Dual-Mode Handoff Agent for Wireless Network Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-mode wireless communication devices face challenges in efficiently handoff communications between different wireless networks, such as WiFi and cellular networks, due to high communication overhead, costly adjunct roaming servers, and security concerns, as well as the complexity of implementing changes in service offerings or system functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode mobile communications device with a standalone client-side application that directly controls the handoff between wireless networks by executing Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and ISDN User Part (ISUP) messages, allowing for the modification of communications channels from VoIP or circuit-switched media streams to establish new connections without relying on adjunct servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adjunct roaming servers are used to manage handoffs between wireless networks, then call processing functionality is maintained, but communication overhead increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the handoff control functionality from the network-side adjunct roaming server and relocates it to the mobile device's client application. This extraction eliminates the need for continuous server communication during handoffs, reducing communication overhead while maintaining reliable call processing through local autonomous decision-making at the device level.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs handoff operations autonomously using a client application that directly controls the handoff process between wireless networks. This self-service approach allows the device to manage its own network transitions without requiring network infrastructure support, thereby reducing communication overhead and operational costs while maintaining call processing reliability.
2Reliability
If adjunct roaming servers are deployed for handoff management, then network control is maintained, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the costly server infrastructure requirement by implementing handoff control entirely within the mobile device's client application. This eliminates the need for deployed adjunct roaming servers, thereby maintaining network control capabilities while removing the ongoing operational costs associated with server deployment, maintenance, and management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If changes to service offerings are implemented through adjunct servers, then functionality is updated, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional model where servers control service functionality and instead places the service control logic within the mobile device's client application. This inversion allows service offering changes to be implemented by updating the client application on devices, eliminating the complex server-side changes and coordination required in traditional architectures, thereby reducing implementation complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for operating a standalone client in a dual-mode mobile communications device to hand off a call between first and second wireless networks operating under different communications protocols, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and ISDN User Part (ISUP) signalling. The standalone client-side application, or handoff agent, directly controls handoff of the call to the second wireless network until at least one new media stream to connect the dual-mode mobile communications device to the second device is established over the second wireless network. The standalone client-side application solely originates and controls an exchange of messages at the application layer, the exchange of messages modifying the communications channel.