Patent ID: 8929330
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for a media independent handover function entity attached to a current access network to discover and obtain network information of neighboring access networks prior to handover to such neighboring access networks, comprising; making a query for network information for the media independent handover function entity to pre-authenticate with a plurality of neighboring networks prior to handover refined based on location information pertaining to the media independent handover function entity, wherein the media independent handover function entity is a mobile device; delivering the query from the media independent handover function entity to an information server, said information server being independent of access points and access routers of said current and neighboring access networks; receiving a reply back having a list of network information pertaining to a plurality of said neighboring access networks refined based on the location information from the information server to the media independent handover function entity, wherein said list of network information includes information for said the media independent handover function entity to pre-authenticate with a plurality of said neighboring networks prior to handover; wherein the media independent handover function entity transmits said query in a request to said information server using a currently attached access point in the current access network; wherein said request contains a list of network information types which the media independent handover function entity wants to retrieve; and wherein said receiving a reply back having a list of network information pertaining to a plurality of said neighboring access networks is further refined based on said list of network information types and is also further refined by said information server based on further criteria considered by the information server for choosing network information, wherein said further criteria includes a profile of said mobile device, wherein said list of network information is refined based on said profile of said mobile device such that mobile devices of different classes receive different information.