Patent ID: 8145221
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method performed by a radio network controller of a radio access network when an access terminal is in communication with a macro cell radio node of the radio access network and the access terminal is within a service area of the macro cell radio node and a service area of a private access point of the radio access network, the service area of the macro cell radio node and the service area of the private access point overlapping one another, the method comprising: receiving first information from the access terminal; comparing at least part of the first information with private access point location information to determine whether one or more private access points are within the coverage area of the macro cell radio node; causing a request to be sent to the access terminal upon a determination that one or more private access points are within the coverage area of the macro cell radio node, wherein the request is configured to obtain second information from the access terminal; determining whether to initiate a handoff of the access terminal from the macro cell radio node to the private access point by using at least part of the second information provided by the access terminal in response to the request; and sending a signal to the access terminal that initiates the handoff if the radio network controller determines to handoff the access terminal from the macro cell radio node to the private access point.