Mobility management for mobile hosts

• US 6,990,339 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2001
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Turányi, Zoltán, Valkó, András
• Primary Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US10/381,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20030228868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,575 Days
• Field of Search: 4554321-4352, 455/439, 455/466, 455/558, 455/436, 370/331, 370/395.21, 370/310.2, 370/352, 370/399
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/50 Address allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0019 adapted for mobile IP [MIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/082 for traffic bypassing of mobility servers, e.g. location registers, home PLMNs or home agents
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system having a mobile host (1) which can attach to different access networks (3A, 3B) for carrying on an active communications session with a correspondent host (2). The mobile host (1) has an identifier (NAI) which is independent of the access network (3A, 3B) to which the mobile host (1) is attached, but is assigned a communication address(IP Address) for carrying on an active communications session with a correspondent host (2), which address changes for example depending on the access network (3A, 3B) to which the mobile host (1) is attached. The system has a database (UNS User Name Service) which registers the association of the mobile host identifier (NAI) and the current communications address (IP address) of the mobile host (1). The correspondent host (2) is informed of the identifier (NAI) of the mobile host (1) when an active communications session is first established between the mobile host (1) and the correspondent host (2), and the correspondent host (2) accesses the database (UNS) to determine the current communications address of the mobile host (1). In accordance with the present invention, the mobile host (1) is engaged in an active communications session: detects when the communications address (IP address) of the mobile host (1) changes, for example as a result of attachment of the mobile host (1) to a different access network (3A, 3B): and upon detection of such a change of the communications address (IP address), sends a message (HANDOVER MESSAGE) to the recorded correspondent host (2), the message containing the mobile host'"'"'s (1) identifier (NAI). The correspondent host (2) then uses the identifier (NAI) to access the database (UNS) to obtain the changed communications address (IP address) of the mobile host (1). The invention also provides related methods and mobile hosts.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining an active communications session between a mobile host and a correspondent host, said mobile host served by a particular one of a plurality of access networks and capable of moving into a geographical area being served by a different access network and being served by said different access network, said method comprising the steps of:

assigning an identifier to said mobile host wherein said identifier is independent of said access network currently serving said mobile host;

assigning a network address to said mobile host for establishing a communication session with said correspondent host wherein said network address is dependent on said access network currently serving said mobile host and changeable when said mobile host is later served by a different access network;

registering data with a network database wherein said data correlates said assigned identifier with said assigned network address for said mobile host;

informing said correspondent host of said identifier when an active communication session is first established between said mobile host and said correspondent host wherein said network address assigned to said mobile host is accessible by said correspondent host when said identifier is provided by said correspondent host to said network database;

storing a second network address identifying said correspondent host within said mobile host, said correspondent host currently maintaining a communication session with said mobile host;

detecting said network address assigned to the mobile host being changed in response to said mobile host being served by a different access network; and

sending a message to said correspondent host indicating the change of said network address wherein said message is identified with said identifier.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of said mobile host updating said network database with said changed network address.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of said correspondent host communicating with said network database to obtain the changed network address in response to receiving said message.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said message further includes the changed network address.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said correspondent host uses said changed network address to further maintain said communication session with said mobile host in response to receiving said message.

6. A mobile host for maintaining an active communications session with a correspondent host over an packet based telecommunications network wherein said packet based telecommunications network includes a network database, and said mobile host is served by a particular one of a plurality of access networks and canable of moving into a geographical area being served by a different access network and being served by said different access network, said mobile host comprising:

an identifier associated with said mobile host wherein said identifier is independent of said access network currently serving said mobile host;

a network address associated with said mobile host for establishing a communication session with said correspondent host wherein said network address is dependent on said access network currently serving said mobile host and changeable when said mobile host is later served by a different access network;

wherein said mobile host registers data with said network database wherein said data correlates said assigned identifier with said assigned network address for said mobile host;

means for informing said correspondent host of said identifier when an active communication session is first established between said mobile host and said correspondent host wherein said network address assigned to said mobile host is accessible by said correspondent host when said identifier is provided by said correspondent host to said network database; and

a control unit for storing a second network address identifying said correspondent host, said correspondent host currently maintaining a communication session with said mobile host wherein said control unit detecting said network address assigned to the mobile host being changed in response to said mobile host being served by a different access network and sending a message to said correspondent host indicating the change of said network address wherein said message is identified with said identifier.

7. The mobile host of claim 6 further updating said network database with said changed network address.

8. The mobile host of claim 6 wherein said message further includes the changed network address.

9. A packet based telecommunication network for establishing a communication session between a mobile host capable of being served by a plurality of access networks and a correspondent host, comprising:

means for assigning a first identifier to said mobile host wherein said first identifier is independent of said access networks;

means for assigning a second identifier to said mobile host when said mobile host is being served by a particular one of said access networks wherein said second identifier is dependent on said access network currently serving said mobile host;

a network database associated with said packet based telecommunication network for storing a record correlating said first identifier with said second identifier, wherein said network database provides said second identifier in response to a request being received with said first identifier;

transmitting means for communicating a message transmitted by said mobile host informing said correspondent host of said first identifier when an active communication session is first established between said mobile host and said correspondent host;

means for informing said correspondent host of said second identifier by said network database in response to said network database receiving a request from said correspondent host wherein said request includes said first identifier, wherein the mobile host further comprises

a control unit for storing a network address associated with said correspondent host, said correspondent host currently maintaining a communication session with said mobile host and said control unit further detecting said second identifier being changed to a changed identifier in response to said mobile host being served by a different access network and sending a message to said correspondent host indicating the change of said second identifier wherein said message includes said first identifier.

10. The packet based telecommunication network of claim 9 further comprising means for updating the network database with a changed identifier and correlating said changed identifier with the first identifier.

11. The packet based telecommunication network of claim 9 further comprising means for communicating the changed identifier to said correspondent host in response to receiving a second request from said correspondent host.

12. The packet based telecommunication network of claim 9 wherein said message further includes said changed identifier.

13. The packet based telecommunication network of claim 9 wherein said correspondent host uses said changed identifier to further maintain said communication session with said mobile host in response to receiving said message.