Patent ID: 6807422
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of effecting handover in a communications network of a first mobile station between a source gateway and a target gateway, the first mobile station being engaged in a call with a second mobile station using a destination gateway, wherein the second mobile station is connected to the destination gateway; wherein the source gateway, the target gateway and the destination gateway are connected by a switched packet communication path for conveying call data packets and wherein the switched packet communication path between the source gateway and a source port at the destination gateway is a first bi-directional logical communication channel for conveying call data between the first and second mobile stations; the method comprising:i) sending call data packets from the first mobile station to a source port at the destination gateway on the first bi-directional logical communication channel; ii) opening a target port at the destination gateway for communication with the target gateway; iii) opening a second bidirectional logical communication channel between the target gateway and the target port at the destination gateway; iv) routing call data packets from the first mobile station via the target gateway to the target port on the second bi-directional logical communication channel; v) detecting receipt of said call data packets at the target port and then, responsive to such detection; vi) routing call data packets from the second mobile station via the destination gateway to the target gateway on the second bi-directional logical communication channel in the reverse direction for conveying the call data packets from the second mobile station to the first mobile station; and vi) closing the source port at the destination gateway.