TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a system and method for selecting a network connectivity and more particularly, to a system and method for selecting a superior network connection amongst a plurality of network base stations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An access point (AP) that has multiple choices of backhaul network connection such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution) or Wi-Fi, would generally require a selection mechanism to choose the best network connectivity in order to provide consumers with high-speed access to Internet and intranet related services and applications.

However, the selection mechanism usually involves complex algorithms that require a number of factors to be fulfilled in order to select the best network connectivity. In one of the selection mechanisms that utilizes fuzzy logic theory, comprehensive rules and membership functions have to be considered to optimize the decision made in the selection.

Challenges have been noted in many selection mechanisms. In some of the selection mechanisms, input parameters cannot be easily obtained from the system such as fading channel conditions, bandwidth utilization, and actual system available throughput. Other selection mechanism utilizes a number of parameters where weightage calculation for these parameters includes more combinations that subsequently delay the decision for the selection. Further, the time taken for scanning the best network, connecting and reconnecting to the best network is lengthy. Many of these challenges arise from the fact that there is a lack of historical record of previous network performance to learn the behavior of the networks. Another challenge in selecting the best network connectivity is the protocol that involves regulating data transmission between network connections, which is perceived in vertical handover heterogeneous network. Once a decision is made, a connection will change into a different radio access technology (RAT) at a different frequency.

It is believed that the above challenges can be overcome in simulation modes of the selection mechanisms. However, when the simulations are put into practice, it would require more sophisticated firmwares. To some extent, the hardware would require some modifications.

Prior art US 7,653,392 B2 has disclosed methods and systems for a mobile client device to discover and obtain the parameters of a heterogeneous wireless network via a fuzzy logic operation within a plurality of heterogeneous wireless networks.

Prior art US 7,289,972 B2 has disclosed radio systems providing wireless voice and data links in network, and more particularly, to a cognitive radio engine architecture which is capable of working under changing and unanticipated circumstances and in the presence of hostile jammers and interferers. The cognitive radio engine is capable of continuously adapting to its environment to conserve resources, such as radio frequency spectrum and battery power, in those applications where those resources are at a premium. However, these prior art documents utilize respective fuzzy logic operation and genetic algorithm (GA) that are more complex where comprehensive rules and membership functions have to be fulfilled in order to select the best network connection. It should be appreciated that these prior arts do not address or overcome the challenges that we have mentioned above.

Therefore, it is an aim of this present invention to address the aforesaid technical disadvantages by introducing a novel and inventive invention having a system and method that is capable of selecting a network connectivity. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for selecting a network connectivity comprising an access point for providing network connectivity, and a plurality of network base stations for transmitting signals to the access point for conveying network information, characterized in that the access point is provided with a selection module for selecting a superior network connection amongst the plurality of network base stations. The selection module comprises of a network initializing means for initializing a first network connection to a user according to a superior data rate by scanning signals from one or more network base stations, and comparing data rates amongst the plurality of network base stations, a threshold generating means for providing a threshold to switch the first network connection by generating a connectivity threshold value according to a probability of a lowest data rate appearing in each network connection, a predictive model generating means for providing a predictive model to determine the switching of the first network connection, a monitoring means for monitoring the first network connection over pre-determined time intervals, a switching means for switching the first network connection to a second network connection according to the connectivity threshold value and the predictive model, and a storing means mutually operating with the network initializing means, threshold generating means, predictive model generating means, monitoring means, and switching means for storage and retrieval of data.

The present invention further discloses a method for selecting a network connectivity in accordance to the system as described above comprises the steps of initializing a first network connection to a user according to a superior data rate by scanning signals from one or more network base stations, and comparing data rates amongst the plurality of network base stations using the network initializing means, generating the connectivity threshold value according to a probability of a lowest data rate appearing in each network connection using the threshold generating means, generating a predictive model to determine the switching of the first network connection using the predictive model generating means, monitoring the data rate value of the first network connection over predetermined time intervals using the monitoring means, and switching the first network connection to a second network connection according to the connectivity threshold value and the predictive model using the switching means, wherein the first network connection is switched to a second network connection when the data rate value of the first network connection is lower than the connectivity threshold value.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity. It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity that is capable of reducing complexity in decision making algorithms.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity that requires less complex weightage calculation.

It is still an object of the present invention to provide to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity that involves minimal input parameters, which enhances the selection and optimizes network connectivity.

It is yet an object of the present invention to provide to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity that has vertical handover, which is independent on different protocols.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity comprising a system and method that utilizes minimal time in scanning and reconnecting a network connectivity.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide to provide a system and method for selecting a network connectivity that incorporates historical performances of the network connections in the decision making algorithms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates the system for selecting a network connectivity according to the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates the flow diagram of the method for selecting a network connectivity according to the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates the flow diagram of the step of initializing a first network connection to a user based on the highest data rate using the network initializing means according to the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the flow diagram of the step of generating the connectivity threshold value based on a probability where the lowest data rate appears in each network connection using the threshold generating means according to the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates the flow diagram of the step of generating a predictive model using the predictive model generating means according to the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates the flow diagram of the step of monitoring the data rate value of the first network connection over pre-determined time intervals using the monitoring means according to the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the flow diagram of the step of switching the first network connection to a second network connection based on the predictive model and the connectivity threshold value using the switching means according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description made known below is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed as the invention may assume various alternative forms. On the contrary, the detailed description covers all the relevant modifications and alterations made to the present invention, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Providing a good and reliable connectivity to the end users is one of most desirable objectives when placing WLAN services into any hotspots. Most of the access point products in the market are usually connected to a single backhaul connection. The reason may be due to a number hardware limitations and firmware incapabilities. However, with the advancement where hardware may be customized, such limitations are therefore reduced. As such, the access point would therefore depend on the firmware's capabilities in providing a good and reliable connectivity. In order to handle the new requirements in the hardware that deals with multiple backhaul networks, which is also known as heterogeneous network, the firmware needs to be more sophisticated. As mentioned earlier, the prior arts have disclosed selection algorithms that involve more complex parameters and derivations to optimize the decision making, which the selection algorithms are usable in simulation modes where assumptions do not have any limitations. However, they are impractical when put into practice.

As such, we disclose the present invention having a novel system and method for selecting a network connectivity. The term "user" used throughout the description should be construed as the device of the end user which is intended to connect to network connection. The user can be any computing platform that is able to connect to a network, including but not limited to mobile device, tablet, laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), and personal computer.

With reference to figure 1 , the system as claimed in the present invention comprising an access point for providing network connectivity and a plurality of network base stations for transmitting signals to the access point for conveying network information, characterized in that the access point is provided with a selection module (1 ) for selecting a superior network connection amongst the plurality of network base stations. The selection module comprises a network initializing means (1 1 ) for initializing a first network connection to a user according to a superior data rate by scanning signals from one or more network base stations, and comparing data rates amongst the plurality of network base stations, a threshold generating means (12) for providing a threshold to switch the first network connection by generating a connectivity threshold value according to a probability of a lowest data rate appearing in each network connection, a predictive model generating means (13) for providing a predictive model to determine the switching of the first network connection, a monitoring means (14) for monitoring the first network connection over pre-determined time intervals, a switching means (15) for switching the first network connection to a second network connection according to the connectivity threshold value and the predictive model, and a storing means (16) mutually operating with the network initializing means (1 1 ), threshold generating means (12), predictive model generating means (13), monitoring means (14), and switching means (15) for storage and retrieval of data. In the case that the first network connection operates at a data rate value lower than the connectivity threshold value, the switching means (15) switches the first network connection to a second network connection, provided that the second network connection performs at a data rate value that is higher than the connectivity threshold value. On the other hand, if the first network connection operates and maintains at a data rate value that is higher than the connectivity threshold value, the first network connection maintains. The storing means (16) mentioned herein includes a database where the database should be construed as the device used for storage and retrieval of data but not limited to any database made known to the person skilled in the art.

The present invention further discloses a method (2) for selecting a network connectivity in accordance to the system as described earlier. The method (2), as illustrated in figure 2, comprises the steps of initializing a first network connection (100) to a user according to a superior data rate by scanning signals from one or more network base stations, and comparing data rates amongst the plurality of network base stations using the network initializing means (1 1 ), generating the connectivity threshold value (200) according to a probability of a lowest data rate appearing in each network connection using the threshold generating means (12), generating a predictive model (300) to determine the switching of the first network connection using the predictive model generating means (13), monitoring the data rate value of the first network connection (400) over pre-determined time intervals using the monitoring means (14), and switching the first network connection to a second network connection (500) according to the connectivity threshold value and the predictive model using the switching means (15), wherein the first network connection is switched to a second network connection when the data rate value of the first network connection is lower than the connectivity threshold value.

The step of initializing a first network connection (100), as illustrated in figure 3, further comprises the following steps. Firstly, the network initializing means (1 1 ) scans for one or more network connections that are available in the area where the user is located, and then initializes a first network connection (100) to the user based on the highest data rate among the network connections. The step of initializing a first network connection (100), as illustrated in figure 3, further comprises the following steps. Firstly, each network connection's data rate is scanned (101 ) and stored (102) in a storing means (16). During the scanning of the data rates of the network connections, the time where the data rates are scanned are also taken and stored (103) in the storing means (16). When the step of scanning completes, the network connection with the highest data rate is determined (104). Lastly, the user is connected to the first network connection where the first network connection has the highest data rate (105). In the case that the data rate of all of the network connections are the same, the user is connected to any one of the network connection (106).

Upon connecting the user to the first network connection, the threshold generating means (12) generates the connectivity threshold value (200) based on a probability where the lowest data rate value appears in each network connection. With reference to figure 4, the step of generating the connectivity threshold value further comprises the preceding steps. Firstly, the data rate values of the network connections are retrieved (201 ) from the storing means (16). Then, a probability, denoted by K, where the lowest data rate value appears for each network connection is determined (202). Subsequently, a connectivity threshold value is established (203) by averaging the probability, K, for each network connection and lastly the connectivity threshold value of each of the network connection is stored (204) in the storing means (16).

Subsequently, a predictive model is generated (300) using the predictive model generating means (13). According to figure 5, the step of generating a predictive model (300) further comprises the following steps. Firstly, the data rates of the network connections and the corresponding time for each network connection are retrieved (301 ) from the storing means (16). An average value is then computed (302) for each network connection data rate over daily basis. Thereafter, the corresponding time when each network connection's data rate value is taken is converted into fractional value (303). Thereon, a probability of each network connection data rate is computed (304) among the data rates set in the particular network connection. A probability table is then constructed (305) for each network connection based on the preceding data obtained, and a probability distribution is constructed (306) for each network connection from the probability tables. A probability expression is later constructed (307) and compared with the constructed probability (308). A probability model, having the probability tables, probability distributions and probability expression, is then constructed (309) when the probability expression matches with the constructed distribution. Lastly, the probability model is stored (310) in the storing means (16). In the case that the probability expression does not match with the constructed distribution, an additional step of adjusting variances in the probability expression are carried out in order to match with the constructed distribution. Upon matching the probability expression and constructed distribution, the probability model is then constructed and stored in the storing means (16).

The consecutive step of the method (2) is where the monitoring means (14) takes place in monitoring the data rate value of the first network connection (400) over pre-determined time intervals. We mention that the pre-determined time intervals herein are customizable and would depend on the person skilled in the art to determine and customize further. The step of monitoring the data rate value (400) of the connected network, as illustrated in figure 6, further comprises the following steps. Firstly, the data rates of the first network connection are scanned at each of the pre-determined time intervals (401 ) and are subsequently stored (402) in the storing means (16). The pre-determined time interval is denoted as N, where N represents how frequent the data rate of the first network connection is scanned. The corresponding time where the data rate of the first network connection is read is later captured (403) and stored (404) in the storing means (16). Thereafter, a data rate value of the first network connection is computed (405). Subsequently, the data rate value of the first network connection is compared with the connectivity threshold value (406). In the case that the first network connection operates at a data rate value higher than the connectivity threshold value, the steps mentioned above are repeated in order to continue monitoring the data rate values of the first network connection. However, if the data rate value of the first network connection performs lower that the connectivity threshold value, instructions in terms of signals are sent to the switching means (407) to further determine whether the first network connection should be disconnected.

In the case that the first network connection performs at a data rate value lower than the threshold value, the switching means (15) switches the first network connection to a second network connection (500), provided that the data rate value of the second network connection is higher than the connectivity threshold value. The step of switching the first network connection to a second network connection (500), as illustrated in figure 7, further comprises the following steps. Firstly, the predictive model is retrieved from the storing means (16) at a pre- determined time interval (501 ). Then, an expected data rate value is computed from the probability expression of the predictive model for each network connection (502). Thereafter, the expected data rate values are compared (503) among the network connections. Lastly, the user is connected to a second network connection having the highest expected data rate (504). Prior to connecting the user to the second network connection, the first network connection is disconnected since the data rate value of the first network connection performs lower than the connectivity threshold value. In the case that the expected data rate of all of the network connections is the same, the user is connected with any one of the network connection (505).

Although the present invention has been described in a specific embodiment as in the above description, it is understood that the above description does not limit the invention to the above given details. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made therein without departing from the principle of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.