Patent ID: 6760303
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
In a mobile radio communications system having two different types of communications channels including a first type of channel and a second type of channel, a method comprising:providing the first type of channel to support a user connection, where a user of the user connection is located in a cell defined by a base station; determining traffic load in at least the cell in which the user is located; determining whether to switch the user connection from the first type of channel to the second type of channel based at least in part on the determined load in the cell; determining an amount of data in a buffer associated with the user connection; dynamically adjusting a timer timeout value based at least in part upon the determined cell load so that the timeout value is a function of the cell load; determining whether the amount of data in the buffer is less than a buffer threshold; when the amount of data in the buffer is less than the buffer threshold, starting a timer associated with the adjusted timeout value; after the timer has been started, determining whether the amount of data in the buffer is still less than the buffer threshold, and if so then switching the user connection from the first type of channel to the second type of channel upon expiration of the timer; and after the timer has been started, resetting the timer and staying on the first type of channel when it is determined that the amount of data in the buffer is greater than the buffer threshold prior to expiration of the timer.