Method and apparatus for reducing latency during wireless connectivity changes
First Claim
1. A method for effecting a handover of a data flow for a mobile station from a first wireless access point to a second wireless access point, the method comprising:
- detecting, by a processor, indicia of a change in wireless connectivity of the mobile station with respect to the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point, wherein the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point share a common subnet and wherein the change in wireless connectivity is associated with a handover of the data flow for the mobile station to the second wireless access point from the first wireless access point;
establishing a temporary data tunnel between the first and second wireless access point; and
automatically establishing a path for the data flow for the mobile station between the second wireless access point and a network element that is hierarchically differentiated from the second wireless access point, wherein automatically establishing comprises, at least in part, automatically sending a registration request from the second wireless access point to the network element other than in response to a specific request from the mobile station to send the registration request, wherein automatically sending the registration request from the second wireless access point to the network element comprises automatically sending, prior to completion of the change in wireless connectivity, the registration request from the second wireless access point to the network element in response to a specific message having been received by the second wireless access point as transmitted by the first wireless access point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless access point (102) detects an indicia of a change in wireless connectivity of a mobile station (101) with respect to itself and another wireless access point (103). The wireless access point then automatically effects at least one of establishing a communication between itself and the second wireless access point regarding the change in wireless connectivity and/or establishing a temporary data tunnel as between itself and the second wireless access point. These network elements can also act to automatically establish a data flow path for the mobile station as between the second wireless access point and a network element (such as a mobility management agent (105)) that is external to the common subnet. In a preferred approach this comprises, at least in part, automatically sending a registration request to the network element other than in response to a specific request from the mobile station to send such a registration request.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for effecting a handover of a data flow for a mobile station from a first wireless access point to a second wireless access point, the method comprising:
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detecting, by a processor, indicia of a change in wireless connectivity of the mobile station with respect to the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point, wherein the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point share a common subnet and wherein the change in wireless connectivity is associated with a handover of the data flow for the mobile station to the second wireless access point from the first wireless access point; establishing a temporary data tunnel between the first and second wireless access point; and automatically establishing a path for the data flow for the mobile station between the second wireless access point and a network element that is hierarchically differentiated from the second wireless access point, wherein automatically establishing comprises, at least in part, automatically sending a registration request from the second wireless access point to the network element other than in response to a specific request from the mobile station to send the registration request, wherein automatically sending the registration request from the second wireless access point to the network element comprises automatically sending, prior to completion of the change in wireless connectivity, the registration request from the second wireless access point to the network element in response to a specific message having been received by the second wireless access point as transmitted by the first wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A wireless access point for use in a communication network comprising a local subnet that comprises a plurality of wireless access points, the wireless access point comprising:
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a change in wireless connectivity detector responsive to indicia of a change in wireless connectivity of a mobile station with respect to another wireless access point, wherein the another wireless access point comprises a part of the local subnet and wherein the change in wireless connectivity is associated with a handover of a data flow for the mobile station to the wireless access point from the another wireless access point; a data flow path establishment unit that is responsive to the change in wireless connectivity detector wherein the data flow path establishment unit is configured and arranged to; establish a temporary data tunnel between the wireless access point and the another wireless access point; and automatically establish a path for the data flow for the mobile station between the wireless access point and the another wireless access point; a registration request module; and a transmitter operably coupled to the registration request module and being configured and arranged to transmit, as part of the handover of the data flow to the wireless access point from the another wireless access point, a registration request to a network element that is external to the local subnet other than in response to a specific request from the mobile station to send the registration request, wherein transmitting the registration request to the network element comprises automatically transmitting, prior to completion of the change in wireless connectivity, the registration request to the network element in response to a specific message having been received by the wireless access point as transmitted by the another wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification