Telephone with automatic switching between cellular and VoIP networks

Abstract

A mobile communication device includes, in part, a cellular communication module, a first antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the mobile communication module and a cellular network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication module, a second antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the Wi-Fi communication module and a VoIP network, a signal monitoring circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch an existing communication from the cellular communication module to the Wi-Fi communication module or vice versa.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a switching system to switch operation between a first communication module and a second communication module, wherein during an established communication if a context changes, the established communication is switched to a second communication over a second network, wherein switching is based on detecting a second context being preferred over the context within a set of networks, wherein upon activation of a timer, the switching system causes the second communication module to change state from a sleep mode to an active mode, wherein the timer is activated to establish a time window of a predefined size, wherein if a Wi-Fi signal monitor detects that a Wi-Fi signal level is below a second predefined threshold value V.sub.th2, the timer is activated to establish a second time window of a second predefined size T.sub.2, wherein a third predefined threshold value V.sub.th3 is smaller than V.sub.th2.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a tear-down signal causes the communication module to go into a sleep mode.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein if during time window T.sub.2, the Wi-Fi signal monitor detects that the Wi-Fi signal level is smaller than V.sub.th3, upon expiration of time window T.sub.2, the timer unit is activated to establish a third time window of a third predefined size T.sub.3, where T.sub.3 is smaller than T.sub.2, wherein if during time window T.sub.3 the Wi-Fi signal monitor detects that the Wi-Fi signal level is smaller than V.sub.th3, the switching circuit sends a tear-down signal to the Wi-Fi communication module and a link-up signal to the cellular communication module, wherein said tear-down signal causes the Wi-Fi communication module to discontinue handling a previously established communication over the Wi-Fi network and wherein said link-up signal causes the cellular communication module to handle the previously established communication over the Wi-Fi network via a cellular network.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein at the expiration of the predefined time period T.sub.2, the network switching circuit causes the cellular communication module to change state from a sleep mode to an active mode.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications comprise a telephone call.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications comprise a transmission of content.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the content comprises at least one of fixed and mobile.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the communications comprise a data exchange.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the previously established communication comprises: a cellular communication, a VoIP communication/session, a voice communication/session, a video communication/session, a multimedia communication/session, a data communication/session, a SIP or IMS based communication and/or a WiFi communication.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the previously established communication is proprietary or standard.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the established communication comprises a cellular communication or a WiFi communication, and the second communication comprises a cellular communication or a WiFi communication.

12. A method comprising: determining a first context; activating a timer to establish a first time window of a first predefined size T.sub.1 based on the detected first context; determining a second context during the first time window; automatically switching a communication in progress via a wireless network to a communication via a Wi-Fi network based on the second detected context; detecting a third context; establishing a second time window of a second predefined size T.sub.2 if the third detected context falls below a second predefined threshold value V.sub.th2; detecting a fourth context during the second time window; and continuing a Wi-Fi communication without change if the fourth detected context is equal to or greater than a third predefined threshold value V.sub.th3, wherein V.sub.th3 is smaller than V.sub.th2.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication comprises a telephone call.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication comprises a transmission of content.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the content comprises at least one of fixed and mobile.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the determining and switching are performed, in part, by a mobile communication device.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the determining and switching are performed, in part, by a server.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the server comprises a network-based device.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the server comprises a switch and/or router.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the server comprises a network-based switch and/or router.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the server comprises an access point or a base station.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the server comprises software, firmware and/or hardware.

23. A mobile communication device comprising: a first communication module adapted to communicate with a first wireless network; a second communication module adapted to communicate with an access point associated with a second network; and a switching system to switch operation between the first communication module and the second communication module, wherein if a context changes, the second communication module is activated and a second communication type is initiated, wherein if the context does not change, the second communication type is continued without switching, wherein switching is based on detecting a second context being preferred over the context within a set of known networks or from a newly discovered network, wherein upon activation of a timer, the switching system causes the second communication module to change state from a sleep mode to an active mode, wherein the timer is activated to establish a time window of a predefined size, wherein if a Wi-Fi signal monitor detects that a Wi-Fi signal level is below a second predefined threshold value V.sub.th2, the timer is activated to establish a second time window of a second predefined size T.sub.2, wherein a third predefined threshold value V.sub.th3 is smaller than V.sub.th2.

24. The mobile communication device of claim 23, wherein the first communication module comprises a first Wi-Fi communication module, and the first wireless network comprises a first Wi-Fi network access point.

25. The mobile communication device of claim 24, wherein the second communication module comprises a second Wi-Fi communication module, and the second wireless network comprises a second Wi-Fi network access point.

26. The mobile communication device of claim 23, wherein the communication comprises a telephone call.

27. The mobile communication device of claim 23, wherein the communication comprises a transmission of content.

28. The mobile communication device of claim 27, wherein the content comprises at least one of fixed and mobile.

29. The mobile communication device of claim 23, wherein the communication comprises a data exchange.

30. The mobile communication device of claim 23 wherein the context comprises a signal level.

31. A method comprising: determining, with a server, a first signal level; activating, with the server, a timer to establish a first time window of a first predefined size T.sub.1 if the detected first signal level is greater than a first predefined threshold value; determining, with the server, a second signal level during the first time window; if the second detected signal level falls below the first predefined threshold value, then searching for alternative Wi-Fi signals having signal level above the first predefined threshold value, with the server; if an alternative signal level is above the first predefined threshold value, then switching a Wi-Fi communication in progress to a source of the alternative Wi-Fi signal, with the server; and if no alternative signal level is above the first predefined threshold value, then switching a Wi-Fi communication in progress to the wireless network, with the server, wherein if a signal monitor detects that the alternative signal level is below a second predefined threshold value, a timer is activated to establish a second time window of a second predefined size, wherein a third predefined threshold value is smaller than a second predefined threshold value.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: continuing a Wi-Fi communication without change if the second detected signal is equal to or greater than the first predefined threshold value.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the communication comprises a telephone call.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the communication comprises a transmission of content.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the content comprises at least one of fixed and mobile.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the communication comprises a data exchange.

37. A device comprising: a switching system to switch operation between a first communication module and a second communication module, wherein during an established communication if a monitor detects that a context changes, the established communication is switched to a second communication over a network, wherein switching is based on detecting a second context being preferred over the context within a set of known networks, wherein upon activation of a timer, the switching system causes the second communication module to change state from a sleep mode to an active mode, wherein the timer is activated to establish a time window of a predefined size, wherein if the monitor detects that a signal level is below a second predefined threshold value V.sub.th2, the timer is activated to establish a second time window of a second predefined size T.sub.2, wherein a third predefined threshold value V.sub.th3 is smaller than V.sub.th2.

38. The device of claim 37 wherein the network is operated by a different network provider.

39. The device of claim 37 wherein the network includes a plurality of access points, and the established communication is switched between the plurality of access points.

40. The device of claim 37 wherein the device comprises a terminal, a mobile device, a sensor, an access point, and/or a controller device.

41. The device of claim 37 wherein the first communication comprises a first WiFi communication and the second communication comprises a second WiFi communication.

42. The device of claim 37 wherein the first communication comprises a first cellular communication and the second communication comprises a second cellular communication.

43. The device of claim 37 wherein the first communication comprises a cellular communication and the second communication comprises a WiFi communication, or the first communication comprises the WiFi communication and the second communication comprises the cellular communication.

44. The device of claim 37 wherein the first communication and the second communication comprise at least one of: a cellular communication, a VoIP communication/session, a voice communication/session, a video communication/session, a multimedia communication/session, a data communication/session, a SIP or IMS based communication and/or a WiFi communication.

45. A method comprising: monitoring a context of a first communication link; when a network is detected as available with a second communication link with a context preferable to the first communication link, notifying an interface server and establishing the second communication link between the interface server and an end destination device without disrupting the first communication link; and re-directing the second communication link from the interface server to a mobile communication device, thereby establishing the second communication link between the communication device and a second network, wherein upon activation of a timer, a switching system causes a second communication module to change state from a sleep mode to an active mode, wherein the timer is activated to establish a time window of a predefined size, wherein if a Wi-Fi signal monitor detects that a Wi-Fi signal level is below a second predefined threshold value V.sub.th2, the timer is activated to establish a second time window of a second predefined size T.sub.2, wherein a third predefined threshold value V.sub.th3 is smaller than V.sub.th2.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a mobile communication device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows Wi-Fi signal threshold level and timing window used to determine whether to switch a communication from the cellular communication module to the Wi-Fi communication module of the communication device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 shows Wi-Fi signal threshold levels and timing windows used to determine whether to switch a communication from the Wi-Fi communication module to the cellular communication module of the communication device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) In accordance with the present invention, a mobile communication device is configured so as to automatically switch an existing communication from a wireless cellular network (hereinafter alternatively referred to as cellular network) to a wireless Voice over IP (VoIP) network, or to switch an existing communication from a VoIP network to a cellular network. It is understood that the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) signals, as defined, for example, in IEEE 802.11x standards or other equivalent standards may be used to communicate with a Voice over IP (VoIP) network. The mobile communication device is adapted to include, in part, a cellular communication module, a first antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the mobile communication module and a cellular network, a Wi-Fi communication module, a second antenna adapted to receive and transmit data between the Wi-Fi communication module and a VoIP network, a signal monitoring circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch an existing in-progress communication between the cellular communication module and the Wi-Fi communication module. The second antenna and associated circuitry are maintained in on-states continuously to monitor and detect Wi-Fi signals.

(5) It is understood the wireless cellular network includes, in part, a multitude of base stations. Each such base station is adapted to communicate with the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device is located within the coverage area of the base station via RF signals carried over cellular network. It is also understood that each such coverage area is defined by an area centered at the base station and having a radius of, e.g., several miles. It is further understood that a Wi-Fi network may include, in part, a multitude of access points. Each such access point is adapted to communicate with the mobile communication device, when the mobile communication device is located within the coverage area of the access point, via VoIP packets. It is also understood that the mobile communication device may also include blocks adapted for computation and thus be a communication/computation device.

(6) If the mobile communication device is in an in-progress (i.e., pre-established) communication via its cellular communication module and through a cellular network, and the Wi-Fi antenna system detects a Wi-Fi signal having a first predefined level (strength), a timer disposed in the mobile communication device is activated to establish a first time window of a first predefined size. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during the first time window remains equal to or greater than the first predefined level, at the expiration of the first time window, the switching circuit causes the in-progress communication to be switched from its cellular communication module to its Wi-Fi communication module and through a VoIP network without losing the in-progress communication.

(7) In some embodiments, upon activating the timer, the Wi-Fi communication module is caused to change state from a sleep mode, during which the Wi-Fi communication module consumes relatively small amount of power, to a stand-by mode during which the Wi-Fi communication module consumes an intermediate amount of power. Subsequently, before the communication is switched to the Wi-Fi communication module, the Wi-Fi communication module is caused to be placed in a full active mode, during which the Wi-Fi communication module consumes an amount of power larger than the intermediate amount of power.

(8) If the mobile communication device is in a pre-established communication via its Wi-Fi communication module and through a VoIP network, and the Wi-Fi antenna system detects that the level of the received Wi-Fi signal is below a second predefined value, the timer is activated to establish a second time window of a second predefine size. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during the second time window is equal to or greater than a third predefined value, the pre-established communication via the Wi-Fi communication module is maintained without any change. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during the second time window is less than the third predefined value, the timer is reset and reactivated to establish a third time window of a third size. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during the third time window is less than the third predefined value, at the expiration of the third time window, the switching circuit causes the in-progress communication to be switched from its Wi-Fi communication module to its cellular communication module and through a cellular network without losing the in-progress communication.

(9) In some embodiments, upon activating the timer to establish the second time window, the cellular communication module is caused to change state from a sleep mode, during which the cellular communication module consumes relatively small amount of power, to a stand-by mode during which the cellular communication module consumes an intermediate amount of power. Subsequently, before the communication is switched to the Wi-Fi communication module, the cellular communication module is caused to be placed in a full active mode, during which the cellular communication module consumes an amount of power larger than the intermediate amount of power.

(10) FIG. 1 is a simplified high-level block diagram of a mobile communication device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Mobile communication device 100, which is adapted to automatically switch communication between cellular and VoIP networks, is shown as including, in part, a cellular communication module (hereinafter alternatively referred to as cellular module) 3 coupled to a cellular antenna 1, a Wi-Fi communication module (hereinafter alternatively referred to as Wi-Fi module) 4 coupled to a Wi-Fi antenna 2, an audio/video amplifier 5, a network switch unit 6, a timer unit 7, a Wi-Fi signal level monitor 8, a microphone 20, a speaker 21, and a display monitor 22. Mobile communication device 100 is adapted to establish and maintain communication via either a cellular module 3, through a wireless network (not shown), and/or via Wi-Fi module 4, through a VoIP network (not shown). Cellular module 3 further includes a transceiver 30 adapted to transmit signal to and receive signal from a cellular network. Wi-Fi module 4 further includes a transceiver 32 adapted to transmit signal to and receive signal from a VoIP network. Depending on the level of detected Wi-Fi signal emitted from a Wi-Fi access point, a call initially established via cellular module 3 may be switched to be handle by Wi-Fi module 4, or a call initially established via Wi-Fi module 4 may be switched to be handled by cellular module 3.

(11) Assume that mobile communication device 100 is in communications with a cellular network and is entering the coverage area of a Wi-Fi access point adapted to transmit and receive Wi-Fi signals. As is known, a Wi-Fi access point may be used to gain access to a VoIP network. Wi-Fi antenna 2 together with Wi-Fi module 4 and Wi-Fi signal monitor 8 continuously monitor for to detect Wi-Fi signals. If a detected Wi-Fi signal level is greater than a predefined threshold value V.sub.th1, Wi-Fi signal level monitor 8 activates timer 7 via signal line 10 and sends a wake-up signal to network switch unit 6 via signal line 12, thereby to change the state of network switch unit 6 from a sleep mode, during which network switch unit consumes relatively small power, to a stand-by mode, during which network switch unit consumes an intermediate amount of power. Network switch unit 6, in turn, supplies wake-up switching signals to cellular module 3 via signal line 15 and to Wi-Fi module 4 via signal line 13. This causes phone cellular module 3 and Wi-Fi module 4 to activate their respective switching modules. The detected Wi-Fi signal level may be determined, for example, by taking multiple samples of the incoming Wi-Fi signal(s) and computing a signal level from these samples. In one embodiment, an average of the amplitudes/phases of the sampled signals may be used to detect the Wi-Fi signal level.

(12) If the detected Wi-Fi signal level is greater than V.sub.th1, timer unit 7 is activated to establish a first time window of a first predefined size T.sub.1, as shown in FIG. 2. During time window T.sub.1, Wi-Fi antenna 2 together with Wi-Fi module 4 and Wi-Fi signal monitor 8 continue to monitor and detect the level of received Wi-Fi signal. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during time window T.sub.1 remains equal to or greater than V.sub.th1, at the expiration of time window T.sub.1, timer unit 7 sends a cellular tear-down signal and a Wi-Fi link-up signal to the network switch unit 6 via signal line 11. In response, network switch unit 6 sends the tear-down signal to cellular module 3 via signal line 15, and sends the link-up signal to Wi-Fi module 4 via signal line 13. Network switch unit 6 also instructs audio/video amplifier 5, via signal line 14, to generate an audio/video alert signal. The generated audio alter signal is subsequently reproduced by speaker 21 via signal line 18, and the generated video alert signal is subsequently reproduced by display monitor 22 via signal line 23. The audio/video alert tones are adapted to notify the mobile communication device user of a network switch from cellular to Wi-Fi.

(13) Cellular module 3 is adapted to terminate connection to the cellular network and to switch off connection to audio/video amplifier 5 after receiving the tear-down signal. Wi-Fi module 4 is adapted to activate connection to VoIP network and to switch on connection to audio/video amplifier 5for passing voice signal to audio amplifier 5 and video signal to display monitor 22after receiving a Wi-Fi link-up signal. The previously established communication link is thus continued uninterrupted via the VoIP network and through loudspeaker 21, microphone 20 and display monitor 23.

(14) Assume that mobile communication device 100 is in communications with a VoIP network and may be leaving the coverage area of the Wi-Fi access point. Wi-Fi antenna 2 together with Wi-Fi module 4 and Wi-Fi signal monitor 8 continuously monitor for to detect Wi-Fi signals. If the detected Wi-Fi signal level falls below a second predefined threshold value V.sub.th2, Wi-Fi signal level monitor 8 activates timer 7 and sends a wake-up signal to network switch unit 6 to change the state of network switch unit 6 from the sleep mode to stand-by mode. Network switch unit 6, in turn, supplies wake-up switching signals to cellular module 3 and to Wi-Fi module 4 to enable these modules to activate their respective switching procedures.

(15) Once activated, timer unit 7 establishes a second time window of a second predefined size T.sub.2, as shown in FIG. 3. During time window T.sub.2, Wi-Fi antenna 2 together with Wi-Fi module 4 and Wi-Fi signal monitor 8 continue to monitor and detect the level of received Wi-Fi signal. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during time window T.sub.2 is equal to or greater than a third predefined threshold value V.sub.th3, where V.sub.th3 is smaller than V.sub.th2, the previously established VoIP communication continues without switching.

(16) If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during time window T.sub.2 is smaller than V.sub.th3, at the expiration of time window T.sub.2, timer unit 7 is reset and activated to establishes a third time window of a third predefined size T.sub.3, where T.sub.3 is smaller than T.sub.2. If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during time window T.sub.3 is equal to or greater than V.sub.th3, the previously established VoIP communication continues without switching.

(17) If the Wi-Fi signal level detected during time window T.sub.3 is less than V.sub.th3, at the expiration of time window T.sub.3, timer unit 7 sends a Wi-Fi tear-down signal and a cellular link-up signal to network switch unit 6. In response, network switch unit 6 sends the tear-down signal to Wi-Fi module 3, and sends the link-up signal to cellular module 4. Network switch unit 6 also instructs audio/video amplifier 5 to generate an audio/video alert signals. The generated audio alter signals is subsequently reproduced by speaker 21, and the generated video alert signal is subsequently reproduced by display monitor 22. The audio/video alert tones are adapted to notify the mobile communication device user of a network switch from Wi-Fi to cellular

(18) Wi-Fi module 4 is adapted to terminate connection to the VoIP network and to switch off connection to audio/video amplifier 5 after receiving the tear-down signal. Cellular module 4 is adapted to activate connection to the cellular network and to switch on connection to audio/video amplifier 5 after receiving a Wi-Fi link-up signal. The previously established communication link is thus continued uninterrupted and through loudspeaker 21, microphone 20 and display monitor 23.

(19) In accordance with some embodiments, if the mobile communication device detects both an Wi-Fi signal from an access point and a cellular signal from a mobile cellular base station before establishing a communication link, the mobile communication device first attempts to establish communication with the Wi-Fi access point using Wi-Fi module 4.

(20) The above embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and not limiting. Various alternatives and equivalents are possible. It is understood that the functionality associated with any blocks described above may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. It is also understood that one or more blocks of each mobile communication device may be performed by hardware, firmware or software, or some combinations thereof. The invention is not limited by the type of cellular network, e.g., CDMA, GSM, otherwise used to carry communication. Nor is the invention limited by the VoIP network. The invention is not limited by the Wi-Fi signals, such as those defined by IEEE 802.11x, where x may be a, b, g, or WiMAX used to carry VoIP communication. The invention is not limited by the type of integrated circuit(s) in which the present invention may be disposed. Nor is the invention limited to any specific type of process technology, e.g., CMOS, Bipolar, or BICMOS that may be used to manufacture the present invention. Other additions, subtractions or modifications are obvious in view of the present invention and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.