Quality-of-service (QoS)-based association with a new network using background network scanning

摘要

A method and device support the use of background network scanning to enable association with a first and at least a second wireless network, for the exchange of exchange of multimedia information. Representative embodiments of the present invention may sniff radio frequency spectrum and determine at least one characteristic of detected wireless networks having capacity for exchange of the multimedia information. More than one wireless network may be identified for use in exchanging the multimedia information, which may be communicated concurrently over the identified wireless networks. User defined criteria may be employed in adjusting communication of the multimedia information to meet a quality of service level desired by a user. A lack of wireless network capacity may result in adjustments to, for example, protocols used to represent multimedia information, frame rate, and spatial or color resolution, in order to maintain or enable communication.

主权项

1. A method supporting quality of service based association with a new wireless communication network using background network scanning, the method comprising:
establishing communication via a first wireless network; detecting a radio frequency signal of at least a second wireless network; determining at least one characteristic of the at least a second wireless network; identifying a network capacity among the first wireless network and the at least a second wireless network such that an aggregate network capacity of the first wireless network and the second wireless network is sufficient to support an exchange of multimedia information; communicating the multimedia information using the aggregate network capacity; and upon detecting insufficient network capacity for the exchange of the multimedia information, adjusting communication of multimedia information according to at least one user-defined quality of service parameter.