Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Internet access has advanced from the early dialup system to take advantage of improving wired and wireless technologies. High capacity data networks are currently offered over cable, fiber connections, and wireless networks. For example, cellular systems operate 3 G and 4 G networks that utilize new and efficient protocols, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN) among others to provide increasing bandwidth and coverage. 
         [0002]    These improvements in throughput are, however, being matched by increasing demand for services such as audio and video streaming, Internet protocol (IP) television, and games that use the IP to provide significant volumes of data at the highest rates possible. The current standards for multimedia streaming, such as Microsoft Adaptive/Smooth streaming and Apple&#39;s HTTP Live Streaming, require additional power and bandwidth for each stream. 
         [0003]    The challenge for IP service providers is to deliver as many services and to support as many customers as possible at a competitive price. The price to the subscriber of an IP service is directly related to the investment in infrastructure needed to provide a satisfactory and competitive service. 
         [0004]    Wired network access devices may be configured to access bandwidth that is provided by the wired service provider and wireless bandwidth that is provided by a wireless service provider or that is more generally accessible and relatively inexpensive or free (a wired device with this capability may be referred to herein as a “wired multi-network device”). Wireless devices are increasingly able to access bandwidth that is provided by the wireless service provider and other wireless bandwidth that is relatively inexpensive or free (a wireless device with this capability may be referred to herein as a “wireless multi-network device”). 
         [0005]    The most prevalent protocol currently used to provide the non-service provider wireless connectivity is “WiFi.” A multi-network device (wired or wireless) may communicate over one or more service provider networks (wired or wireless) and over wireless access points that may be located in homes, offices or at so-called “hotspots.” When connecting to an access point, the multi-network device is in an “infrastructure mode.” 
         [0006]    Multi-network devices may also have the ability to communicate directly with each other or with a group of devices. This mode of communication is referred to as “ad-hoc” or “peer-to-peer” mode. For example, a group of WiFi devices may form a “mesh” network or a “peer-to-peer” network. In this mode, there is no master base station or access point. 
         [0007]    For wireless multi-network devices, the WiFi capability provides an alternative network connection when the device is near a WiFi access point (AP) to off-load the mobile network traffic from the relatively more expensive wireless service provider network. However, the off-loading of network traffic from the wireless service provider does little to improve the overall throughput of the service provider network in the face of demands for large data files. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Embodiments are directed to using peers to provide additional bandwidth for the communication of a data. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, multi-network devices communicate with each other as peers while each accesses a service provider network. The multi-network devices each receive the same real-time multimedia stream, be it broadcast or unicast, while sharing stream parity information. The peers may take corrective action to maintain uninterrupted playback of the real-time multimedia stream with no or minimal loss in perceived quality. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the peers may cooperate to facilitate bandwidth and power optimization, fast channel switching, and real-time mobile traffic and network analysis, displays and alerts. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device in communication with a service provider via a service provider network and in communication with other peer devices according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device receiving a data stream in cooperation with other peer devices according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to notify a network server provider of the unavailability of a link according to an embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating the use of an ad hoc network to conserve bandwidth and power usage of a service provider network according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to deliver both standard and high-definition video content according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a video stream multiplexing architecture to provide fast channel switching for video content according to an embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to locate a mobile device according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating variables useful in determining the location of a device from data received from other devices. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to provide real-time peer assisted mobile traffic analysis and alerts according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a central record keeping authority for logging exchanges of data among peers according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to provide real-time peer assisted wireless network coverage analysis and alerts according to an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a component block diagram illustrating a computing device suitable for use in the various embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a component block diagram illustrating another computing device suitable for use in the various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As used herein, the term “service provider network” encompasses both wired and wireless networks that provide access to the Internet over broadband connections for a fee. Examples of wired service provider networks include DOCSIS, ADSL, fiber networks and hybrid-fiber-cable networks. Examples of wireless service provider networks include WiMAX, UMTS/HSDPA, CDMA/EV-DO, and EDGE networks. 
         [0025]    As used herein, the term “WiFi” encompasses products that belong to a class of wireless local area network (WLAN) devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. WiFi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. 
         [0026]    As used herein, the term “data” encompasses the conveyance of information in electronic signals. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the information may be expressed as text, voice, audio, video, imagery, sensor output, hypertext and combinations of these forms. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, an ad hoc network of multi-network devices is configured to provide improved connectivity to a multi-network device accessing an application server via a service provider network. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device in communication with a service provider via a service provider network and in communication with other peer devices according to an embodiment. 
         [0029]    A multi-network device (MND)  105  has a primary service connection via a link  1  to network service provider  110 . The link  1  is established over a network operated by or for the network service provider  110 . Link  1  may be a wired or wireless link. The MND  105  is configured to establish ad-hoc connection(s) to one or more peer devices, such as peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  via a link  2 . The peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  are also MNDs and may also have their own connections to each other as represented by ad hoc network  120 . The MND  105  comprises a MND memory  108 . The peer device PD( 1 )  130  comprises a PD( 1 ) memory  133 . The peer device PD( 2 )  135  comprises a PD( 2 ) memory  138 . The peer device PD(n)  140  comprises a PD(n) memory  143 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device receiving a data stream in cooperation with other peer devices according to an embodiment. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment, the MND  105  is in communication with the network service provider  110  to obtain a data stream  200  over the link  1 . Link  1  may be wired or wireless. The data stream  200  is also provided to peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  via the link  3 . The streamed data  200  is stored in the MND memory  108  of the MND  105 , the PD( 1 ) memory  133  of peer device PD( 1 )  130 , the PD( 2 ) memory  138  of peer device PD( 2 )  135  and the PD(n) memory  143  of the peer device PD(n)  140 . 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the memories comprise forward error correction and parity information for data stream redundancy and tolerance of errors. In the event of degradation of link  1 , the MND  105  is able to fetch data that is missing from its MND memory  108  due to the degradation of link  1  by requesting missing data fragments that may be stored in the PD memories ( 1  . . . n) of peer devices PD ( 1  . . . n) via link  2 . In this way, the MND  105  may recover the data stream with little or minimal loss in perceived quality. Additionally, because the network service provider  110  is not required to re-broadcast the data stream  200  for data correction for the MND  105  and for other MNDs that may be able to connect to the ad hoc network  120 , power consumption and bandwidth utilization from the network service provider  110  to the MNDs receiving the data stream  200  is reduced. 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, the data stream  200  is a real-time data stream that is latency sensitive in nature. Streamed real-time data may be video, audio, or any multimedia information. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to notify a network server provider of the unavailability of a link according to an embodiment. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, when the link  1  is unavailable to the MND  105 , the MND  105  may use a link  2  to any of the peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140 , which may in turn connect to the network service provider  110  via a link  3 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating the use of an ad hoc network to conserve bandwidth and power usage of a service provider network according to an embodiment. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the MND  105  is in communication with the network service provider  110  to obtain a data stream  200  over the link  1 . The peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  via the link  3  may communicate with the network service provider  110  via a link  3  (the PDs are also multi-network devices). As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , MND  105  issues a MND( 1 ) request  1  for a data stream  200 . The network service provider  110  responds to MND( 1 ) request  1  by providing the data stream as a unicast stream  405 . A MND( 2 ) request  2  for the data stream  200  is received by the network service provider  110  from MND( 2 ). The network service provider  110  also responds to MND( 2 ) request  2  by providing the data stream  200  as a unicast stream  405 . A MND( 3 ) request  3  and a MND(n) request (n) for the data stream  200  is subsequently received by the network service provider  110 . The network service provider  110  responds to each of these requests by providing the data stream  200  as a unicast stream  405 . 
         [0038]    In this embodiment, “n” is a threshold number that determines when the network service provider  110  transitions the data stream  200  from the unicast stream  405  to a multicast stream  410  or a broadcast stream  410 . When this threshold is reached, MND  105  and the other MNDs receiving the data stream  200  may form an ad hoc network  120  to provide the redundancy described in relationship to  FIG. 2 . Additionally, the network service provider  110  may provide a single data stream  200  thus saving power and bandwidth. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to receive both standard and high-definition video content according to an embodiment. 
         [0040]    In an embodiment, the pixels of a high definition video display are identified by a row and a column location within an array. The pixels of the array may be grouped by blocks. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a block has two rows and two columns. The cells within the 2×2 block are labeled A, B, C and D. Pixels that are assigned to cell A are assigned to video stream A, pixels that are assigned to cell B are assigned to video stream B, pixels that are assigned to cell C are assigned to video stream C, and pixels that are assigned to cell D are assigned to video stream D. 
         [0041]    The first block thus includes pixels from locations (1,1), (1,2), (2,1) and (2,2). The next block includes pixels from locations (1,3), (1,4), (2,3) and (2,4). The block assignments proceed across the display array until the last column is reached and then begin again with rows three and four. This process continues until all of the pixels are assigned to one of streams A, B, C and D. 
         [0042]    Any one of the four unique streams that are produced using this pattern may be viewed on a low resolution device (quarter HD screen in this example) without a noticeable difference in quality. The streams may be broadcast simultaneously. 
         [0043]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the MND  105  comprises a tuner  510  that is tuned to a broadcast channel. The MND  105  receives the broadcast channel over link  3 , demodulates it, and receives the video stream A. The peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  each receive video streams B, C, and D via the links  3 B,  3 C and  3 D (the tuners of the peer devices are not illustrated for clarity). Each device may view its own video stream in low resolution. If MND  105  is a high definition display and is capable of combining video streams A, B, C, and D, MND  105  may receive the video streams B, C and D from the peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  and generate a high definition video stream. Additionally, the peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  may provide error correction for each of the other video streams with a reasonable quality since each stream&#39;s pixels will be adjacent to one another. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a video stream multiplexing architecture to provide fast channel switching for video content according to an embodiment. 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , video stream A from video channels N−1, N, and N+1 are multiplexed into a broadcast channel BC 1 . Similarly, video stream B from video channels N, N+1, and N+2 are multiplexed into a broadcast channel BC 2 . In this configuration of video channels and broadcast channels, the broadcast channels BC 1  and BC 2  share video channels N and N+1. Video channel N is unique to BC 1  and video channel N+2 is unique to BC 2 . This overlapping continuum of video channels in adjacent broadcast channels makes it possible for a device with a tuner to tune to a different broadcast channel in response to a user&#39;s selection of a video channel. 
         [0046]    To illustrate, referring again to  FIG. 5 , the tuner  510  of the MND  105  is tuned to BC  1 . The MND  105  is configured to receive video channel N, video stream A. When the user of the MND  105  switches to video channel N+1, the video channel N+1, stream A can be played with little or no delay because it is in the same broadcast channel (in this case, BC 1 ) as video channel N. In this case, the MND  105  senses that the user is ascending through the video streams in BC  1  and, without disrupting the viewing of video channel N+1, instructs the tuner to tune to BC 2 . BC 2  also includes the video channel N+1 as well as video channels N and N+2 carrying video stream B. In the event the user switches to video channel N+2, the user may be immediately presented video channel N+2, stream B. Additionally, the tuner  510  may be instructed to tune to BC 3  (not illustrated) comprising video streams N+1, N+2 and N+3. 
         [0047]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the MND  105  receives video stream A over link  3 . The peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  each receive video streams B, C, and D via the links  3 B,  3 C and  3 D. Each device may view its own video stream in low resolution. During the tuning of MND  105  from BC  1  to BC 2 , any dropped frame can be replaced by any peer PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  that also has video channel N+1, stream A. At the end of this process, the MND  105  will display channel N+1, stream B. The process may be repeated with different channel and stream combinations. 
         [0048]    If the MND  105  is a high definition display and is capable of combining video streams A, B, C, and D, the MND  105  may receive the video streams B, C and D from the peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  and combine these streams with stream A to generate a high definition video stream. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7A  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to locate a mobile device according to an embodiment. 
         [0050]    In an embodiment, the MND  105  cannot communicate with the network service provider  110  and is unable to use any onboard GPS systems. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the inability to use onboard GPS systems may arise because the MND  105  is not equipped with a GPS system, the GPS system has not been activated or has failed, or because of the MND  105  is not in a location where it may receive GPS signals. The MND  105  is able to communicate with one or more peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  via a link  2  to ad hoc network  120 . The peer device PD( 1 )  130  may have PD( 1 ) location information  633 . The peer device PD( 2 )  135  may have PD( 2 ) location information  638 . The peer device PD(n)  140  may have PD(n) location information  643 . These peer devices PD( 1  . . . n) may have but do not require active connections to the network service provider  110  via a link  3 . 
         [0051]    The MND  105  may query all reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  for their location data. In an embodiment, location information may include latitude, longitude, estimated location accuracy, and the signal strength of the MND  105  as determined by PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140 . 
         [0052]    Accuracy values may reflect the source of the location data for each of the reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140 . By way of illustration, a peer device may obtain its location information from a relatively high-accuracy method such as A-GPS, or it may obtain its location information from a relatively low-accuracy method such as the Cell ID-based location. For each of the reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140 , the MND  105  also captures a received signal power measurement. 
         [0053]    The MND  105  may use the location data and signal strength measurements obtained from the reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  and its measurement of the signal power of each of the reachable peers to estimate its location. 
         [0054]    By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, a set of i reachable peer devices comprising reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  is sampled. In this example, the MND  105  may receive each peer device&#39;s estimated location coordinates of x i , y i  and each peer device&#39;s probability circle radius representing the accuracy range of its estimated location A i . Furthermore, the MND  105  is able to measure the relative signal strength R i  of the peer link transmitted from each reachable peer device PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140 . From these data, the location of the MDN  105  at coordinates  x ,  y  having an accuracy of A, where  x ,  y  is the weighted mean of the location data acquired from the set of i reachable peer devices. More particularly, 
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         [0055]    with the radius of the probability circle A around  x ,  y  of 
         [0000]        A= (2 −W   i     max   ) A   i   [3]
 
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         [0057]    and W i     max    is the maximum member of the set of weighting factors W i  having its specific peer device&#39;s probability accuracy circle of radius A i . 
         [0058]      FIG. 7B  is a diagram illustrating variables useful in determining the location of a device from data received from other devices. As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , a longer “distance” drawn above for R corresponds to a lower RSSI measurement, i.e., the weaker the RSSI the more likely it is that the MND is farther away from a particular PD i . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to provide real-time peer assisted mobile traffic analysis and alerts according to an embodiment. 
         [0060]    The MND  105  is a mobile device in an automobile traveling in a given direction on a roadway  805 . In an embodiment, the MND  105  may further comprise traffic pattern data that establish a “norm” for locations along roadway  805 . 
         [0061]    The MND  105  may query all reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  that are also traveling in the same direction and using the same route some distance ahead of the MND  105  for their current location and speed data  810  via the link  2 . 
         [0062]    In an embodiment, the MND  105  may comprise a processor and software instructions that allow the processor to evaluate the location and rate data  810  received via the link  2  against the “normal” data for a current location along roadway  805 . Real-time traffic congestion can be detected when there is a large population of peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  reporting slow progress within a small area that is inconsistent with the normal traffic pattern for the particular location on the roadway  805 . 
         [0063]    In an embodiment, the normal data may be updated with received data to reflect a change in the traffic norm for a location on the roadway  805 . 
         [0064]    The software instructions may further allow the processor to issue an alert to a user of the MND  105  of the impending traffic congestion. In an embodiment, the software instructions also allow the user of the MND  105  to indicate a destination. The software instructions may then allow the processor to offer a choice of detours that are less congested. 
         [0065]    In yet another embodiment, the MND  105  may report its location and speed data  810  to network service provider  110  as well as the location and speed data of peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  through link  1  for real-time traffic alerts network wide. In an embodiment, the aggregated traffic conditions for a given area may be displayed on a map as a color coded overlay. For example, clear (alpha channel) may be used to indicate little to no network reported data, light green may be used to indicate light traffic, dark green may be used to indicate traffic congestion, and brown may be used to indicate heavy traffic congestion. Icons can be placed on top of an area with confirmed traffic and hazard conditions. Another icon may indicate the current location of the MND  105  D. Details of the traffic condition and hazards may also be linked to the icons for user interactions. 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a central record keeping authority for logging exchanges of data among peers according to an embodiment. 
         [0067]    A multi-network device (MND)  105  has a primary service connection via a link  1  to network service provider  110 . The link  1  is established over a network operated by or for the network service provider  110 . Link  1  may be a wired or wireless link. The MND  105  is configured to establish ad-hoc connection(s) to one or more peer devices, such as peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  via a link  2 . The peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  are also MNDs and may also have their own connections to each other as represented by ad hoc network  120 . The MND  105  comprises a MND memory  108 . The peer device PD( 1 )  130  comprises a PD( 1 ) memory  133 . The peer device PD( 2 )  130  comprises a PD( 2 ) memory  138 . The peer device PD(n)  140  comprises a PD(n) memory  143 . 
         [0068]    In an embodiment, MND  105  and peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  each records in its memory all data it receives from all other devices. Thus, the MND  105  will record data received from all other devices in the ad hoc network  120  in MND memory  108 . The peer device PD( 1 )  130  will record data received from all other devices in the ad hoc network  120  in PD( 1 ) memory  133 . The peer device PD( 2 )  130  will record data received from all other devices in the ad hoc network  120  in PD( 2 ) memory  138 . The peer device PD(n)  140  will record data received from all other devices in the ad hoc network  120  in PD(n) memory  143 . 
         [0069]    Each device in ad hoc network  120  forwards all data back to a central record keeping authority  905 . When a device receives a confirmation that its data has been archived, the device may free its memory to receive new data. 
         [0070]    In an embodiment, a device may request retransmission from other devices for missing data. Additionally, devices belonging to the ad hoc network  120  that do not have a direct connection to the network service provider  110  may forward data through other members of the ad hoc network  120  until a member node with a connection to network service provider  110  is reached. 
         [0071]    In an embodiment, the delivery of data to the central record keeping authority  905  may be in real-time or it may be scheduled in accordance with a policy. The policy may, for example, establish a priority among nodes or it may grant priority to a node requesting it. 
         [0072]    The delivery of data to a central location allows all members of a peer network to access data provided by other members of the peer network to a central authority even when out of range of those peers. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, MND  105  and peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  may represent a network of emergency responders. In this example, MND  105  may perform the role of forwarding data to the central record keeping authority (e.g., the network service provider  110 ) and relaying information to other network members. 
         [0073]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a multi-network device utilizing connectivity with an ad hoc network to provide real-time peer assisted wireless network coverage analysis and alerts according to an embodiment. 
         [0074]    The MND  105  may query all reachable peer devices PD( 1 )  130  and PD( 2 )  135  through PD(n)  140  that are also traveling in the same direction and using the same route some distance ahead of the MND  105  for their location and network coverage data  1010 . The network coverage data may, for example, include RF signal power, signal quality, and bandwidth usage. 
         [0075]    In an embodiment, the MND  105  may comprise a processor and software instructions that allow the processor to evaluate the network coverage data and location data  1010  received from the other members of the ad hoc network  140 . When the reported network coverage data indicates a drop in wireless coverage quality, the MND  105  may alert the user of the impending network coverage brownout or outage. Using the location information, the software instructions may also allow the processor to suggest possible route changes to remain in the coverage area, or, given the current speed of travel of the MND  105 , how long before coverage will end and then be restored if the MND  105  continues to travel in the same route and at the same speed. 
         [0076]    In addition, the MND  105  may also report its analysis back to the network service provider  110  through the link  1  as coverage data and as aggregated coverage data thereby providing real-time coverage reporting network wide in case the coverage outage is due to failure in network equipment. In an embodiment, the aggregated real time coverage information for a given area may be displayed on a map as a color coded overlay. For example, the overlay may be clear to indicate little to no coverage, light green may be used to indicate coverage and light usage, and dark green may be used to indicate heavy network bandwidth usage. The overlay may display any of the aggregated measurement recorded by the MND  105 . Icons may be placed on top of an area with network coverage issues. Details of the network coverage conditions can be linked to the icons for user interactions. This map overlay may also be used by network work-force management to dispatch repair crews to outage locations and for network customer service to communicate network status and conditions to consumers without costly service calls. 
         [0077]    The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Further, words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. 
         [0078]    Typical computing devices suitable for use with certain embodiments will have in common the components illustrated in  FIG. 11 . For example, the exemplary computing device  1020  may include a processor  1001  coupled to an internal memory  1002 , to a display  1003  and to a SIM  1009  or similar removable memory unit. Additionally, the computing device  1020  may have an antenna  1004  for sending and receiving electromagnetic radiation that is connected to a transceiver  1005  coupled to the processor  1001 . In some implementations, the transceiver  1005  and portions of the processor  1001  and memory  1002  may be used for multi-network communications. Computing devices typically also include a key pad  1006  or miniature keyboard and menu selection buttons or rocker switches  1007  for receiving user inputs. Computing device  1020  may also include a GPS navigation device  1000  coupled to the processor and used for determining the location coordinates of the computing device  1020 . 
         [0079]    The processor  1001  may be any programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described herein. In some computing devices, multiple processors  1001  may be provided, such as one processor dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Typically, software applications may be stored in the internal memory  1002  before they are accessed and loaded into the processor  1001 . In some computing devices, the processor  1001  may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. The internal memory of the processor may include a secure memory (not illustrated) which is not directly accessible by users or applications and that is capable of recording MDINs and SIM IDs as described in the various embodiments. As part of the processor, such a secure memory may not be replaced or accessed without damaging or replacing the processor. In some computing devices, additional memory chips (e.g., a Secure Data (SD) card) may be plugged into the device  1020  and coupled to the processor  1001 . In many computing devices, the internal memory  1002  may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. For the purposes of this description, a general reference to memory refers to all memory accessible by the processor  1001 , including internal memory  1002 , removable memory plugged into the computing device, and memory within the processor  1001  itself, including the secure memory. 
         [0080]    The computing device  1020  may further comprise a video receiver unit  1021  to provide video demodulation and tuning capabilities. The video receiver unit  1021  may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0081]    A number of the embodiments described above may also be implemented with any of a variety of computing devices, such as the computing device  1100  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Such a computing device  1100  typically includes a processor  1101  coupled to volatile memory  1102  and a large capacity nonvolatile memory, such as a disk drive  1103 . The computing device  1100  may also include a floppy disc drive and/or a compact disc (CD) drive  1106  coupled to the processor  1101 . The computing device  1100  may also include network access ports  1104  coupled to the processor  1101  for establishing data connections with network circuits  1105  over a variety of wired and wireless networks using a variety of protocols. The computing device  1100  may further comprise a video receiver unit  1121  to provide video demodulation and tuning capabilities. The video receiver unit  1121  may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0082]    While the computing device  1100  is illustrated as using a desktop form factor, the illustrated form is not meant to be limiting. For example, some or all of the components of computing device  1100  may be implemented as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mini-computer, or a personal data assistant. 
         [0083]    The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the blocks of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of blocks in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the blocks; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” or “the,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 
         [0084]    The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0085]    The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some blocks or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. 
         [0086]    In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The blocks of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which may reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a machine readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product. 
         [0087]    The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Technology Category: 4