Abstract:
A first data set is transmitted to a client device across a plurality of wireless communication networks, each network of the plurality transmitting a corresponding portion of the first data set. A second data set is received from the client device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to wireless communication networks and more particularly to client-side techniques for optimizing two-way communications over multiple wireless communication networks.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Wireless networking of electronic devices using packetized data transmission protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP), is extraordinarily valuable to people and businesses who use cellular phones, 802.11 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and many other protocols to stay connected to friends, family, coworkers, and customers. Unfortunately, the many and varied digital wireless networks that have already been, and continue to be, built are not well integrated.  
         [0003]     Further, most populous areas are covered with multiple, overlapping, wireless networks, each built by separate and competing service providers. A consumer who chooses one service provider is able to use only the bandwidth made available by one network infrastructure, leaving the additional overlapping layers underutilized by such consumer.  
         [0004]     In addition, each single wireless technology or type of network is severely limited in at least one way. For example, cellular networks, even the newest 3G variety, cover large areas but suffer from lack of bandwidth. They work very well for voice and limited data transmission, but do not handle high volumes of traffic and large file transmission. The popular Wi-Fi standard for wireless LAN (WLAN) connections offers substantially higher rates of data transmission, up to 11 or 54 Mbps depending on standard, but each transmitter can cover only a very limited area. Also, WLAN connections often have a bandwidth bottleneck at the wire where the Wi-Fi router connects to the Internet that limits the bitrate available to the user from a single WLAN connection.  
         [0005]     Mesh networking attempts to smooth transitions between different types of networks, but is still limited to utilizing one available network at a time.  
         [0006]     Users of wireless networks typically demand bandwidth in an asymmetrical manner, demanding different amounts data flowing upstream and downstream. Typical Internet surfing consumes relatively low bandwidth upstream, as a user requests web pages, and relatively high bandwidth downstream as the web page content is loaded onto the user&#39;s device. Users of camera-equipped cellular phones typically use more bandwidth upstream when they upload photos they have taken onto their cellular network to send to friends.  
         [0007]     Providers of satellite-based Internet access have invented asymmetric network systems in which downstream traffic is over the satellite channel, and upstream traffic is over a different, often wired channel. This is due to the difficulty and expense of communicating upstream to a satellite. These asymmetric networking methods rely on a proprietary network with a proxy server upstream from both the client and the satellite that enables asymmetric routing of data packet traffic through a means of IP address substitution and relabeling. Unfortunately, this concept is not inclusive of a variety of network connections that may or may not be owned and operated by different entities. Current satellite-focused methods of asymmetrical networking allow asymmetry but are not able to take advantage of the additional bandwidth provided by multiple, overlapping networks.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a first data set is transmitted to a client device across a plurality of wireless communication networks, each network communicating directly with the device simultaneously, each network of the plurality transmitting a corresponding portion of the first data set. A second data set is received from the client device. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram that provides an overview of an embodiment of an asymmetric networking scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram that illustrates the downstream control of a network device of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the network manager of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart describing the establishment and operation of client-side asymmetric network controls according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing a method according to an embodiment of the invention by which identifier suppression control is managed;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a graph illustrating the convergence of downstream packet flow specified by a routing algorithm with the actual observed downstream traffic at a particular network device in a probabilistic scheme for asymmetric networking employing client side control according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a &#39;dashboard&#39; representation of the controls and arrangement of a method for asymmetric network employing client side control according to an embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating three possible embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     Hereinafter, examples of the embodiments of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0018]     The system and method of the present invention solves the problems described herein by integrating disparate wireless networks and networking protocols that are available at a particular location, and establishing an asymmetric network routing strategy between available networks through client side control.  
         [0019]     A method according to the present invention provides a means to utilize the maximum bandwidth available for networking at a particular location and provides a flexible means to optimize data transfer speed upstream and downstream as well as quality of service and cost to the user at different locations where different amounts of bandwidth, and different numbers and types of network connections are available.  
         [0020]     A first aspect of a system and method according to the present invention makes available previously unusable bandwidth at locations where multiple networks overlay one another by connecting simultaneously to several available networks; one very common example being locations served by more than one cellular network. The prior art teaches away from this aspect of the present invention by addressing the concept, and envisioning the nature of multiple extant networks as discrete RF footprint areas, where a client device can switch between networks as the physical boundary of two adjacent wireless networks is crossed and described by the term mesh networking.  
         [0021]     A second aspect of a system and method according to the present invention makes available the advantages of an asymmetric networking strategy featuring client-side control that eliminates the need for a cumbersome proprietary network and proxy server arrangement. This aspect of the present invention enables asymmetric networking between different networks that may be owned and operated by different entities. The prior art teaches away from this aspect of the present invention by implying that an asymmetric networking strategy can only be implemented by controls operating upstream from the client.  
         [0022]     As described below, a system and method according to the present invention attempts to connect all client side network devices and tests the performance of each device successfully connected. Connection availability and performance test results are applied to an algorithm that determines the optimal asymmetric routing strategy. Request packets generated by the client are directed to a particular client side network device out of several available devices as determined by the performance test algorithm. The bandwidth resources available to each network device are allocated between upstream and downstream traffic. For example, 100% of network resources could be devoted to upstream flow, 50% of bandwidth allocated in each direction, 100% of bandwidth devoted to downstream flow, or an intermediate allocation, depending on the performance tests. Setting this control to allocate 100% of bandwidth in one direction has the effect of blocking all passage of data packets in the opposite direction.  
         [0023]     According to an embodiment of the invention, a system and method determines what portion of returning response packets should reach each connected client side network device based on a routing strategy algorithm and assigns a unique identifier address advertisement suppression level to each connected device. A client device has a unique identifier that establishes its position in a network. The suppression level is implemented by a reduction in the frequency with which the single client address is advertised by each connected network device. An unsuppressed device identifies itself as it normally would so that downstream packet traffic can be correctly addressed and received by the client device. When more than one device advertises the same identity in an unsuppressed way, there is an equally likely probability that a particular packet will be received by any of the devices. Complete restriction (i.e., suppression) of the identifier of one device returns a probability that no packets directed to that identifier will be received there, instead, the probability is 100% that a packet directed to the identifier will be received by the other devices. Various intermediate levels of suppression result in effective probabilistic control of downstream packet flow, eliminating the need for dedicated or proprietary upstream server architecture. The actual portion of response packets arriving through each connected network device is monitored. The unique identifier address advertisement suppression level is adjusted accordingly to more closely approach the optimal response packet distribution determined by the performance test algorithm in a feedback-control mechanism. All response packets from each connected network device are aggregated before passing the complete packet stream on to the client&#39;s applications. Each such response packet may be received via a wireless network over which request data was transmitted or may be received via different suitable means, such as, for example, by land line or wireless network over which request data was not transmitted.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram that provides an overview of a simple embodiment of an asymmetric networking scheme as described by the present invention that incorporates two network interface cards. In this scheme, Network Device  1  handles all upstream/outbound traffic and zero downstream traffic. Network Device  2  handles all downstream traffic and zero upstream traffic. The Network Manager controls the upstream/outgoing traffic at the Upstream Routing component and at each Network Device. Downstream traffic is controlled at each Network Device. Client applications function as normal without special provisions.  
         [0025]     In an embodiment, Client application  100 , which can be any application capable of communicating over a network such as an email client, Internet browser, or telephone application, generates data to be transmitted over a network connection. Data from  100  is directed to one of several network devices via upstream routing controller  120  which directs data traffic based on a rule defined by network manager  110 . The rule is defined by network diagnostic data received from network devices  130  and  140 . Outgoing, upstream data from  120  is conveyed to a network through network device  130 . Responses and other incoming data are received by network device  140  and then conveyed to  100  via upstream routing controller  120 . In an alternative embodiment, a single network device  130  may be employed for simultaneous bi-directional communication over multiple frequency ranges with multiple nodes, such as antenna towers, associated with multiple wireless networks.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram that illustrates the downstream control of one Network Device in detail. The Network Manager dictates and restricts the natural strength of an identifying signal that identifies the client to other network nodes. An identifying signal of relatively lower strength than other Network Device sharing the same identity will result in a low probability that an incoming packet directed to the client will be directed through the low-signal Network Device. Similarly, complete suppression of the identifier will result in a zero probability that incoming packets will be routed to the suppressed Network Device. Higher signal strength devices that are subject to lower levels of identifier suppression will cause incoming packets to be directed through the high-signal Network Device with a high probability.  
         [0027]     Actual incoming/downstream packet traffic is monitored by the Network Manager, which then adjusts the level of identifier suppression using the data over a transmission period. Each adjustment during the transmission period acts to converge the amount of downstream traffic allocated to each Network Device by the Routing Algorithm with the actual downstream traffic observed.  
         [0028]     In an embodiment, Network Manager  110  determines the optimal identifier suppression level for Network Device  130 . The suppression control is applied to Unique Identifier Beacon  220  by Network Manager  110 . Subsequent downstream information flow passing through Network Device  130  is monitored at Downstream Flow receiver  240  and diagnostic information from  240  is conveyed to  110 . Network Manager  110  uses the diagnostic information from  240  to adjust the suppression rule applied to Unique Identifier Beacon  220 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the Network Manager. Data is gathered from numerous sources, including preset preferences specified by a vendor, service provider, or user, and a number of data sets gathered from the network feedback of each Network Device including performance diagnostics, cost of service data and device availability for each connection established.  
         [0030]     The Routing Strategy Algorithm  300  resolves all of the data inputs and implements a routing strategy that controls the direction and flow of network traffic to and from each Network Device. The controls are implemented at both the Upstream Packet Routing component, and the Network Devices themselves. In an embodiment, the routing strategy can be partially or completely dictated by manual imposition of constraints on bandwidth assignment and/or suppression of the identifying signal through the use of, for example, a graphical user interface associated with the client device. In an alternative embodiment, the Routing Strategy Algorithm may be implemented by one or more components, such as a processor, upstream of the client device.  
         [0031]     In an embodiment, the Network Manager compiles data from Preset Preferences  310 , Device Availability  320 , Network Performance  330 , and Cost of Service  340  that describes each available network connection. The compiled data is input to Routing Strategy Algorithm  300 . Routing Strategy Algorithm  300  chooses an optimal routing strategy for network traffic based on the data from  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340 . The optimal routing strategy is then applied to Upstream Packet Routing  120 , and Network Devices  130 , 140 . Upstream packet Routing  120  distributes information generated by client applications and intended for a network to the Network Device specified by  300 . The Routing Strategy Algorithm also determines the level of Identifier Suppression control applied to each Network Device  130 , 140 . As Network Devices  130 , 140  communicate with networks, further packet traffic diagnostic data is returned to  310 ,  320 ,  330 , and  340 . The further diagnostic data is then used to refine the optimal routing strategy.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart describing the establishment and operation of client-side asymmetric network controls. The flowchart shows a continuous feedback control mechanism that adjusts the network characteristics of a client device based on diagnostic data describing prior network traffic.  
         [0033]     In an embodiment, network connection is initiated in step  400 . The Network Manager identifies the multiple network connections available in  405 . An attempt is made to connect to each of the available network devices in  410 . Performance and Cost of Service diagnostic data for each network connection is compiled and analyzed in  415 . Results from step  415  are conveyed to the Routing Strategy Algorithm in  420  where the optimal routing strategy rule is chosen based on the data from  415 . The rule from  420  is applied to the upstream routing packet traffic permeability control in  425  where the total amount of available bandwidth for each device is divided and apportioned between upstream and downstream traffic. The rule from  420  is used to set the unique identifier suppression level in step  430  that limits the ability of each network device to establish the location of the client device in a network. Network communication begins in  435  based on the settings implemented in  425  and  430 . Network operating performance data is collected continuously in  440 . The information collected in  440  is applied in  445  to adjust the identifier suppression control to more closely approach the optimal downstream traffic level determined in  420  and implemented in  430 . The data collected in  440  is also conveyed back to  415  to reevaluate the rule set in  420  in order to maintain continuous optimization of network resources. The network session is terminated in  450 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing the method by which the identifier suppression control is managed.  FIG. 5  shows the same continuous feedback control mechanism as in  FIG. 4 , but describes in more detail a method that could be used to suppress the unique identifier of a client device in a network environment. Other methods of suppressing a unique identifier within a network are within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0035]     In an embodiment, step  500  establishes the natural, unsuppressed level of identification activity implemented in each network device. The routing strategy algorithm determines the proportion of incoming, downstream traffic addressed to the client device that should be received at each network device in  510 . In step  520 , the optimal traffic level is associated with a degree of device identifier suppression that is then implemented in  530 . Network communication is initiated in  540  and performance diagnostic information is collected from  540  in step  550  and used to adjust the suppression level in  530  to approach the optimal traffic proportion determined in  520  as well as to readjust the optimal level based on changes detected in the network environment.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a graph illustrating the convergence of downstream packet flow specified by the Routing Strategy Algorithm with the actual observed downstream traffic at a particular Network Device in a probabilistic scheme for asymmetric networking employing client side control. By adjusting the initial network device control settings after each traffic observation period based on the most recent data, downstream network traffic may be regulated from the client side without the need for control extended upstream to other elements within the network. Each successive observation period brings the actual network traffic closer to the optimal level determined by a routing strategy algorithm.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a &#39;dashboard&#39; representation of the controls and arrangement of a method for asymmetric network employing client side control. The Permeability Control specifies what proportion of available bandwidth on a particular Network Device is available for use in either direction. The Identifier Suppression Control specifies the level of restriction placed on the normal operation of a Network Device in identifying its location to other network nodes.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a diagram describing three possible embodiments of the present invention. The Cellular embodiment shows three competing service providers who have a joint operating agreement such as the U.S. GSM alliance comprising Cingular Wireless, AT&amp;T Wireless, and T-Mobile USA. A user in an area where all three service providers offer coverage can connect to all three networks simultaneously and utilize three times the communication bandwidth and bit rate available from a single provider.  
         [0039]     The Television embodiment shows a user receiving information from a television broadcast transmitter operating under a one-way data transmission protocol and sending information back upstream through a cellular back channel.  
         [0040]     The Wi-Fi embodiment shows a user located in an area where more than one Wi-Fi hotspots offer overlapping coverage. In this example, with two overlapping hotspots, the user is able to utilize twice the bandwidth available from a single hotspot.