Method and apparatus for seamless mobility between different access technologies

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 , wherein the (c) receiving step and the communicating step are carried out in an order as listed.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 , wherein the (c) receiving step and the communicating step are carried out in an order different than listed.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 , wherein the (a) receiving step and the (b) receiving step are carried out in an order as listed.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 , wherein the (a) receiving step and the (b) receiving step are carried out in an order different than listed.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 , wherein the new route is via the second entity.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 , wherein the new route utilizes the second access technology.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating the new route includes communicating a new IP address for the mobile terminal and an IP address for the second entity.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating the new route includes a care-of for the mobile terminal.

Claim 11

The method of claim 9 , the care-of address is an IP address of the second entity.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first message includes data elements for message type, message code, sequence number and error detection symbol.

Claim 13

The method of claim 11 , wherein the error detection symbol is a checksum.

Claim 14

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first message and the second message both include data elements for message type, message code, sequence number and error detection symbol.

Claim 15

The method of claim 13 , wherein the error detection symbol is a checksum.

Claim 16

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access technology is compliant with any 802.11x standard.

Claim 17

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access technology includes using an unlicensed 2.4 GHz network.

Claim 18

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access technology is compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 19

The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access technology includes using an RF connection compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 20

The method of claim 1 , wherein the session is a TCP session.

Claim 21

The method of claim 1 , wherein the session is a UDP session.

Claim 22

The method of claim 1 , wherein the session is a WAP session.

Claim 23

The method of claim 1 , wherein the session includes a Bluetooth standard compliant transport session.

Claim 24

The method of claim 1 , wherein the connection via the second access technology is a PPP connection.

Claim 25

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with an IS 95b standard.

Claim 26

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with an enhanced GSM standard.

Claim 27

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with a GPRS standard.

Claim 28

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology is compatible with access via Metricom.

Claim 29

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology utilizes a cellular telephone network.

Claim 30

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology utilizes an unlicensed 2.4 GHz network.

Claim 31

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology is made using communication between a satellite and the mobile terminal for at least one direction of the second access technology connection.

Claim 32

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 33

The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access technology includes using an RF connection compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 34

The method of claim 1 , further including buffering packets received at the second access router from the server until after completion of forwarding the buffered packets to the mobile terminal.

Claim 37

The method of claim 34 , wherein the forwarding step and the communicating step are carried out in an order as listed.

Claim 38

The method of claim 34 , wherein the forwarding step and the communicating step are carried out in an order different than listed.

Claim 39

The method of claim 34 , wherein the (a) receiving step and the (b) receiving step are carried out in an order as listed.

Claim 40

The method of claim 34 , wherein the (a) receiving step and the (b) receiving step are carried out in an order different than listed.

Claim 41

The method of claim 34 , wherein the new route is via the second entity.

Claim 42

The method of claim 34 , wherein the new route utilizes the second access technology.

Claim 43

The method of claim 34 , wherein communicating the new route includes communicating a new IP address for the mobile terminal and an IP address for the second entity.

Claim 44

The method of claim 34 , wherein communicating the new route includes a care-of for the mobile terminal.

Claim 45

The method of claim 42 , the care-of address is an IP address of the second entity.

Claim 46

The method of claim 34 , further including buffering packets received at the second access router from the server until after completion of forwarding the buffered packets to the mobile terminal.

Claim 49

The method of claim 45 , wherein the (c) receiving step and the communicating step are carried out in an order as listed.

Claim 50

The method of claim 45 , wherein the (c) receiving step and the communicating step are carried out in an order different than listed.

Claim 51

The method of claim 45 , wherein the new route is via the second entity.

Claim 52

The method of claim 45 , wherein the new route utilizes the second access technology.

Claim 53

The method of claim 45 , wherein communicating the new route includes communicating a new IP address for the mobile terminal and an IP address for the second entity.

Claim 54

The method of claim 45 , wherein communicating the new route includes a care-of for the mobile terminal.

Claim 55

The method of claim 51 , the care-of address is an IP address of the second entity.

Claim 56

The method of claim 45 , the first message includes data elements for message type, message code, sequence number and error detection symbol.

Claim 57

The method of claim 53 , wherein the error detection symbol is a checksum.

Claim 58

The method of claim 45 , wherein the first message and the second message both include data elements for message type, message code, sequence number and error detection symbol.

Claim 59

The method of claim 55 , wherein the error detection symbol is a checksum.

Claim 60

The method of claim 45 , wherein the first access technology is compliant with any 802.11x standard.

Claim 61

The method of claim 45 , wherein the first access technology includes using an unlicensed 2.4 GHz network.

Claim 62

The method of claim 45 , wherein the first access technology is compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 63

The method of claim 45 , wherein the first access technology includes using an RF connection compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 64

The method of claim 45 , wherein the session is a TCP session.

Claim 65

The method of claim 45 , wherein the session is a UDP session.

Claim 66

The method of claim 45 , wherein the session is a WAP session.

Claim 67

The method of claim 45 , wherein the session includes a Bluetooth standard compliant transport session.

Claim 68

The method of claim 45 , wherein the connection via the second access technology is a PPP connection.

Claim 69

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with an IS 95b standard.

Claim 70

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with an enhanced GSM standard.

Claim 71

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with a GPRS standard.

Claim 72

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology is compatible with access via Metricom.

Claim 73

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology utilizes a cellular telephone network.

Claim 74

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology utilizes an unlicensed 2.4 GHz network.

Claim 75

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology is made using communication between a satellite and the mobile terminal for at least one direction of the second access technology connection.

Claim 76

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology is compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 77

The method of claim 45 , wherein the second access technology includes using an RF connection compliant with any Bluetooth standard.

Claim 78

The method of claim 45 , further including buffering packets received at the second access router from the server until after completion of forwarding the buffered packets to the mobile terminal.

Claim 79

A second entity having an IP stack adapted to accepting from a first entity having an IP stack a hand off between a first access technology and a second access technology of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, the second entity including: a processor, having memory and resources, including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor, in communication with the first entity and in communication with the mobile terminal; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs adapted to: receiving at a second entity having an IP stack, via a second access technology, the second access technology utilizing a different physical layer than the first access technology, a second message from the mobile terminal directing the second entity to set up a new route between the mobile terminal and the server via the second entity wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection; acknowledging the second message; signaling from the second entity to the first entity to start forwarding the buffered packets; receiving at the second entity the forwarding buffered packets; relaying the forwarded buffered packets to the mobile terminal wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection; communicating to the server the new route; and continuing the session between the mobile terminal and the server via the new route.

Claim 80

A second entity having an IP stack adapted to accepting from a first entity having an IP stack a hand off between a first access technology and a second access technology of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, the second entity including: a processor, having memory and resources, including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor, in communication with the first entity and in communication with the mobile terminal; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs adapted to: receiving at a second entity having an IP stack, via a second access technology, the second access technology utilizing a different physical layer than the first access technology, a second message from the mobile terminal directing the second entity to set up a new route between the mobile terminal and the server via the second entity wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection; acknowledging the second message; signaling from the second entity to the first entity to start forwarding the buffered packets; receiving at the second entity the forwarding buffered packets; relaying the forwarded buffered packets to the mobile terminal wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection; communicating to the server the new route; and continuing the session between the mobile terminal and the server via the new route.

Claim 81

A first entity having an IP stack adapted to adapting to giving a second entity having an IP stack a hand off between a first access technology and a second access technology of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, first entity including: a processor, having memory and resources, including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor, in communication with the first entity and in communication with the mobile terminal; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs adapted to: receiving at a first entity having an IP stack a first access technology a first message from a mobile terminal to stop sending and begin buffering session packets exchanged with a server; acknowledging the first message; receiving from the second entity a signal to start forwarding the buffered packets; forwarding the buffered packets from the first entity to the second entity, to be forwarded on to the mobile terminal; communicating to the server a care-of-address for routing via the second access technology; and continuing the session between the mobile terminal and the server via the second access technology wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection.

Claim 82

A first entity having an IP stack adapted to adapting to giving a second entity having an IP stack a hand off between a first access technology and a second access technology of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, first entity including: a processor, having memory and resources, including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor, in communication with the first entity and in communication with the mobile terminal; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs adapted to: receiving at a first entity having an IP stack a first access technology a first message from a mobile terminal to stop sending and begin buffering session packets exchanged with a server; acknowledging the first message; receiving from the second entity a signal to start forwarding the buffered packets; forwarding the buffered packets from the first entity to the second entity, to be forwarded on to the mobile terminal; communicating to the server a care-of-address for routing via the second access technology; and continuing the session between the mobile terminal and the server via the second access technology wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection.

Claim 83

A second entity having an IP stack adapted to accepting from a first entity having an IP stack a hand off between a first access technology and a second access technology of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, including: a processor, having memory and resources, including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor, in communication with the first entity and in communication with the mobile terminal; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs adapted to: receiving at the second entity a message to set up a new route from the mobile terminal to the server via the second access technology, the second access technology utilizing a different physical layer than the first access technology wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection; communicating to the server the new route; signaling from the second entity to the first entity to forward any buffered packets; forwarding the buffered packets from the first entity to the second entity and on to the mobile terminal; and continuing the session between the mobile terminal and the server via the second access technology.

Claim 84

A second entity having an IP stack adapted to accepting from a first entity having an IP stack a hand off between a first access technology and a second access technology of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, including: a processor, having memory and resources, including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor, in communication with the first entity and in communication with the mobile terminal; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs adapted to: receiving at the second entity a message to set up a new route from the mobile terminal to the server via the second access technology, the second access technology utilizing a different physical layer than the first access technology wherein one of the first or second access technologies uses a WLAN connection and the other of the first or second access technologies uses a WWAN connection; communicating to the server the new route; signaling from the second entity to the first entity to forward any buffered packets; forwarding the buffered packets from the first entity to the second entity and on to the mobile terminal; and continuing the session between the mobile terminal and the server via the second access technology.

Claim 85

An entity having an IP stack, adapted to cooperate with an additional entity having an IP stack in a hand off of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, the entity including: a processor, having memory and resources, the resources including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor and in communication with the mobile terminal, the server and the additional entity; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs, including logic segments to (1) forward packets in the session between the mobile terminal and the server; (2) stop forwarding the packets in the session and buffer the packets received from the server; (3) forward the buffered packets to the additional entity; (4) wait for a message to take over the session between the mobile terminal and the server; and (5) communicate an address of the entity to the server with a binding update directive; signal the additional entity to begin forwarding the buffered packets; and forward the buffered packets received from the additional entity to the mobile terminal; wherein the one or more programs transition among logic segments, including: transitioning from logic segment (1) to logic segment (2) upon receiving a first message type from the mobile terminal; transitioning from logic segment (2) to logic segment (3) upon receiving a second message type from the additional entity; transitioning from logic segment (3) to logic segment (4) upon completing the forwarding of buffered packets to the additional entity; transitioning from logic segment (4) to logic segment (1) upon receiving an initial message type from the mobile terminal; transitioning from logic segment (4) to logic segment (5) upon receiving a third message type from the additional entity; transitioning from logic segment (5) to logic segment (1) upon receiving a fourth message type from the additional entity indicating completion of forwarding of the buffered packets.

Claim 86

An entity having an IP stack, adapted to cooperate with an additional entity having an IP stack in a hand off of a session between a mobile terminal and a server, the entity including: a processor, having memory and resources, the resources including an IP stack; one or more communication ports, coupled with the processor and in communication with the mobile terminal, the server and the additional entity; program storage memory, coupled with the processor, containing one or more programs, including logic segments to (1) forward packets in the session between the mobile terminal and the server; (2) stop forwarding the packets in the session and buffer the packets received from the server; (3) forward the buffered packets to the additional entity; (4) wait for a message to take over the session between the mobile terminal and the server; and (5) communicate an address of the entity to the server with a binding update directive; signal the additional entity to begin forwarding the buffered packets; and forward the buffered packets received from the additional entity to the mobile terminal; wherein the one or more programs transition among logic segments, including: transitioning from logic segment (1) to logic segment (2) upon receiving a first message type from the mobile terminal; transitioning from logic segment (2) to logic segment (3) upon receiving a second message type from the additional entity; transitioning from logic segment (3) to logic segment (4) upon completing the forwarding of buffered packets to the additional entity; transitioning from logic segment (4) to logic segment (1) upon receiving an initial message type from the mobile terminal; transitioning from logic segment (4) to logic segment (5) upon receiving a third message type from the additional entity; transitioning from logic segment (5) to logic segment (1) upon receiving a fourth message type from the additional entity indicating completion of forwarding of the buffered packets.

Claim 87

The device of claim 79 , wherein logic segment (5) carries out actions in an order as listed.

Claim 88

The device of claim 79 , wherein logic segment (5) carries out actions in an order different than listed.

Claim 89

The device of claim 79 , wherein: logic segment (5) further includes temporarily buffering any packets received from the server while forwarding the buffered packets received from the additional entity to the mobile terminal; and transitioning from logic segment (5) to logic segment (1) further includes forwarding to the mobile terminal the temporarily buffered packets received from the server upon receiving the fourth message type from the additional entity.