Patent ID: 6768726
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
A method of effecting a seamless handoff from a first Internet Protocol (IP) connection to a second IP connection, the method comprising:communicating a packet data communication between a first station and a gateway using the first IP connection and a first IP address for said first station, said gateway relaying said packet data communication with a second station; setting up the second IP connection with a second IP address for said first station, the first IP connection being a primary connection and the second IP connection being a secondary connection between said first station and said gateway, said first and said second IP connection existing concurrently, said primary connection and said secondary connection being, respectively, a primary stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) connection and a secondary SCTP connection, said setting up the second IP connection further includes searching for an appropriate IP connection, associating with an IP access point, and establishing connectivity with the gateway by informing said gateway of said second IP address using SCTP; determining that the second IP connection should be said primary connection between said first station and said gateway; and changing the second IP connection to said primary connection by informing said gateway that the second IP address is the primary address using stream control transmission protocol (SCTIP) messages, wherein said packet data communication is immediately switched over to the second IP connection.