Patent ID: 8881305

Claim:
A method in a mobile communication device operating in a wireless communication network, the method, comprising: performing, via an access point of the wireless network, a first authentication procedure with an authentication server for obtaining a first session key; establishing a secure connection with the access point using the session key; setting a timer with an initial value that is less than or equal to a first key lifetime value associated with the first session key, and running the timer; communicating in a media session including a voice call over the secure connection with the access point; performing the following actions in response to an expiration of the timer during the voice call: initiating and performing, during and without interrupting the media session that is currently executing, a second authentication procedure with the authentication server to derive a second master session key (MSK) for obtaining a second session key associated with a second key lifetime value which overlaps with the first key lifetime value; updating, during the voice call, the mobile communication device with the second session key; and after updating, continuing the voice call over a second secure connection with the access point using the second session key; wherein the performing of the actions are done without disconnecting from and without reassociating with the access point, so that the voice call is continuously maintained without disruption.