U.S. patent application number 14/872932 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for systems and methods for enhanced network handoff to wireless local area networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Santosh Paul Abraham, George Cherian.
Application Number | 20160037415 14/872932 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49755854 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160037415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abraham; Santosh Paul ; et
al. |
February 4, 2016 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED NETWORK HANDOFF TO WIRELESS LOCAL
AREA NETWORKS
Abstract
A method of managing a wireless device includes receiving
location information via a wireless wide area network interface and
identifying a set of access points within connection range of the
wireless device via a wireless local area network interface using
the location information. The method also includes transmitting
information associated with the set of access points to the
wireless device via the wireless wide area network interface and
transmitting station information associated with the wireless
device to an access point within connection range of the wireless
device. The method further includes initiating a handoff of the
wireless device from the wireless wide area network interface to
the wireless local area network interface via the access point
based on the information and the station information.
Inventors: |
Abraham; Santosh Paul; (San
Diego, CA) ; Cherian; George; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49755854 |
Appl. No.: |
14/872932 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13835070 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
|
|
|
14872932 |
|
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|
|
61661713 |
Jun 19, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/00 20130101; H04W
36/08 20130101; H04W 36/0061 20130101; H04W 12/0609 20190101; H04W
88/16 20130101; H04W 36/0066 20130101; H04W 36/14 20130101; H04W
84/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 36/14 20060101
H04W036/14; H04W 12/06 20060101 H04W012/06; H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02 |
Claims
1. A method of managing a wireless device, the method comprising:
receiving a set of location information for the wireless device via
a wireless wide area network interface; identifying a set of access
points within connection range of the wireless device via a
wireless local area network interface using the set of location
information; transmitting a set of access point information
associated with the set of access points to the wireless device via
the wireless wide area network interface; transmitting a set of
station information associated with the wireless device to at least
one access point in the set of access points within connection
range of the wireless device; and initiating a handoff of the
wireless device from the wireless wide area network interface to
the wireless local area network interface via the at least one
access point based on the set of access point information and the
set of station information.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless wide area network
interface comprises a cellular network interface.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cellular network interface is
configured to connect to at least one of a third generation (3G)
network, a fourth generation (4G) network, a code division multiple
access (CDMA) network, a time division multiple access (TDMA)
network, or a long-term evolution (LTE) network.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of station information
comprises station (STA) information associated with the wireless
device, the STA information comprising at least one of media access
control (MAC) information associated with the wireless device, key
information associated with the wireless device, or Internet
protocol (IP) address information associated with the wireless
device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of access point
information comprises at least one of media access control (MAC)
information associated with the at least one access point, a set of
channel information associated with the at least one access point,
a set of service set identification (SSID) information associated
with the at least one access point, or cost information for data
link access through the at least one access point.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a set of
security key information to the wireless device and the at least
one access point.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising initiating a fast
authentication process between the wireless device and the at least
one access point based on the set of security key information.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of location information
comprises at least one of location information captured via global
positioning system (GPS) data, base station pilot data, geographic
cell identifier data, cellular network data, Doppler effect data,
or signal strength data.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the receiving a
set of location information, transmitting a set of access point
information, or the transmitting a set of station information
comprises initiating a transmission over a secure transmission link
with the wireless device.
10. A method of configuring data connections on a wireless device,
the method comprising: transmitting a set of location information
for the wireless device via a wireless wide area network interface
to a wireless handoff gateway; receiving, in the wireless device
from the wireless handoff gateway, a set of access point
information associated with a set of access points within
connection range of the wireless device via a wireless local area
network; transmitting a set of station information associated with
the wireless device to the wireless handoff gateway; identifying at
least one access point in the set of access points to establish a
data connection for the wireless device via the wireless local area
network; and transitioning the data connection of the wireless
device from the wireless wide area network interface to a wireless
local area network interface via the at least one access point in
the set of access points.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmitting the set of
location information comprises at least one of transmitting the set
of location information at predetermined intervals, or transmitting
the set of location information on an event-triggered basis.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of location information
comprises at least one of location information captured via global
positioning system (GPS) data, base station pilot data, geographic
cell identifier data, cellular network data, Doppler effect data,
or signal strength data.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the transitioning the data
connection comprises performing an authentication process with the
at least one access point based on the set of access point
information and the set of station information.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the authentication process
comprises a fast authentication process.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fast authentication process
comprises at least one of an Otway Rees protocol, or an Extensible
Authentication Protocol Re-Authentication (ERP) protocol.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the transitioning the data
connection comprises performing an association process with the at
least one access point.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the association process
comprises an active/passive scan process.
18. A method of associating a wireless device with an access point,
the method comprising: transmitting, from the access point to a
wireless handoff gateway, a set of access point information;
receiving, from the wireless handoff gateway, a set of location
information for the wireless device via a wireless wide area
network interface; transmitting a set of access point information
associated with the access point to the wireless handoff gateway;
receiving, via the wireless handoff gateway, a set of station
information associated with the wireless device in the access
point; and establishing, with the access point, a data connection
with the wireless device via a wireless local area network based on
the set of access point information and the set of station
information.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a set of
location information for the wireless device via the wireless
handoff gateway.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the receiving the set of
station information comprises receiving the set of station
information when the wireless device is approaching or within range
of the access point, based on the set of location information.
Description
I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of and
claims priority from commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/835,070, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled "Systems and Methods
for Enhanced Network Handoff to Wireless Local Area Networks,"
which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/661,713, filed Jun. 19, 2012, entitled "Systems and Methods for
Enhanced Network Handoff to Wireless Local Area Networks," the
contents of both of which are expressly incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
II. FIELD
[0002] The present teachings relate to systems and methods for an
enhanced network handoff to wireless local area networks. The
present teachings more particularly relate to platforms and
techniques for managing handoff events from a wireless device
operating on a wireless wide area network to a wireless local area
network through a wireless handoff gateway, where the wireless
handoff gateway is configured to prepare the wireless device for
fast association with wireless access points within local
connection range.
III. BACKGROUND
[0003] In the field of telecommunications services, cellular
carriers and other service providers have developed and deployed
data networking services of steadily increasing speed and
robustness. Smart phones and other devices capable of wide area
network (WWAN) connections, such as cellular broadband data
connections, can now routinely provide users with data rates in the
range of hundreds of kilobytes per second, megabytes per second, or
more. However, the consumption of relatively high-speed data
services over the cellular network fabric faces constraints to both
the user and service provider. From the user's point of view, many
cellular and other subscriptions impose a cap or limit on data
usage over a month or other time period, and exceeding those types
of caps or limits can incur an overage cost. In addition, exceeding
data caps can also cause the temporary downgrading of allowed data
rates, or other constraints or effects.
[0004] From the perspective of the network service provider,
providing a user with relatively high-speed data services can
impose an increased occupancy load on the expensive licensed
spectrum operated by the provider. The delivery of those data
services can likewise increase the load on the core network of the
service provider, reducing the total throughput available to
additional voice, data, or other users.
[0005] Wireless local area networks (WLANs) such as Wi-Fi.TM.-based
networks (Wi-Fi.TM. is a trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance, Austin, Tex.)
or others can provide smart phone users, or users of other devices,
with a comparatively low-cost and widely-available alternative data
connection through open routers or public access points. In
addition, different Wi-Fi.TM. implementations can deliver data
rates that are comparable or greater than those available through
the cellular network. Wi-Fi.TM. connections using the IEEE 802.11ac
standard can, for instance, achieve data rates of approximately 500
megabits per second, using 80 MHz bandwidth and two receiving
antennas. Many smart phone and other devices today incorporate the
capability to use either a WWAN or WLAN type of data
connection.
[0006] However, generating a transition, on-the-fly, from a
cellular data or other WWAN connection to a Wi-Fi.TM. or other WLAN
connection is presently not an easy transition to facilitate or
perform. One of the notable challenges is that a significant delay
can be imposed before the user can be securely moved from a WWAN
connection to a Wi-Fi.TM. or similar connection, which can
interrupt the user experience, such as, merely for example, causing
a lag or stoppage in a video data stream.
[0007] One of the factors contributing to the network-to-network
handoff delay is the overhead that is needed to discover,
authenticate, and transition the user from a cellular data
connection to a Wi-Fi.TM. connection, which in many cases must be
selected from a potentially large number of Wi-Fi.TM. channels. In
aspects, the 5 GHz band used in current Wi-Fi.TM. implementations
can include over 20 possible channels to be searched. Once a
selected Wi-Fi.TM. channel is identified from among that collection
of channels, the user next, in addition, needs to be authenticated.
The authentication stage can include backhaul traffic to an
authentication server and/or other authentication site or service,
to ensure that the user is entitled to connect via the subject
Wi-Fi.TM. router or other access point. Depending on the keys,
encryptions, and other techniques used, the authentication process
can incur a significant processing delay, in itself. Even further,
once a channel is selected and authentication is complete, the
user's smart phone or other wireless device will typically require
an assignment of an Internet protocol (IP) address for their
Wi-Fi.TM. session, a process which can impose additional processing
overhead and delay.
[0008] It may be desirable to provide methods and systems for an
enhanced network handoff to wireless local area networks, in which
a wireless handoff gateway platform can be interposed in a wireless
network environment, and speed and facilitate the association of a
wireless device with a Wi-Fi.TM. or other network, in part by
pre-loading necessary device, access point, and network data before
a handoff event takes place.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present teachings and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the present teachings. In the
figures:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall network environment which can
be used in systems and methods for an enhanced network handoff to
wireless local area networks, according to various embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of network elements and a
flowchart of a call flow between those elements, according to
various embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of data connection handoff
processing, in certain regards;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of data connection handoff
processing, in certain further regards;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of data connection handoff
processing, in certain additional regards; and
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary hardware, software, and other
resources that can be used in a wireless handoff gateway used in
systems and methods for an enhanced network handoff to wireless
local area networks, according to various embodiments.
V. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Embodiments of the present teachings relate to systems and
methods for an enhanced network handoff to wireless local area
networks. More particularly, embodiments relate to platforms and
techniques which can be implemented in a wireless network
environment, in which a smart phone and/or other wireless or mobile
device can travel while connected to a WWAN, such as a broadband
cellular network. The wireless device can establish or maintain a
data link, such as packet data service, to networks such as the
Internet via the WWAN, using for example the Fourth Generation (4G)
LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless network standard. In
implementations, while in transit, the position or location of the
wireless device can be reported to, and tracked by, a platform or
element introduced into the network fabric, referred to herein as a
"wireless handoff gateway." The wireless handoff gateway (or WHG)
can be or include a server, node, application, and/or service
established in the WWAN to communicate with the wireless device.
The wireless handoff gateway can likewise, in cases, be implemented
in whole or part in a cloud-based network.
[0017] The wireless handoff gateway can perform a number of tasks
to facilitate and accelerate the transition from a data connection
in the WWAN to a data connection to a local WLAN. One of those
tasks performed by the wireless handoff gateway is to identify one
or more access points to a WLAN that are within connection range of
the wireless device. The access point that is detected in the WLAN
can be or include a Wi-Fi.TM. router or other access point, but can
also or instead be other types of devices or connections for either
Wi-Fi.TM. or other wireless local area networks. When available.
access points are detected based on the position information for
the smart phone or other wireless device, the wireless handoff
gateway can begin a series of operations to acquire and
authenticate the data that will be necessary to transition the
wireless device from a data link connected through the WWAN, to a
data link connect through a selected access point in the WLAN.
[0018] Those preparatory operations can include authentication
stages, channel or signaling selection, the assignment of Internet
protocol (IP) address information, and/or other operations required
to hand the wireless device off from the WWAN to the WLAN. In part
by acquiring the necessary data and pre-staging or loading those
operations or data before the actual connection is established or
fully activated, the wireless handoff gateway can facilitate
handoff events, reduce overhead processing and delays, and increase
the perceived responsiveness of the network-to-network switching
process by the user of the wireless device. In aspects, that
transition can take place with little or no perceived lag or
interruption, by the user or the wireless device.
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the present teachings, which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Where possible the same reference numbers
will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall network environment 100 in
which systems and methods for an enhanced network handoff to
wireless local area networks can operate, according to aspects. In
aspects as shown, a wireless device 102 can communicate with a
cellular network 110 via a radio connection 106. In aspects, the
wireless device 102 can be or include a cellular telephone, a smart
phone, a portable computer, a tablet device, a media player device,
a global positioning system (GPS) device, a personal digital
assistant (PDA) device, a laptop computer, and/or other
network-enabled, mobile and/or wireless device or platform. In
aspects, the radio connection 106 can be or include one or more
wireless connections or channels, such as, merely for example, a
WiMax.TM. channel or connection, a CDMA (code division multiple
access) channel or connection, TDMA (time division multiple access)
channel or connection, a 3G, 4G, and/or other channel or connection
using LTE (long term evolution) industry standards, and/or channel,
connection, or communications link. The cellular network 110 can be
or include, for example, a set of hardware, software, radio
frequency, and/or other resources or services deployed for the
purposes of supporting voice communications, text communications,
broadband data links, and/or other proprietary or other services
over licensed spectrum or other radio frequency bands, channels,
connections, or ranges.
[0021] According to aspects, the cellular network 110 can also be
connected to one or more networks 112, such as the Internet and/or
other public or private networks. The cellular network 110 can
connect to the one or more networks 112 via optical and/or other
high-speed connections, edge or core servers, and/or other
transmission connections, relays, or links. The network environment
100 can likewise include a wireless handoff gateway 114, which can
also be connected to the one or more networks 112 via one or more
transmission links, and/or to other networks, layers, and/or
channels. In aspects, it may be noted that the wireless handoff
gateway 114 can likewise be connected or have access to the
authentication server (AS) 120 that supports or services
authentication protocols and operations for the wireless device
102, among other resources. It may be noted that in general, in
implementations, the wireless handoff gateway 114 and/or other
logic, platforms, elements, or services can access or interface to
the authentication server 120 at any time during operation of
platforms and techniques described herein, to authenticate users,
devices, and/or other entities using known and/or publicly
available authentication techniques, as appropriate.
[0022] It may be noted that in aspects, in cases where the wireless
device 102 cannot establish or maintain a data connection to or
through the cellular network 110, the wireless device 102 can be
configured to communicate with the wireless handoff gateway 114
using alternative channels, connections, or services, such as the
short messaging service (SMS) and/or others. For further example,
extensions to the SIP (session initiation protocol) can likewise be
used for signaling between the wireless device 102 and the wireless
handoff gateway 114.
[0023] The wireless handoff gateway 114 can be configured and/or
provisioned to perform a number of management tasks in connection
with the delivery of data link services to the wireless device 102.
In aspects, the wireless handoff gateway 114 can be configured to
receive a set of location data 104 from the wireless device 102. In
aspects, the set of location data 104 can be or include
geographical or other position data, such as, the latitude and/or
longitude of the wireless device 102, the speed and direction of
the wireless device 102, acceleration of the wireless device 102,
altitude of the wireless device 102, bearing of the wireless device
102, and/or other positional or location data or information. In
aspects, additional location information can include cellular
network information such as PLMN ID, base station ID, pilot PN,
SID, NID, and/or other information that can be used to locate the
wireless device 102 via techniques other than GPS-based techniques,
such as base station mapping or signal triangulation. For instance,
relative signal strengths of different base stations can also be
used as a means to determine the location of the wireless device
102. In aspects, the set of location data 104 can be reported from
the wireless device 102 to the wireless handoff gateway 114 using
data acquired from an onboard or integrated GPS (Global Positioning
System) receiver. In aspects, the set of location data 104 can, as
noted, also or instead be generated or reported using other
techniques, such as pilot measurements from a neighboring base
station in the cellular network 110, using geographic cell
identifiers in the cellular network 110, and/or other positioning
platforms, techniques, and/or services, such as Doppler effect
data. In aspects, the wireless device 102 can report the set of
location data 104 to the wireless handoff gateway 114 via the radio
link 106, cellular network 110, one or more networks 112, and/or
other channels, links, or connections. The information can for
instance be exchanged over a direct data connection between the
wireless device 102 and the wireless handoff gateway 114 using
TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol), and/or
over http (hypertext transfer protocol).
[0024] In aspects, the reporting and updating of the set of
location data 104 can also or instead be performed using a secure
link from the wireless device 102 to the wireless handoff gateway
114, which can be or include a secure link over the top of the
cellular service provided by the cellular network 110. For
instance, the set of location data 104 can be reported to the
wireless handoff gateway 114 via the cellular network 110 using an
https (hypertext transfer protocol secure), and/or other layer,
connection, or link. Other secure layers or links can be used, such
as, for instance, a virtual private network (VPN) link, a transport
layer security (TLS) link, and/or other links, channels, and/or
layers.
[0025] According to aspects, the frequency with which the set of
location data 104 is reported to the wireless handoff gateway 114
can be fixed, and/or can vary, and can be configured to be
dependent on selected factors. For instance, the frequency with
which the set of location data 104 is updated and/or reported to
the wireless handoff gateway 114 can be configured to depend on the
speed of movement of the wireless device 102. When speed is used as
a triggering criteria, slower detected speeds can cause a lower
rate of updating to be used, with higher speeds causing a higher
rate of updating. Below certain speeds, the wireless device 102,
wireless handoff gateway 114, and/or other hardware or resources
can be configured to stop sending updates of the wireless handoff
gateway 114. A stop or interruption of location reporting can for
instance be imposed when the wireless device 102 is moving too
fast, such as above pedestrian speeds or other thresholds. A stop
or interruption of location reporting can likewise be imposed when
the wireless device 102 is determined to have stopped moving for a
predetermined period of time, so that the wireless device 102 is
assumed to be at rest. Other techniques, rates, and/or factors can
be used to schedule the updating and/or reporting of the set of
location data 104 to the wireless handoff gateway 114.
[0026] At various times, and as likewise shown in FIG. 1, while in
transit, the wireless device 102 can enter the proximity of a set
of local access points 116. The set of local access points 116 can
be or include wireless routers, switches, hubs, and/or other
hardware, receivers, nodes, and/or services capable of connecting a
wireless or mobile device to a wireless local area network (WLAN),
such as a Wi-Fi.TM. network operation under the IEEE (Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 family or other of
standards. According to aspects, the set of local access points 116
can be or include a set of Wi-Fi.TM. routers with which the
wireless device 102 has reached, and/or is approaching, radio
connection range. According to aspects, the set of local access
points 116 can initially detect and/or communicate with the
wireless device 102 using a set of transmitted beacon information,
and/or other signals. In aspects, any one or more devices in the
set of local access points 116 can be configured to provide a data
link to the one or more networks 112, allowing the set of local
access points 116 to provide an alternative communication link to
the one or more networks 112, instead of the cellular network 110
acting as a WWAN. The wireless handoff gateway 114 can, in aspects,
be configured to initiate those types of handoff events from the
cellular network 110 to the set of local access points 116, and/or
other nodes or access points.
[0027] The wireless handoff gateway 114 can, more particularly, be
configured to process and analyze the set of location data 104, a
set of station data 118, and/or other associated information, and
identify the set of local access points 116 in proximity or
vicinity of the wireless device 102 for potential data link
handoff. According to aspects, the wireless handoff gateway 114 can
determine the proximity of the wireless device 102 to the set of
local access points 116 using, for example, database records,
directories, maps, location services, and/or other sources
recording the location of Wi-Fi.TM. and/or other access points or
nodes. Once the wireless handoff gateway 114 has identified one or
more wireless routers and/or other access points located within
proximity of the wireless device 102, the wireless handoff gateway
114 can access, retrieve, filter, and/or otherwise process a set of
access point data 108 associated with the set of local access
points 116, as well as other information, for purposes of preparing
and managing a handoff event from the cellular network 110 to the
set of local access points 116.
[0028] In aspects, the set of access point data 108 can be or
include a set of information such as the service set identification
(SSID) information for available access points in the set of local
access points 116, the Wi-Fi.TM. channel or channels of operation
of those available access points, the media access control (MAC)
address of the available access points, any key or keys used for
encryption, authentication, and/or other security processing or
protocols including fast authentication protocols, and/or a
pre-assigned Internet protocol (IP) address for the wireless device
102, acting as a station in a Wi-Fi.TM. network provided by the set
of local access points 116. The set of access point data 108 can,
further, also be or include information such as an identification
of the services provided by any one or more access points in the
set of local access points 116, any cost of access through the set
of local access points 116, and/or other information that is needed
to perform an association process between the wireless device 102
and one or more access points in the set of local access points
116.
[0029] According to aspects, after accessing, retrieving, and
organizing the set of access point data 108, the wireless handoff
gateway 114 can transmit that data to the wireless device 102 via
the cellular network 110, radio connection 106, and/or other
networks or channels, to prepare the wireless device 102 for
association with one or more access points in the set of local
access points 116.
[0030] In possession of the set of location data 104, the radio
connection 106, and/or other associated information, the wireless
handoff gateway 114 likewise or instead perform and/or initiate
operations to stage and prepare the set of local access points 116
for contact by, and association or registration of, the wireless
device 102 to the Wi-Fi.TM. and/or other networks supported by the
set of local access points 116. According to aspects, the wireless
handoff gateway 114 can transmit a set of station data 118 to the
set of local access points 116, to pre-load the set of local access
points 116 with information necessary to register and associated
the wireless device 102. The set of station data 118 can include
information such as one or more authentication, encryption, and/or
other security keys for quick identification of the wireless device
102 to each of the access points in the set of local access points
116. In aspects, the set of key information pushed to the set of
local access points 116 can be or include a temporary key generated
by the wireless handoff gateway 114 itself, and/or other keys or
data, such as temporary or permanent keys already associated with
the wireless device 102 and/or user of the device. Receipt of
advance key information as part of the set of station data 118 can
permit the one or more access points to which a connection is made
to authenticate the wireless device 102 relatively quickly.
[0031] Besides information related to security keys, the wireless
handoff gateway 114 can in addition initiate an IP address
assignment procedure for the wireless device 102 at one or more of
the access points in the set of local access points 116. Again, the
IP address to be assigned to the wireless device 102 can be
generated and/or provided by the wireless handoff gateway 114
itself, by the wireless device 102 itself, a network service
provider, and/or by other nodes, services, and/or sources. The
wireless handoff gateway 114 can also inform the wireless device
102 (acting as a station, STA) whether the device can continue to
use the same IP address it currently has in use, or whether it
needs to request a new IP address. In addition, the wireless
handoff gateway 114 may allocate the IP address for the wireless
device 114 (acting as a station, STA) and send it to the wireless
device 102, using the data connection setup over the cellular
network 110 before the wireless device 102 has transitioned to a
data connection via the set of local access points 116.
[0032] According to aspects, in general and as noted, the wireless
handoff gateway 114 can receive the set of location data 104, the
set of station data 118, the set of access point data 108, and/or
other associated information, and use that data to conduct and/or
initiate a set of operations by itself and/or in conjunction with
the wireless device 102 and/or set of local access points 116 to
enhance the speed, robustness, transparency, reliability, and
security of a handoff event to transition the wireless device 102
from a data connection through the cellular network 110 to a data
connection through the set of local access points 116. In aspects,
once the wireless device 102 has received the set of access point
data 108 and/or other information, the wireless device 102 can
initiate a set of operations to prepare itself for connection to
one or more access point in the set of local access points 116. In
aspects, the wireless device 102 can for instance perform an active
or passive scan on the WLAN channels identified in the set of
access point data 108, to determine if any one or more of the
access points identified in the set of access point data 108 is
available for registration.
[0033] According to aspects, by restricting or initially
restricting the channel scan to only those available access points
identified by the wireless handoff gateway 114 in the set of access
point data 108, the wireless device 102 can avoid performing an
exhaustive search of all active channels of some or all of the
access points in the set of local access points 116. It may be
noted that an active/passive scan may be required if the wireless
device 102 does not already have the MAC (media access control)
address of the access point or points with which it wishes to
communicate within the set of local access points 116.
[0034] In aspects, the wireless device 102 can also or instead be
configured to directly proceed to an association request with one
or more of the available access points identified in the set of
access point data 108. In those cases, an active/passive scan
process can be omitted. In aspects, once a target access point is
identified or selected, the wireless device 102 and the one or more
access points identified in the set of access point data 108 can
perform a mutual authentication process. Authentication can include
the verification of possession by one or both devices of a key or
keys obtained or received from the wireless handoff gateway 114. In
implementations, the fast authentication process performed by or
between the wireless device 102 and the selected access point or
points in the set of local access points 116 can be or include the
Otway Rees protocol, designed for insecure network transactions,
and/or the Extensible Authentication Protocol Re-Authentication
(ERP) authentication protocols. In another embodiment, the keys may
be distributed using PMK Key caching techniques. It will however be
appreciated that other authentication algorithms, techniques,
and/or protocols can be used. It may be noted that in
implementations, the processing carried out by the wireless device
102 can be performed by a software application installed on the
wireless device 102, which can be installed and used without any
changes required to the operating system or other software of the
wireless device 102.
[0035] In addition to processing performed or initiated by the
wireless device 102, conversely, the access point(s) in the set of
local access points 116 can likewise perform a set of operations to
prepare for the handoff of the data link of the wireless device 102
to the set of local access points 116. In aspects, when one or more
access points in the set of local access points 116 receive data
from the wireless handoff gateway 114 associated with the wireless
device 102, the access point(s) can receive and store a set of
handoff information, including the set of station data 118 for the
wireless device 102 received from the wireless handoff gateway 114.
The set of station data 118 for the wireless device 102 provided by
the wireless handoff gateway 114 can be or include, for instance,
information associated with the registration and connection of the
wireless device 102 to the set of access points 106, such as the
media access control (MAC) address of the wireless device 102, as
well as any key information associated with the wireless device 102
that can be used for a fast authentication process between the
access point(s) and the wireless device 102.
[0036] The set of station data 118 received by the access point(s)
can also include an assigned Internet protocol (IP) address for the
wireless device 102, if that data is likewise included in the
information sent by the wireless handoff gateway 114. It will be
appreciated that other information related to or associated with
the wireless device 102 can be transmitted in the set of station
data 118 received by the access point(s) in the set of local access
points 116. That data can include additional or other data besides
key data or address data, including data that is in addition to
that required or permitted under the Wi-Fi.TM. networking
standards.
[0037] In implementations, the access point or points which receive
the set of station data 118 or other information about the wireless
device 102 can be configured to delete that information if the
wireless device 102 does not attempt to initiate an association
with the access point after a predetermined timeout period, for
security and other reasons.
[0038] Overall call flow and processing operations for systems and
methods for an enhanced network handoff to wireless local area
networks are illustrated in FIG. 2. In 202, the wireless device 102
can communicate with the wireless handoff gateway 114, for instance
via an https (hypertext transfer protocol secure) and/or other
secure channel, connection, or layer, to transmit a set of location
data 104 for the wireless device 102 to the wireless handoff
gateway 114. In 204, the wireless handoff gateway 114 can transmit
the set of access point data 108 to the wireless device 102,
including access point ID, active or available channel, service set
identification (SSID), and/or other information. In 206, the
wireless handoff gateway 114 can transmit a set of station data 118
including authentication key, Internet protocol (IP) address
information, and/or other data related to the wireless device 102
to one or more access points in the set of local access points
116.
[0039] In 208, an active/passive scan process can be carried out
between the wireless device 102 and the access point(s) in the set
of local access points 116, to determine which one or more of the
access points in the set of local access points 116 is available to
accept association of the wireless device 102. In 210, an
authentication and/or association process or processes can be
carried out between the wireless device 102 and the access point(s)
in the set of local access points 116. As noted, the authentication
process can be or include the Otway Rees protocol, the Extensible
Authentication Protocol Re-Authentication (ERP) authentication
protocol, and/or other protocols, processes, services, or
standards.
[0040] In 212, a set of handoff signaling operations can be
performed between the wireless device 102 and the cellular network
110 and/or other wireless wide area network to which the wireless
device 102 is registered and/or communication. For instance, the
wireless device 102 can request that the state or context of any
current data transfers, services, and/or applications be preserved,
in anticipation of the handoff transaction.
[0041] In 214, a data link can be established between the wireless
device 102 and an access point or points in the set of local access
points 116, and the wireless device 102 can begin to transmit
and/or receive data from the network or networks to which the set
of local access points 116 is connected, such as the Internet or
others. Processing can then repeat, return to a prior processing
point, jump to a further processing point, or end.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates various processing operations that can be
carried out in WWAN and WLAN networks, including data exchanges and
processing carried out by the wireless device 102, according to
implementations. In 302, processing can begin. In 304, the wireless
device 102 can register to the cellular network 110 via the radio
connection 106, and/or other connections, links, or channels. In
306, the wireless device 102 can respond to one or more requests
from the wireless handoff gateway 114 and transmit a set of
information including, for instance, a set of location data 104, a
set of station data 118 including key information, IP address
information, MAC information, QoS information, and/or other
information or data to the wireless handoff gateway 114. In 308,
the wireless device 102 can enter the range of a set of local
access points 116, such as by arriving at an airport, train
station, restaurant, or other commercial site, for instance with
the wireless device 102 being carried to those or other locations,
while walking, bicycling, riding in a vehicle, or otherwise
transiting to within range of the set of local access points
116.
[0043] In 310, the wireless device 102 can receive a set of access
point data 108 from the wireless handoff gateway 114, for instance,
via the existing connection with the cellular network 110. In 312,
the wireless device 102 can execute an active passive scan process
with the set of local access points 116, for instance, using the
set of access point data 108 received from the wireless handoff
gateway 114. In 314, the wireless device 102 can execute one or
more authentication and/or association routines, for instance by
interacting with the wireless handoff gateway 114 and using the
authentication server 120 to verify key information. In 316, the
wireless device 102 can execute handoff signaling with the cellular
network 110 and/or other WWAN. In aspects, handoff signaling can be
or include instructions to preserve or forward the context or state
of data transfers, services, applications, and/or other processes
taking place on the wireless device 102. In implementations, the
handoff signaling can likewise include requests to forward
metering, billing, and/or other usage information from the cellular
network 110, one or more networks 112, and/or other entities,
networks, or services to the wireless device 102, wireless handoff
gateway 114, and/or other destination.
[0044] In 318, the wireless device 102 can establish a data link
with an access point or points in the set of local access points
116, for instance, by way of a Wi-Fi.TM. association with that
device or devices. In 320, the wireless device 102, wireless
handoff gateway 114, and/or other device, service, and/or logic can
maintain or store the state of the wireless device 102 and any
running applications, services, or transfers, and/or transfer the
context for those processes to the access point(s) to which the
wireless device 102 is now connected. In 322, the data link and/or
other connection from the cellular network 110 or other WWAN to the
wireless device 102 can be terminated. In 324, processing can
repeat, jump to a prior processing point, jump to a further
processing point, or end.
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates various processing operations that can be
carried out in WWAN and WLAN networks, including data exchanges and
processing carried out by the set of local access points 116
according to implementations. In 402, processing can begin. In 404,
one or more access points in the set of local access points 116 can
respond to a request from the wireless handoff gateway 114 and
transmit a set of access point data 108 to the wireless handoff
gateway 114. The set of access point data 108 can be or include, as
noted, various information such as service set identification
(SSID) information describing services available from the set of
local access points 116, Wi-Fi.TM. or other channel usage
information, security key or protocol information, media address or
other address information, and/or other data.
[0046] In 406, the set of local access points 116 can receive the
set of station data 108 from the wireless handoff gateway 114,
pre-staging some or all information that will be necessary to
associated the wireless device 102 with one or more access points
in the set of local access points 116. That information can include
for instance an identification of that device, IP address of the
wireless device 102, data context information for the wireless
device 102, and/or other information. In 408, the set of local
access points 116 can receive a notification and/or detect the
arrival or approach of the wireless device 102 within local radio
range. In 410, the set of local access points 116, in conjunction
with the wireless device 102, can perform an active/passive scan of
available channels in the set of local access points 116. In 412,
the set of local access points 116, in conjunction with the
wireless device 102, can perform one or more authentication and/or
association processes for the wireless device 102. In 414, the
selected access point(s) can establish a data connection with the
wireless device 102, such as by establishing an assigned Wi-Fi.TM.
channel for the device. In 416, processing can repeat, jump to a
prior processing point, jump to a further processing point, or
end.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates various processing operations that can be
carried out in WWAN and WLAN networks, including data exchanges and
processing carried out by the wireless handoff gateway 114,
according to implementations. In 502, processing can begin. In 504,
the wireless handoff gateway 114 can interrogate the wireless
device 102 and acquire a set of location data 102, such as GPS or
other data, via the cellular network 110, one or more networks 112,
and/or other channels, networks, or connections. In 506, the
wireless handoff gateway 114 can interrogate the set of local
access points 116, and acquire a set of access point data 108, for
instance, via the one or more networks 112, and/or other channels
or connections. In 508, the wireless handoff gateway 114 can
transmit the set of access point data 108 to the wireless device
102, for instance via the cellular network 110. In 510, the
wireless handoff gateway 114 can transmit the set of station data
118 to the set of local access points 116. In 512, the wireless
handoff gateway 114 can receive a notification that the wireless
device 102 has associated with one or more access points in the set
of local access points 116. In 514, the wireless handoff gateway
114 can acquire an updated set of location data 104 and/or other
information for the wireless device 102, for instance, when the
wireless device 102 has terminated its Wi-Fi.TM. session with the
set of local access points 116. In 516, processing can repeat, jump
to a prior processing point, jump to a further processing point, or
end.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates various hardware, software, and other
resources that can be used in implementations of systems and
methods for enhanced network handoff to wireless local area
networks, according to embodiments. In embodiments as shown, the
wireless handoff gateway 114 can comprise a platform including
processor 130 communicating with memory 132, such as electronic
random access memory, operating under control of or in conjunction
with an operating system 136. The processor 130 in embodiments can
include or can be incorporated in one or more servers, clusters,
and/or other computers or hardware resources, and/or can be
implemented using cloud-based resources. The operating system 136
can be, for example, a distribution of the Linux.TM. (trademark of
Linus Torvalds, an individual) operating system, the Unix.TM.
(trademark of The Open Group, Reading, United Kingdom) operating
system, or other open-source or proprietary operating system or
platform. The processor 130 can communicate with the storage 138,
such as a database stored on a local hard drive or drive array, to
access or store data related to the management of handoff
operations as described herein, including location information
and/or association data, and/or subsets of selections thereof,
along with other content, media, or other data. The processor 130
can further communicate with a network interface 134, such as an
Ethernet or wireless data connection, which in turn communicates
with the one or more networks 112, such as the Internet or other
public or private networks. The processor 130 can, in general, be
programmed or configured to execute control logic and to control
various processing operations, including to generate, manage,
process, and/or distribute the set of location data 104, the set of
access point data 108, the set of station (STA) and/or other data
related to association of the wireless device 102 with the set of
local access points 116, and/or other data or information. In
aspects, it may be noted that the wireless device 102, along with
the individual access points in the set of local access points 116,
as well as servers and/or other nodes or resources of the cellular
network 110, can be or include resources similar to those of the
wireless handoff gateway 114, and/or can include additional or
different hardware, software, and/or other resources. Other
configurations of the wireless handoff gateway 114, the wireless
device 102, the cellular network 110, the set of local access
points 116, associated network connections, and other hardware,
software, and service resources are possible.
[0049] The foregoing description is illustrative, and variations in
configuration and implementation may occur to persons skilled in
the art. For example, while embodiments have been described in
which a single wireless handoff gateway 114 services one wireless
device 102 and one set of local access points 116, in
implementations, two or more wireless handoff gateways 114 can
support the wireless device 102 and the set of local access points
116. Conversely, in implementations, one, two, or more wireless
handoff gateways 114 can communicate with and support two or more
wireless devices 102, and/or two or more separate sets of local
access points 116. Similarly, while implementations have been
described which utilize the Wi-Fi.TM. standard for wireless local
area network operations, in implementations, other networks which
employ other wireless standards or protocols can be used in
addition or instead of a Wi-Fi.TM. network deployment. Other
resources described as singular or integrated can in embodiments be
plural or distributed, and resources described as multiple or
distributed can in embodiments be combined. The scope of the
present teachings is accordingly intended to be limited only by the
following claims.
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