Mobile internet protocol square

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for network access for consumers in both wired and wireless environments. Multiple-interface/multiple-connections are used to support high-speed handoff and seamless roaming between different networks (wired and wireless). The present invention is implemented by using multiple interfaces and connections to interface a mobile PC unit, providing additional functions, and enhancing current PC device drivers and software.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cellular telephone systems, and, in particular, to wireless internet protocol (IP) use of cellular telephone systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

The Internet is quickly becoming an integral part of everyday life. As more people begin using the Internet, Internet traffic has grown at an exponential rate. Within a short time, Internet usage is expected to become as commonplace as voice telephone usage is today.

As such, a large number of options are available today for Internet access, e.g., wired LAN (Ethernet), wireless LAN, unlicensed band (ISM and UNII) data applications (Metricom, etc.), cable, XDSL, Bluetooth, high speed fixed wireless network (MMDS and LMDS), cellular/PCS and third generation data networks (HDR, CDMA, EDGE, etc.). Each Internet access network has strengths and weaknesses, and is designed for optimal use under a given set of conditions, e.g., a cellular/PCS network is more appropriate for a high-speed mobile user whereas a wired LAN is more appropriate for a stationary user with access to a physical wire connection.

The ability to roam or switch between Internet access systems is required for a truly mobile data communications system. Furthermore, the ability to switch from system to system based on capacity, cost and security consideration is highly desirable. As software applications advance, transfers between systems in a user transparent manner (also known as “seamless HO”) and roaming among different data networks based on the multiple-interface/multiple-connection concept becomes possible. The handoff speed improvement is also a desired result emanating from multiple-interface capabilities and multiple-connection capabilities of the mobile device.

Many applications of computer and mobile communications devices have found usage in both home, office, and mobile situations. As such, users want to have continuous or “always on” capabilities for such applications. However, as a user moves from their home computer to some form of transportation, and from the transportation to their office, the computing and/or voice device cannot support the application in an always on state, nor can the wireless and/or internet protocols. Further, wired and wireless communications links are not always available to support such computing platforms.

As such, there is a need in the art for an always on computing platform. There is also a need in the art for a communications system that can support an always on computing platform. There is also a need in the art for a communications system that can support an always on computing system using various protocols and communications links.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a system and a method for communicating with a mobile personal computing device. The system comprises a home agent (HA), a first network, and at least a second network. The first and second networks are coupled to the HA via an interconnecting network. The first network provides a signaling path and a data path to a mobile personal computing device and the second network provides a signaling path to the mobile personal computing device, the HA switching the data path from the first network to the second network when a predetermined condition occurs.

An object of the present invention is to provide an always on computing platform. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communications system that can support an always on computing platform. Another object of the present invention is to provide a communications system that can support an always on computing system using various protocols and communications links.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Overview

The present invention provides a mobile user the “always on” experience through the wire and wireless telephone network. The mobile unit can have a single Internet Protocol (IP) address and can be served by all available different IP networks (corporate Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless LAN, ISM/NII band application, (Metricom, etc.), cable, XDSL, Bluetooth, LMDS/MMDS band, cellular, PCS and 3G) in a seamless manner.

The IP connection will be established with available wired and wireless networks through the intelligent Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) algorithm. Based on the user profile and available networks, the user can experience seamless Hand Offs (HO) from system to system with different networks. The mobile unit is enhanced as a pseudo router with multiple physical address to IP address mapping. Also, a centralized Home Agent will be used to provide seamless roaming and the same “look and feel” on the GUI and applications for subscribers. A subscriber can enjoy the simplicity of only one IP address, and the common user-friendly interface and seamless roaming/HO through the use of the present invention.

As an example, a user can start an Internet session using a corporate Ethernet system. During the middle of the Internet session, the user can unplug the Ethernet and the present invention will detect the disconnection status from the Ethernet and immediately start to transfer the data to a user-specified secondary connection. One option for the user to specify would be a wireless LAN, but other options are available for selection by the user. The switchover from the corporate Ethernet or wire based technology to a wireless technology does not interrupt or “tear down” the Internet session. The user may experience a slight delay for incoming traffic during connection switchover from the Ethernet to wireless LAN, but the outgoing traffic will be routed immediately to the wireless LAN through intelligent Address Resolution of the mobile unit. When the switchover is completed, the Internet session has been seamlessly transferred the wireless LAN network. The same procedure applies when the user leaves the wireless LAN coverage area, the present invention detects the lack of wireless LAN support and seamlessly switches the user to another wireless network, e.g., the cellular telephone network.

The present invention can continue the seamless transfer of the data connection from one communications service to another based on the user specified profile for which connection the user desires the Internet connection to employ. To continue the above example, once the user arrives home and plugs the mobile unit into the MMDS/LMDS wireless high speed data port, the Internet connection will be again seamlessly transferred from the cellular network to the MMDS network.

The present invention provides a common GUI, common setup and teardown features, a better Quality of Service (QoS), and a choice of service based on the user's preference e.g., price, latency, etc., and the situation e.g., bandwidth requirement of the application, time of day, available network resources, location, etc.

The present invention also provides benefits to communication service providers because the present invention allows the providers to provide transparent and cost-effective “one-stop shopping” for consumer Internet connectivity solutions. It also enables wireless operators to develop more personalized service to increase ARPU.

The present invention provides a solution to support high speed data transfer through a wireless communication system. The technologies used in a fixed wireless data arena support slow speed HO. With the present invention, a user can use the fixed wireless high speed data in a slow moving environment, and reserve the use of cellular communications services for situations when the standard telephone (wire) network or fixed wireless (LAN) networks cannot support the user's needs.

The present invention is an integrated solution that provides network operators as well as consumers more flexible services and features, as well as pricing and QoS options. The user can also direct the present invention to change from a lowest price selection criteria to a highest QoS selection criteria depending on the situation that the user requires. For example, if the user is checking email messages, the user might want to use a low price service, since email may not be that important. However, if the user is transferring time-critical information from one geographic location to another, the user may want to use a high QoS service to ensure that the information travels as fast as possible. Further, the switch from one service to another is transparent to the user during the online session.

Network Architecture

In a mobile IP environment, current proposals suggest the use of a first Foreign Agent (FA) as the anchor during the mobile handoff within a system. Such a solution becomes impractical for inter-system handoff because the two systems involved may not be willing to take data packets from the other, and the subscriber will have to pay twice the network cost since the packet goes through both networks. Another proposed solution is the “break-and-connect” system, e.g., the mobile unit will connect to a new network after it disengages from the old one. The main drawback for this method is the time required for the mobile unit to re-register with the new network and re-authenticate with the Home Agent (HA). This inherent delay may be acceptable to a casual data user, but is unacceptable to a real-time application.

With the establishment of the multiple-interface/multiple-connection concept of the present invention, seamless switching between systems becomes possible and desirable because the user can then utilize whichever network provides the best Internet connection for the task at hand. Because the present invention extends current Mobile IP in a new dimension, e.g., the seamless roaming between different kinds of systems, for example cellular to wireless LAN, it is dubbed “Mobile IP Squared.”

Unlike the present mobile IP strategy where only one connection from the mobile unit to the Home Agent (HA) can be managed, the multiple-interface/multiple-connection concept of the present invention can maintain multiple connections from the mobile unit to the HA. The HA maintains a table comprising multiple Foreign Agent (FA) entries. The HA will then tunnel the packet to the appropriate FA based on the user profile, e.g., least cost, highest speed, etc.

FIG. 1illustrates a network topology using a multiple-interface/multiple-connection scheme as in the present invention.

Network topology100comprises a HA102coupled to a network104, e.g., the Internet. Network104is coupled to several different types of other networks106,108and110. Network106can be, for example a cellular network106, with a cellular system112and FA114. Network108can be a wireless Local Area Network (LAN)108, with a Wireless LAN system116and FA118. Network110can be an ethernet network110, with an ethernet system120and FA122. Each of the systems112,116, and120can couple to a mobile unit124. Mobile unit124can be a mobile personal computer, or a mobile telephone, or other mobile personal computing device. There can be other or additional interfaces between the mobile unit124and the HA102without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The Binding of Multiple-Interface/Multiple Connection

FIG. 2illustrates the binding of the multiple interfaces of the present invention. Each system112,116, and120shown inFIG. 1must interface with the Internet104. Typically, this interface is controlled by the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, which is a protocol that controls access to the physical transmission medium of the network. The MAC layer is typically built into the network adapter.

As shown inFIG. 2, IP layer200can have multiple connections to multiple MACs202,204and206. MAC202is the MAC for the Ethernet network110. MAC204is the MAC for the Wireless LAN network108. MAC206is the MAC for the cellular network106. Each connection is supported simultaneously. Between IP layer200and MACs204and206, network management packers208manage the interface between IP layer200and MACs204and206. Between IP layer200and MAC202, a network management/traffic packet210is used to manage the network and traffic between IP layer200and MAC202.

The mobile unit124performs a routing function from the IP layer200to the mobile unit124based on a user profile, e.g., the traffic packet is routed through an Ethernet interface if that is the preferred interface for that particular mobile unit124. For a network management packet, the mobile unit124sends the packet back to the link it came from. Typically, there is one IP address corresponding to each MAC interface202,204and206. With a mobile unit124, however, such a requirement is unnecessary. For Internet security reasons, it is desirable for a mobile packet to respond back to the MAC link where the packet came from. This security feature can be implemented by associating a connection with a class-of-service in the IP header.

User Profile Based Tunneling by HA

FIG. 3illustrates a user profile as used in the present invention. Table300comprises a network type302, a priority304, and a FA care-of address306for each Internet connection for a given mobile unit124. Each mobile unit124can have a different table300, and each user can customize the table300to meet the needs of that mobile unit124. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, mobile unit124has selected the Ethernet as network type302with the highest priority (1)304. Other units124may select the cellular network106as their highest priority, etc. This table300directs the mobile unit124to check the highest priority304network type302before switching to a different network type302. Further, each mobile unit124may have a different table300based on time of day, geographical location, logon name, or other qualities that will vary for a given mobile unit124. Based on the user defined preference as shown in the priority304column, the Ethernet connection is selected as the tunneling destination for all packets whose destination is the roaming mobile unit124. Note that the cellular system is not available in the example ofFIG. 3, but can be available without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Dynamic Update of HA Connection Table

The HA connection table300can be dynamically updated by the mobile unit124to select the desired Internet104service link. After the mobile unit124powers up, the mobile unit124scans the available networks106-110based on the user profile table300stored in the mobile unit124. The mobile unit124registers through all the networks106,108and110that the mobile unit124can access and enables the corresponding MAC layer connection202,204and206and control messages when the mobile unit sees a new FA114,118, or122. The FA114,118, and122at each accessed network106,108and110forwards its “care-of-address” back to the HA102. The HA102updates its connection table with each entry corresponding to one network106,108and110. The HA102chooses one FA114,118, or122as the first option based on the preference304specified in the user profile table300and the application requirements. For example, a user might prefer wired Ethernet to wireless LAN and Cellular based access, because of traffic capacity and cost considerations.

Connections with all of the data networks106,108and110are maintained dynamically. Similar to a cellular telephone Handoff concept, candidate system networks106,108and110are checked regularly and connections are maintained based on user preference as stored in the table300.

When the user moves from one system or network106,108and110to the other, the mobile unit124updates the HA102and the system100automatically routes packets destined to the previous FA (e.g., the Ethernet LAN FA122) to the wireless LAN FA118or the Cellular network FA114, without breaking down the web browsing session, since control messages among these different systems have set up the connection already.

During the switching period, the packets arrived at the previous FA114,118, or122can either be discarded or forwarded to the new FA114,118, or122. Such a switch can be triggered by two types of events. The first event is a forced switching event where the user accessing, for example, his/her corporate LAN for web browsing unplugs his/her Ethernet card from the network110during a downloading event. Since the wired LAN connection to network110no longer exists, the present invention informs the HA102immediately that the Ethernet110connection is down, and the HA110updates its connection table300. All new packets will be sent to the wireless LAN network108FA118afterward, and thereby keeping the data flow to the unit124continuous.

The second event is a preference-driven switching event. For example, when a user enters a home or office building with wireless LAN network108coverage, the user might want to switch from a Cellular data network106to the wireless LAN network108for faster speed and lower cost. This switchover is accomplished by adding a new entry to the connection table300in the HA102, and consequently all packets destined to the mobile will be tunneled to the wireless LAN network108. Traffic from the mobile unit124can use the wireless LAN network108in because the same session security key is enforced. There is no need to authenticate with the correspondent party. When the cellular network106becomes unavailable, e.g., when the mobile unit124checks all its connections the next time, the present invention informs the HA102to take the cellular network106connection out of the connection table300.

The IP session is transferred to the second network106-110option seamlessly. This is done by adding an enhancement to the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) for controlling of the IP packet “physical” routing for multi-physical connections. Enhanced Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) or enhanced echoed CMIP is used to more effectively control the IP tunneling between all potential systems.

Connection Update Implementation

Intelligent ARP provides the IP-address-to-MAC-address mapping. The intelligent ARP process of the present invention supports the mapping from single IP to multi-MAC addresses. Two very important advantages from ARP are that ARP hides physical MAC address from high level applications and allow them to work only with IP addresses, and ARP allows network engineers to access MAC address.

Internet Control Management Protocol (ICMP)

FIG. 4illustrates an Internet Protocol (IP) datagram of the present invention. The ICMP protocol is part of the Internet Protocol and uses the IP datagram delivery activity ofFIG. 4to send messages. IP datagram400comprises an IP header402and an Internet Control Message Protocol message404. The IP header402typically provides addressing and other control functions for the IP datagram400. The ICMP message is a TCP/IP protocol used to send error and control messages.

FIG. 5illustrates a detailed description of an ICMP message described with respect toFIG. 4. ICMP message404comprises a type500, a code502, and a checksum504. Typically the ICMP message404reforms control, error reporting and information functions for TCP/IP. The ICMP message404reforms flow control, detects unreachable destinations, redirects messaging routes, and checks remote hosts. Ping uses ICMP to send an Echo Reply ICMP packet with a statistical output from the other end of the system.

The present invention uses the ICMP message404as a vehicle for the mobile unit124to notify the next in line network106-110of the disconnection when the previous network106-110connection is either terminated or unavailable.

Scenario

FIG. 6illustrates how the inter systems roaming/handoff is implemented in the present invention.

System600comprises a corporate or office building environment602, a mobile environment604, and a home office environment606. In environment602, an ethernet system608is used to supply data transfer and computing platforms for corporate users610-614. Server616is used to provide interconnections to users610-614. Initially, mobile unit614is powered up and connected to the corporate LAN608through an Ethernet connection. An Internet Protocol (IP) connection is established with the corporate LAN608. The user profile is then downloaded from the Home Agent (HA)618. Any potential system links are then established and maintained based on the user profile, e.g., Ethernet608, wireless LAN620, Metricom622and cellular624.

The mobile unit614then sends/receives IP packets from the Ethernet608. The mobile unit614transmits/receives IP packets from the Ethernet (corporate LAN)608, and maintains both data and control links between the mobile unit614and the Ethernet608. The control links on the wireless LAN620, Metricom622, and cellular624connections are also maintained at the same time by the present invention. ICMP messages are transmitted from all serving and standby FAs, and the mobile unit614, to synchronize link status between the Ethernet608, wireless LAN620, Metricom622, and cellular624systems.

The user then unplugs the mobile unit614from the Ethernet608and walks away from the Ethernet608toward the garage. The mobile unit614will then determine that the Ethernet608link is no longer available to mobile unit614, and the second priority link will automatically be selected when the disconnection from the Ethernet608is detected. The Ethernet608connection is terminated properly, and the HA618will be notified to deliver IP packets to the new wireless LAN620FA. The IP packets routed to the Ethernet608FA can be re-tunneled to the wireless LAN620FA or simply discarded to let the upper layer do the re-transmission. The user typically experiences an unnoticeable delay in data transmission during switching, because the wireless LAN connection was initiated when the user initiated the session when the PC was coupled to the Ethernet608.

The user will eventually want to continue sessions beyond the corporate602environment. For those occasions when the user is unplugged from the Ethernet608, and out of range of the wireless LAN620, e.g., when the mobile unit614is with the user while on a commuter train, driving home, etc., the present invention seamlessly transitions the user's mobile unit614automatically from the wireless LAN620to Metricom system622or cellular624depending on the user profile. The next priority link in table300will automatically be selected when the present invention automatically detects the terminated link, i.e., the termination of wireless LAN620connections. The wireless LAN620connection is terminated properly, and the HA618is notified to deliver IP packets through the new Metricom622or cellular624FA. Any IP packets stuck at the wireless LAN620can be routed directly to the Metricom622or cellular624FA through tunneling or can be sent again from the upper layer of the sender. Again, the mobile unit614typically only experiences a slight data delivery delay. The transition point for switching networks can also be based on absolute location since the mobile unit614location can be easily identified through mobile location technologies.

Eventually, the user will arrive at his/her home and plug mobile unit614into a Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (also Microwave Multipoint Distribution Service) (MMDS) System626. The previous link, e.g., cellular624or Metricom622link, will stay connected until the MMDS626link is established and ready. The MMDS626link will be automatically detected, and the HA618will be notified to deliver IP packets through the new MMDS626. Since the Metricom622or cellular624connection is still active, IP packets arrived at the Metricom622or cellular624FA can be delivered to the user's mobile unit614directly. The transition point for switching networks can also be based on absolute location since the mobile unit614location can be easily identified through current mobile location techniques. The speed of the connection can be adjusted in the background.

FIG. 7illustrates the mobile unit using the Ethernet connection in parallel with other IP connections in accordance with the present invention.

HA618, upon mobile unit614power up, connects communications links through ethernet608as a signaling/traffic packet link, wireless LAN620as a signaling packet link, and through either the cellular622system or the Metricom system, or both, as a signalling packet link. The mobile unit614receives and transmits IP packets through the Ethernet608link as described above.

FIG. 8illustrates the mobile unit using the wireless LAN connection in parallel with other IP connections in accordance with the present invention.

Once the mobile unit614is unplugged from the Ethernet608, no traffic can be transmitted from the HA618to the mobile unit614through the Ethernet608link. As such, the present invention detects that the Ethernet608link no longer exists, and re-routes the signaling and traffic packet to the second or next priority service. InFIG. 8, this next priority service, after the Ethernet608, is the wireless LAN620communications link. The signaling packet can still be sent through communications links on the cellular624and/or Metricom services.

FIG. 9illustrates the mobile unit using the cellular or Metricom connection in parallel with other IP connections in accordance with the present invention.

Again, once the mobile unit614is no longer connected to the Ethernet608, and out of range of the wireless LAN620, the present invention continues the communications link with the HA618through the cellular624link or the Metricom622link. The cellular624or Metricom622links can be in parallel or at different priorities within the priority table300. The cellular624and/or the Metricom622link then becomes the signaling and traffic packet for the mobile unit614.

FIG. 10illustrates the mobile unit initializing the MMDS connection in parallel with other IP connections in accordance with the present invention.

Once the mobile unit614is connected with the MMDS system626, initialization of the MMDS session must take place. During initialization, signaling packets can travel over the MMDS626, but the MMDS626is not ready to act as the traffic packet handler yet. As such, the cellular624or Metricom622system continues to act as the signaling and traffic packet communications link for mobile unit614.

FIG. 11illustrates the mobile PC using the MMDS connection in parallel with other IP connections in accordance with the present invention.

Once the MMDS626connections are established, the MMDS626communications link can act as the signaling and traffic packet link for mobile unit614. The cellular624or Metricom622link reverts to a signaling packet communications link to enable the mobile unit614to be disconnected from the MMDS626and still provide continuous data delivery from the HA618to the mobile unit614.

Process Chart

FIG. 12is a flow chart illustrating the steps used to practice the present invention.

Block1200illustrates the step of coupling a first network between a mobile personal computing device and a Home Agent (HA) using the Internet.

Block1202illustrates the step of coupling at least a second network, between the mobile personal computing platform and the HA using the Internet, wherein the first network provides a signaling path and a data path from the HA to the mobile personal computing device and the second network provides a signaling path from the HA to the mobile personal computing device, the HA switching the data path from the first network to the second network when a predetermined condition occurs.

Benefits

The main benefits from multiple connections are that user can choose connections based upon user profile such as routing traffic based on available capacity, routing traffic based on throughput or pricing, and providing a method for inter-system and inter-technologies seamless roaming. The present invention also supports high speed HO in a mobile IP network, faster packet delivery, dynamic capacity control, user flexibility in selecting different systems based on pricing or QoS, and can be easily adapted for VPN applications and support the MPLS. Security can be ensured through firewall and encryption techniques.

The frequent switching between multiple connections becomes not only possible, but also highly desirable in many cases. The present invention eliminates the requirement that a user remain with a single network for each Internet session, and allows the user to travel between geographic locations during the same Internet session while maintaining a certain QoS and/or data throughput. In addition, when the primary connection (1stoption) becomes unavailable, the mobile unit does not have to stumble through other networks for Internet connections because all the available connections have been established.

The present invention provides and maintains multi-connections provides consumers with real time seamless intelligent roaming and tunneling among HA and all FAs. The present invention also provides a more efficient and effective means (intelligent routing and location based) for data packers to be delivered to the final destination.

From a service provider perspective, a highly customized service for different segments of users can be created using the present invention. For example, a high-end user may choose performance over cost, and can arrange his user profile to reflect his desire for the best performance; the associated service provider can then, in that user's profile, specify the highest speed network for his/her use. For cost-conscious users who prefer a more cost-conscious method of communicating, the user profile can be altered to select the most cost effective method as the user travels.

From the user's perspective, the user can now rely on the present invention to select the proper Internet network connection according to his needs and desires, and maintain continuous service without his/her intervention. From a network perspective, control is provided for all different types of networks, enabling more efficient use of the available communications channels.

CONCLUSION

This concludes the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. The following paragraphs describe some alternative methods of accomplishing the same objects. The present invention, although described with specific protocols, can use other protocols to accomplish the same goals. Although described with respect to serial communications between different communications services, parallel connections can be provided to increase speed and/or QoS of the data communications path between the HA and the mobile unit. The mobile unit can be any type of mobile personal computing or communicating device, such as a cellular telephone with Internet capabilities, a personal computer, or personal data assistant, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In summary, the present invention discloses a system and a method for communicating with a mobile personal computing device. The system comprises a home agent (HA), a first network, and at least a second network. The first and second networks are coupled to the HA via an interconnecting network. The first network provides a signaling path and a data path to the mobile personal computing device and the second network provides a signaling path to the mobile personal computing device, the HA switching the data path from the first network to the second network when a predetermined condition occurs.

The method comprises coupling a first network between a mobile personal computing device and a Home Agent (HA) using the Internet, and coupling at least a second network between the mobile personal computing device and the HA using the Internet, wherein the first network provides a signaling path and a data path to the mobile personal computing device and the second network provides a signaling path to the mobile personal computing device, the HA switching the data path from the first network to the second network when a predetermined condition occurs.