Patent ID: 6771964
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of initiating a network-assisted handover of a communication transaction from a serving wireless network to a neighboring wireless network that employs communication protocols different from those of the serving wireless network, said serving wireless network including a serving core network portion and a serving radio access network portion, said method comprising the steps of:(a) sending a message from a mobile station to a controller of the core network portion of the serving wireless network which includes an indication that the mobile station is capable of communicating with the neighboring wireless network, wherein the neighboring wireless network including a neighboring core network portion and a neighboring radio access network portion, the neighboring core network portion and the neighboring radio access network portion being separate from the serving core network portion and the serving radio access network portion; (b) providing to the controller of the core network portion of the serving wireless network information concerning whether a user of the mobile station may utilize the neighboring wireless network; (c) using the information of steps (a) and (b), generating a parameter by the controller of the core network of the serving wireless network for assisting the controller of the radio access network portion of the serving wireless network in determining initiation of a handover; and (d) sending the parameter from the controller of the core network portion to the controller of the radio access network portion of the serving wireless network.