Mobile node, method and computer program product for handing off from one type of network to another type of network
First Claim
1. A mobile node comprising:
- a first communication interface for connecting to a first type of network;
a second communication interface for connecting to a second type of network; and
a processor capable of connecting the mobile node to a first type of network via the first communication interface, wherein the processor is capable of maintaining the second communication interface in an off state, wherein the processor is capable of monitoring location information representative of an area within which the mobile node is currently located, wherein the processor is capable of determining if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network based upon the monitoring of the location information, wherein, if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network, the processor is capable of turning on the second communication interface, and effectuating a handoff of the mobile node from the first type of network to the second type of network via the second communication interface, and wherein effectuating a handoff includes the mobile node connecting to the second type of network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile node includes first and second communication interfaces for connecting to first and second types of networks, respectively. The mobile node also includes a processor capable of connecting to a first type of network via the first communication interface. The processor can monitor location information from the first type of network, the location information being representative of a geographic area within which the mobile node is currently located and available as a result of the connection to the first type of network. The processor can determine if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network based upon the monitoring of the location information. If so, the processor can turn on the second communication interface, and effectuate a handoff of the mobile node from the first type of network to the second type of network via the second communication interface.
117 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A mobile node comprising:
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a first communication interface for connecting to a first type of network;
a second communication interface for connecting to a second type of network; and
a processor capable of connecting the mobile node to a first type of network via the first communication interface, wherein the processor is capable of maintaining the second communication interface in an off state, wherein the processor is capable of monitoring location information representative of an area within which the mobile node is currently located, wherein the processor is capable of determining if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network based upon the monitoring of the location information, wherein, if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network, the processor is capable of turning on the second communication interface, and effectuating a handoff of the mobile node from the first type of network to the second type of network via the second communication interface, and wherein effectuating a handoff includes the mobile node connecting to the second type of network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of handing off a mobile node, the method comprising:
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connecting the mobile node to a first type of network via a first communication interface of the mobile node, wherein the mobile node also includes a second communication interface, the second communication interface being in an off state;
monitoring location information representative of an area within which the mobile node is currently located;
determining if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network based upon the monitoring step; and
if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network,turning on the second communication interface; and
effectuating a handoff of the mobile node from the first type of network to the second type of network via the second communication interface, wherein effectuating a handoff includes the mobile node connecting to the second type of network. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program product for handing off a mobile node, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
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a first executable portion for connecting the mobile node to a first type of network via a first communication interface of the mobile node, wherein the mobile node also includes a second communication interface, the second communication interface being in an off state;
a second executable portion for monitoring location information representative of an area within which the mobile node is currently located;
a third executable portion for determining if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network based upon the monitoring step;
a fourth executable portion for turning on the second communication interface; and
a fifth executable portion for effectuating a handoff of the mobile node from the first type of network to the second type of network via the second communication interface, wherein effectuating a handoff includes the mobile node connecting to the second type of network, wherein the fourth and fifth executable portions are adapted to turn on the second communication interface and effectuate a handoff if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A mobile node comprising:
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a first means for connecting the mobile node to a first type of network via a first communication interface of the mobile node, wherein the mobile node also includes a second communication interface, the second communication interface being in an off state;
a second means for monitoring location information representative of an area within which the mobile node is currently located;
a third means for determining if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network based upon the monitoring step;
a fourth means for turning on the second communication interface; and
a fifth means for effectuating a handoff of the mobile node from the first type of network to the second type of network via the second communication interface, wherein effectuating a handoff includes the mobile node connecting to the second type of network, wherein the fourth and fifth means are adapted to turn on the second communication interface and effectuate a handoff if the mobile node is currently located in an area associated with a second type of network. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification