Seamless network interface selection, handoff and management in multi-IP network interface mobile devices

• US 20070030826A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telcordia Legacy Inc.
• Original Assignee: Telcordia Incorporated, Toshiba Corporation
• Inventors: Zhang, Tao, Baba, Shinichi, Kodama, Toshikazu, Tauil, Miriam, Byungsusk, Kim
• Granted Patent: US 7,835,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0011 for data sessions of end-to-end connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/24 Reselection being triggered by specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/36 by user or terminal equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/385 of the core network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• 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 Multi-Interface Mobility Management (MIMM) client is provided on a mobile Multi-Interface Device (MID) to support seamless network connectivity and switching of the MID. The MIMM client communicates with a MIMM Server. The MIMM Server collects information from MIMM Clients and provides information to the MIMM Clients pertaining to the network(s) to which the mobile MID has access, such as information concerning the availability of a network, the quality of network connectivity, etc. The MIMM Client is responsible for determining whether and when a handoff or roaming operation should be initiated by the mobile MID, and which network interface the mobile MID should use after the handoff/roam operation has been completed. The MIMM Client also is responsible for performing mobility-related functions that are required prior and subsequent to the handoff/roam operation. The MIMM Client uses the information received from the MIMM Server in order to make these determinations.

Claims

1. In a mobile multi-interface device (MID) having a plurality of network interfaces, the improvement comprising:

a multi-interface mobility management (MIMM) client residing on said MID, said MIMM client including an interface monitor that monitors status of said plurality of network interfaces, and a mobility manager that determines which one of said plurality of network interfaces should be used by said MID and when said MID should switch from one interface to another, using information from said interface monitor.

2. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of network interfaces provide access to a plurality of subnets, and said MIMM client further comprising at least one virtual subnet device corresponding to each of said plurality of subnets, said virtual subnet devices performing handoffs between network interfaces in response to signals from said mobility manager.

3. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobility manager further performs an interface configuration operation.

4. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mobility manager further performs user authentication and authorization operations.

5. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 1 wherein, in connection with determination of when said MID should switch from one interface to another, said mobility manager utilizes a plurality of predefined network signal threshold levels.

6. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 5, wherein said mobility manager activates a selected interface for a future handoff operation prior to said handoff operation being determined as being necessary.

7. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a minimum signal level that indicates an interface is available for use.

8. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a minimum signal level that indicates an interface is active.

9. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a minimum signal level that indicates an interface is stable, allowing alternate interfaces of said MID to be disconnected or turned off.

10. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 9, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a first threshold signal level that indicates that at least one alternate interface should be proactively prepared for a handoff operation, when a stable network signal level crosses below said first threshold signal level.

11. In a mobile MID as set forth in claim 8, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a second threshold signal level that indicates that an active interface has become inactive and a handoff operation should be performed, when an active network signal level crosses below said second threshold signal level.

12. In a wireless network, the improvement comprising a multi-interface mobility management (MIMM) server that collects information from mobile multi-interface devices (MIDs) each having a plurality of network interfaces, collects information from entities on other networks, and provides information to said mobile MIDs concerning whether and when to execute handoff operations to switch from an active network interface of said plurality of network interfaces to an alternative network interface of said plurality of network interfaces.

13. In a wireless network as set forth in claim 12, wherein information provided to said mobile MIDs includes information regarding network connectivity quality.

14. In a wireless network as set forth in claim 12, wherein information provided to said mobile MIDs includes proactive advice on whether and when to execute a handoff or roam operation into a particular network.

15. In a wireless network as set forth in claim 12, wherein information provided to said mobile MIDs includes reactive advice to execute an immediate handoff or roam operation from the active network into another network when active network connectivity conditions have deteriorated below a predetermined level or upon occurrence of an unexpected network event necessitating switching to another network.

16. In a wireless network as set forth in claim 12, wherein said MIMM server further communicates with a Real-Time Session (RTS) server to acquire information pertinent to network conditions.

17. In a wireless network as set forth in claim 16, wherein said RTS server is a SIP server.

18. A method of operating a mobile multi-interface device (MID) having a plurality of network interfaces, comprising the steps of:

selecting a candidate interface from among said plurality of network interfaces for connection to a corresponding network;

requesting network session information from a real time session client;

receiving a network session response from said real time session client;

requesting handoff session information from a multi-interface mobility management (MIMM) server located on a core network;

receiving a handoff session information response from said MIMM server; and

executing a handoff in accordance with said response from said MIMM server.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said MIMM server further requests subnet session information from a real-time session (RTS) server in response to receipt of said handoff session information request, receives a subnet session information response from said RTS server, and in accordance therewith returns said handoff session information response to said mobile MID.

20. A multi-interface mobility management system, comprising:

a mobile multi-interface device (MID) having a plurality of network interfaces;

a multi-interface mobility management (MIMM) client residing on said MID, said MIMM client including an interface monitor that monitors status of said plurality of network interfaces, and a mobility manager that determines which one of said plurality of network interfaces should be used by said MID and when said MID should switch from one interface to another, using information from said interface monitor and from a MIMM server; and

a multi-interface mobility management (MIMM) server that collects information from said mobile MIDs, collects information from entities on other networks, and provides information to said mobile MIDs concerning whether and when to execute handoff operations to switch from an active network interface of said plurality of network interfaces to an alternative network interface of said plurality of network interfaces.

21. A multi-interface mobility management system set forth in claim 20, wherein said plurality of network interfaces provide access to a plurality of subnets, and said MIMM client further comprising at least one virtual subnet device corresponding to each of said plurality of subnets, said virtual subnet devices performing handoffs between network interfaces in response to signals from said mobility manager.

22. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said mobility manager further performs an interface configuration operation.

23. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said mobility manager further performs user authentication and authorization operations.

24. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20 wherein, in connection with determination of when said MID should switch from one interface to another, said mobility manager utilizes a plurality of predefined network signal threshold levels.

25. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said mobility manager activates a selected interface for a future handoff operation prior to said handoff operation being determined as being necessary.

26. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a minimum signal level that indicates an interface is available for use.

27. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a minimum signal level that indicates an interface is active.

28. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 24, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a minimum signal level that indicates an interface is stable, allowing alternate interfaces of said MID to be disconnected or turned off.

29. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 28, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a first threshold signal level that indicates that at least one alternate interface should be proactively prepared for a handoff operation, when a stable network signal level crosses below said first threshold signal level.

30. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 27, wherein said plurality of predefined signal threshold levels comprises a second threshold signal level that indicates that an active interface has become inactive and a handoff operation should be performed, when an active network signal level crosses below said second threshold signal level.

31. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said MIMM server further communicates with a Real-Time Session (RTS) server to acquire information pertinent to network conditions.

32. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 31, wherein wherein said RTS server is a SIP server.

33. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20, wherein information provided to said mobile MIDs includes information regarding network connectivity quality.

34. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20, wherein information provided to said mobile MIDs includes proactive advice on whether and when to execute a handoff or roam operation into a particular network.

35. A multi-interface mobility management system as set forth in claim 20, wherein information provided to said mobile MIDs includes reactive advice to execute an immediate handoff or roam operation from the active network into another network when active network connectivity conditions have deteriorated below a predetermined level or upon occurrence of an unexpected network event necessitating switching to another network.