DE102005008795A1 - A communication device and method for obtaining property information over a second network - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to find a communication device (1) which, while participating in a first network (PSI¶GPRS¶) and before logging into a second network (PSI¶w1¶, PSI¶w2¶, PSI ¶W3¶) is able to provide information over the second network (PSI¶w1¶, PSI¶w2¶, PSI¶w3¶). DOLLAR A This object is achieved by a communication device (1) for participation in a first network (PSI¶GPRS¶), comprising a receiving device for receiving an identity signal (20 to 22) of a second network (PSI¶w1¶, PSI¶w2¶ , PSI¶w3¶) and an interrogator for generating an interrogation signal (23 to 25) in response to the received second network identity signal (20 to 22) (PSI¶w1¶, PSI¶w2¶, PSI¶w3¶), wherein the interrogation signal (23 to 25) concerns a polling on a property of the second network (PSI¶w1¶, PSI¶w2¶, PSI¶w3¶), transmitting means for transmitting the interrogation signal (23 to 25) in the first network internal or external memory system (13), in which a corresponding property information of the second network can be stored, with the receiving device, the property information of the second network (PSI¶w1¶, PSI¶w2¶, PSI¶w3¶) is receivable.

Description

communication device and a method of obtaining property information about a second one Network The present invention describes a communication device for participation in a first network with a receiving device for receiving an identity signal a second network. About that In addition, a method of obtaining property information about second network when participating in a first network.

Often comes For example, a user of a mobile phone may use his mobile phone want to control a printer. This is about the first network, in which the user with his mobile phone just logged in, not possible if this first network over has no printer or if a printer use in the first network the user of the Cell phones too expensive.

is The user is in a place from which he also has access to another, his mobile phone accessible second network has, so Can he log into the second network with his mobile phone? The situation often occurs that neither the user nor the mobile phone over an information about it feature, whether the second network over has a suitable printer or not, and if so, by what price model, since both the User as well as the mobile phone the second network not yet used to have.

Of the User knows why when switching from the first to the second network not, whether this often referred to as roaming process will lead to success or not. The latter is the case when the second network has no Printer or just over an inappropriate printer.

The It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication device find which during participation in a first network and before logging into a second network is capable of providing information over the second network.

The The object is achieved by a communication device for participation in a first network comprising a receiving device for receiving an identity signal a second network, wherein the communication device additionally a Interrogator for generating an interrogation signal in dependence from the received identity signal of the second network, wherein the interrogation signal is a query about a property of the second network, a transmitting device for transmitting the Interrogation signal in the first network to an internal or external Storage system in which an appropriate property information the second network can be stored, with the receiving device the property information of the second network is receivable includes.

As well the above object is achieved by a method for Receive property information on a second network upon participation in a first network by receiving an identity signal from the second network, as well as querying a memory system via the first net re a property of the second network in response to the identity signal and collecting the property information from the storage system.

On this way allows it is the present invention when participating in a first network information about to obtain a second network without the communication device to do so first log in to the second network. The user of the communication device saves time and unnecessary Costs.

there For example, the communication device may be a mobile phone, wherein the first network and / or the second network a GSM system (Global System For Mobile Communications), a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network or a UMTS network (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Especially for the first Network enters a situation as described in the introduction was, often on. The listed here Nets though over a relatively large surface area, But usually do not make a fax machine or a user Printer available. For this reason, a user is watching the networks listed here often reliant on a second network, which via one of the above equipment features. Even mobile phones are due to their handy design with none of the listed equipment fitted. The present invention is therefore for a user a mobile phone of great size Use.

For example the first network and / or the second network is a BT network (Bluetooth), a Wi-Fi network (Wireless Local Area Network) or a Zigbee network. In particular, the second network may be from the set of enumerated networks come. These networks are often equipped with a fax machine and / or a printer, which is why The present invention is quite advantageous for this use.

The retrieved property preferably relates to providing a printer, a fax device, internet access and / or intranet access. This is in a communication device even before logging into a network information about the presence of certain devices available in the network. In addition, the information may additionally relate to the properties of the above enumerated devices. For example, it is advantageous for a user if he experiences the charging models of the network or networks available to him before logging into a network. But other services and properties of networks can be queried about the presented here communication device and the inventive method.

The identity signal can be an SSID (Service Set Identifier) or an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier), in particular with a domain name, with an IP address and / or with a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). When detecting or finding new networks is often a SSID transmitted as identity signal, which identifies the network as such and from the other networks different. With the SSID or another identity signal a connection between the two networks can be started become. However, before this happens, this identity signal can Also used in the invention be to information about to find out the second network. All that needs to be done is this identity signal from the first network leaving or simultaneously with the second Network should be used to provide information about the to catch up with the second network. It can be about this identity signal all the properties of the second network from the communication device be requested. An identity signal transmitted by the second network, which so far only serves to identify the network now advantageously used for more information about properties of the found second network.

Preferably the storage system is at least one WEB page. This ensures easy access for one size Number of users to the information regarding the existing networks over the present invention.

In this case, the interrogation _{signal may} include a parameter for a specific query for a specific property of the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ). The latter is often particularly advantageous, since thus by parameter addition only the properties of the network can be queried by the terminal, which are important or crucial for the terminal.

This shortened the time period for a query and facilitates the evaluation of the requested information, because information without relevance automatically disappears.

advantageously, the communication device comprises a memory device for Storing the property requested by the storage system of the second network. This has the advantage that the communication device so that once captured information about a network for a longer Period available stands. This makes it the communication device, for example facilitates comparisons between different, available To draw nets.

A further advantageous use of the present invention provides a method for selecting a destination network from a set of available networks including the above-presented method for obtaining feature information over a second network when participating in a first network. This procedure is used when a first network has several networks to choose from. Especially in this case, it is advantageous if the communication device logged in a first network, with which another network is to be accessed, has information about whether the various networks available for selection better or worse satisfy the requirements desired by the user. The properties of the available networks can then serve as decision criteria for which network the communication device logs in from the first network. Often, however, it is the case that the first network in which the user is currently logged in and the new networks available are independent of each other and have no information about each other's properties. Furthermore, the different networks may use different technologies. The previous solution of the problem described above provides that, if several networks are available, ultimately that is taken, whose parameters are already known and stored in the first network, which may also be referred to as a terminal. There is a list of priorities that selects the most favored network for several known networks. Alternatively, the user was sometimes offered a list of available networks for manual selection. However, according to the state of the art, prior to the selection and use of the network, there is no information about the characteristics or the services available to these networks. The user must therefore first try a network before he can determine whether the network used meets the required requirements or not, which is very time-consuming and costly with several available networks. The present invention overcomes this problem. The Selection of the most suitable network can be done either manually by the user or automatically via the communication device. In the first case, the communication device outputs the detected information to the user, who then selects, via an operating device of the communication device, the network which best suits his wishes. Alternatively, the communication device is designed to select itself, according to predetermined criteria, a network that best suits the criteria. In this case, a communication device can be designed so that the user can set the selection criteria himself.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached 1 , in which a communication device according to the invention is shown, explained in more detail.

The below described embodiment represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention Invention.

In the example off 1 the communication device according to the invention is a mobile phone 1 , The user of the mobile phone 1 is in a physical plane 2 which has four networks Ψ _GPRS , Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 . These are a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network Ψ _GPRS and the three wireless local area network (WLAN) Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 . This covers the area coverage 3 of the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS the area coverage 4 to 6 WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 . The area covers 4 to 6 WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 overlap in a hotspot 7 , The mobile phone 1 is able to establish and use data connections with the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS as well as with the WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 .

As an alternative to the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS and the three WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 but also offer GSM networks (General Packet Radio Service) and UMTS networks (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Likewise, the invention is also applicable to BT networks (Bluetooth) and Zigbee networks. It does not matter in which of the networks listed here the mobile phone 1 is currently logged in. Also the number in the hot spot 7 existing networks is essentially irrelevant.

In 1 is also the physical level 2 associated logical level 8th located. It has an operator intranet 9 and the three intranets associated with the WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 10 to 12 on. About all intranets 9 to 12 is an access to the internet 13 possible. There is also access to the three storage systems SS1, SS2 and SS3.

How about arrow 14 in 1 Also outlined is a user in the area coverage 3 with his mobile phone 1 via the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS access to the operator intranet 9 , Is the user in one of the area covers 4 to 6 , he has access to the corresponding intranet via the corresponding WLAN network Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 o the Ψ _w3 10 . 11 or 12 , This is indicated by the arrows 15 to 17 made clear.

In 1 is the user of the mobile phone 1 initially in one position 18 , Because the position 18 within the coverage area 3 of the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS but outside a coverage area 4 to 6 one of the wireless networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 or Ψ _w3 is used by the user of the mobile phone 1 due to a lack of WLAN coverage the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS .

The user moves from the position 18 in the direction of the arrow 19 and now comes in the hot spot 7 in which several WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 are available to it. In the example off 1 the user now wants to print something. However, neither has the mobile phone 1 nor the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS via a suitable printer. For this reason, the user wants to use one of the WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 or Ψ _w3 for printing.

However, neither the user nor the mobile phone owns 1 at the time in which the user of the mobile phone 1 the hot spot 7 enters, information about which of the three wireless networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 has a suitable printer. Before now the mobile phone 1 _If a WLAN network Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 or Ψ _{w3 selects} from the set of WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 , which makes it possible to print out with respect to the user's printer _command , first information about the WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _{w3 are} obtained.

The procedure for obtaining information relating to an existing printer in one of the three WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 starts with the WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 using their SSIDs (Service Set Identifier). 20 to 22 identify. One or more of the SSIDs can do this 20 to 22 for example, be a domain name or an IP address be. For the example 1 is the SSID 20 for the WLAN network Ψ _w1 :
SS1: w1

After capturing the SSID 20 of the WLAN network Ψ _w1 interrogates the mobile phone 1 then via the access to the operator intranet 9 the Internet 13 with respect to the information stored in the storage system SS1 information for the wireless network Ψ _w1 . One possibility for this is, for example, via http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) if the storage system SS1 is a WEB page. The access and the operator intranet 9 to the internet 13 sent interrogation signal 23 is then:
https://www.ss1.com/?db=w3

About this query signal 23 asks the mobile phone 1 via the existing connection of the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS information about the WLAN network Ψ _w1 from the storage device SS1 from. Alternatively, the mobile phone 1 add standardized parameters to this URL to specifically query certain required properties of the WLAN network Ψ _w1 . An example of this is a request for a printer present in the WLAN network Ψ _w1 . The query signal 23 would then be for example:
https://www.ss1.com/?db=w3&ser=printer

The mobile phone 1 then captures the information output from the storage system SS1. In the example off 1 has the mobile phone 1 additionally via a memory device on which a once retrieved via a network information is stored.

As an alternative to the SSID presented here 20 Can one or more of the SSIDs 20 to 22 but also consist of complete URLs or be defined differently by standardization, the URLs can then be used for a connection to collect information. Likewise, another protocol can be used instead of http.

The mobile phone also detects the WLAN networks Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 1 the SSIDs 21 and 22 , The mobile phone 1 then has access to the operator intranet 9 of the GPRS network Ψ _GPRS also access to the information stored on the storage systems SS2 and SS3 over the WLAN networks Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 . About sending the query signals 24 and 25 this information is then obtained. This information is then also stored on the storage device of the mobile phone 1 stored.

In a last step, the mobile phone compares 1 the properties of the WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 stored on the memory device with one another. Based on the information of the storage systems SS1, SS2 and SS3, the mobile phone 1 in the example 1 recognize that the Wi-Fi network Ψ _w1 has no printer, the Wi-Fi network Ψ _w2 only on an insufficiently suitable printer 26 while the Wi-Fi network Ψ _w3 has a print-optimized printer 27 features. This is the case, for example, if the printer 26 a black and white printer, the printer 27 a color printer and the print job is a colored drawing. It is also possible that the mobile phone 1 in the presence of each printer 26 and 27 in each of the networks Ψ Ψ _{w3 w2} and that of network Ψ Ψ _{w3 w2} or selects which claims the lower fee.

The mobile phone 1 then joins the Wi-Fi network Ψ _w3 and gives the print job to the printer 27 out.

In the in 1 featured case is the mobile phone 1 is designed to automatically select a suitable network Ψ _w3 upon detection of several networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 and after obtaining information about the networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 . But the present invention is also for a mobile phone 1 applicable, which has an output _device for displaying the information obtained via the networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 . The mobile phone 1 then outputs this information to the user. Via an operating device of the mobile phone 1 After reading the information, the user can then decide for themselves which of the detected networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 he wishes to log into.

In the example off 1 The information required by the user and the communication device relates to the presence of a printer in a network. Alternatively, the required device may be a fax machine, intranet access, or Internet access. Other properties or services of a network are also available via the mobile phone presented here 1 queried.

In this case, the user can also apply the method according to the invention if he is outside the hot spot 7 located. The prerequisite for this is also ensured if the user is in a location that has at least a first and a second network. For example, an application of the presented method is possible even when the user is off 1 within one of the area covers 4 to 6 WLAN networks Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 and Ψ _w3 .

1

mobile phone

2

physical level

3-6

area covers

7

Hot commercial

8th

logical level

9-12

intranets

13

Internet

14-17

Views

18

position

19

arrow

20-22

SSIDs (Service Set Identifier)

23-25

interrogation signals

26.27

printer

Ψ _GPRS

GPRS network (General Packet Radio Service)

Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3

Wi-Fi networks (Wireless Local Area Network)

SS1, SS2, SS3

storage systems

Claims (10)

Communication device ( 1 ) for participation in a first network ( _GPRS ) - a receiving device for receiving an identity signal ( 20 to 22 ) of a second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ), characterized by - an interrogator for generating an interrogation signal ( 23 to 25 ) in response to the received identity signal ( 20 to 22 ) of the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ), wherein the interrogation _signal ( 23 to 25 ) concerns a query about a property of the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ), - a transmitting device for transmitting the interrogation signal ( 23 to 25 ) in the first network to an internal or external storage system ( 13 ), in which a corresponding property information of the second network can be stored, wherein - with the receiving _device , the property information of the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ) is receivable. Communication device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the first network (Ψ _GPRS ) and / or the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ) a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), a GPRS network (General Packet Radio Service ) or a UMTS network (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Communication device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first network (Ψ _GPRS ) and / or the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ) a BT network (Bluetooth), a wireless network (Wireless Local Area Network) or is a Zigbee network. Communication device ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the queried property is a provision of a printer ( 23 . 24 ), fax machine, internet access and / or intranet access ( 10 to 12 ). Communication device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the identity signal ( 20 to 22 ) is an SSID (Service Set Identifier) or an ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier), in particular with a domain name, with an IP address and / or with a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Communication device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage system ( 13 ) is at least one WEB page. Communication device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the interrogation signal ( 23 to 25 ) comprises a parameter for a specific query for a specific property of the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ). Communication device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the communication device ( 1 ) comprises a memory device for storing the queried by the memory system property of the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ). Method for obtaining property information over a second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ) when participating in a first network (Ψ _GPRS ) by - receiving an identity _signal ( 20 to 22 ) from the second network (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ), characterized by - polling a memory system ( 13 ) via the first network (Ψ _GPRS ) with respect to a property of the second network (Ψw1, Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ) as a function of the identity _signal ( 20 to 22 ) and - collecting the property information from the storage system ( 13 ). Method for selecting a destination network (Ψ _w3 ) from a set of available networks (Ψ _w1 , Ψ _w2 , Ψ _w3 ) _comprising a method according to claim 9.