Method and system wherein handover information is broadcast in wireless local area networks

• US 20050288021A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hunkeler, Teresa
• Granted Patent: US 7,412,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0055 Transmission or use of information for re-establishing the radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A method and system wherein handover information is broadcast in a wireless local area network. Handover information is broadcast in a beacon frame thereby allowing WTRUs operating in a wireless area network to handover to available alternative systems as desired. WTRUs may read the beacon frame and obtain appropriate information for handing over to alternative systems having coverage areas that overlap that of the wireless local area network. The alternative systems may be any type of wireless system and the wireless local area network may be any type of wireless area network.

Claims

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a. means for establishing a connection with a wireless local area network (WLAN);

b. means for receiving handover information broadcast by the WLAN regarding alternative wireless communication systems whose coverage area is overlapping with the coverage area of the WLAN, the handover information including cell information necessary for establishing a wireless connection to alternative wireless communication systems;

c. means for selecting one of the alternative wireless communication systems;

d. means for determining whether the selected alternative wireless communication system meets a predetermined criteria designated by a user of the WTRU; and

e. means for establishing a connection to the selected alternative wireless communication system using the cell information in the beacon frame where the selected alternative wireless communication system meets the predetermined criteria designated by a user of the WTRU without searching for additional cell information from the selected alternative wireless communication system.

2. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein said information broadcast by the WLAN regarding alternative wireless communication systems whose coverage area is overlapping with the coverage area of the WLAN is broadcast in a beacon frame.

3. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein the means for receiving information broadcast by the WLAN receives information indicating at least one of network identity, types of the alternative wireless communication systems, cell descriptions, and services offered by the alternative wireless communication systems.

4. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein the means for determining whether the selected alternative wireless communication system meets predetermined criteria considers at least one of quality of service, available services, mobility, power consumption, and cost.

5. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein the means for selecting one of the alternative wireless communication systems is a manual selection of the alternate wireless communication system by a user of the WTRU.

6. A wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) configured to provide wireless communication services in a geographic service area to wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) capable of wireless communication in a plurality of different types of networks, the AP comprising:

means for communicating with at least one alternative wireless communication system that provides wireless communication services in a geographic area that at least partly overlaps the coverage area of the AP;

a transmitter configured to transmit a beacon identifying the at least one alternative wireless communication system; and

means for handing over a wireless communication of a WTRU communicating via the AP to a selected alternative wireless communication system.

7. The access point (AP) of claim 7 further comprising a receiver for receiving requests for handover of a WTRU from the WTRU responsive in part to the AP'"'"'s transmitted beacon signal.

8. The access point (AP) of claim 7 wherein the means for communicating with at least one alternative wireless communication system is configured to download information regarding services offered from alternative wireless communication systems.

9. The access point (AP) of claim 7 wherein the means for communicating with at least one alternative wireless communication system automatically detects alternative wireless communication systems.

10. A method of handing over a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) from a wireless local area network (WLAN) to an alternative wireless communication system, the method comprising:

(a) establishing a connection between a WTRU and a WLAN;

(b) the WTRU receiving information broadcast by the WLAN regarding alternative wireless communication systems having coverage areas that are at least partially overlapping with a coverage area of the WLAN;

(c) selecting one of the alternative wireless communication systems;

(d) determining whether the selected alternative wireless communication system meets predetermined criteria designated by a user of the WTRU; and

(e) the WLAN handing over the WTRU to the selected alternative wireless communication system where the selected alternative wireless communication system meets the predetermined criteria.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the information regarding alternative wireless communication systems having coverage areas that are at least partially overlapping with the coverage area of the WLAN is broadcast in a beacon frame.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the information indicates at least one of network identity, types of the alternative systems, cell descriptions, and services offered by the alternative wireless communication systems.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the criteria indicates at least one of quality of service, available services, mobility, battery power consumption, and cost.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the WLAN determines, in conjunction with the WTRU, the selected alternative wireless communication system.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the user of the WTRU selects an alternative wireless communication system manually.