Avoiding and Managing Poor Wireless Connections on Mobile Devices

This document describes systems and techniques to avoid and manage poor wireless connections on mobile devices. The described systems and techniques can determine, based on a determined signal quality or signal strength of a current wireless connection, that a superior signal quality or a superior signal strength is available at a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, a current location of the mobile device. In response to determining that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at the location, the mobile device can provide an alert to a user. The alert can indicate the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device. In this way, the described systems and techniques can direct users to better network connections or alleviate their impact.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices (e.g., smartphones) can communicate with other mobile devices, computing devices, and network equipment over wireless networks. A wireless network can provide various network services to mobile devices. Examples of network services include emergency calls, voice calls, video calls, mobile data, and messaging services.

When a user is moving or in an unfamiliar location, the user may experience a poor connection to a wireless network. The poor connection potentially results in a dropped voice call, failed data transfer (e.g., media streaming paused, a web page fails to load), or missed communications. Finding a network connection with a better signal quality or signal strength can be difficult. The user may need to walk to another location within a building, move to another room in their house, walk to another block, or drive a few miles away. While users can return to or remember a location with a better network connection, in many situations, users cannot return to a previous location or are unaware of another location with a better network connection. In other situations, users cannot anticipate a poor or lost connection and cannot mitigate its impact.

SUMMARY

This document describes systems and techniques to avoid and manage poor wireless connections on mobile devices. Aspects of the disclosure may assist in maintaining or improving connections between a mobile device and one or more wireless networks. Aspects may monitor signal strength or signal quality, and may anticipate a poor or lost wireless connection that in some cases may not have been anticipated by a user of the device as quickly, or at all. Aspects may allow preemptive or proactive action to be taken before a connection issues arises. In this way, the impact of a poor or lost connection may be mitigated.

The described systems and techniques can determine, based on determined signal quality or signal strength of a current wireless connection, that a superior signal quality or a superior signal strength is available at a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, a current location of the mobile device. In response to determining that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at the location, the mobile device can alert a user. The alert can indicate the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device. In this way, the described systems and techniques can direct users to better network connections or alleviate their impact. The user may also take action to mitigate the effects of a poor wireless connection before a connection issue arises, or may take action to improve the connectivity of the mobile device when there is a connection issue that the user may not have previously been aware of.

For example, a mobile device determines the signal quality or signal strength of a current wireless connection of the mobile device to a wireless network. The mobile device determines, based on the determined signal quality or signal strength of the current wireless connection, that a superior signal quality or signal strength is available at a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, a current location of the mobile device. In response to determining that the superior signal quality or signal strength is available at the location, the mobile device provides an alert to a user of the mobile device. The alert indicates the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device.

This document also describes other methods, configurations, and systems to avoid and manage poor wireless connections on mobile devices.

This Summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts for avoiding and managing poor wireless connections on mobile devices. Additional concepts related to the claimed subject matter are further described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

This document describes techniques and systems to avoid and manage poor wireless connections on mobile devices. As noted above, mobile devices can communicate with other mobile devices and computing devices using wireless networks. When a user of a mobile device is moving or in an unfamiliar location, the mobile device may have a poor connection to a wireless network. The poor connection can result in a dropped call, failed or slow data transfer (e.g., web pages not loading, movies not playing), or missed communications. The user may need to move to another location to improve the signal quality or signal strength of the current connection or initiate a connection with another wireless network. It is often difficult for users to find a location with a better network connection or avoid the poor connection in many situations. The user may not be aware that their mobile device is experiencing poor signal quality or signal strength, for example because the effects of the poor signal quality or signal strength are not immediately or obviously perceptible to the user.

Consider a smartphone with a communication application that allows users to make and receive voice calls and video calls. For example, a user can use the communication application to join a teleconference call from his home. The user may move to a bedroom to avoid noise from family members. As a result, the user may experience a poor wireless connection. For example, the teleconference call may begin breaking up, or the smartphone may drop the call. In response, the user may need to move closer to the noise, find another location in the house, step outside, or ask the family members to be quiet.

As another example, a user can use a multimedia application to stream a movie. The user can watch the movie while traveling on a train or a bus. The train or bus can pass through a location without access to a wireless network. For example, the train or bus can pass through a tunnel or an area with poor or no cellular networks. In such situations, the multimedia application can no longer stream the movie. Once the smartphone reestablishes a network connection, the user may need to reload the movie.

Although they often indicate signal strength, mobile devices generally do not help users avoid poor wireless connections, manage instances of poor or no network connection, or find a better connection. For example, mobile devices generally include bars in a connection icon on the user interface to indicate the signal strength of a current network connection. The more bars displayed, generally, the greater the signal strength of the connected network. Users must move to a known location with a better connection when they experience a poor or lost network connection. Alternatively, users may roam around while checking the connection icon or trying to refresh a web page, improve the quality of a voice call, or resume streaming a movie.

The described techniques and systems can help users avoid and manage poor wireless connections. Mobile devices can maintain data regarding the signal quality or signal strength of nearby network connections. In response to determining that a current connection is inferior, the mobile device can alert the user. The alert can include directions or other instructions to a nearby location with superior signal strength or signal quality. The mobile device can also take proactive action to mitigate the effects of a poor or lost connection. In this way, the connectivity between the mobile device and one or more wireless networks may be improved. The amount of time the mobile device spends communicating over poor or low quality wireless connections may be reduced and there may be fewer interruptions in data transfer between the mobile device and one or more mobile networks. As such, the described techniques and systems may reduce the frequency or severity of data loss between the mobile device and one or more wireless connections.

Consider the teleconference scenario described above. The smartphone can monitor the signal quality or signal strength of the current network connection to determine whether the connection is poor. The smartphone can also obtain audio data of the teleconference and determine whether the audible parts of the teleconference indicate a poor connection. For example, a teleconference participant may say that the user is breaking up or cutting out. In response to determining that the network connection is poor, the smartphone can alert the user of the poor connection. The alert can include suggestions of other locations in or around the home with a better connection. In this way, the smartphone can help the user avoid a dropped call without requiring the user to roam around the home looking for a better connection.

In addition, consider the traveling scenario described above. The smartphone can predict a travel course of the user while traveling on the train or bus. The smartphone can also obtain the signal quality or signal strength of network connections along the travel course. The smartphone can then determine whether it will experience a poor or lost connection along the travel course. In response to determining that it will experience a poor or lost connection, the smartphone can cause the multimedia application to download additional parts of the movie to avoid interrupting playback. In this way, the smartphone can predict a poor or lost connection that may occur and provide access to multimedia and other materials that would otherwise be interrupted due to the poor or lost connection. As such, the smartphone may anticipate poor or lost connections that may not otherwise have been anticipated by the user and may allow for preemptive or proactive action to be taken to minimize or mitigate the effects associated with weak or poor quality connections or lost connections.

These examples illustrate how the described systems and techniques for avoiding and managing poor wireless connections on mobile devices can improve user experience. Other examples and implementations are described throughout this document. This document now describes additional example configurations, components, and methods to avoid and manage poor wireless connections on mobile devices.

Example Devices

FIG.1illustrates an example device diagram100of a mobile device102that can avoid and manage poor wireless connections. The mobile device102may include additional components omitted fromFIG.1for the sake of clarity.

The mobile device102can be a variety of consumer electronic devices that can connect to wireless networks. As non-limiting examples, the mobile device102can be a mobile phone102-1(e.g., a smartphone), a tablet device102-2, a laptop computer102-3, a computerized watch102-4, a mobile video game console102-5, a wearable computer102-6, a computing system installed in a vehicle, or any other mobile device.

The mobile device102includes radio frequency (RF) transceivers104for communicating over wireless networks. The RF transceivers can include, for example, a Fourth-Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G LTE) transceiver, a Fifth-Generation New Radio (5G NR) transceiver, and a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver. The mobile device102can tune the RF transceivers104and supporting circuitry (e.g., antennas, front-end modules, amplifiers) to one or more frequency bands defined by various communication standards.

The wireless networks can include various types of computer networks that use wireless data connections between network nodes. Wireless networks generally implement and use RF communication technology and standards. Examples of wireless networks that the mobile device102can connect to include cellular networks, WLANs, wireless personal area networks (WPANs), wireless ad hoc networks, wireless metropolitan area networks (MANs), global area networks (GANs), wireless sensor networks, satellite communication networks, and terrestrial microwave networks.

The mobile device102also includes a signal quality sensor106and one or more location sensors108. The signal quality sensor106determines the signal quality or signal strength of a wireless connection of the mobile device102. The signal quality sensor106can use a signal strength detection circuit (e.g., an amplifier device) to detect the strength of a wireless signal (e.g., a Received-Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)), including a reception signal or a transmission signal in the mobile device102. The signal quality sensor106can also determine the signal quality or signal strength of other available wireless networks in the area of the mobile device102.

The mobile device102can also determine the signal quality or signal strength by analyzing the audio data from a voice call or a video call to determine if there an indication of a poor connection. For example, the audio data from the voice or video call can include a phrase (e.g., “can you hear me,” “you are breaking up,” “you are cutting out,” “what was that?”) that may indicate a poor connection. As another example, the audio data can include any unnatural or unexpected pauses that may indicate a poor connection and lost words from the call.

The location sensors108, for example, can include a global positioning system (GPS) or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that can determine the location of the mobile device102. For example, a wireless connection manager114can use the location data from the location sensors108to generate a connectivity map for an area around the current location of the mobile device102.

The mobile device102also includes one or more processors110and computer-readable storage media (CRM)112. The processors110can include, as non-limiting examples, a system on chip (SoC), a central processing unit, or a graphics processing unit. An SoC generally integrates many components of the mobile device102into a single device, including a central processing unit, a memory, and input and output ports. A central processing unit generally executes commands and processes needed for the mobile device102. A graphics processing unit performs operations to display graphics of the mobile device102and can perform other specific computational tasks. The processor110can include a single core or multiple cores.

The CRM112is a suitable storage device (e.g., random-access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), Flash memory) to store device data of the mobile device102. The device data can include an operating system, one or more applications, the wireless connection manager114, user data, and multimedia data. The CRM112can also store executable instructions (e.g., firmware, recovery firmware, software, applications, modules, programs, functions) to manage and avoid poor wireless connections. In other implementations, the memory of the processor110can store the operating system and a subset of the applications (e.g., the wireless connection manager114), user data, and multimedia data of the mobile device102.

The operating system generally manages hardware and software resources of the mobile device102and provides common services for the applications. The operating system and the applications are generally executable by the processor110(e.g., an SoC, a central processing unit) to enable communications and user interaction with the mobile device102.

The wireless connection manager114analyses various wireless network identities, infrastructure identities, and respective states to manage and avoid poor connectivity for the mobile device102. The mobile device102can include the wireless connection manager114as hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The wireless connection manager114, when executed by the processor110, causes the mobile device102to avoid and manage poor wireless connections. For example, the wireless connection manager114can help users locate wireless connections with superior signal strength or superior signal quality. As another example, the wireless connection manager114can anticipate a lost wireless connection and download content to the mobile device102to mitigate the lost connection.

The wireless connection manager114can also use the location data and the signal-quality data from the signal quality sensor106to generate a wireless network database that includes the associated signal quality for wireless networks at various locations. The wireless connection manager114can store the connectivity map and database in the memory of the mobile device102, including the CRM112. The connectivity database can be in an online database or on a remote computing device in some implementations. The mobile device102can download, via the RF transceivers104, the connectivity database as needed. The mobile device102can also use the signal quality sensor106and the connectivity database to determine the location of the mobile device102. This document describes the operations of the wireless network manager in greater detail with respect toFIGS.2through6.

The user interface component116manages input and output to a user interface of the mobile device102. The user interface can include user interfaces associated with the operating system and the applications installed on the mobile device102. The user interface can display a map indicating the signal quality or signal strength of nearby wireless networks. The wireless manager114can cause the user interface component116to alert the user of a poor wireless connection. The alert can include directions or other instructions to a nearby location with a network connection having a superior signal quality or signal strength available. This document describes the components and operations of the mobile device102to avoid and manage poor wireless connections in greater detail with respect toFIG.2.

FIG.2illustrates another example device diagram200of a mobile device202that can avoid and manage poor wireless connections. The mobile device202is an example of the mobile device102ofFIG.1, with some additional detail. As described with respect toFIG.1, the mobile device202includes the RF transceivers104, the signal quality sensor106, the location sensors108, the processors110, the CRM112, the wireless connection manager114, and the user interface component116. The mobile device202may include additional components omitted fromFIG.2for the sake of clarity.

The wireless connection manager114includes a connectivity map204. The connectivity map204can visually indicate the signal quality or signal strength of one or more wireless networks in an area surrounding the mobile device202. The area included in the connectivity map204includes a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, a current location of the mobile device202. The mobile device202can set the determined distance based on a mode of travel for the mobile device202. For example, if the mobile device202is in a moving vehicle, the determined distance can be several miles so that the connectivity map204includes several square miles of area. On the other hand, if the mobile device202is held by a user within a building, the connectivity map can include the building. In addition, the connectivity map204can use shading or other visual elements to indicate the signal quality, signal strength, or coverage area of wireless networks. In some implementations, the connectivity map204can include a database that provides the same information for different nearby locations.

In addition to the wireless connection manager114, the CRM112includes an operating system206. The operating system206includes an audio mixer208and a speech recognition module210. The audio mixer208and the speech recognition module210can be specialized hardware components, software components, or a combination thereof. In other examples, the audio mixer208and the speech recognition module210are separate from the operating system206(e.g., as a system plug-in or additional add-on service locally installed on the mobile device202).

The audio mixer208can obtain and consolidate audio data generated by applications212, including a communication application or a multimedia application, executing on the mobile device202. The audio mixer208obtains audio streams from the applications212. The audio mixer208then generates audio signals that reproduce the sounds encoded in the audio streams when combined and output by the user interface component116. The audio mixer208may adjust the audio signals in other ways, for example, controlling focus, intent, and volume. The audio mixer208provides an interface between the application source that generates the content and the user interface component116that creates sounds from the content. The audio mixer208can manage raw audio data, analyze it, and direct audio signals to be output by the user interface component116or sent, via the RF transceivers104, to another computing device.

The speech recognition module210is configured to analyze audio data in raw form, as received (e.g., as a byte stream) by the audio mixer208. For example, the speech recognition module210can perform speech recognition on the audio data to determine whether the audio data includes an indication of a poor connection. The audio data from a voice call or a video call can include a phrase (e.g., “can you hear me,” “you are breaking up,” “you are cutting out,” “what was that?”) that may indicate a poor connection. As another example, the audio data may include unnatural or unexpected pauses that indicate a poor connection and lost words from the call. In addition, the speech recognition module210or another component can monitor the quality or clarity of the audio data to determine whether the signal quality of the call has deteriorated, potentially indicating a poor connection.

Rather than processing each audio signal, the speech recognition module210can identify individual, pre-mixed audio data streams suitable for analysis. For example, the speech recognition module210can analyze spoken audio data but not notification or sonification audio data (e.g., system beeps, rings). The speech recognition module210may apply a filter to the byte streams received by the audio mixer208to identify the audio data suitable for analysis. The speech recognition module210can use a machine-learned model to determine descriptions from audible parts of a voice call or a video call that may indicate a poor wireless connection.

Responsive to determining that the audio data requires analysis, the operating system206can determine the description. For example, the operating system206or the speech recognition module210can execute a machine-learned model (e.g., an end-to-end Recurrent-Neural-Network-Transducer Automatic Speech-Recognition Model). Engineers can train the machine-learned model to generate descriptions of audible parts of voice calls or video calls. The machine-learned model can be any type of model suitable for providing descriptions of sounds, including transcriptions for spoken audio. The machine-learned model can be smaller and less complex than other machine-learned models because it only needs to be trained to identify audible parts of voice calls and video calls. In this way, the described systems and techniques can avoid using remote processing resources (e.g., a machine-learned model at a remote computing device) to avoid unnecessary privacy risks and potential processing latencies.

By relying on original audio data instead of audio signals generated by the user interface component116, the machine-learned model can generate descriptions that more-accurately represent the audible parts of voice calls and video calls. By determining whether audio data requires analysis before using the machine-learned model, the operating system206can avoid wasting resources overanalyzing all audio data output by the applications212. This determination enables the mobile device202to execute a more-efficient, smaller, and less-complex machine-learned model. In this way, the machine-learned model can perform automatic speech-recognition techniques locally to maintain privacy.

The CRM112also includes the applications212. The applications212can include communication applications to make and receive voice calls and video calls. The applications212can also include multimedia applications to download or stream multimedia content (e.g., movies, videos, music, podcasts, audiobooks, webpages, television shows).

The user interface component116can include a display component214, an audio component216, and an input component218. The display component214, the audio component216, and the input component218can be separate components or integrated as a single component.

The display component214can include any suitable display technology, including light-emitting diode (LED), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies. The display component214displays user interfaces associated with the operating system206and the applications212. The display component214can also display the connectivity map204and alerts generated by the wireless connection manager114.

The audio component216(e.g., a single speaker or multiple speakers) can receive an audio signal as input and convert the audio signal to audible sound. The input component218includes a microphone, presence-sensitive device, touch screen, mouse, keyboard, or another type of component configured to receive user input.

The operating system206or the application212can receive the connection alert from the wireless connection manager114and display it using the display component214. The display component214can also display other visual elements (e.g., selectable controls, the connectivity map204, message elements) related to the alert. For example, the display component214can present the visual elements (e.g., the alert) as part of the user interface for the application212. The alert can include instructions to another location that provides a better network connection, a selectable link to the connectivity map204, a portion of the connectivity map204, or other visual elements described in greater detail with respect toFIGS.4-6.

The mobile device202can also include sensors (not illustrated inFIG.2) to obtain contextual information indicative of a physical operating environment or characteristics of the mobile device202. For example, the wireless connection manager114can use contextual information to identify operations to minimize the impact of a poor or lost connection. The wireless connection manager114can use the contextual information to determine that a user is not looking at the display of the mobile device202. In response, the wireless connection manager114can cause the audio component216to provide an audio signal to the user indicating a connection alert is displayed on the user interface.

FIG.3illustrates example operations300to avoid and manage poor wireless connections on mobile devices. The operations300are described in the context of the mobile device202ofFIG.2. The operations300may be performed in a different order or with additional or fewer operations.

At302, a current location of a mobile device is optionally determined. For example, the mobile device202can determine its current location using the location sensors108. As described above, the location sensors108can include a global positioning system (GPS) or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The mobile device202can also determine its current location based on at least one of network-infrastructure locations for a wireless network, characteristics of nearby wireless access points, or location data from the location sensors108.

At304, the signal quality or the signal strength of a current wireless connection to a wireless network is optionally determined. For example, the mobile device202can determine the signal quality or the signal strength of the current wireless connection using the signal quality sensor106. The display component214can visually indicate the signal quality or the signal strength of the current network connection.

At306, a map indicating a superior signal quality or a superior signal strength of at least one of the wireless network or other wireless networks in the current location and a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, the mobile device is generated. For example, the mobile device202can generate the connectivity map204indicating a superior signal quality or a superior signal strength of the wireless network or other wireless networks in the current location and a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, the mobile device202. The connectivity map is accessible by a user of the mobile device202. The mobile device202can determine the signal quality or the signal strength of the one or more wireless networks based on at least one of a real-time measurement by the mobile device202, a previous measurement by the mobile device202stored in the CRM112, a database stored on a remote computing device, or a previous measurement by another mobile device.

At308, the mobile device determines that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at the location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, the mobile device. The determination is based on the determined signal quality or signal strength of the current wireless connection of the mobile device to the wireless network. For example, the mobile device202can determine that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at a location near the mobile device202. The determination is based on the determined signal quality or the determined signal strength of the current wireless connection of the mobile device202to the wireless network. The signal quality sensor106can use a signal strength detection circuit (e.g., an amplifier device) to detect the strength of a wireless signal (e.g., a Received-Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)), including a reception signal or a transmission signal in the mobile device102. The current wireless connection can be a poor connection that represents at least one of a high probability of losing data during transmission, a low uplink speed, or a low downlink speed.

In some scenarios, the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is for the current wireless connection to the wireless network at the location. In such scenarios, the alert can further indicate, through the connectivity map204displayed as a mapping user interface, travel instructions to the location.

In other scenarios, the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is for a different wireless connection to a different wireless network at the location. In such scenarios, the mobile device202can determine whether the mobile device202has access credentials (e.g., a password) to the different wireless network. In response to determining that the mobile device202has access credentials to the different wireless network, the mobile device202can provide the alert. The alert can further indicate, through the connectivity map204displayed through a mapping user interface, travel instructions to the location. In response to determining that the mobile device202does not have access credentials to the different wireless network, the mobile device202can provide at least one of an identity of the different wireless network, the access credentials to establish the different wireless connection, or instructions to enable access to the different wireless network.

In some scenarios, the mobile device202can make this determination by obtaining audio data output from a communication application. The audio data includes audible parts of a voice call or a video call between a user of the mobile device202and a third party. The mobile device202can then determine, using the audible parts, whether the audio data of the voice call or the video call include a phrase indicating the poor connection. Possible phrases indicating a poor connection include at least portions of the following phrases: “you are breaking up,” “can you hear me,” “cutting out,” “what was that,” and “static on the line.” The mobile device202can also determine whether the audio data includes any unnatural or unexpected pauses in the audible parts. The unnatural or unexpected pauses can indicate the poor connection and lost words from the call.

The mobile device202may only use the information from the audio data, location data, media playing, and other user information after the mobile device202system receives explicit permission from a user of the mobile device202. For example, in situations discussed above in which the mobile device202may collect audio data from voice and video calls, individual users may be provided with an opportunity to provide input to control whether programs or features of the mobile device202can collect and make use of the information. Similarly, in situations in which the mobile device202may collect location data, media data, and other user information, individual users may be provided with an opportunity to provide input to control whether programs or features of the mobile device202can collect and make use of this information. The individual users may further be provided with an opportunity to control what the programs or features can or cannot do with the user information.

At310, in response to determining that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at the location, an alert can be provided to the user of the mobile device. The alert can indicate the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device. For example, the mobile device202can provide, using the connectivity map204, an alert to the user in response to determining that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at the location. The alert can indicate the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device. The alert can also include directions or other instructions to the location. The display component214can display the alert on the device display. The display component214can also provide a selectable control on the device display. For example, the user can select the selectable control to send a connection status to one or more contacts to indicate his current location and the poor connection.

Example Implementations

This section illustrates example implementations of the described systems and techniques that can assist users in managing and avoiding poor wireless network connections, which may operate separately or together in whole or in part. This section describes various example implementations, each outlined in relation to a specific drawing for ease of reading.

FIGS.4A-4Dillustrate an example scenario in which a mobile device can help manage and avoid poor wireless connections.FIGS.4A-4Care described in succession and the context of the mobile device202ofFIG.2. The mobile device202may provide different user interfaces with fewer or additional features than those illustrated inFIGS.4B-4D.

FIG.4Aillustrates a neighborhood400. Consider that user402of the mobile device202is on a walk in the neighborhood400. During the walk, the user402makes a voice call using the application212.

The user402follows a travel course404on his walk. Along the travel course404, the user402passes through the coverage area of several wireless networks406. For example, the mobile device202can connect to wireless networks406-1through406-7along the travel course404. The wireless networks406can include, as non-limiting examples, WLANs, WANs, and cellular networks.

The wireless connection manager114can manage the transition of the mobile device202from one wireless network406(e.g., the wireless network406-1) to another wireless network406(e.g., the wireless network406-2). For example, the wireless connection manager114can complete the connection transition when a current network connection is below a threshold value or the signal strength or signal quality of another wireless network is greater than that of the current network connection.

The wireless connection manager114can also track and record service metrics related to the wireless networks406along the travel course404. The wireless connection manager114can use the signal quality sensor106, an internal clock, the location sensors108, and the RF transceivers104to record service metrics for the wireless networks406upon cell registration, cell exit, or cell identity change. The wireless connection manager114can also record service metrics periodically along the travel course404. The service records can include a time stamp, a geographical stamp, a cell identity, network type, signal quality, and signal strength.

As the user402walks along the travel course404, the mobile device202may experience a poor connection.FIGS.4B through4Dprovide example user interfaces of the mobile device202to avoid and manage a poor wireless connection.

FIG.4Billustrates an example user interface408of the mobile device202to assist user402in avoiding and managing a poor wireless connection. The application212(e.g., a communication application) of the mobile device202causes the display component214to display the user interface408during the voice call.

The user interface408includes a caller box410, a numeric-keypad icon412, a speakerphone icon414, an end-call icon416, a message element418, and a selectable control420. The caller box410can indicate the name and telephone number of the third party (e.g., John at (111)555-3456) to the voice call. The numeric-keypad icon412is a selectable control that, when selected, causes a numeric keypad to be displayed on the user interface408. The speakerphone icon414is a selectable control that, when selected, causes the mobile device202to use a speakerphone functionality for the voice call. The end-call icon416allows user402to terminate the voice call.

The message element418provides a text alert to the user402. For example, the message element418can indicate that the network connection is poor or that the user may soon lose a network connection. In the illustrated example, the message element418provides the following alert: “Connectivity is low in this area: Your call may drop. Find a better location.” As such, the user may be alerted to poor connectivity before it occurs or before it gets worse, allowing them to take preemptive action.

The selectable control420is selectable by user402to perform a particular operation or function. In the illustrated example, the selectable control420includes the text “view connectivity map” and allows user402to display the connectivity map204. The selectable control420can include a button, toggle, selectable text, slider, checkbox, or icon.

Consider that user402reaches the edge of the coverage area for the wireless network406-4. As user402approaches the edge, the wireless connection manager114causes the display component214to provide the message element418on the user interface408. The message element418alerts user402that the current connection is poor and that the voice call may be dropped. In some implementations, the message element418can also include instructions to return to a previous location (e.g., 100 yards west), stand still for the voice call duration, or proceed to a new location (e.g., 100 yards southeast). The wireless connection manager114can provide the instructions as text, visual elements, or a combination thereof. For example, the wireless connection manager114can display a portion of the connectivity map204and textual or visual instructions (e.g., arrows, location pins).

The wireless connection manager114can also cause the display component214to provide the selectable control420. If user402selects the selectable control420, the display component214causes the connectivity map204to appear on the user interface408. The connectivity map204can take up a portion of the user interface408as an overlay on the user interface associated with the application212. In other examples, the connectivity map204can appear as a window slice that takes up a portion of the display. In another example, the connectivity map204can appear in a new window associated with the wireless connection manager114or another application on the mobile device202. In this way, the wireless connection manager114helps user402maintain a network connection with a sufficient signal quality or signal strength to receive communications, stream media, or perform other tasks on the mobile device202as he walks in the neighborhood400.

During his walk, user402can also access the connectivity map204before receiving the connection alert. Consider that user402is about to make an important voice call. User402can access the connectivity map204or similar data stored by the wireless connection manager114. The mobile device202can provide access to the connectivity map204within a settings application or another application. User402can then use the connectivity map204to plot the travel course404.

FIG.4Cillustrates another example user interface422to assist user402in managing and avoiding a poor wireless connection. Consider the previous example of user402on a voice call with John.

The mobile device202determines whether a communication application is executing on the mobile device202to make a voice call or a video call. In response to determining that the communication application is executing to make the voice call, the mobile device202can determine whether the signal quality or the signal strength of the current connection indicates a poor connection. For example, during the voice call, the mobile device202obtains audio data424output from the communication application. The audio data424includes audible parts of the voice call. The speech recognition module210can extract the audio data424from the audio mixer208.

The mobile device202can determine whether the audio data424includes information that indicates a poor wireless connection. For example, the speech recognition module210, using a machine-learned model, can determine whether the audio data424includes a statement indicating a poor wireless connection. In this scenario, John can say the following sentences: “You are starting to break up. What did you say?” The speech recognition module210can recognize this phrase, and similar phrases, as potentially indicating a poor wireless connection. In response to detecting this phrase, the mobile device202can determine whether the signal quality or the signal strength of the current connection indicates a poor connection. If a poor connection is detected, the wireless connection manager114can cause the display component214to display an alert to user402. If a poor connection is not detected, the wireless connection manager114can cause the display component214to display a message that the network connection is good and that John may have a poor connection.

The mobile device202can also use sensors to determine contextual information. For example, the mobile device202can determine whether user402is looking at the display. In response to determining that the user is not looking at the display, the mobile device202can cause the audio component216to provide an audio signal426. The audio signal426can alert the user of the poor connection and cause user402to look at the user interface422. For example, if the mobile device202determines that user402is holding the mobile device202to her ear (e.g., by using a proximity sensor, gyroscope, or accelerometer), the mobile device202can cause the audio component216to provide an audio signal (e.g., a soft tone) that only the user402can hear. In other implementations, the mobile device202can provide haptic feedback to the user as an alert to look at the user interface422.

In addition to the audio signal426, the wireless connection manager114can also cause the display component214to display a message element428and the selectable control420. The message element428can include the following alert: “Connectivity may be low in this area.” The message element428can include similar text to alert user402of a poor connection. As described above, the message element428could also alert user402that the connection is strong and that John may have a poor wireless connection.

FIG.4Dillustrates another example user interface430to assist user402in managing a poor wireless connection. Consider the previous example of user402on a walk along the travel course404. User402has terminated his voice call with John and continues his walk south away from the coverage area of the wireless network406-7. As user402approaches the edge of the coverage area, the display component214can cause the mobile device202to display the user interface430.

The user interface430includes a context element432, a message element434, and selectable controls436-1through436-3. The context element432provides a context of the mobile device202. In this example, the context element432provides the time (e.g., 11:42 am).

The message element434can provide an alert to user402about the potential for losing network connectivity. For example, the message element434can include the following text: “You are about to lose connectivity: Share your last location with a trusted contact.”

The selectable controls436can provide actions to manage the potential connectivity loss. In this example, user402can select one of the contacts provided as part of the selectable control436-1(e.g., Dad, Mary, or Steve) to send a notification that user402may lose network connection. If user402is a child, user402can select the selectable control436-1associated with Dad to send an alert. The alert sent to Dad can share the location of user402and a message that the user may lose network connection and be unavailable for a short time. Alternatively, user402can select the selectable control436-2to send a similar message to the entire group of trusted contacts (e.g., Dad, Mary, and Steve). The selectable control436-3allows the user402to open the connectivity map204.

FIGS.5A and5Billustrate other example user interfaces of a mobile device to avoid and manage poor wireless network connections.FIGS.5A and5Bare described in succession and the context of the mobile device202ofFIG.2. The mobile device202may provide different user interfaces with fewer or additional features than those illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B.

InFIG.5A, the mobile device202causes the display component214to display the user interface502with the context element432and a slice window504. Consider that a user of the mobile device202is on a bus traveling to another state. The user can access the slice window via a settings application on the mobile device202. Alternatively, the wireless connection manager114can provide a selectable control to access the slice window504in response to detecting a poor connection or potential lost connection. The user can open the slice window504to view at least a portion of the connectivity map204.

The connectivity map204indicates the current location of the mobile device with a balloon icon506. The balloon icon506moves as the bus travels east along the highway. The connectivity map204also provides a graphical representation of nearby wireless networks508,510, and512. The graphical representation can indicate a coverage area, signal strength, signal quality, or network type of nearby wireless networks. In this illustration, the connectivity map204provides the coverage area of the wireless networks508through512. The mobile device202is currently connected to and within the coverage area of the wireless network508. As the bus continues, the mobile device202can connect to the wireless network510as the connection to the wireless network508becomes poor.

FIG.5Billustrates another example user interface514in response to a potential lost connection. Consider the bus scenario described above. The user is streaming a movie displayed in a media element516for a multimedia application, and the bus continues to travel east along the highway.

The mobile device202can predict its travel course, including one or more future locations of the mobile device202. For example, the mobile device202can detect that the mobile device202is in an automobile traveling along a highway. Based on data obtained from the location sensors108, the mobile device202can determine the automobile is traveling east along the highway.

In response to predicting the travel course, the mobile device202can obtain the signal quality or the signal strength of potential connections to wireless networks at future locations. For example, the mobile device202is currently connected to the wireless network508. The mobile device202can determine that it can remain connected to the wireless network508for another mile along the predicted travel course. The mobile device202can also determine that it may connect to the wireless network510once it loses connection to the wireless network508. The mobile device202can also determine the signal quality or the signal strength of potential connections along the predicted travel course from the connectivity map204, an online database, or similar sources. In this way, the mobile device202can determine whether it will experience an inferior signal quality, an inferior signal strength, or a lost wireless connection along the travel course.

For example, the mobile device202can identify a span of about ten miles along the predicted travel course that does not include wireless network access. The highway may travel through a tunnel or a mountain pass. In response to this determination, the mobile device202can provide a travel alert to the user that potential connections to the one or more wireless networks along the travel course may be inferior or unavailable. The mobile device202can cause the display component214to provide a message element518on the user interface514. The message element518can provide an alert that the user may lose network connectivity.

The mobile device202can also determine whether a multimedia application is streaming media using the current connection to the wireless network508. In this scenario, the user is streaming the movie displayed in the media element516on the user interface514. In response to determining that the multimedia application is streaming media and determining that the mobile device202will experience the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost connection along the travel course, the mobile device202can download at least a portion of the media for uninterrupted play during the poor or lost wireless connection. In this scenario, the mobile device202can also determine that it will not have a network connection for about ten minutes along the predicted travel course. The mobile device202can then cause the multimedia application to download and buffer ten minutes of the movie for uninterrupted movie play. The mobile device202could also cause the multimedia application to download the rest of the movie. The display component214can also display a selectable control520on the user interface514that allows the user to cause the multimedia application to download the rest of the movie for uninterrupted play. The selectable control520can include the text “Watch offline.” When selected, the multimedia application will download and buffer the remainder of the current movie.

As described above, the mobile device202can also display a selectable control on the user interface514that allows the user to send a connection status to one or more third parties. The connection status can indicate the current location of the mobile device202, the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost wireless connection. The connection status can also indicate the expected amount of time for the user to experience a poor or lost connection.

Further, consider that the user opens the communication application to make a voice call while network connections are poor or unavailable. The wireless connection manager114can cause the display component214to alert the user that the connection is poor or that no connection is available. Once the network connection is better or a network connection is made, the wireless connection manager114can alert the user that voice calls can now be made. In this way, the described techniques and systems can help users manage poor wireless connections.

FIG.6illustrates an example user interface602of a mobile device to manage a lost network connection.FIG.6is described in the context of the mobile device202ofFIG.2. The mobile device202may provide a different user interface with fewer or additional features than those illustrated inFIG.6.

Consider that a user of the mobile device is leaving on a business trip this afternoon. The mobile device202can determine based on contextual information that the user travels by plane to Austin, Texas. The mobile device202can, for example, make this determination based on a flight reservation stored in an email application, calendar data stored in a calendar application, a text message stored in a communication application, or audio data received by a communication application.

As described above, the mobile device202may only use user information (e.g., information contained in emails or text messages, calendar data, or audio data from calls) after the mobile device202system receives explicit permission from a user of the mobile device202. For example, in situations in which the mobile device202may collect user information, individual users may be provided with an opportunity to provide input to control whether programs or features of the mobile device202can collect and make use of this information. The individual users may further be provided with an opportunity to control what the programs or features can or cannot do with the user information.

The mobile device202can predict a travel course for the user to reach Austin. In this scenario, the mobile device202can determine that the user will fly for several hours to reach Austin based on reservation information stored in the email application or the calendar application. The mobile device202can also determine that the user may have a poor connection or no connection to a wireless network while on the flight. For example, even if a wireless network is available on the plane, the user may elect not to pay for the upgrade to access the wireless network. The mobile device can also determine from online information that the network connection provided by the airline company is slow and unreliable.

In response to determining that the mobile device will experience a poor connection or no connection while flying, the mobile device202can download multimedia content for the user. For example, the multimedia content can include movies, music, and TV shows. The mobile device202can also prepare a travel pack of material for the business trip. In the illustrated example, the display component214provides a context element432on the user interface602. The context element432displays the current time of 3:25 am. The night before the business trip, the wireless connection manager114can cause the display component214to provide a selectable control604. In this example, the selectable control604can provide “Trip Info” for the upcoming business trip.

Once selected, the selectable control604causes a window606to display on at least a portion of the display. The window606provides an “Offline Pack” for the user. The window606can also include other contextual information, including “Trip Starts Today.” The window606can include a selectable control608to allow the user to download the Offline Pack content. In this example, the selectable control608can be presented as a cloud with an arrow. The display component214or the wireless connection manager114can use other visual or textual elements to indicate that the Offline Pack contents are downloadable.

The Offline Pack606can also include multiple selectable controls610associated with multimedia related to the business trip. For example, the selectable controls610can include a first selectable control610-1, a second selectable control610-2, a third selectable control610-3, and a fourth selectable control610-4. The first selectable control610-1can provide an “Austin Map” that links to a map of Austin. The map can include the area near a hotel or business office that the user will visit during the business trip. The second selectable control610-2can provide “Austin Info” regarding sights of interest near the hotel, a weather forecast, upcoming events, or historical information. The third selectable control610-3can provide information regarding Austin “Restaurants” near the hotel or business office. The fourth selectable control610-4can provide “Inflight Media” and link to movies, music, and TV shows that the mobile device202caused a multimedia application to download. In this way, the described techniques and systems can predict a travel course of a user and provide multimedia content related to the travel course to mitigate the impact of a poor or lost connection.

The wireless connection manager114can also consider the information in a calendar application or an email application to suggest actions. For example, consider the user has a teleconference during his scheduled flight to Austin. The wireless connection manager114can cause the display component214to display another message element. The message element can suggest the user make the teleconference call before boarding the plane or reschedule the teleconference.

As another example, the user opens a multimedia application shortly before boarding the plane to stream a movie. The wireless connection manager114can alert the user that the network connection on the plane is poor and may not support continued playback of the movie. As a result, the wireless connection manager114can suggest that the user download the movie before boarding the plane. Alternatively, the wireless connection manager114can cause the multimedia application to download the movie automatically.

Examples

In the following section, examples are provided.

Example 1: A method comprising: determining, by a mobile device and based on a determined signal quality or a determined signal strength of a current wireless connection of the mobile device to a wireless network, that a superior signal quality or a superior signal strength is available at a location adjacent to, or within a determined distance of, a current location of the mobile device; and responsive to determining that the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is available at the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the current location of the mobile device, providing, by the mobile device, an alert to a user of the mobile device, the alert indicating the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device.

Example 2: The method of example 1, the method further comprising: determining, by the mobile device, the current location of the mobile device; determining, by the mobile device, the determined signal quality or the determined signal strength of the current wireless connection to the wireless network; and generating a map indicating the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength of at least one of the wireless network or other wireless networks in the current location and the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device, wherein the alert includes a link to the map or at least a portion of the map.

Example 3: The method of any preceding example, wherein: the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is for the current wireless connection to the wireless network at the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device; and the alert further indicates, through a mapping user interface, travel instructions to the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device.

Example 4: The method of examples 1 or 2, wherein the superior signal quality or the superior signal strength is for a different wireless connection to a different wireless network, the method further comprising: determining whether the mobile device has access credentials to the different wireless network; responsive to determining that the mobile device has access credentials to the different wireless network, providing the alert, the alert further indicating, through a mapping user interface, travel instructions to the location adjacent to, or within the determined distance of, the mobile device; and responsive to determining that the mobile device does not have access credentials to the different wireless network, providing at least one of an identity of the different wireless network, the access credentials to establish the different wireless connection, or instructions to enable access to the different wireless network.

Example 5: The method of any preceding example, the method further comprising: determining, by the mobile device, whether a communication application is executing on the mobile device to make a voice call or a video call; and responsive to determining that the communication application is executing on the mobile device to make the voice call or the video call, audibly providing the alert to the user of the mobile device.

Example 6: The method of example 5, the method further comprising: obtaining, by the mobile device, audio data output from the communication application, the audio data comprising audible parts of the voice call or the video call between the user of the mobile device and a third party; and determining, by the mobile device and using the audible parts, whether the audio data of the voice call or the video call include a phrase indicating a poor signal quality or a poor signal strength of the current wireless connection to the wireless network.

Example 7: The method of any preceding example, the method further comprising: predicting a travel course of the mobile device, the travel course including one or more future locations of the mobile device; determining a potential signal quality or a potential signal strength of potential wireless connections of the mobile device to the wireless network or additional wireless networks at the one or more future locations; determining, using the potential signal quality or the potential signal strength of the potential wireless connections, whether the mobile device will experience an inferior signal quality, an inferior signal strength, or a lost wireless connection along the travel course; and responsive to determining that the mobile device will experience the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost wireless connection along the travel course, providing, by the mobile device, a travel alert to the user, the travel alert indicating that the potential wireless connections along the travel course may be inferior or lost.

Example 8: The method of example 7, the method further comprising: determining, by the mobile device, whether a multimedia application is streaming media; and responsive to determining that the multimedia application is streaming media and that the mobile device will experience the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost wireless connection along the travel course, downloading, by the mobile device, at least an additional portion of the media for uninterrupted play during the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost connection.

Example 9: The method of example 7, the method further comprising: responsive to determining that the mobile device will experience the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost wireless connection along the travel course, downloading, by the mobile device, multimedia content related to the travel course.

Example 10: The method of example 7, the method further comprising: responsive to determining that the mobile device will experience the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost wireless connection along the travel course, providing, by the mobile device, a selectable control on a display of the mobile device, the selectable control configured to be selectable by the user to send a connection status to one or more third parties, the connection status indicating the current location of the mobile device and the inferior signal quality, the inferior signal strength, or the lost wireless connection along the travel course.

Example 11: The method of example 7, the method further comprising: determining a mode of travel for the travel course of the mobile device; and determining, based on the mode of travel for the travel course, the determined distance.

Example 12: The method of any preceding example, the method further comprising: determining, by the mobile device, whether a display of the mobile device is not being looked at by the user; and responsive to determining that the display of the mobile device is not being looked at by the user, providing an audio signal to the user, the audio signal indicating the alert is displayed on the display.

Example 13: The method of any preceding claim, wherein the mobile device comprises a smartphone, a computerized watch, a tablet device, a wearable device, a computing system installed in a vehicle, or a laptop computer.

Example 14: A mobile device comprising at least one processor configured to perform any of the methods of examples 1 through 13.

Example 15: A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, configure a processor of a mobile device to perform any of the method of examples 1 through 13.

CONCLUSION

While various configurations and methods for avoiding and managing poor wireless connections on mobile devices have been described in language specific to certain features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the subject of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as non-limiting examples of avoiding and managing poor wireless connections on mobile devices. Further, although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples.