Patent ID: 7649867
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of discovering a capability of at least one network module supporting a media independent handover function (MIHF) in a wireless mobile communication network, the method comprising: transmitting a media independent handover (MIH) request message comprising a source module identifier field and a destination module identifier field from a mobile station (MS) to a plurality of network modules to discover whether at least one of the plurality of network modules supports the MIHF and to discover at least one MIH service supported by the at least one MIHF supporting network module, wherein the discovery of the at least one MIHF supporting network module and the discovery of the at least one MIH service supported by the at least one MIHF supporting network module are performed by the same MIH request message, wherein the destination module identifier field of the MIH request message comprises an MIHF identifier; and receiving in the MS at least one MIH response message in response to the MIH request message only from an MIHF supporting network module among the plurality of network modules receiving the MIH request message, wherein the at least one MIH response message comprises a source module identifier field having an identifier of the MIHF supporting network module, a destination module identifier field, and at least one service list field indicating a service list supported by the MIHF supporting network module, wherein the MIHF is interfaced with an upper layer equal to or higher than an L3 layer and with a lower layer below the L3 layer, the MS comprises a multi-mode node supporting at least two network interface types respectively associated with the lower layer, the MIHF is configured to provide the MS with media independent handover service using a media independent handover message, and the MIH comprises a handover between two network modules irrespective of a type of network interface.