Layer 3 Handoff via Parallel Information Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile service technologies experience significant delays during layer 3 handoffs in mobile access networks, leading to service interruptions that negatively impact user perception of service quality, as they rely on sequential information flow between layer 2 and layer 3 points of attachment.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where handoff indicative information is shared between layer 2 and layer 3 points of attachment in parallel, allowing the layer 3 point of attachment to receive information from mobile devices and proactively facilitate handoffs by requesting available points of attachment from a mobility anchor and arranging paths for seamless transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sequential handoff procedures are used where layer 3 receives information after layer 2 processing, then network control and stability are maintained, but handoff delays increase and service continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidhandoff delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the layer 3 point of attachment to receive handoff indicative information from the mobile device in advance and simultaneously with layer 2, allowing it to proactively request available layer 3 points of attachment from the mobility anchor and arrange paths before the handoff is complete, thereby reducing handoff delay while maintaining service continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a parallel information flow dimension by establishing a direct communication path from the mobile device to the layer 3 point of attachment that operates independently and simultaneously with the traditional layer 2 handoff function, allowing both layers to process handoff information in parallel rather than sequentially

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If layer 3 waits for layer 2 to complete handoff processing before receiving information, then processing order is maintained, but service interruption becomes perceptible to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice quality perceptionVSAvoidservice interruption duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The layer 3 point of attachment performs preliminary actions by receiving handoff indicative information and arranging paths to new layer 3 points of attachment before the handoff process completes, ensuring that service packets can be immediately redirected without perceptible interruption to the end user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining parallel information flows between layer 2 and layer 3 throughout the handoff process, allowing service packets to continue flowing without interruption while the mobile device transitions between access networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8797995B2Device-assisted layer 3 handoff for mobile services

Publication Date: 2014.08.05 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, an apparatus can include: (i) a layer 3 point of attachment having an input configured to receive handoff indicative information from a mobile device substantially in parallel with the handoff indicative information being received in a layer 2 handoff function; and (ii) logic configured to perform a handoff facilitating action in response to the handoff indicative information.