Wireless communication device and method for making a secure transfer of a communication connection

• US 20060148451A1
• Filed: 01/04/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Narasimha, Murali
• Granted Patent: US 8,050,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless communication device and method for making a secure transfer of a communication connection from a direct connection with a cellular network to a connection via a wireless local area network is provided. The device and method are adapted for detecting the presence of the wireless communication device within the communication coverage area of the wireless local area network and authenticating the wireless communication device with the wireless local area network. After authenticating the wireless communication device with the wireless local area network, a handoff is requested from the cellular network to the wireless local area network, where a secure connection between the mobile station and the cellular network via the wireless local area network is established, and then the direct connection with the cellular network is broken.

Claims

1. A method for making a secure transfer of a mobile station communication connection from a direct connection with a cellular network to a connection via a wireless local area network, the method comprising:

detecting by a mobile station, the presence of the mobile station within the communication coverage area of a wireless local area network;

authenticating the mobile station with the wireless local area network;

requesting a handoff from the cellular network to the wireless local area network;

establishing a secure connection between the mobile station and the cellular network via the wireless local area network; and

breaking the direct connection with the cellular network.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein detecting by a mobile station within the communication coverage area of a wireless local area network includes:

sending a probe request within the proximity of the mobile station; and

receiving a response to the probe request from the wireless local area network.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein detecting by a mobile station within the communication coverage area of a wireless local area network includes:

scanning for communications associated with a wireless local area network.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein scanning for communications associated with a wireless local area network includes receiving communications from a wireless local area network and adjusting a timer for synchronization to a basic service set.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein requesting a handoff from the cellular network to the wireless local area network includes sending information that enables the cellular network to identify the mobile station via the wireless local area network.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein sending information that enables the cellular network to identify the mobile station via the wireless local area network includes sending basic service set information to the cellular network.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein establishing a secure connection between the mobile station and the cellular network via the wireless local area network includes requesting an association with the wireless local area network

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein establishing a secure connection between the mobile station and the cellular network via the wireless local area network includes the setup of a secure tunnel.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein upon establishing a secure connection between the mobile station and the cellular network via the wireless local area network, the communication of information via the wireless local area network is initiated.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein the communication via the wireless local area network prior to breaking the direct connection with the cellular network will include information which is communicated concurrently via the direct connection and the secure connection via the wireless local area network.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein breaking the direct connection with the cellular network includes sending an indication of handoff completion via the wireless local area network.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein the communication of information via the direct connection is terminated in response to receiving the indication of handoff completion.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the communication connection is a circuit switched connection.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the communication connection is a packet data connection.

15. A wireless communication device comprising:

a wireless communication interface including one or more transceivers which are adapted for establishing a wireless communication connection; and

a controller adapted for making a secure transfer of a communication connection from a direct connection with a cellular network to a connection via a wireless local area network, the controller including

a detection module adapted for detecting the presence of the wireless communication device within the communication coverage area of a wireless local area network,

an authentication module adapted for establishing the identity of the wireless communication device and the authority of the wireless communication device to communicate via the wireless local area network and initiating a handoff request from the cellular network to the wireless local area network, and

an association module adapted for establishing a secure connection between the wireless communication device and the cellular network via the wireless local area network and instructing the cellular network to break the direct connection with the cellular network.

16. A wireless communication device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the controller is adapted to support the concurrent reception of information via the direct connection with the cellular network and the connection via the wireless local area network, after the secure connection is established and before the direct connection is broken.

17. A wireless communication device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the wireless communication interface includes a first transceiver adapted for communicating with the cellular network and a second transceiver adapted for communicating with the wireless local area network.

18. A wireless communication device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the wireless communication interface includes a single transceiver adapted for alternatively communicating with the cellular network and the wireless local area network.

19. A wireless communication device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the wireless communication device is a radio telephone.

20. A wireless communication device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the cellular network is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network.

21. A wireless communication device in accordance with claim 15 wherein the wireless local area network is IEEE 802.11 compliant.