System and Method for Redirecting Messages to an Active Interface of a Multiple-Interface Device

• US 20100284317A1
• Filed: 04/09/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IP Edge LLC
• Original Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Xiang, Justin Zengjun, Han, James, Chan, H. Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,730,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/005 Multiple registrations, e.g. multihoming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a first network configured to communicate with a first interface of a multi-interface user device is disclosed. The first network receives a first message from the user device, where the first message requests that messages for the user device be forwarded via a second network. The first network receives a second message for user device and forwards the second message to the second network.

Claims

1. A method of operating a first network configured to communicate with a first interface of a multi-interface user device, the method comprising:

the first network receiving a first message from the user device, the first message requesting that messages for the user device be forwarded via a second network;

the first network receiving a second message for user device; and

the first network forwarding the second message to the second network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the forwarding the second message comprises establishing a link to the second network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein establishing the link to the second network comprises establishing a binding between the first network and the second network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network forwarding the second message to the second network is performed by a Home Agent coupled to a router of the first network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network forwarding the second message to the second network comprises using IP-in-IP tunneling.

6. A method of operating a first network configured to communicate with a first interface of a multi-interface user device, the method comprising:

receiving a forwarded message from a second network for the multi-interface user device;

forwarding the message to the first interface of the multi-interface user device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a binding request from the second network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method is performed on a base station processor.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving comprises a Home Agent of the first network receiving the message from a Home Agent of the second network.

10. A method of operating a user device comprising a first interface operating on a first network and a second interface operating on a second network, the method comprising:

shutting down the second interface, shutting down the second interface comprising

the second interface transmitting a redirect request to the second network, the redirect request requesting the second network to forward messages to the first interface,

placing the second interface in a state unreachable by the second network, and

placing the first interface in a state reachable by the first network.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

the first interface receiving a forwarded message from the second network;

the second interface turning on in response to the forwarded message, turning on comprising placing the second interface in a state reachable by the second network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first interface receiving the forwarded message from the second network comprises a receiving the forwarded message via the first network and a third network using internet protocol (IP) mobility.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the redirect request further requesting the second network to forward messages to the first interface via the first network.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the redirect request to the second network comprises making a binding request.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the state unreachable by the second network comprises a powered off state; and

the state reachable by the first network comprises a sleep state.

16. A wireless communication system comprising a forwarding agent on the first network, the forwarding agent configured to:

communicate with a first interface of a multi-interface user device;

receive a first message from the user device, the first message requesting that messages for the user device be forwarded via a second network,

receive a second message for the user device; and

forward the second message to the second network.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the forwarding agent is further configured to:

receive a third message for the user device from the second network;

forward the third message to the first interface of the user device.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the forwarding agent comprises a processor, the processor configured to process the first and second messages.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the forwarding agent is configured to establish a communication link with the second network.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the forwarding agent comprises a processor coupled to a router of the first network.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 16, wherein the forwarding agent is configured to communicate with the user device via a first base station on the first network.

22. A wireless user device comprising:

a first interface configured to communicate with a first network; and

a second interface configured to communicate with a second network, wherein the wireless user device is configured to

transmit a redirect request to the second network, the redirect request requesting the second network to forward messages to the first interface,

place the second interface in a state unreachable by the second network, and

place the first interface in a state reachable by the first network.

23. The wireless user device of claim 22, wherein the wireless user device is further configured to:

receive a forwarded message from the second network at the first interface; and

activate the second interface in response to the forwarded message.

24. The wireless user device of claim 22, wherein

the state unreachable by the second network comprises a powered off state;

and

the state reachable by the first network comprises a sleep state.

25. The wireless user device of claim 22, wherein the wireless user device comprises a cellular phone.