MOBILITY IN A MULTI-ACCESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

• US 20140040486A1
• Filed: 10/03/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Christie, Samuel H. IV
• Granted Patent: US 9,191,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/24 Multipath
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/12 based on transmission quality or channel quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/17 Selecting a data network PoA [Point of Attachment]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a terminal capable of establishing multiple communication sessions with a public network proxy through different access networks. The terminal actively communicates with the public network proxy to control which of the multiple communication paths are active, as well as control the transition from actively using one communication path to using another. The public network proxy facilitates data and voice sessions between the terminal and any number of other communication devices. In one embodiment, the communication sessions are reserved tunneling sessions, and the terminal cooperates with the public network proxy to effectively control how many tunneling sessions are established, how many tunneling sessions are active at any given time, and the transition from one tunneling session to another for active communications. Each of the communication or tunneling sessions may be established over different access networks using different communication technologies and protocols.

Claims

1. A mobile device for managing multiple flows of communications packets over a plurality of access networks comprising:

communication circuitry that facilitates communications with the plurality of access networks; and

a control system associated with the communication circuitry configured to;

establish a first communications session, via a first access network, with a network proxy;

establish a second communications session, via a second access network with the network proxy; and

route a first portion of communications packets through the first communications session; and

route a second portion of the communications packets through the second communications session.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the communications packets and the second portion of the communications packets are different.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the communications packets and the second portion of the communications packets are identical.

4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first portion and second portion of the communications packets are communicated simultaneously over the first and second communications sessions.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, the control system further configured to:

transition a flow of the communications packets from the first access network to the second access network.

6. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein a decision to perform the transition is based on cost or quality of service characteristics.

7. The mobile device of claim 5, the control system further configured to:

discontinue use of the first access network after the transition to the second access network.

8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to cause the communications packets to be routed over a packet network to communications devices comprising voice and data applications.

9. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the communications packets and the second portion of the communications packets are associated with the same voice or data application.

10. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the communications packets and the second portion of the communications packets are associated with different voice or data applications.

11. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first access network is a cellular access network.

12. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the second access network is a wireless local area network (WLAN).

13. A method for switching multiple flows of communications packets between a mobile device and multiple access networks, the method comprising:

establishing a first communications session between the mobile device and a first access network of the multiple access networks;

establishing a second communications session between the mobile device and a second access network of the multiple access networks;

routing a flow of the communications packets through the first communications session; and

deciding to transition the flow of the communications packets from the first communications session to the second communications session.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the deciding to perform the transition is performed by the mobile device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the deciding to perform the transition is based on a service characteristic.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the deciding to perform the transition is based on a service characteristic related to cost.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the deciding to perform the transition, based on the service characteristic related to cost, is performed by the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the deciding to perform the transition is based on the service characteristic related to quality of service.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the deciding to perform the transition, based on the service characteristic related to quality of service, is performed by the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the service characteristic related to quality of service is an observed characteristic of communication errors, transmission rates, or quality of service issues.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the observed characteristic of communication errors, transmission rates, or quality of service issues is observed by the mobile device.