Method and apparatus for handover in a wireless communication device between wireless domains

• US 20060223536A1
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Original Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Inventors: Chia, Si Tak Stanley
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/326 by proximity to another entity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for handover in a wireless communication device between wireless domains is described. In one example, a signal employing a short-range wireless protocol is detected at the wireless communication device. For example, the short-range wireless protocol may be a near-field communication (NFC) protocol, a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, an optical protocol, a BLUETOOTH protocol, and the like known in the art. A handover is requested from the first wireless domain to the second wireless domain in response to the detected signal. In one example, the signal may be broadcast by an access control system to a building and may be configured to control access to the building. In this manner, precise delineation of the handover boundary between wireless domains is provided.

Claims

1. A method of handover between a first wireless domain and a second wireless domain, comprising:

detecting a signal employing a short-range wireless protocol at a wireless device; and

requesting a handover from the first wireless domain to the second wireless domain in response to the signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting the signal within a localized zone;

wherein the signal is detected in response to the wireless device being located within the localized zone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is a passive signal detectable within a localized zone, and wherein the signal is detected in response to the wireless device being located within the localized zone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal includes a signature, and wherein the handover is requested based on the signature.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is configured for controlling access to a building.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless protocol comprises one of a near-field communication (NFC) protocol, a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, an optical protocol, and a BLUETOOTH protocol.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first wireless domain and the second wireless domain comprises one of a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network, a personal digital cellular network, and a wireless local area network (WLAN).

8. A wireless device, comprising:

a proximity communication interface for detecting a signal employing a short-range wireless protocol; and

a processor for requesting a handover from a first wireless domain to a second wireless domain in response to the signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the proximity communication interface is configured to detect the signal in response to the wireless device being located in a localized zone.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the signal comprises a passive signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the signal includes a signature, and wherein the processor is configured to request the handover based on the signature.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the signal is configured for controlling access to a building.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the short-range wireless protocol comprises one of a near-field communication protocol (NFC), a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, an optical protocol, and a BLUETOOTH protocol.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the first wireless domain and the second wireless domain comprises one of a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network, a personal digital cellular network, and a wireless local area network (WLAN).

15. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a first wireless domain;

a second wireless domain;

a proximity communication system for broadcasting a signal employing a short-range wireless protocol in a service area;

a wireless device having a proximity communication interface for detecting the signal and a processor for requesting a handover from the first wireless domain to the second wireless domain in response to the signal.

16. The systems of claim 15, wherein the signal includes a signature, and wherein the processor is configured to request the handover based on the signature.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

an access control system configured to control access to a building;

wherein the proximity communication system is disposed in the access control system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the signal is configured for controlling access to the building.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the short-range wireless protocol comprises one of a near-field communication protocol (NFC), a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, an optical protocol, and a BLUETOOTH protocol.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein each of the first wireless domain and the second wireless domain comprises one of a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network, a personal digital cellular network, and a wireless local area network (WLAN).