Voice call continuity in hybrid networks
First Claim
1. A method for providing voice call continuity in a hybrid network comprising loosely coupled network portions, the network portions including at least a mobile operator network and a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a call from a mobile user equipment that accesses the hybrid network over a connection to one of the network portions;
anchoring both a media path and a signal path for the call in the VoIP network irrespective of the call'"'"'s point of origin or point of termination in the hybrid network, the anchored call including an original call leg;
generating a voice call continuity identifier for the call, the voice call continuity identifier being unique for each call on the mobile user equipment;
upon initiation of a decision to perform a handover, implementing a new connection to one of the network portions;
creating a new call leg over the new connection; and
associating the voice call continuity identifier with each of the original call leg and new call leg so that the legs are connectable at a common port in the VoIP network.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Voice call continuity is provided for calls that are carried over a hybrid network infrastructure in which access connections are distributed over loosely coupled network portions including a backend network such as a core VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service network, one or more cellular mobile networks, and a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The calls are routed through the core VoIP network regardless of their points of origination or termination in other network portions so that signaling and call context are anchored in the core VoIP network. The conditions under which user equipment operate are continuously monitored so that when a connection is determined to have been unacceptably degraded or is likely to be interrupted, and/or a more optimal connection is available, a handover of the call to another connection is initiated so that call continuity is maintained using the lowest cost connection that provides acceptable call quality.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing voice call continuity in a hybrid network comprising loosely coupled network portions, the network portions including at least a mobile operator network and a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call from a mobile user equipment that accesses the hybrid network over a connection to one of the network portions; anchoring both a media path and a signal path for the call in the VoIP network irrespective of the call'"'"'s point of origin or point of termination in the hybrid network, the anchored call including an original call leg; generating a voice call continuity identifier for the call, the voice call continuity identifier being unique for each call on the mobile user equipment; upon initiation of a decision to perform a handover, implementing a new connection to one of the network portions; creating a new call leg over the new connection; and associating the voice call continuity identifier with each of the original call leg and new call leg so that the legs are connectable at a common port in the VoIP network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A mobile user equipment, comprising:
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at least one processor; and memory operatively coupled to the processor and storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, implement a voice call continuity client that performs a method comprising the steps of; participating in a call over a connection to a hybrid network having loosely coupled network portions including a mobile operator network, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network, and a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), the call including an original call leg that is anchored in the VoIP network, receiving a voice call continuity (VCC) identifier from the hybrid network, the VCC identifier being unique for each active and on-hold call on the mobile user equipment; making a handover decision to hand over the call to a new call leg, and initiating creation of a new call leg to the anchor point of the original call using the voice call continuity identifier. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a mobile operator network portion of a hybrid network having two or more loosely coupled network portions comprising at least two of mobile operator network portion, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network portion, or a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) portion, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call from a mobile user equipment, the mobile user equipment using a voice call continuity identifier as the called number, the voice call continuity identifier being generated by a VoIP network portion of the hybrid network, being unique for each call on the mobile user equipment, and identifying the VoIP network portion as the recipient of the call; and routing a call to the VoIP network portion of the hybrid network based on the voice call continuity identifier so that the call is anchored in the VoIP network. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification