Abstract:
Intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods are provided. The intelligent hotspot connection system includes a storage unit, a wireless connection unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit includes a hotspot information database recording at least one property for each of a plurality of hotspots, and a hotspot preference database recording at least one preference inclination, respectively defining a reference weight for the property and signal strength. The processing unit detects the signal strength of the respective hotspots via the wireless connection unit. The processing unit obtains the preference inclination, and calculates a score for the respective hotspots according to the preference inclination, the property and signal strength of the respective hotspots. The processing unit selects and automatically connects to the hotspot with the highest score via the wireless connection unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 098109472, filed on Mar. 24, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates generally to intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods, and more particularly, to systems and methods that automatically determine a hotspot and/or the process for logining to the hotspot according to user preference and hotspot properties. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Recently, applications for wireless networks have become more important and valuable due to increased convenience and functions of portable electronic devices. Related infrastructures, such as hotspots/access points, must be set up by the wireless network service provider, such that users can link and login to the wireless network service via their portable electronic devices. 
     Generally, when users want to link to a wireless network, a wireless network scanning module in their electronic devices must be activated to detect available wireless network providers in a surrounding environment. Users must determine and select a specific provider by themselves, and manually operate their electronic devices to link to the hotspot supplied by the specific provider. In some situations, a user may respectively have several accounts for wireless network providers, and the signal strength, charge conditions and connection mechanisms for each wireless network provider may be different. Therefore, users usually determine a wireless network provider according to several characteristics such as signal strength, cost, charging rate or security enhancement. It is troublesome for users to determine which wireless network provider or hotspot should be connected. Additionally, since there are different login procedures for each wireless network provider, users must intimately know login procedures and corresponding account names and passwords for different wireless network providers. Memorization and operation of several account names/passwords and login procedures are indeed troublesome for users. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,239 discloses a method and system to customize and update a network connection application for distribution to multiple end-users. In this patent, the system can automatically recognize and mark the hotspots which belonging to one alliance for helping the users to select. However, no automatic determination mechanism for hotspots based on user preferences is provided. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods are provided. 
     An embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection system includes a storage unit, a wireless connection unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit includes a hotspot information database recording at least one property for each of a plurality of hotspots, and a hotspot preference database recording at least one preference inclination, respectively defining a plurality of reference weights that each weight is respectively corresponding to at least one property and the signal strength. The processing unit detects the signal strength of available hotspots, obtains the preference inclination, and calculates a score for each hotspot according to the preference inclination, the property and signal strength of each hotspot. Furthermore, the processing unit selects and automatically connects to the hotspot with the highest score via the wireless connection unit. 
     In an embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method, at least one preference inclination is obtained, wherein the preference inclination respectively defines a plurality of reference weights that each weight is respectively corresponding to at least one property and the signal strength. Then, the signal strength of hotspots is detected. A score for those hotspots is calculated according to the preference inclination, the property and signal strength of them. The hotspot with the highest score is selected and automatically connected. 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit further retrieves a login procedure which is specific to certain hotspot with authorized user&#39;s account and password applied to retrieve login procedure and thus makes automatic procedure possible. 
     In some embodiments, the processing unit further determines whether the connection corresponding to the selected hotspot is disconnected or not. When the connection is disconnected, the processing unit once again detects the signal strength of the respective hotspots via the wireless connection unit, and recalculates a score for the respective hotspots according to the preference inclination, the property and signal strength of the respective hotspots. The processing unit re-selects another hotspot with the highest score according to the scores of the respective hotspots, and automatically connects to the re-selected hotspot via the wireless connection unit. 
     Intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods may take the form of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection system of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a storage unit of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of another embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a storage unit of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of another embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods are provided. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection system of the invention. The intelligent hotspot connection system  1000  can be used in an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device. The intelligent hotspot connection system  1000  comprises a storage unit  1100 , a wireless connection unit  1200 , and a processing unit  1300 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a storage unit of the invention. The storage unit  1100  comprises a user preference setting  1110 , a hotspot information database  1120 , and a hotspot preference database  1130 . The hotspot information database  1120  records at least one property  1121 , such as charge condition, charge rate, and/or connection security for respective hotspots. The charge condition may be charge or free, which can be represented by 0 and 1. The connection security may be the encryption degree, such as no encryption, WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WRA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and/or WPA2. It is noted that, various charge rates and connection security types can be respectively corresponded to a specific value. In some embodiments, a cheaper rate may be corresponded to a higher value, and an encryption degree with a better security may be corresponded to a higher value. It is understood that, the properties are examples of the invention, and are not limited thereto. 
     The hotspot preference database  1130  records a plurality of preference inclinations  1131 . Each of the preference inclinations  1131  respectively defines a plurality of reference weights that each weight respectively corresponds to at least one property  1121  and the signal strength. In some embodiments, the preference inclination  1131  may comprise a free hotspot inclination, a signal strength inclination, a rate inclination, and/or a security degree inclination, and the reference weights may comprise C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , and C s . When the preference inclination  1131  is the free hotspot inclination, the reference weight corresponding to the charge condition may be greater than the reference weights respectively corresponding to the rate, the security, and the signal strength. In some embodiments, C 1 &gt;C 2 =C 3 =C s , wherein C 1  is the reference weight corresponding to the charge condition, C 2  is the reference weight corresponding to the rate, C 3  is the reference weight corresponding to the security, and C s  is the reference weight corresponding to the signal strength. When the preference inclination  1131  is the signal strength inclination, the reference weight corresponding to the signal strength may be greater than the reference weights respectively corresponding to the charge condition, the rate, and the security. In some embodiments, C s &gt;C 1 =C 2 =C 3 . When the preference inclination  1131  is the rate inclination, the reference weights respectively corresponding to the rate and the signal strength may be greater than the reference weights respectively corresponding to the charge condition and the security. In some embodiments, C s =C 2 &gt;C 1 =C 3 . When the preference inclination  1131  is the security degree inclination, the reference weight corresponding to the security may be greater than the reference weights respectively corresponding to the charge condition, the rate, and the signal strength. In some embodiments, C 3 &gt;C 1 =C 2 =C s . It is understood that, the above preference inclinations and corresponding reference weights are examples of the embodiment, and the invention is not limited thereto. The operation of the user preference setting  1110 , the property  1121  and the preference inclination  1131  are discussed later. 
     The wireless connection unit  1200  can wirelessly detect hotspots in a surrounding environment, and connect to the detected hotspots. The processing unit  1300  performs the intelligent hotspot connection methods of the invention, which will be discussed further in the following paragraphs. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method of the invention. The intelligent hotspot connection method can be used in an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device. 
     In step S 3100 , the user preference setting  1110  is read, and a corresponding preference inclination  1131  is retrieved from the hotspot preference database  1130  according to the user preference setting  1110 . It is noted that, the user preference setting  1110  may be one of the corresponding preference inclinations  1131 . Similarly, the preference inclination  1131  may respectively define a plurality of reference weights that each weight is respectively corresponding to at least one property  1121  of hotspots and the signal strength. Then, in step S 3200 , the signal strength of the respective hotspots is detected via the wireless connection unit  1200 . In step S 3300 , a score for the respective hotspot is calculated according to the preference inclination  1131 , and the property and signal strength of the respective hotspot, using the following formula: 
     
       
         
           
             
               Z 
               = 
               
                 
                   
                     ∑ 
                     
                       i 
                       = 
                       1 
                     
                     n 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     
                       P 
                       i 
                     
                     × 
                     
                       C 
                       i 
                     
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   S 
                   × 
                   
                     C 
                     s 
                   
                 
               
             
             , 
           
         
       
     
     wherein Z is the score for the hotspot, P i  is the properties of the hotspot, C i  is the reference weights corresponding to the respective properties, n is the number of the properties, S is the signal strength of the hotspot, and C s  is the reference weight corresponding to the signal strength. 
     After the scores for the respective hotspots are calculated, in step S 3400 , the hotspot with the highest score is selected, and in step S 3500 , the selected hotspot is automatically connected to via the wireless network unit  1200 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of another embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method of the invention. The intelligent hotspot connection method can be used in an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device. In this embodiment, the connection status can be continuously determined, and the hotspot selection and connection are automatically performed when the connection status is disconnected. 
     In step S 4100 , the user preference setting  1110  is read, and a corresponding preference inclination  1131  is retrieved from the hotspot preference database  1130  according to the user preference setting  1110 . Similarly, the user preference setting  1110  may be one of the corresponding preference inclinations  1131 , and the preference inclination  1131  may respectively define a reference weight for the properties  1121  of hotspot and the signal strength. Then, in step S 4200 , the signal strength of respective hotspots is detected via the wireless connection unit  1200 . In step S 4300 , a score for the respective hotspot is calculated according to the preference inclination  1131 , and the property and signal strength of the respective hotspot, using the following formula: 
     
       
         
           
             
               Z 
               = 
               
                 
                   
                     ∑ 
                     
                       i 
                       = 
                       1 
                     
                     n 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     
                       P 
                       i 
                     
                     × 
                     
                       C 
                       i 
                     
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   S 
                   × 
                   
                     C 
                     s 
                   
                 
               
             
             , 
           
         
       
     
     wherein Z is the score for the hotspot, P i  is the properties of the hotspot, C i  is the reference weights corresponding to the respective properties, n is the number of the properties, S is the signal strength of the hotspot, and C s  is the reference weight corresponding to the signal strength. 
     Then, in step S 4400 , the hotspot with the highest score is selected, and in step S 4500 , the selected hotspot is automatically connected via the wireless network unit  1200 . After the connection is established, in step S 4600 , it is determined whether the connection corresponding to the selected hotspot is disconnected or not. When the connection corresponding to the selected hotspot still keeps alive (No in step S 4600 ), the procedure remains at step S 4600 . When the connection corresponding to the selected hotspot is disconnected (Yes in step S 4600 ), the procedure returns to step S 4200  to re-detect the signal strength of the respective hotspots, and the steps S 4300  to S 4600  are repeated. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a storage unit of the invention. It is noted that, the same components in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  are with the same labels. 
     The storage unit  1100  comprises a user preference setting  1110 , a hotspot information database  1120 , a hotspot preference database  1130 , a login procedure database  1140 , and an account database  1150 . The hotspot information database  1120  records at least one property  1121 , such as charged condition, charged rate, and/or connection security for respective hotspots. Various charged conditions, charged rates, and connection security types can be respectively corresponded to a specific value. The hotspot preference database  1130  records a plurality of preference inclinations  1131 . Each of the preference inclinations  1131  respectively defines a reference weight for the property  1121  and the signal strength. The login procedure database  1140  records login procedures  1141  for different hotspots. The login procedure may comprise the procedure, interfaces, timing, and/or required data for login to the hotspot. The account database  1150  records account names/passwords  1151  for hotspots. The use of the login procedure  1141  and the account name/password  1151  is discussed later. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an embodiment of an intelligent hotspot connection method of the invention. The intelligent hotspot connection method can be used in an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device. In this embodiment, the login procedures for different hotspots can be integrated, and the login process can be automatically completed. 
     In step S 6100 , the user preference setting  1110  is read, and a corresponding preference inclination  1131  is retrieved from the hotspot preference database  1130  according to the user preference setting  1110 . Similarly, the user preference setting  1110  may be one of the corresponding preference inclinations  1131 , and the preference inclination  1131  may respectively define a reference weight for the properties  1121  of hotspot and the signal strength. Then, in step S 6200 , the signal strength of respective hotspots is detected via the wireless connection unit  1200 . In step S 6300 , a score for the respective hotspot is calculated according to the preference inclination  1131 , and the property and signal strength of the respective hotspot, using the following formula: 
     
       
         
           
             
               Z 
               = 
               
                 
                   
                     ∑ 
                     
                       i 
                       = 
                       1 
                     
                     n 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     
                       P 
                       i 
                     
                     × 
                     
                       C 
                       i 
                     
                   
                 
                 + 
                 
                   S 
                   × 
                   
                     C 
                     s 
                   
                 
               
             
             , 
           
         
       
     
     wherein Z is the score for the hotspot, P i  is the properties of the hotspot, C i  is the reference weights corresponding to the respective properties, n is the number of the properties, S is the signal strength of the hotspot, and C s  is the reference weight corresponding to the signal strength. 
     Then, in step S 6400 , the hotspot with the highest score is selected, and in step S 6500 , the selected hotspot is automatically connected to via the wireless network unit  1200 . Then, in step S 6600 , a corresponding login procedure  1141  is retrieved from the login procedure database  1140  according to the selected hotspot, and in step S 6700 , corresponding account name and password  1151  are retrieved from the account database  1150  according to the selected hotspot. Then, in step S 6800 , the retrieved account name and password  1151  are applied to the retrieved login procedure  1141 , thus to automatically login to the selected hotspot. 
     It is understood that, in some embodiments, the intelligent hotspot connection system can record variation of the user preference settings, and dynamically adjust the reference weights corresponding to the properties and/or signal strength in the preference inclination according to the variation of user preference settings. 
     Therefore, the intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods can automatically determine a hotspot according to user preference and hotspot properties, and/or perform the login process for the hotspot. 
     Intelligent hotspot connection systems and methods, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits. 
     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.