Relcocation of application-specific functionality during seamless network layer-level handoffs

• US 20030210666A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Trossen, Dirk, Krishnamurthi, Govind, Chaskar, Hemant M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,272,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/164 at the network layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/167 Adaptation for transition between two IP versions, e.g. between IPv4 and IPv6 translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses H04L61/2503
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0011 for data sessions of end-to-end connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0019 adapted for mobile IP [MIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point

Abstract

The present invention provides a relocation of an application-specific functionality for an application that a mobile terminal (mobile node) is executing. Entities that may provide application-specific functionalities that assist the application include a location-based server (that may be associated with a supplementary service provider functionality), a transcoder proxy, and a security gateway. The relocation of the application-specific functionality with a network layer-level handoff enables the mobile terminal to seamlessly execute an application that utilizes the media content from a content source that is supporting the mobile terminal before the handoff Subsequent to the handoff, the mobile terminal registers with a current access router in order to inform the current access router about application context information. In the exemplary embodiments, the access routers and the content source support the discovery of an entity that can support the application-specific functionality and the configuration of the application-specific functionality after the handoff.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff, comprising:

a communications interface;

a processor communicating through the communications interface, the processor configured to cause the mobile terminal to perform the steps of;

(a) initiating an application with a content source;

(b) receiving a packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) registering application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(d) continuing to receive the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff

2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further step of:

(e) initiating the network layer-level handoff.

3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further step of:

(e) receiving a second information comprising an address of an entity that provides the application-specific functionality.

4. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further comprising the step of:

(f) adjusting a processing of the packet data stream in accordance with the second information.

5. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the second information is selected from the group consisting of a bandwidth requirement and a media format.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further step of:

(f) communicating with the entity in order to establish a state that is required to avail the application-specific functionality.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further step of:

(f) authorizing the entity to perform the application-specific functionality.

8. An access router for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff, comprising:

a data port;

a processor communicating through the data port, the processor configured to cause the access router to perform the steps of;

(a) receiving a registration message containing application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(b) sending the application context information to another access router.

9. An access router for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff, comprising:

a data port;

a processor communicating through the data port, the processor configured to cause the access router to perform the steps of

(a) receiving a registration message containing application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(b) discovering an entity that shall provide the application-specific functionality; and

(c) providing an address and additional information about the entity to a communication end-point.

10. The access router of claim 9, wherein the communication end-point is selected from the group consisting of a mobile terminal and a content source.

11. An access router for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff, comprising:

a data port;

a processor communicating through the data port, the processor configured to cause the access router to perform the steps of

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(b) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality;

(c) configuring the application-specific functionality for a mobile terminal with the entity in response to the network-layer handoff; and

(d) providing an address and additional information about the entity to a communication end-point.

12. The access router of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further step of

(e) comparing contents of the application context information with characteristics of a connection between the access router and the mobile terminal in order to determine the application-specific functionality.

13. The access router of claim 11, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of:

(i) sending a multicast query within an associated network, the query containing an indicator about the application-specific functionality; and

(ii) receiving a response from the entity, the response indicating that the entity can support the application-specific functionality.

14. The access router of claim 11, wherein step (b) comprises the step of

(i) accessing a data structure that contains configuration information about the application-specific functionality.

15. The access router of claim 11, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of

(i) querying a directory agent about the application-specific functionality;

and

(ii) receiving a response from the directory agent about the entity.

16. The access router of claim 11, wherein step (b) utilizes a service profile, the service profile designating a type of application-specific functionality

17. The access router of claim 11, wherein step (c) comprises the step of

(i) establishing the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with the entity.

18. The access router of claim 11, wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(i) authorizing the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with the entity.

19. The access router of claim 11, wherein the application-specific functionality comprises a supplementary service functionality.

20. The access router of claim 11, wherein the communication end-point is selected from the group consisting of the mobile terminal and a content source.

21. A content source for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff comprising:

a port;

a memory; and

a processor that accesses the memory to obtain media content, forms a packet data stream from the media content, and sends the packet data stream through the port in order to support an application, the processor configured to cause the content source to perform the steps of

(a) responding to an initiation of the application with a mobile terminal;

(b) sending the packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) receiving information comprising an address of an entity that provides the application-specific functionality; and

(d) continuing to send the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

22. An access router for supporting a relocation of an application-specific fuictionality during a network layer-level handoff of a mobile terminal, comprising:

a data port;

a processor communicating through the data port, the processor configured to cause the access router to perform the steps of

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(b) providing session information about the application-specific functionality.

23. The access router of claim 22, wherein the processor is configured to perform the further step of:

(c) comparing contents of the application context information with characteristics of a connection between the access router and the mobile terminal in order to determine the application-specific functionality.

24. The access router of claim 22, wherein the session information comprises a description of the application-specific functionality and a new care-of address that is associated with the mobile terminal.

25. The access router of claim 22, wherein the session information comprises an address of an entity, the entity being capable of discovering the application-specific functionality.

26. A content source for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff comprising:

a port;

a memory; and

a processor that accesses the memory to obtain media content, forms a packet data stream from the media content, and sends the packet data stream through the port in order to support an application, the processor configured to cause the content source to perform the steps of;

(a) responding to an initiation of the application with a mobile terminal;

(b) sending the packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) receiving information about the application-specific functionality;

(d) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality;

(e) configuring the application-specific functionality for a mobile terminal with the entity in response to the network-layer handoff; and

(f) continuing to send the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff

27. An access router for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff of a mobile terminal, comprising:

a data port;

a processor communicating through the data port, the processor configured to cause the access router to perform the steps of

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(b) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality; and

(c) providing information about the application-specific functionality and an address to a communication end-point.

28. A content source for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff comprising:

a port;

a memory; and

a processor that accesses the memory to obtain media content, forms a packet data stream from the media content, and sends the packet data stream through the port in order to support an application, the processor configured to cause the content source to perform the steps of

(a) responding to an initiation of the application with a mobile terminal;

(b) sending the packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) receiving information about the application-specific functionality comprising an address of an entity that can provide the application-specific functionality;

(d) configuring the application-specific functionality for a mobile terminal with an entity corresponding to the information; and

(e) continuing to send the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

29. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality with a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the method comprising the steps of

(a) initiating an application with a content source;

(b) receiving a packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) registering an application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(d) continuing to receive the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of

(e) initiating the network layer-level handoff

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of

(e) receiving a second information comprising an address of an entity that provides the application-specific functionality.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of:

(f) adjusting a processing of the packet data stream in accordance with the second information.

33. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, the method comprising the steps of

(a) receiving a registration message containing application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

and

(b) sending the application content information to another entity.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the other entity is another access router.

35. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a registration message containing application content information, the application content information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(b) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality; and

(c) providing an address and additional information about the entity to a communication end-point.

36. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(b) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality;

(c) configuring the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with the entity in response to the network-layer handoff; and

(d) providing an address and additional information about the entity to a communication end-point.

37. The method of claim 36, the method comprising the further step of:

(e) comparing contents of the application context information with characteristics of a connection between the access router and the mobile terminal in order to determine the application-specific functionality.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of:

(i) sending a multicast query within an associated network, the query containing an indicator about the application-specific functionality; and

(ii) receiving a response from the entity, the response indicating that the entity can support the application-specific functionality.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(i) establishing the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with the entity.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein step (c) comprises the step of:

(i) authorizing the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with the entity.

41. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising a content source, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) responding to an initiation of the application with the mobile terminal;

(b) sending a packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) receiving information comprising an address of an entity that supports the application-specific functionality; and

(d) continuing to send the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

42. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(b) providing session information about application-specific functionality.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of:

(c) comparing contents of the application context information with characteristics of a connection between the access router and the mobile terminal in order to determine the application-specific functionality.

44. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising a content source, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) responding to an initiation of the application with the mobile terminal;

(b) sending the packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) receiving information about the application-specific functionality;

(d) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality;

(e) configuring the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with the entity in response to the network-layer handoff; and

(f) continuing to send the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

45. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality provided for an application on a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(b) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality; and

(c) providing session information about application-specific functionality.

46. A method for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality with a mobile terminal during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising a content source, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) responding to an initiation of an application with the mobile terminal;

(b) sending the packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) receiving information about the application-specific functionality;

(d) configuring the application-specific functionality for the mobile terminal with an entity corresponding to the information; and

(f) continuing to send the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

47. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, comprising instructions that cause a mobile terminal to perform the steps of:

(a) initiating an application with a content source;

(b) receiving a packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) registering an application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(d) continuing to receive the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing the network layer-level handoff.

48. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, comprising instructions that cause the access router to perform the steps of:

(a) receiving a registration message containing application context information, the application content information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(b) sending the application content information.

49. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, comprising instructions that cause the access router to perform the steps of:

(a) receiving an application context information, the application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information; and

(b) providing information about application-specific functionality.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 49, further comprising instructions that cause the access router to perform the step of:

(c) discovering an entity that shall perform the application-specific functionality.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, further comprising instructions that cause the access router to perform the step of

(d) configuring the application-specific functionality for a mobile terminal with the entity in response to the network-layer handoff

52. A mobile terminal for supporting a relocation of an application-specific functionality during a network layer-level handoff, comprising:

a communications interface;

a processor communicating through the communications interface, the processor configured to cause the mobile terminal to perform the steps of;

(a) initiating an application with a content source;

(b) receiving a packet data stream that is associated with the application;

(c) registering an application context information comprising an application-specific functionality information;

(d) receiving a second information comprising an address of an entity that provides the application-specific functionality;

(e) continuing to receive the packet data stream; and

(f) processing the packet data stream in accordance with the second information.