals received by the UE device's processor, and store proposer performance data related to previous wireless network proposals received by the UE device's processor. The UE device then receives a current wireless network proposal requesting the UE device to connect to the wireless network, examines the connection performance data and proposer performance data, and determines, based on the examined connection performance data and proposer performance data, whether the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the criteria are met, the UE device establishes a wireless connection with the wireless network via the transceiver. The wireless network may be a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0031] Although any number of different environments, systems, apparatuses and / or various configurations can implement the features and concepts of the technologies and devices described for selecting network connectivity in a UE apparatus, the aspects of selecting wireless network connectivity in a UE apparatus are described in the context of the example apparatuses, methods, systems and configurations described below.

[0032] Example Environment

[0033] Figure 1 The illustrated example environment 100 illustrates various aspects of a user equipment device 110 selecting a wireless network connection to connect to. In example environment 100, user equipment device 110 (UE device 110) can communicate with wireless network 155 via one or more wireless communication links 156 (wireless links 156). A network recommendation entity can recommend that the wireless network 155 to which the UE device 110 connects can include any suitable network, including but not limited to the radio access network 140 of base station 120, the wireless network 170 of wireless access point 160, the device-to-device network 165 of another UE device 115 described herein, etc. The UE device 110 can communicate with wireless network 155 via one or more wireless communication links 156 (wireless links 156), which can be implemented as any suitable type of wireless link or any suitable combination of types.

[0034] User equipment device 110 can communicate with one or more base stations 120 through one or more wireless communication links 130 (wireless links 130), communicate with one or more wireless network access points 160 (AP 160) through one or more wireless communication links 106 (wireless links 106), and UE device 110 (e.g., UE device 111) can communicate with one or more other user equipment devices 115 (UE device 115) through one or more wireless communication links 108 (wireless links 108).

[0035] UE device 110 can also connect to the Internet 180 via network interfaces 103 and 104 using connection 106 to wireless access point 160 (AP 160), which is illustrated as connected to wireless access point 161 (AP 161) and wireless access point 162 (AP 162) connected to the Internet 180. AP 160 can be located in a user's home, office, airport, coffee shop, etc. Each AP 160 can operate independently, such as in a user's home, and can be part of a wireless network 170 illustrated as including APs 161 and 162. For example, wireless network 170 can be a corporate network or a public network operated by a wireless network operator for APs 160. The wireless network operator can be the same as or different from the operator of RAN 140. APs 161 and AP 162 can be in the same wireless network 170 or in different wireless networks. In one aspect, wireless access point 160 is a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, and network 170 is a WLAN network.

[0036] Base station 120 communicates with UE device 110 via wireless link 130, which can be implemented as any suitable type of wireless link or any suitable combination of types. Wireless link 130 may include a downlink transmitting data and control information from base station 120 to UE device 110, an uplink transmitting other data and control information from UE device 110 to base station 120, or both. Wireless link 130 may include one or more wireless links or bearers implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard, or a combination of communication protocols or standards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocol, High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA) protocol, Evolved HSPA (HSPA+) protocol, Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol (e.g., 4G), LTE Advanced protocol, 3GPP LTE, 5G New Radio (5G NR) protocol, 5GS Mobility Management (5GMM) protocol, Future Advanced Protocol, IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) protocol, etc. TMIEEE 802.16 (Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMax)) TM )), IEEE 802.15 (e.g., Bluetooth) TM ), IEEE 802.15.4 (e.g., Zigbee) TM This includes technologies such as ultra-wideband (UWB). Multiple radio links 130 can be aggregated in carrier aggregation to provide higher data rates for the UE device 110. Multiple radio links 130 from multiple base stations 120 can be configured to perform cooperative multipoint (CoMP) communication with the UE device 110.

[0037] Base station 120 collectively constitutes radio access network 140 (RAN 140, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network 140, E-UTRAN 140, and 5G NR RAN 140). For example... Figure 1 As illustrated, base stations 121 and 122 in RAN 140 are connected to cellular core network 150 (core network 150) to form a radio operator network. Core network 150 may include a 5G core network, an evolved packet core (EPC), or a combination of both. When connected to a 5G core network function, base stations 121 and 122 are connected to core network 150 at 101 and 102 respectively via an NG2 interface for control plane signaling and an NG3 interface for user plane data communication. When connected to an EPC core network entity, base stations 121 and 122 are connected to the EPC entity at 101 and 102 respectively via an S1 interface for control plane signaling and a S1 interface for user plane data communication. In addition to connections to the core network, base stations 120 can communicate with each other. If base station 120 is a 5G base station, base stations 121 and 122 communicate at 105 via an Xn interface, or if base station 120 is an E-UTRA base station, base stations 121 and 122 communicate via an X2 interface.

[0038] UE device 110 (e.g., UE device 111) can also be wirelessly connected to one or more other UE devices 115 (e.g., UE device 116, UE device 117) via a device-to-device wireless connection (e.g., wireless communication link 108). Another UE device 115 may represent a device-to-device network 165. In one example, another UE device 116 is an IoT device, and the device-to-device network 165 is an ad hoc network. In another example, another UE device 117 is a smartphone, and the device-to-device network 165 is Bluetooth. TMNetwork. In another example, another UE device 116 is a laptop computer used as a Wi-Fi Direct device, and the device-to-device network 165 is a Wi-Fi Direct network. In another example, another UE device 117 is a wireless printer, and the device-to-device network 165 is an IEEE 802.11 network.

[0039] Although UE device 111 is illustrated as a smartphone, UE device 110 can be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as user equipment device, mobile communication device, computing device, client device, mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, communication device, entertainment device, gaming device, mobile game console, personal media device, media playback device, charging station, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), point of sale (POS) transaction system, health monitoring device, drone, camera, wearable smart device, navigation device, mobile internet device (MID), internet-connected home appliance capable of wireless internet access and browsing, Internet of Things (IoT) device, 5G new radio user equipment and / or other types of user equipment.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the illustration, base station 120 (e.g., base station 121, base station 122) is depicted as a tower of a cellular network. However, base station 120 may represent or be implemented as another device, a radio access node, a wireless communication node, or other suitable device that facilitates wireless communication (via a wireless link) between user equipment devices and a communication network, such as a NodeB base station, a next-generation basic NodeB (gNB) base station, an enhanced NodeB (eNB) base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) base station, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) base station, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) base station, a basic transceiver system, a local area network (LAN) router, a wireless local area network (WLAN) router, a wireless access point (WAP) in a managed (infrastructure) wireless network, a satellite, a terrestrial television broadcasting tower, an access point, a peering device, another smartphone acting as a base station, etc. Base station 120 (e.g., Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network Node B, E-UTRAN Node B, Evolved Node B, eNodeB, eNB, Next Generation Node B, gNode B, gNB, etc.) can be implemented in macro cells, micro cells, small cells, pico cells, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0041] exist Figure 1In this context, the wireless AP 160 (e.g., AP 161, AP 162) is shown as a wireless access point. However, AP 160 can be represented or implemented as another device, a radio access node, a wireless communication node, or other suitable device that facilitates wireless communication (via a wireless link) between a user equipment device and a communication network, such as a local area network (LAN) router, a wireless local area network (WLAN) router, a wireless access point (WAP) in a managed (infrastructure) wireless network, a WiMAX subscriber station, a WiMAX gateway device, a Wi-Fi direct connection device, a satellite, a terrestrial television broadcasting tower, an access point, a peering device, a user equipment device, another smartphone acting as a base station, a user equipment device acting as a base station, a wireless ad hoc network node, and so on.

[0042] exist Figure 1 In this illustration, another UE device 115 (e.g., UE device 116, UE device 117) is depicted as a smartphone. However, the other UE device 115 may be represented or implemented as another device, a radio access node, a wireless communication node, or other suitable device that facilitates wireless communication (via a wireless link) between a user equipment device and a communication network, such as a local area network (LAN) router, a wireless local area network (WLAN) router, a wireless access point (WAP) in a managed (infrastructure) wireless network, a WiMAX subscriber station, a WiMAX gateway device, a Wi-Fi direct connection device, a satellite, a terrestrial television broadcasting tower, an access point, a peering device, a user equipment device, another smartphone acting as a base station, a user equipment device acting as a base station, a wireless ad hoc network node, and so on.

[0043] Example device

[0044] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example device diagram 200 for UE device 110. For clarity, UE device 110 may include components from... Figure 2 Additional functions and interfaces omitted. UE device 110 includes an antenna 202, a radio frequency front-end 204 (RF front-end 204), and at least one transceiver 206 for communicating with another UE device 115, a wireless access point 160, and / or a base station 120. Alternatively or additionally, any component of UE device 110 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of UE device 110.

[0045] Transceiver 206 may include one or more of an LTE transceiver, a 5G NR transceiver, a WLAN transceiver configured to operate in any WLAN band and use any protocol defined in the IEEE 802.11 specification, and / or another transceiver. The RF front end 204 of UE device 110 may couple or connect transceiver 206 to antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication (e.g., for communication with another UE device 115, for communication with AP 160, for communication with base station 120). For example, UE device 110 may utilize connectivity scanning to search for wireless networks 155 to connect to (e.g., device-to-device wireless network 165 of another UE device 115, wireless network 170 of AP 160, RAN 140 of base station 120). Antenna 202 of UE device 110 may include an array of multiple antennas configured to be similar to or different from each other. Antenna 202 and RF front end 204 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by wireless communication standards and implemented by transceiver 206.

[0046] The UE device 110 may further include a user interface 210 configured to receive input from a user of the UE device 110. In some cases, the user can input information that can define and / or facilitate the selection of one or more aspects of a wireless network. For example, the input information may include selection input and credential entry. In some instances, the user interface 210 includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that receives input information via touch input. In other cases, the user interface 210 includes a smart assistant that receives input information via audible input.

[0047] The UE device 110 also includes a processor 212 and a computer-readable storage medium 214 (CRM 214). The processor 212 can be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. The computer-readable storage medium 214 described herein does not include propagation signals. The CRM 214 can include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory that can be used to store device data 216 of the UE device 110. Device data 216 includes user data, multimedia data, beamforming codebooks, applications (e.g., application 220), and / or an operating system of the UE device 110, which are executable by the processor 212 to enable user plane communication, control plane signaling, and user interaction with the UE device 110. The UE device 110 can include an operating system maintained on the CRM 214 as a computer application and executed by the processor 212. Various aspects and functionalities of the UE device 110 can be operated via operating system controls presented through at least one application programming interface 226 (API 226). CRM 214 may further include internal implementations 222 of the UE device 110 (e.g., an operating system for the UE device, an open network notification system that indicates to the user that an open network (e.g., no password required) is available (e.g., Open Network Available (ONA), Open Network Notifier (ONN)), settings of the UE device 110 (e.g., Settings), and a saved network evaluator system (e.g., Saved Network Evaluator)).

[0048] CRM 214 may also include a user device manager 228. Alternatively or additionally, the user device manager 228 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of the UE device 110. In at least some aspects, the user device manager 228 configures the RF front end 204 and / or transceiver 206 to implement selection of wireless network connections for connection to the technologies described herein.

[0049] CRM 214 may also include executable code for hierarchy manager 218 (e.g., hierarchy manager application 218, WiFi scorer). Alternatively or additionally, hierarchy manager 218 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of UE device 110. In at least some aspects, according to the aspects described herein, UE device 110 performs operations associated with selecting a wireless network connection to connect via processor 212 executing the code of hierarchy manager 218.

[0050] The hierarchy manager 218 of UE device 110 can measure (e.g., actively measure, passively measure) and collect connection performance data related to wireless network 155. Connection performance data can be collected when the connection to wireless network 155 (via wireless link 156) is active and / or disconnected. In some cases, network suggestion entities (e.g., application 220 on UE device 110) can provide connection performance data to hierarchy manager 218. For example, application 220 can access information that UE device 110 is not measuring or cannot measure. Such information may include, for example, past performance of wireless network 155 unknown to UE device 110 and / or the existence of wireless network 155, or paid access by the user.

[0051] To protect user privacy, provide timely information, and avoid requiring remote connections, the hierarchical manager 218 of the UE device 110 stores connection performance data as device data 216 in the CRM 214. Connection performance data may include data such as connection data (e.g., Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal, data rate information (bandwidth information), latency information, end-to-end throughput, connection duration information, average connection length, signal quality information), network identification information (e.g., Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) size limit information, recently used wireless communication channels), and other information (e.g., data related to disconnection, data related to connection loss, data related to the cause of disconnection (such as data in the form of corresponding disconnection parameters indicating one of several predefined causes of connection loss through their parameter values), and data related to the cause of connection loss). Relevant data (such as data in the form of corresponding connection parameters indicating one of several predefined reasons for the loss of connectivity through their parameter values), data related to whether the disconnection was expected or unexpected (e.g., data in the form of corresponding expectation parameters indicating whether the disconnection was expected or unexpected through their parameter values), wireless network connection information (e.g., Service Set Identifier (SSID) information, authentication information), information about wireless connection availability (e.g., when wireless connection is available, when wireless access is no longer authorized), Internet Protocol (IP) address, Domain Name System (DNS) server used, and information about the UE device system.

[0052] The hierarchy manager 218 of the UE device 110 can use connectivity performance data to populate (e.g., generate, update) network reports (e.g., report cards) for the wireless network 155. The network report may include previous connectivity performance data about the wireless network 155. The UE device 110 can receive connectivity performance data from the UE device 110 as the result of a connectivity scan performed by the UE device 110. Based on additional connectivity scans performed, the hierarchy manager 218 can update the network report for the wireless network 155. To protect user privacy, provide timely information, and avoid requiring remote connections, the hierarchy manager 218 stores the network report as device data 216 in the CRM 214.

[0053] According to the aspects described herein, when performing operations associated with selecting a network connection to connect to, network selector 224 can use network reports for wireless network 155. Hierarchy manager 218 can use these network reports to tune the frequency of network scoring for wireless network 155, thereby allowing UE device 110 to adapt control and scanning to wireless network 155.

[0054] In some respects, UE device 110 adjusts the frequency and timing of when to request connectivity scans by utilizing network quality predictions and historical connectivity performance data from network reports. For example, instead of a beacon that checks Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values ​​at set intervals (e.g., three (3) seconds), hierarchy manager 218 can use connectivity performance data from network reports to set an RSSI threshold. When UE device 110 detects an RSSI violation event (e.g., when a measured RSSI score predicts a disconnection), hierarchy manager 218 of UE device 110 can trigger a connectivity scan (or a series of connectivity scans) to find an alternative wireless network 155 to connect to. In another example, when UE device 110 detects a change in network recommendations received from a network recommendation entity (e.g., receiving a new network recommendation that suggests a connection to a more reliable wireless network than the currently connected wireless network), hierarchy manager 218 of UE device 110 can trigger a connectivity scan (or a series of connectivity scans) to find an alternative wireless network 155 to connect to.

[0055] UE device 110 can perform one or more connectivity scans (e.g., WLAN connectivity scans) to discover available wireless networks (e.g., WLAN access points) to which it can connect and to collect information about available wireless networks. By using the described techniques, UE device 110 can reduce the number of unnecessary connectivity scans by being more selective about when to perform connectivity scans. For example, by utilizing network scoring signals and scan result RSSI predictions, the hierarchy manager 218 can be more selective about when to perform a full connectivity scan. By using the described techniques, UE device 110 can further determine the types of connectivity scans that need to be performed and which networks to explicitly probe (e.g., using a Preferred Network Offload (PNO) list), thereby conserving battery power.

[0056] In some cases, UE device 110 may further utilize a combination of connectivity performance data and network quality predictions from network reports to modify the list of preferred networks (e.g., a Preferred Network Offload (PNO) list) to further reduce the time spent searching for wireless networks 155, thereby conserving battery power. To protect user privacy, provide timely information, and avoid requiring remote connections, UE device 110 stores the preferred network offload list as device data 216 in CRM 214.

[0057] Information from connectivity scan results can be used by UE device 110 to make decisions about whether to connect to a wireless network and which wireless network to connect to. In some cases, hierarchy manager 218 can use connectivity scan results to generate scan result predictions that foreshadow future scan results. For example, hierarchy manager 218 can use RSSI results from connectivity scans to generate scan result RSSI predictions that predict future RSSI values ​​based on previously received RSSI values. To protect user privacy, provide timely information, and avoid requiring remote connections, hierarchy manager 218 stores scan result predictions as device data 216 in CRM 214.

[0058] CRM 214 may also include executable code for network selector 224 (e.g., network selector application 224). Alternatively or additionally, network selector 224 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of UE device 110. In at least some aspects, according to the aspects described herein, UE device 110 performs operations associated with selecting a wireless network connection to connect to via processor 212 executing the code of network selector 224. Network selector 224 may utilize connectivity performance data from one or more network reports during the wireless network selection process to determine whether to connect to a wireless network and which of a plurality of wireless networks to connect to. By using such network reports, UE device 110 can adapt control and wireless network scanning to a specific wireless network.

[0059] In some cases, network selector 224 is configured to utilize scan result predictions generated by hierarchy manager 218. For example, network selector 224 may use scan result predictions during the network selection process to determine if the wireless network is a temporary network. A temporary network may be a network that is only temporarily available (e.g., due to the movement of the access point, the movement of the UE device). For example, scan result predictions may be based on the network selector 224 of UE device 110 observing a gradual change in the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal from wireless network 155, i.e., becoming stronger (or weaker). Based on the received RSSI signal, hierarchy manager 218 of UE device 110 may predict that wireless network 155 is a temporary network, such as a transport vehicle (e.g., a bus, a train) with 5G New Radio Mobile Integrated Access and a return node providing wireless connectivity to UE devices in vehicles, where the vehicle is moving along a route adjacent to the location of the UE device. Based on this prediction, UE device 110 may decide not to connect to the wireless network. By using scan results to predict during the network selection process, UE device 110 does not need to detect motion (e.g., using motion sensors, location sensors, environmental sensors, global positioning system (GPS) sensors, geomagnetic field sensors) to determine whether the detected wireless network 155 is a temporary network.

[0060] As described above, the RF front end 204 of UE device 110 can couple or connect transceiver 206 to antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication, including using connectivity scanning to search for wireless networks 155 to connect to (e.g., device-to-device wireless network 165 of another UE device 115, wireless network 170 of AP 160, RAN 140 of base station 120).

[0061] In some prior implementations, applications on a user equipment device can utilize the user equipment device's API services to control various aspects and functionality of the user equipment device. For example, an application can make low-level network save / enable / connect calls to the API to request a connection to a wireless network.

[0062] In some respects, API 226 may not include low-level network save / enable / connect function calls; instead, API 226 may permit a network suggestion entity to make network suggestions regarding which one or more wireless networks 155 the UE device 110 should connect to. Alternatively, the low-level network save / enable / connect function calls may be modified to permit a network suggestion entity to make network suggestions regarding which one or more wireless networks 155 the UE device 110 should connect to.

[0063] In some cases, the network recommendation entity is an internal implementation 222 (e.g., the UE device's operating system, open network notification systems (e.g., ONA, ONN), UE device settings (e.g., Settings), or a saved network evaluator system on the UE device 110 (e.g., SavedNetworkEvaluator). In other cases, the network recommendation entity is an application 220 on the UE device 110. By using such network recommendations, the application 220 can offload the burden of discovering the wireless network 155 to the system of the UE device 110. By offloading the burden in this way, the application 220 does not need to publish and / or process scan results. In addition, by offloading the burden in this way, processor cycles on the UE device 110 can be reduced and memory pressure can be reduced by not needing to run application code. Reducing processor cycles and memory pressure on the UE device 110 serves to save power and improve the latency of other tasks in the system. Furthermore, the application 220, which does not need to publish and / or process scan results, can run with fewer permissions, thereby improving user privacy.

[0064] The recommender performance data may include at least one of the following: information about the frequency of previous successful connections to the wireless network, and / or information about previous use of the wireless network after a successful connection. The rating manager 218 of the UE device 110 may rank the success of each network recommending entity (recommender) by compiling performance data (recommender performance data) about the performance of the recommended network. To protect user privacy, provide timely information, and not require remote connections, the recommender performance data is stored as device data 216 in the CRM 214. In some cases, the recommender performance data includes information about the frequency of previous successful connections to the wireless network recommended by the network recommending entity and / or information about previous use of the wireless network recommended by the network recommending entity after a successful connection (e.g., whether the network recommending entity and / or UE device 110 utilized the network connection after establishing a wireless network connection). In some cases, recommender performance data that does not contain personally identifiable information may be shared with vendors (e.g., Google Play). TM (Store) sharing to help merchants evaluate and / or notify users of the reliability and quality of network-based applications for the benefit of their customers.

[0065] UE device 110 may use network recommendations made by a network recommendation entity when selecting a wireless network connection to connect to. In some cases, UE device 110 may use network recommendations along with scan result predictions and / or user actions (e.g., user preferences, user-provided network recommendations, user-selected networks) when selecting a wireless network connection to connect to. By using such network recommendations as part of the network selection process, UE device 110 reduces the amount of time spent and the connectivity scans used to find the network to connect to 155, thereby saving battery power and network resources.

[0066] In some cases, UE device 110 may use network recommendations to modify and / or maintain a list of preferred networks (e.g., a Preferred Network Offload (PNO) list). By improving the use of such a list of preferred networks, UE device 110 reduces the amount of time spent searching for the network to connect to 155 using connectivity scans, thereby saving battery power and network resources.

[0067] Network recommendations can have a lifetime (e.g., n uses, use before / during / after a predetermined time, persistent use). In some cases, the lifetime may indicate a single (one) use. In some cases, the lifetime may indicate use over a predetermined period of time (e.g., one month). In some cases, the lifetime can be persistent (e.g., still ongoing until the application indicates otherwise, still ongoing until the UE device 110 decides otherwise). For example, if a network recommendation received from an application suggests connecting to that network whenever that network is within range, the UE device 110 can consider connecting to that network whenever the network is within range (e.g., when the network SSID is found in the connection scan results), regardless of whether the application is currently running on the UE device 110. In some cases, the persistent lifetime of the recommendation can be automatically reassessed (e.g., when the current network connection is lost).

[0068] Different network recommenders may have different terms of service, pricing, and / or performance levels relative to the wireless network 155 they recommend connecting to. By grading the network recommenders in the network report regarding results and performance, information can be provided that can be used by the network selector 224 to determine which of the multiple network recommenders provides a feasible and high-performance network recommendation.

[0069] Through this network reporting hierarchy, even though multiple applications 220 may have suggested the same wireless network 155, the network selector 224 can still select the network recommendation that provides the best results and performance. For example, a first application may recommend a connection to wireless network 170 via access point 161 using a first subscription, and a second application may recommend a connection to wireless network 170 via access point 161 using a second subscription. By reviewing and comparing connection performance data, the network selector 224 can determine that the wireless network connection suggested by the first application is more feasible / has better performance than the network suggested by the second application. In this case, the network selector 224 can select the wireless network connection to be connected as suggested by the first application.

[0070] The UE device 110 also includes a display 230 for displaying and / or providing information to the user. For example, through the display 230, the UE device 110 can provide the user with information about network recommendation outcomes (e.g., historical data, performance data, result data). Furthermore, through the display 230, the UE device 110 can provide the user with information related to the classification of the assigned recommender and / or network, thereby giving the user greater awareness of the operational status of the UE device 110 and warning the user of any strange or unexpected behavior. Based on this information, the user can choose to disable one or more network recommendation entities.

[0071] The absence of network suggestions received from the suggester can also be used to influence and optimize connectivity scanning. For example, if no network is available and no application 220 is requesting access to the wireless network, the UE device 110 can reduce the frequency of wireless connectivity scanning. The absence of network suggestions received from the suggester can also be used to influence and optimize the wireless power state. For example, if no wireless network is available and no application 220 is requesting access to the wireless network, the UE device 110 can switch to a lower power state.

[0072] Figure 3 Figure 300 illustrates an example apparatus for base station 120. For clarity, base station 120 may include components from... Figure 3 Additional features and interfaces omitted in the text. Figure 3 The device diagram of base station 120 shown includes a single network node (e.g., gNode B). The functionality of base station 120 can be distributed across multiple network nodes or devices and can be distributed in any manner suitable for performing the functions described herein. Base station 120 includes an antenna 352, a radio frequency front-end 354 (RF front-end 354), and one or more transceivers 356 for communicating with UE device 110. The RF front-end 354 of base station 120 can couple or connect the transceivers 356 to the antenna 352 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 352 of base station 120 may include an array of multiple antennas configured to be similar to or different from each other. The antenna 352 and RF front-end 354 can be tuned to and / or can be tuned to one or more frequency bands defined by communication standards and implemented by the transceivers 356.

[0073] Base station 120 also includes processor 360 and computer-readable storage medium 362 (CRM 362). Processor 360 may be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. CRM 362 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory that can be used to store device data 364 of base station 120. Device data 364 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and / or operating systems of base station 120, which can be executed by processor 360 to enable communication with UE device 110. Alternatively or additionally, any component of base station 120 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of base station 120.

[0074] CRM 362 also includes a base station manager 366. Alternatively or additionally, the base station manager 366 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of base station 120. In at least some aspects, base station manager 366 configures transceiver 356 for communication with UE device 110 and with the core network. Base station 120 includes an inter-base station interface 368, such as an Xn and / or X2 interface, to which base station manager 366 is configured to exchange user plane and control plane data between another base station 120 and to manage communication between base station 120 and UE device 110. Base station 120 includes a core network interface 370, which base station manager 366 configures to exchange user plane and control plane data with core network functions and entities. This core network interface 370 may include interfaces such as NG2 interface 101 and NG3 interface 102, as previously discussed. Figure 1 As described.

[0075] Figure 4 Figure 400 illustrates an example device of access point 160 (AP 160). For clarity, AP 160 may include... Figure 4 Additional functions and interfaces are omitted. AP 160 includes an antenna 402, a radio frequency front-end 404 (RF front-end 404), and one or more transceivers 406, configured to communicate with UE device 110 via WLAN. The RF front-end 404 can couple or connect the transceivers 406 to the antenna 402 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 402 of AP 160 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 402 and RF front-end 404 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the IEEE 802.11 communication standard and implemented by the transceivers 406.

[0076] AP 160 also includes a processor 408 and a computer-readable storage medium 410 (CRM 410). The processor 408 can be a single-core or multi-core processor made of various materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. The CRM 410 can include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory for storing device data 412 of AP 160. Device data 412 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, applications, and / or operating systems of AP 160, executable by the processor 408 to enable communication with UE device 110. Alternatively or additionally, any component of AP 160 can be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of AP 160.

[0077] Figure 5 The illustration shows an example device diagram 500 for another user device 115 (UE device 115). For clarity, the UE device 115 may include components from... Figure 5 Additional functions and interfaces are omitted. UE device 115 includes an antenna 502, a radio frequency front-end 504 (RF front-end 504), and one or more transceivers 506 configured to communicate with UE device 110. The RF front-end 504 can couple or connect the transceivers 506 to the antenna 502 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 502 of UE device 115 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 502 and RF front-end 504 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by any wireless communication standard and implemented by the transceivers 506.

[0078] UE device 115 also includes a processor 508 and a computer-readable storage medium 510 (CRM 510). Processor 508 may be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. CRM 510 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory for storing device data 512 of UE device 115. Device data 512 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, applications, and / or operating systems of UE device 115, which can be executed by processor 508 to enable communication with UE device 110. Alternatively or additionally, any component of UE device 115 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of UE device 115.

[0079] system

[0080] In some aspects, UE device 110 includes at least one transceiver 206, at least one processor 212, and a computer-readable storage medium 214 (CRM 214). Processor 212 is configured to receive network recommendations from a network recommendation entity. In some cases, the network recommendation entity is an application 220 on CRM 214. In some aspects, the network recommendation entity is an internal implementation 222 of UE device 110.

[0081] In some aspects, the network proposes a connection from the UE device to the wireless network 155. The wireless network 155 may be a WLAN network 170 associated with one or more WLAN access points 160. The wireless network 155 may be a radio access network 140 (RAN 140) associated with one or more base stations 120. The wireless network 155 may be a device-to-device network 165 associated with another UE device 115.

[0082] In some aspects, the processor and computer-readable storage medium together include instructions for implementing the hierarchy manager 218 (e.g., hierarchy manager application 218). The hierarchy manager 218 can be configured to cause the UE device 110 to store information related to the wireless network 155, such as device data 216 stored in the CRM 214. In some aspects, the information related to the wireless network 155 is connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections of the wireless network 155. In some cases, the information is connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections of the UE device 110 to the wireless network 155.

[0083] In some aspects, the hierarchy manager 218 can be configured to cause the UE device 110 to store information related to the network recommendation entity, such as device data 216 stored in the CRM 214. This information may include recommender performance data related to the execution of one or more previous recommendations received from the network recommendation entity (recommender). This information may also include network recommendation performance data related to one or more previous recommendations received by at least one processor of the UE device 110 from the recommender.

[0084] In some aspects, the hierarchy manager 218 can be configured to receive network proposals from network proposal entities requesting the UE device 110 to connect to the wireless network. In response to the hierarchy manager 218 receiving a network proposal, the UE device 110 can be configured to review connection performance data and / or proposer performance data to determine whether the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet one or more criteria. The review and determination of whether the proposer performance data meets at least one criterion may include a comparison of the proposer performance data with proposer performance data from other network proposal entities. The review and determination of whether the proposer performance data meets at least one criterion may include comparing the proposer performance data with proposer performance data from other network proposal entities, and additional information about the network proposal entities and / or other network proposals made by the network proposal entities. When the UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet at least one criterion, the UE device 110 may initiate and establish a wireless connection with the wireless network 155 via transceiver 206.

[0085] In some aspects, connectivity performance data may include Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signals, and the criterion may be an RSSI threshold (e.g., average RSSI) detected by the classifier 218. Connectivity performance data may include data rate information, and the criterion may be a data rate threshold (e.g., average data rate) detected by the classifier 218. Connectivity performance data may include latency information, and the criterion may be a latency threshold detected by the classifier. Connectivity performance data may include end-to-end throughput, and the criterion may be a throughput threshold detected by the classifier. Proposer performance data may include at least one of information regarding the frequency of previous successful connections to the wireless network and information regarding previous use of the wireless network after a successful connection, and the criterion may be a threshold for successful connections and / or a threshold for the network proposal entity's use of successful connections.

[0086] Additional information can be used as part of determining whether connectivity performance data and / or advisor performance data meet the criteria. For example, received user input regarding user preferences can be used as part of determining whether connectivity performance data and / or advisor performance data meet the criteria. In another example, data related to the state of the UE device 110 (e.g., battery level) can be used as part of the data being reviewed as part of determining whether connectivity performance data and / or advisor performance data meet the criteria.

[0087] In some respects, the network selector 224 of the UE device 110 examines connection performance data and / or proposer performance data and determines whether the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria. The hierarchy manager 218 can be configured to cause the UE device 110 to initiate and establish a wireless connection with the wireless network 155 via the transceiver 206 when the hierarchy manager 218 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria.

[0088] UE device 110 may include user interface 210, which is configured to receive user input from a user of UE device 110 regarding wireless network 155. For example, user input may be user-defined network suggestions, such as selection inputs on a user interface screen and credential entry. In some cases, hierarchy manager 218 is configured to consider user input when determining whether connectivity performance data and / or suggester performance data meet criteria.

[0089] In some aspects, processor 212 and computer-readable storage medium 214 may include instructions for implementing application 220. Processor 212 and CRM 214 may receive network suggestions from application 220. After UE device 110 initiates a wireless connection, application 220 may utilize the established network connection.

[0090] When connecting to wireless network 155, if authentication information (e.g., authorization data, login data) from application 220 is required to establish a connection with wireless network 155, the system can trigger a callback corresponding to 220's request for such authentication data. When connecting to wireless network 155, if authorization information (e.g., authorization data, login data) from the user is required to establish a connection with wireless network 155, the system can request such authentication data from the user.

[0091] In some aspects, network recommendations may be made to connect to one or more of the following: the radio access network 140 of base station 120, the wireless network 170 of wireless access point 160, or the device-to-device network 165 of another UE device 115. In some aspects, network recommendations may be made by internal implementations (e.g., the UE device's operating system, open network notification systems (e.g., ONA, ONN), UE device settings (e.g., Settings), or a saved network evaluator system (e.g., SavedNetworkEvaluator) of UE device 110.

[0092] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to AP 161 and receives network proposals from application 220 requesting connection to base station 122. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to base station 122 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from application 220. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a radio connection with base station 122.

[0093] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to AP 161 and receives a network proposal from application 220 requesting connection to AP 162. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to AP 162, and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from application 220. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a radio connection with AP 162.

[0094] In some aspects, UE device 110 is connected to a wireless network (WLAN) AP 161 and receives a network proposal from application 220 requesting connection to another WLAN AP 162. UE device 110 examines connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to WLAN AP 162 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from application 220. Based on the examined information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a wireless connection with WLAN AP 162.

[0095] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to WLAN AP 161 and receives a network proposal from application 220 requesting connection to WLAN AP 162, wherein WLAN AP 162 and WLAN AP 161 are in different WLAN networks. UE 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to AP 162 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from application 220. UE device 110 determines, based on the reviewed information, that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a wireless connection with AP 162.

[0096] In some aspects, UE device 110 receives a first network suggestion from a first application requesting connection to a first WLAN network, and a second network suggestion from a second application requesting connection to a second WLAN network. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to the first and second WLAN networks. UE device 110 reviews proposer performance data related to one or more previous network suggestions received from the first and second applications. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines which connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a wireless connection with the first WLAN network.

[0097] In some aspects, UE device 110 receives a first network suggestion from a first application requesting connection to a first WLAN network, and a second network suggestion from a second application requesting connection to a second WLAN network. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to the first and second WLAN networks. UE device 110 reviews proposer performance data related to one or more previous network suggestions received from the first and second applications. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines which connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meets the criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a wireless connection to the second WLAN network.

[0098] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to AP 161 and receives network proposals from application 220 requesting connection to device-to-device network 165 of UE device 116. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to device-to-device network 165 of UE device 116 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from application 220. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. When it is determined that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a radio connection with device-to-device network 165 of UE device 116.

[0099] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to AP 161 and receives network proposals from internal implementation 222 requesting connection to base station 122. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to base station 122 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from internal implementation 222. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a radio connection with base station 122.

[0100] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to AP 161 and receives network proposals from internal implementation 222 requesting connection to AP 162. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to AP 162 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from internal implementation 222. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. Upon determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a radio connection with AP 162.

[0101] In some aspects, UE device 110 connects to AP 161 and receives network proposals from internal implementation 222 requesting connection to device-to-device network 165 of UE device 116. UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to device-to-device network 165 of UE device 116 and / or proposer performance data related to one or more previous network proposals received from internal implementation 222. Based on the reviewed information, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. When it is determined that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, UE device 110 establishes a radio connection with device-to-device network 165 of UE device 116.

[0102] In addition to the above description, users can be provided with control over whether and when the systems, programs, or features described herein can enable the collection of user information (e.g., Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signals, connection duration information, average connection length, signal quality information, network identification information, Network Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) information, recently used wireless communication channels, user preferences, and the user's current location) and whether the user is allowed to receive content or communication from the server. Furthermore, certain data may be processed in one or more ways before it is stored or used, such that personally identifiable information is removed. For example, a user's identifier may be processed so that personally identifiable information cannot be determined for the user. For example, a user's geographic location may be generalized (e.g., down to the city, zip code, or state level) when location information is obtained, making it impossible to determine the user's specific location. Therefore, users can have control over what information about themselves is collected, how that information is used, and what information is provided to them.

[0103] Example Method

[0104] Based on one or more aspects of the user equipment device selecting the wireless network connection to connect to, refer to the following respectively: Figure 6 and Figure 7 Example methods 600 and 700 are described. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Example methods 600 and 700 for a user equipment device to select a wireless network connection to connect to are depicted. Methods 600 and 700 illustrate a set of operations (or actions) performed in, but not necessarily limited to, the order or combination of operations shown herein. Furthermore, any one or more operations may be repeated, combined, rearranged, skipped, or linked to provide a wide variety of additional and / or alternative methods. References may be made in the sections discussed below. Figure 1 Example wireless network environment 100 Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 Example device figures 200, 300, 400 and 500, and Figure 1 The entities described in detail herein are for illustrative purposes only. The technologies and devices described herein are not limited to being performed by a single entity or by multiple entities operating on it.

[0105] The UE device 110 in example methods 600 and 700 can be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a user equipment device, mobile communication device, computing device, client device, mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, communication device, entertainment device, gaming device, mobile game console, personal media device, media playback device, charging station, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), point-of-sale (POS) transaction system, health monitoring device, drone, camera, wearable smart device, navigation device, mobile internet device (MID), internet-connected home appliance capable of wireless internet access and browsing, Internet of Things (IoT) device, fifth-generation new radio user equipment and / or other types of user equipment.

[0106] Wireless access point 160 may be represented or implemented as another device, radio access node, wireless communication node, or other suitable device that facilitates wireless communication (via a wireless link) between a user equipment device and a communication network, such as a local area network (LAN) router, a wireless local area network (WLAN) router, a wireless access point (WAP) in a managed (infrastructure) wireless network, a WiMAX subscriber station, a WiMAX gateway device, a Wi-Fi direct connection device, a satellite, a terrestrial television broadcasting tower, an access point, a peer device, a user equipment, another smartphone acting as a base station, a user equipment device acting as a base station, a wireless ad hoc network node, and so on.

[0107] Method 600 is a method performed by UE device 110. Method 600 is used to select a wireless local area network 170 (WLAN 170) of a wireless access point 160 to connect to. At 602, at least one processor of UE device 110 receives a network proposal from a network proposal entity. The network proposal requests a connection from UE device 110 to WLAN 170. In some cases, the network proposal entity is an application 220 on UE device 110 or an internal implementation 222 of UE device 110. Prior to 602, UE device 110 may store connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to WLAN 170, and UE device 110 stores proposer performance data related to one or more previous wireless network proposals received by UE device 110 from the network proposal entity.

[0108] At 604, the UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections with WLAN 170. At 606, the UE device reviews proposer performance data related to one or more previous wireless network proposals received from the network proposal entity.

[0109] At 608, UE device 110 determines whether the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria based on its review of the connection performance data and proposer performance data. In some cases, the connection performance data may include a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal, and the criterion may be an RSSI threshold (e.g., average RSSI) detected by UE device 110. In some cases, the connection performance data may include data rate information, and the criterion may be a data rate threshold for the signal detected by UE device 110. In some cases, the proposer performance data may be information about the frequency of previous successful connections to the wireless network and / or information about previous use of the wireless network proposed after a successful connection, and the criterion may be a threshold for successful connection and / or a threshold for network proposal entities to use successful connections.

[0110] At 610, in response to determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, the UE device 110 establishes a wireless connection with the WLAN 170.

[0111] Method 700 is performed by UE device 110. This method is used by UE device 110 to select a wireless local area network 170 (WLAN 170) of access point 162 to connect to. At 702, UE device 110 stores connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to WLAN 170. At 704, UE device 110 stores proposer performance data related to one or more previous wireless network proposals received by UE device 110 from a network proposal entity.

[0112] At 706, UE device 110 receives a network proposal from a network proposal entity that requests a connection to wireless LAN 165. The network proposal entity may be an application 220 on UE device 110 or an internal implementation 222 of UE device 110.

[0113] At 708, UE device 110 reviews connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to WLAN 170. At 710, UE device 110 reviews proposer performance data related to one or more previous wireless network proposals received from a network proposal entity. At 712, based on the reviewed connection performance data and proposer performance data, UE device 110 determines that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet criteria. In some cases, the connection performance data may include a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal, and the criteria may be an RSSI threshold (e.g., average RSSI) detected by UE device 110. In some cases, the connection performance data may include data rate information, and the criteria may be a data rate threshold for the signal detected by UE device 110. In some cases, the proposer performance data may include information about the frequency of previous successful connections to the wireless network and / or information about previous use of the wireless network after a successful connection, and the criteria may be a threshold for successful connections and / or a threshold for successful connections used by the network proposal entity.

[0114] At 714, in response to determining that the connection performance data and / or proposer performance data meet the criteria, the UE device 110 establishes a wireless connection with the WLAN 170.

[0115] Variant

[0116] Although the systems and methods described above are described in the context of a UE device selecting a wireless network connection to connect to from among a plurality of available wireless connection options, the systems and methods described are not limiting and can be applied to other contexts or wireless communication environments.

[0117] Typically, any component, module, method, and operation described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example methods can be described within the general context of executable instructions stored in computer-readable storage memory local and / or remote on a computer processing system, and implementations may include software applications, programs, functions, etc. Alternatively or additionally, any functionality described herein may be implemented at least in part by one or more hardware logic components, such as, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), coprocessors, context hubs, motion coprocessors, sensor coprocessors, etc.

[0118] Although aspects of the UE device's selection of a wireless network connection have been described in language specific to features and / or methods, the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments of the UE device's selection of a wireless network connection, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, various different aspects have been described, and it should be understood that each described aspect can be implemented independently or together with other described aspects.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: Receives a wireless network proposal from the network proposal entity requesting the user equipment to connect to the wireless local area network (WLAN); The review data includes proposer performance data related to the network proposal entity, which includes information about the past performance of the network proposal entity in making wireless network proposals. Determine whether the reviewed data meets the criteria based on the reviewed data; as well as After determining that the reviewed data meets the criteria, a wireless connection is established with the WLAN.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The review of the data further includes: Reviewing connection performance data related to previous network connections to the WLAN, wherein reviewing the connection performance data includes reviewing at least one of the following: Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal, data rate information, latency information, and end-to-end throughput; and The criteria for determining whether the reviewed data meets the criteria include at least one of the following: Determine that the reviewed data meets the average RSSI threshold. Determine that the data under review meets the data rate threshold. Determine that the data under review meets the time delay threshold, and Determine if the data under review meets the end-to-end throughput threshold.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, Determining that the reviewed data meets the criteria includes: Determine whether the RSSI signal from the WLAN is changing.

4. The method according to claim 1, in, The proposer performance data includes at least one of the following: information about the frequency of previous successful connections to the WLAN and information about previous usage of the WLAN after a successful connection. The criteria include at least one of the following: The threshold for successful connection, and The network recommends a threshold for the entity to use for a successful connection.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the proposer performance data before receiving the wireless network proposal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The network recommendation entity includes applications on the user device or internal implementations of the user device.

7. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: Stores connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to a wireless local area network (WLAN); The system stores proposer performance data relating to one or more previous wireless network proposals received by the user equipment from a network proposal entity, the proposer performance data including information about the performance of the network proposal entity in making the one or more previous wireless network proposals; Receive a request for the user equipment to connect to the current wireless network of the WLAN; Examine the stored connection performance data related to the one or more previous network connections of the WLAN; Examine the stored proposer performance data relating to the previous wireless network proposals received by the user equipment; Based on reviewing the stored connectivity performance data and the stored suggester performance data, determine at least one of the following: The stored connection performance data meets the criteria, and The stored proposer performance data meets the criteria; and The user equipment establishes a wireless connection with the WLAN.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising at least one of the following: When the connection to the WLAN is active, store the connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to the WLAN, or When the connection to the WLAN is disconnected, the connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections to the WLAN is stored.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: The network report for the WLAN is populated using previous connection performance data.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising at least one of the following: The list of preferred networks stored on the user device is modified using the connectivity performance data stored in the network report; The frequency of connectivity scans performed by the user equipment is adjusted using connectivity performance data stored in the network report; and The timing of connectivity scans performed by the user equipment is adjusted using connectivity performance data stored in the network report.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: Receive user input about the WLAN from the user of the user equipment; and The user input is considered when at least one of the following is determined: The connectivity performance data meets the criteria, and The proposer performance data meets the criteria.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The application running on the user equipment provides the current wireless network recommendations.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The connectivity performance data includes at least one of the following: Signal quality information when the connection is lost; Data rate information when disconnected; Disconnection parameters, wherein the parameter value of the disconnection parameters indicates one of several predefined reasons for disconnecting from the WLAN; Disconnection parameters, wherein the disconnection parameter value indicates one of several predefined reasons for disconnection from the WLAN and whether the disconnection reason is expected or unexpected; Limitations on the size of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID); Connection duration information; and Wireless network connection information.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The signal quality information during a disconnection includes the Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal.

15. The method according to claim 7, in, The connectivity performance data includes the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal; and The criteria include the average RSSI threshold.

16. The method according to claim 7, in, The connectivity performance data includes at least one of the following: data rate information, latency information, and / or end-to-end throughput; and The criteria include at least one of the following: a data rate threshold, a latency threshold, and an end-to-end throughput threshold for the signal detected by the user equipment.

17. The method according to claim 7, in, The proposer performance data includes at least one or more of the following: information about the frequency of previous successful connections to the WLAN and information about previous use of the WLAN after a successful connection.

18. The method according to claim 17, in, The previous wireless network proposal was received by the user equipment from the network proposal entity; and The criteria include at least one of the following: The threshold for successful connection, and The network recommends a threshold for the entity to use for a successful connection.

19. The method according to any one of claims 7-18, further comprising: When the wireless connection is active, the user equipment collects additional connection performance data and proposer performance data. and The additional connectivity performance data and suggester performance data are stored by the user equipment.

20. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: Receives a wireless network proposal from the network proposal entity requesting the user equipment to connect to the wireless local area network (WLAN); Reviewing connection performance data related to previous network connections of the WLAN, wherein reviewing the connection performance data includes reviewing Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signals; The criteria for determining whether the reviewed data meets the criteria are determined based on the reviewed data, wherein determining whether the reviewed data meets the criteria includes determining whether the RSSI signal from the WLAN is changing; and After determining that the reviewed data meets the criteria, it was decided not to establish a wireless connection with the WLAN.

21. A user equipment, comprising: transceiver; At least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to receive a current wireless network suggestion requesting the user equipment to connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN); and A computer-readable storage medium, including instructions for implementing a hierarchy manager, the hierarchy manager being configured to cause the user equipment to: Measure connection performance data in relation to one or more previous network connections of the WLAN; Store the connection performance data related to one or more previous network connections of the WLAN; Measure proposer performance data relating to one or more previous wireless network proposals received by the user equipment from a network proposal entity, the proposer performance data including information about the performance of the network proposal entity in making the one or more previous wireless network proposals; Store the proposer performance data in relation to one or more previous wireless network proposals received by the user equipment; Receive the current wireless network suggestion requesting the user equipment to connect to the WLAN; Review the connection performance data and the proposer performance data; Based on the review of the connection performance data and the proposer performance data, at least one of the following is determined: The connectivity performance data meets at least one criterion, and The proposer performance data satisfies at least one criterion; and A wireless connection is established with the WLAN via the transceiver.

22. The user equipment according to claim 21, further comprising: A user interface configured to receive user input about the WLAN from a user of the user equipment; and The hierarchy manager is configured to consider the user input when at least one of the following is determined: The connectivity performance data satisfies at least one of the criteria, and The proposer performance data satisfies at least one of the criteria.

23. The user equipment according to claim 21, wherein: The computer-readable storage medium further includes instructions for implementing the application; and The current wireless network suggestion is received from the application.

24. The user equipment according to claim 23, wherein, The application uses the wireless connection with the WLAN.

25. The user equipment according to claim 21, wherein, The connectivity performance data includes at least one of the following: Signal quality information when the connection is lost; Data rate information when disconnected; Disconnection parameters, wherein the parameter value of the disconnection parameters indicates one of several predefined reasons for disconnecting from the WLAN; Disconnection parameters, wherein the disconnection parameter value indicates one of several predefined reasons for disconnection from the WLAN and whether the disconnection reason is expected or unexpected; Limitations on the size of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID); Connection duration information; or Wireless network connection information.

26. The user equipment according to claim 25, wherein, The signal quality information during a disconnection includes the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal detected by the grading manager.

27. The user equipment according to claim 21, wherein, The connectivity performance data includes Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signals, and the criteria include an RSSI threshold detected by the grading manager.

28. The user equipment according to claim 21, wherein, The connectivity performance data includes data rate information, and the criteria include data rate thresholds for signals detected by the grading manager.

29. The user equipment according to claim 21, in, The proposer performance data includes at least one of the following: Information regarding the frequencies of previously successful connections to the WLAN, and Information regarding previous use of the WLAN after a successful connection; and wherein the criteria include at least one of the following: The threshold for successful connection, and The network recommends a threshold for the entity to use for a successful connection.

30. The user equipment of claim 21, further comprising the hierarchy manager, the hierarchy manager being configured to cause the user equipment to: When the wireless connection is active, additional connection performance data and proposer performance data are collected; and Store the additional connectivity performance data and suggester performance data.

31. The user equipment according to any one of claims 21-30, wherein, The stored proposer performance data includes at least one of the following: Information regarding the frequencies of previously successful connections to the WLAN; and Information regarding the previous use of the WLAN after a successful connection.

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