System and method for providing to a wireless computing device the pricing and dynamically-predicted signal strength of locally-available radio services

Abstract

A system and method for providing to a mobile computing device the carrier identity, expected connection quality and pricing information related to each radio service available in the location where the mobile computing device is attempting to make a radio communications connection. This location-specific connection quality information for each carrier is provided by a system that gathers real connection quality information for each wireless carrier operator's signal in a given location, as reported to the system by mobile computing devices operating in that given location, thus creating a database of connection quality information that is automatically updated over time. This system also links the identity and usage pricing structure information of each radio carrier operator to each location. Preferably, this system makes the aggregated map of information available to a mobile computing device via a data communications connection in real time, so a mobile computing device could download a current ‘map’ and use it immediately, or store it for future use in the same, or other locations. By looking up the information available in the map for its own current location, a mobile computing device can make an informed decision as to which carrier is the most appropriate for a connection at that location. The determination of the mobile device's current location can be obtained via an internal or linked GPS receiver, or by other mechanisms or methods.

1 . A system for providing to a mobile computing device information relating to the identity, predicted received signal quality indicator, and pricing information for each radio service available in the location in which the mobile computing device is attempting to make a radio communications connection, comprising
 a central database including storage means for storing the information in said central database; and   downloading means for downloading the information stored in said central database to the mobile computing device in real time.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including calculation means for using a predictive static model to calculate the predicted received signal quality indicator stored in said central database for each specific location, for each specific carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , including information update means for updated the predicted received signal quality indicator stored in said central database for a specific location, and for a specific carrier, whenever a mobile computing device measures and reports a new received signal quality indicator for that specific location, while operating in that specific location and while connected to that specific carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , including locating determining means, wherein a mobile application running on said mobile computing device, upon receiving a request for a wireless data connection, determines said mobile computing device's current location, and then accesses said predicted received signal quality indicator and pricing information for each carrier identified as having a signal at the current location of said mobile computing device.