Handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning
First Claim
1. A method for hand-off of a network communication session using background network scanning, the method comprising:
- in a device,establishing a communication path via a first wireless network for communicating, during a network communication session, an information stream via the first wireless network;
detecting a second wireless network using background network scanning;
determining service characteristics of the second wireless network from an access point of the second wireless network;
determining a transmission delay of the second wireless network, in response to a predetermined criteria being met by the service characteristics of the second wireless network, wherein determining the transmission delay comprises;
establishing a communication path via the second wireless network, andcommunicating a portion of the information stream via the second wireless network;
comparing transmission delay of the first wireless network and the transmission delay of the second wireless network;
deciding to hand-off communication of the network communication session to the second wireless network based on the comparison, wherein the hand-off comprises switching communication of the information stream via the second wireless network; and
after comparing and deciding, handing-off communication of the network communication session to the second wireless network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system supporting handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning is disclosed. A mobile multimedia handset may engage in the exchange of a multimedia information stream via a first wireless network, and may sniff a portion of radio frequency spectrum for a second wireless network. Information about available services and network quality of service for the second network may be received by querying the second wireless network or from advertising by the second wireless network. Hand-off between the two networks may be based upon the results of the comparison and one or more user-defined criteria, and the handoff may be synchronized according to predefined events in the stream of multimedia information.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for hand-off of a network communication session using background network scanning, the method comprising:
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in a device, establishing a communication path via a first wireless network for communicating, during a network communication session, an information stream via the first wireless network; detecting a second wireless network using background network scanning; determining service characteristics of the second wireless network from an access point of the second wireless network; determining a transmission delay of the second wireless network, in response to a predetermined criteria being met by the service characteristics of the second wireless network, wherein determining the transmission delay comprises; establishing a communication path via the second wireless network, and communicating a portion of the information stream via the second wireless network; comparing transmission delay of the first wireless network and the transmission delay of the second wireless network; deciding to hand-off communication of the network communication session to the second wireless network based on the comparison, wherein the hand-off comprises switching communication of the information stream via the second wireless network; and after comparing and deciding, handing-off communication of the network communication session to the second wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A mobile access device supporting hand-off of a stream of user multimedia information using background network scanning, the device comprising:
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a wireless interface; and a processor;
wherein,the wireless interface is configured to; establish communication of multimedia information via a first wireless network; and to detect a second wireless network; the processor is configured to, responsive to the detection of the second wireless network; determine service characteristics of the second wireless network; determine performance characteristics of the second wireless network responsive to the service characteristics satisfying a predetermined user-criteria; and
wherein the processor, to determine performance characteristics of the second wireless network, is further configured to;
initiate communication of a portion of the multimedia information via the second wireless network;
monitor the performance characteristics of the second wireless network;
compare the one or more performance characteristics of the second wireless network to one or more performance characteristics of the first wireless network; and
hand off the communication of the multimedia information from the first wireless network to the second wireless network, based on the comparison; andhand off the communication of the multimedia information from the first wireless network to the second wireless network, responsive to the performance characteristics satisfying a predetermined performance criteria. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. One or more circuits for use in a handheld communication device supporting hand-off of a multimedia call session using background network scanning, the one or more circuits comprising:
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at least one processor operably coupled to circuitry for communicating via a first wireless network and a second wireless network, the at least one processor operable to, at least; communicate a multimedia information stream via the first wireless network; detect the second wireless network wherein at least one processor is further operable to;
determine one or more performance characteristics of the first wireless network during communication of the multimedia information stream;
responsive to the detection of the second wireless network, communication a portion of the multimedia information stream via the second wireless network and determine one or more performance characteristics of the second wireless network;
compare the one or more performance characteristics of the first wireless network and the one or more performance characteristics of the second wireless network; and
hand-off communication of the multimedia information stream to the second wireless network based on the comparison; andsimulcast the multimedia information stream via the first wireless network and the second wireless network; identify a synchronization point in the multimedia information stream; and hand-off communication of the multimedia information stream from the first wireless network to the second wireless network in response to the identification of the synchronization point. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification