Soft handoff across different networks assisted by an end-to-end application protocol
First Claim
1. A method, operable by a first user terminal, for communicating across different networks, the method comprising:
- communicating in a call between the first user terminal and a second user terminal using a first communication link through a first network;
negotiating between the first user terminal and the second user terminal to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the second user terminal;
determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria;
establishing the second communication link through the second network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal;
sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call;
dropping the first communication link; and
continuing the call using the second communication link.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for soft handoff across different networks is disclosed. A first communication link through a first network is used for communicating between a first user agent and a second user agent. The user agents negotiate to use a second communication link for the same call. The second communication link is established through a second network between the first user agent and the second user agent while maintaining the first communication link. Related data is sent through the first communication link and the second communication link such that the related data is for the same call. The first communication link is dropped and communication is continued using the second communication link.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method, operable by a first user terminal, for communicating across different networks, the method comprising:
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communicating in a call between the first user terminal and a second user terminal using a first communication link through a first network; negotiating between the first user terminal and the second user terminal to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the second user terminal; determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; establishing the second communication link through the second network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal; sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; dropping the first communication link; and continuing the call using the second communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, operable by a network application gateway, for communicating across different networks, the method comprising:
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communicating in a call between a first user terminal and a second user terminal using a first communication link through a first network; negotiating between the first user terminal and the second user terminal to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the second user terminal; determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; establishing the second communication link through the second network between a third user terminal and the second user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal; sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; dropping the first communication link; and continuing the call using the second communication link between the third user terminal and the second user terminal.
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16. A first user terminal for communicating across different networks, the first user terminal comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor cooperatively configured to; communicate in a call with a second user terminal using a first communication link through a first network; negotiate with the second user terminal use of a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the second user terminal; determine that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; establish the second communication link through the second network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network with the second user terminal; send related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; drop the first communication link; and continue the call using the second communication link. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A network application gateway for communicating across different networks, the network application gateway comprising:
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a processor; a memory coupled to the processor cooperatively configured to; enable communications in a call between a first user terminal and a legacy user terminal using a first communication link through a first network; negotiate between the first user terminal and the legacy user terminal to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the legacy user terminal; determine that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; establish the second communication link through the second network between the first user terminal and the legacy user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first user terminal and the legacy user terminal; send related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call, while maintaining one communication link with the legacy user terminal; drop the first communication link; and continue the call using the second communication link.
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29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method in a communication device, the method comprising:
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communicating in a call between a first user terminal and a second user terminal using a first communication link through a first network; negotiating between the first user terminal and the second user terminal to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the second user terminal; determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; establishing the second communication link through the second network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal; sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; dropping the first communication link; and continuing the call using the second communication link. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method in a communication device, the method comprising:
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communicating in a call between a first user terminal and a second user terminal using a first communication link through a first network; negotiating between the first user terminal and the second user terminal to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first user terminal and the second user terminal; determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; establishing the second communication link through the second network between a third user terminal and the second user terminal while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first user terminal and the second user terminal; sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; dropping the first communication link; and continuing the call using the second communication link between the third user terminal and the second user terminal.
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43. A first communication device for communicating across different networks, the first communication device comprising:
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means for communicating in a call with a second communication device using a first communication link through a first network; means for negotiating with the second communication device to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first communication device and the second communication device; means for determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; means for establishing the second communication link through the second network with the second communication device while maintaining the first communication link through the first network with the second communication device; means for sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; means for dropping the first communication link; and means for continuing the call using the second communication link. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A network application gateway for communicating across different networks, the network application gateway comprising:
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means for communicating in a call between a first communication device and a second communication device using a first communication link through a first network; means for negotiating between the first communication device and the second communication device to use a second communication link through a second network for the call, wherein the call originates at one of the first communication device and the second communication device; means for determining that the second network is preferred over the first network based on at least one of network preference criteria; means for establishing the second communication link through the second network between a third communication device and the second communication device while maintaining the first communication link through the first network between the first communication device and the second communication device; means for sending related data through the first communication link in the first network and through the second communication link in the second network such that the related data is for the call; means for dropping the first communication link; and means for continuing the call using the second communication link between the third communication device and the second communication device.
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Specification