Patent ID: 6522880
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A method for handing off a communication stream in a communications system, the method comprising the steps of:receiving a first connection request from a client, where the first connection request includes a client identifier value for the client; responsive to the first connection request, establishing a first connection from a first connection initiator to a connection endpoint; sensing loss of communication between the client and the first connection initiator and, responsive thereto, transmitting a disconnect message to the connection endpoint, where the disconnect message includes a predetermined handoff code; responsive to receiving the disconnect message having the handoff code, storing a first set of call information for the first connection from the connection endpoint along with the client identifier value; broadcasting a user moved message from the first connection initiator, where the user moved message includes the client identifier value and a second set of call information for the first connection from the first connection initiator; receiving the user moved message in a second connection initiator and, responsive thereto, storing the second set of call information included with the user moved message along with the client identifier value; receiving a second connection request from the client at the second connection initiator, where the second connection request includes the client identifier value; retrieving the second set of call information using the identifier value for the client; sending a handoff request message to the connection endpoint, where the handoff request message includes the client identifier value from the second connection request; responsive to the handoff request message, retrieving the first set of call information from using the identifier value for the client; and establishing a second connection from the second connection initiator, where the second initiator uses the second set of call information, to the connection endpoint, where the connection endpoint uses the first set of call information.