Patent ID: 10159020

Abstract:
When handing off a multi-mode patient monitoring device (PMD) (28) between radio access technology (RAT) networks, a serving access point (AP) (12, 16, 72) with which a communication link is established by the PMD (28) over a first RAT network (RAT-1) to permit the PMD to communicate with a hospital IP network (18) via the serving AP (12, 16, 72). A scanning interface (14, 54, 74, 104) collects information regarding other available RAT networks (e.g., RAT-2 , RAT-3, etc) and candidate APs therein. If the RAT-1 communication quality of service falls below a predetermined threshold level, the serving AP (12, 16, 72) delivers information regarding the candidate APs (22, 24, 26) and their RAT networks to the PMD (28). Delivery of the candidate network/AP information is performed using a beacon signal continuously or periodically emitted from the serving AP (12, 16, 72), or upon request by the PMD (28). The PMD (28) selects a candidate AP (22, 24, 26) as a target AP, and initiates a handover to the target AP. In this manner, the PMD (28) is provided with candidate AP information without having to actively search for the APs, thereby conserving battery power.