Abstract:
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a group of preferences of service attributes is established based on a determination of a user behavior. A group is generated of user preferences of the group of preferences of service attributes according to a user profile. First and second service attributes from the group of preferences of service attributes are adjusted for each service according to the group of user preferences to achieve a desired balance of service offerings. Available services are identified operating in the television spectrum, and one of the services operating is selected responsive to the adjusting of the first and second service attributes according to the group of user preferences. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/074,653 filed Mar. 18, 2016, which is a continuation of and claims priority U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/489,576 filed Jun. 6, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. 9,326,318), which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/296,955 filed Dec. 8, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,213,922). The contents of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to multimode communication devices, and more specifically to a method for scanning services with a multimode communication device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The FCC&#39;s (Federal Communications Commission) experience with unlicensed band has proven that providing a “commons” area for spectrum has fostered lots of new consumer devices and services. Technology innovations (e.g. digital spread spectrum technology) have also made it possible for numerous disparate communication devices to co-exist successfully in the same spectrum band. 
         [0004]    To spur further advancements in the communications industry, the FCC has proposed that all unused TV spectrum resulting from the transition to HDTV (High Definition TV) be made available to consumer devices and communication service providers on a dynamic basis. The advent of WiFi, WiMAX, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and the ultimate evolution to Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology is expected to drive the need for new applications in multimode communication device that can make use of the proposed unused TV spectrum. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device operating in a communication system; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary embodiment of the communication device or a base station of the communication system; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary method operating in the communication device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary method operating in the base station; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary illustration of services presented by the communication device; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a method for scanning services with a multimode communication device. 
         [0012]    One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method for receiving on a control channel signaling software for scanning portions of a television spectrum, where the control channel operates in a portion of the television spectrum. The method further includes scanning for services operating in the television spectrum according to the received signaling software, detecting one or more services operating in the television spectrum, and selecting a service of the detected one or more services operating in the television spectrum. 
         [0013]    One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a communication device having a memory storing computer instructions, and a processor coupled to the memory. Responsive to execution of the computer instructions, the processor can perform operations including receiving on a channel signaling software for scanning portions of a television spectrum, where the channel operates in a portion of the television spectrum, scanning for services in the television spectrum according to the received signaling software, detecting one or more services operating in the television spectrum, and selecting one of the detected one or more services according to a service preference. 
         [0014]    One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions which, responsive to being executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations including receiving a request from a communication device to scan a television spectrum for services, and transmitting to the communication device over a channel of the television spectrum a software defined radio software application to enable the communication device to scan the television spectrum, wherein the channel operates in a portion of the television spectrum. 
         [0015]    In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device has a controller for managing operations of a user interface (UI), and a wireless transceiver. The UI conveys messages to an end user and facilitates manipulating operations of the communication device. The wireless transceiver supports software defined radio (SDR) communications and communications on at least one other access technology. The controller is programmed to scan for services in a television (TV) spectrum and at least one among a cellular spectrum, an ultra wideband (UWB) spectrum, a WiFi spectrum and a WiMax spectrum, detect one or more services on said access technologies, and present one or more of the detected services to the end user. 
         [0016]    In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium operates in communication device. The storage medium has computer instructions for establishing one or more service preferences grouped according to a select one or more end user profiles comprising a stationary end user profile, a mobile end user profile, an economic end user profile, and a data centric end user profile, scanning for services in a TV spectrum and at least one other wireless access technology according to the one or more service preferences, detecting one or more services, and presenting one or more of the detected services to an end user of the communication device. 
         [0017]    In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a base station has a wireless transceiver supporting software defined radio communications in an unlicensed TV spectrum and communications on at least one among a plurality of other access technologies, and a controller for managing operations of the wireless transceiver. The controller is programmed to offer one or more services in the unlicensed TV spectrum and at least one among the plurality of access technologies, receive a service request from a communication device scanning the unlicensed TV spectrum and the plurality of access technologies, and grant the communication device access to the service. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device  102  operating in a communication system  100 . The communication device  102  in the present illustration represents a multimode communication device capable of communicating with any number of access technologies operating in a base station  104  such as, for example, cellular, software defined radio (SDR) and/or WiMAX technologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, and next generation technologies as they arise. Alternatively, or in combination, the communication device  102  and the base station  104  can also support WiMAX broadband communications operating at 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 5.8 GHz, or other frequencies. 
         [0019]    The communication device  102  and the base station  104  can also be programmed to perform spectrum analysis utilizing SDR techniques to identify unused portions of spectrum in a local area. The unused spectrum can be represented by portions of TV spectrum expected to be released by the FCC for public use (e.g., 54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, 470-806 MHz). Whether or not the FCC releases this spectrum for unlicensed use, it has no impact on the operations of the communication device  102  and base station  104  as described herein. The communication device  102  can also be programmed to access WiFi access points operating at multiple frequencies (e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz). The WiFi access points can be located in a residence or commercial building  108 , or be mesh-based to support access across an entire municipality. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary embodiment of the communication device  102  or alternatively the base station  104  of the communication system  100 . The communication device  104  can comprise a wireless transceiver  202 , a user interface (UI)  204 , a power supply  214 , and a controller  206  for managing operations thereof. The wireless transceiver  202  utilizes common communication technology that supports the aforementioned access technologies (i.e., cellular, SDR, UWB, WiMAX and WiFi). The UI  204  can include a depressible keypad  208  for manipulating operations of the communication device  102 . The UI  204  can further include a display  210  such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for conveying images to the end user of the communication device  102 . The audio system  212  of the UI  204  utilizes common audio technology for conveying and intercepting audible signals of the end user. 
         [0021]    The power supply  214  can utilize common power management technologies (such as replaceable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and charging system technologies) for supplying energy to the components of the communication device  102  to facilitate portable applications. The controller  206  can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other like technologies. 
         [0022]    The base station  104  can comprise a wireless transceiver  202 , a power supply  214 , and a controller  206  for managing operations thereof. The wireless transceiver  202  in this embodiment is generally much larger and more costly than the wireless transceiver of the communication device  102 . Generally speaking, base stations utilize large towers (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) for emanating and receiving RF signals from the communication devices  102  according to any one of the aforementioned access technologies. The wireless transceiver  202  further includes a number of computing devices and power amplifiers to support these access technologies across a wide geographic region. The power supply  214  can be a combination of a conventional uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system supported with power from a utility company. The controller  206  can comprise a number of computing devices such as scalable servers with associated nonvolatile (e.g., mass storage media) and volatile memories (e.g., RAM, SRAM, DRAM, etc.). 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary method  300  operating in the communication device  102 . Method  300  begins with step  302  with the controller  206  being programmed to establish one or more service preferences for the end user of the communication device  102 . The service preferences can include, for example, cost of service, quality of service (QoS), RF signal strength of a base station  104 , communication range of the base station  104  relative to a location of the communication device  102 , and hand-off capabilities of neighboring base stations  104 . The controller  206  can in turn be programmed in step  304  to group these preferences under the direction of the end user into end user profiles such as a stationary end user profile, a mobile end user profile, an economic end user profile, and a data centric end user profile. 
         [0024]    A stationary end user profile can be configured so that the communication device  102  seeks a network having an optimal balance between price and QoS. A mobile profile can configure the communication device  102  so that it seeks networks having the best signal strength, and secondarily the best hand-off capability between base stations  104 . The economic end user profile can configure the communication device  102  so that it seeks a communication network having the lowest cost per bit independent of signal strength and range. The data centric end user profile can configure the communication device  102  so that it searches for networks having the highest ratio of Mbps to cost of service. The end user can obviously select other customized parameters for the aforementioned profiles and create other profiles of interest in steps  302 - 304 . 
         [0025]    In step  306 , the controller  206  can be directed by the end user to also establish a buddy list of other communication devices roaming throughout the communication system  100 . The buddy list can include telephone numbers as well as instant messaging (IM) IP addresses to search for these communication devices in any of the aforementioned access technologies. In step  308 , the controller  206  can also be programmed to receive signaling software in a control channel for scanning portions of the unlicensed TV spectrum. The signaling software controls the modulation and demodulation technique used for communicating in available bands of the TV spectrum as well as defining the communication protocol for exchanging messages with third party devices. The control channel can be supplied by a portion of the TV spectrum or any of the other access technologies (e.g., cellular). In accordance with SDR techniques, step  308  can be invoked any number of times to reprogram or update the controller  206  to enable a number of communication techniques utilized in the TV spectrum. Step  308  can also be applied to existing and future unlicensed frequencies made available by the FCC. 
         [0026]    In step  310 , the controller  206  can be programmed to receive information in the control channel indicating the available services in the TV spectrum (or other unlicensed frequency) as well as the other access technologies. This step can serve to accelerate the scanning process as well as inform the controller  206  of the type of signaling technique required to access services in the TV spectrum. The controller  206  can therefrom proceed to step  312  where it scans for the services identified in step  310  in the TV spectrum as well as the other access technologies according to the preferences set forth in steps  302 - 304 . The foregoing services can represent, for example, full-duplex voice services (over circuit switched or packet switched networks using Voice over IP), half-duplex voice services, location services, video services, text messaging services, or instant messaging services, just to mention a few. 
         [0027]    If one or more services are detected in step  316 , the controller  206  proceeds to step  318 ; otherwise, it returns to step  310  where it checks for service updates. In step  318 , the controller  206  presents the available services to the end user by way of the UI  204  (see  FIG. 5 ), and processes selections made by the end user. For services having security protections (see lock icon next to “Univ. Texas WiMAX”— FIG. 5 ), the end user may have to enter a security code such as a login and password. Alternatively, the controller  206  can be programmed in step  318  to implicitly select one or more services according to end user profiles configured on the device by the user and/or a history of end user service selections. 
         [0028]    In a supplemental embodiment, the controller  206  can be programmed to identify in step  320  service preferences of the end user from a history of monitored behavior. The preferences can be determined from statistical modeling which looks for patterns in the end user&#39;s behavior. The controller  206  can alternatively or in combination also monitor network anomalies (e.g., an identified base station  104  with recurring poor signal strength). With end user behavior (e.g. time of day, location) and network anomalies known the controller  206  can further enhance the step of scanning for services in the TV spectrum and other access technologies as depicted step  314 . 
         [0029]    Once the end user (or a defined profile implicitly) has selected a service, the controller  206  enables in step  322  the selected service, and under direction of the end user can prevent other communication devices from detecting its presence by way of, for example, restrictions provided in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). In step  324 , the controller  206  can be programmed to monitor and detect other communication devices associated with the buddy list established in step  306 . If one or more communication devices are detected, the controller  206  proceeds to step  326  where it presents the end user a list of the communication devices detected. In step  328 , the controller  206  awaits a selection from the end user. Upon receiving a selection from the end user corresponding to one or more the detected communication devices, the controller  206  proceeds to step  330  where it establishes communications with said devices. 
         [0030]    The aforementioned buddy list communications process of steps  306 , and  324 - 330  can be utilized in instant messaging applications, and/or half-duplex voice applications such as dispatch services commonly referred to as “walkie-talkie” or push-to-talk (PTT) communications. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary method  400  operating in the base station  104  that in part mirrors the operations of method  300 . Method  400  begins with the base station  104  offering one or more services in the TV spectrum and in one or more of the other access technologies discussed earlier. In an SDR environment, the services can be offered dynamically in available licensed or unlicensed spectrum. For example, the FCC may dictate rules in which services may only be offered in the unused TV spectrum for a finite period, and extended the availability of such services only when there are active users. Independent of the bandwidth sharing scheme promulgated by the FCC or public enterprises, a control channel can be provided by the base station  104  (or another communications source) to inform the communication device  102  about these services. The information supplied by the base station  104  can include, for example, a list of available services, a list of services awaiting their turn in queue, a list of SDR techniques used on a per channel basis, sources for downloading SDR software, and so on. 
         [0032]    In step  404 , the base station  104  can be programmed to receive a service request from a communication device  102  scanning the TV spectrum or one of the other access technologies. The service request can be processed at the base station  104  or at a controller managed by a third party enterprise offering the service. For example, the communication device  102  of  FIG. 5  illustrates Starbucks Coffee highlighted in the display  210  as one of the potential sources of service available to the end user. The service can be hosted by the Starbucks Coffee Company in which case, the base station  104  relays the service request to the controller hosting said service. The service request may or may not require subscription and security information (e.g., login and password) depending on the service requirements of the hosting party. However, in most cases this can be accommodated by standard single sign-on authentication technologies. In step  406 , the base station  104  can be programmed to grant the communication device  102  access to the service requested directly or indirectly by way of the hosting party. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system  600  within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
         [0034]    The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
         [0035]    The computer system  600  may include a processor  602  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory  604  and a static memory  606 , which communicate with each other via a bus  608 . The computer system  600  may further include a video display unit  610  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system  600  may include an input device  612  (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device  614  (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit  616 , a signal generation device  618  (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device  620 . 
         [0036]    The disk drive unit  616  may include a machine-readable medium  622  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software  624 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions  624  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  604 , the static memory  606 , and/or within the processor  602  during execution thereof by the computer system  600 . The main memory  604  and the processor  602  also may constitute machine-readable media. 
         [0037]    Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
         [0038]    In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. 
         [0039]    The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions  624 . The instructions  624  may further be transmitted or received over a network  626  via the network interface device  620 . 
         [0040]    While the machine-readable medium  622  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure, but excludes carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in an intangible transmission medium. 
         [0041]    The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored. 
         [0042]    Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents. 
         [0043]    The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0044]    Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
         [0045]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.