Apparatus and method of maintaining state in a data transmission system

Abstract

An apparatus and method of maintaining state information for a network device changing from a first channel (in communication with a first base unit) to a second channel (in communication with a second base unit) communicates with at least one of the first base unit and an intermediate network device to ascertain the state information. Once the state information is ascertained, it is applied to the communication of the network device with the second base unit. Both the first and second base units are independently operable network devices in a data transmission network.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for communicating state information of a network device capable of changing from a first channel to a second channel in a data transmission system, the first channel being in communication with a first base unit, the second channel being in communication with a second base unit, the first and second base units being independently operable network devices, the apparatus comprising: 
 an input configured to receive the state information of the network device; and    an output configured to forward the state information to facilitate changing the network device from the first channel to the second channel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  wherein the output is configured to forward the state information to a second network device in communication with the second base unit.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 2  wherein the second network device includes a state processor capable of applying the state information to the communication of the first network device and the second base unit.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 1  wherein the state information relates to use of one of the first and second channels by the first network device.  
     
     
         5 . A method of communicating state information of a network device capable of changing from a first channel to a second channel in a data transmission system, the first channel being in communication with a first base unit, the second channel being in communication with a second base unit, the first and second base units being independently operable network devices, the apparatus comprising: 
 receiving the state information of the network device; and    forwarding the state information to facilitate changing the network device from the first channel to the second channel.    
     
     
         6 . The method as defined by  claim 5  wherein forwarding includes forwarding the state information to a second network device in communication with the second base unit.  
     
     
         7 . The method as defined by  claim 6  wherein the second network device includes a state processor capable of applying the state information to the communication of the first network device and the second base unit.  
     
     
         8 . The method as defined by  claim 5  wherein the state information relates to use of one of the first and second channels by the first network device.  
     
     
         9 . A computer program product for use on a computer system for communicating state information of a network device capable of changing from a first channel to a second channel in a data transmission system, the first channel being in communication with a first base unit, the second channel being in communication with a second base unit, the first and second base units being independently operable network devices, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code thereon, the computer readable program code comprising: 
 program code for receiving the state information of the network device; and    program code for forwarding the state information to facilitate changing the network device from the first channel to the second channel.    
     
     
         10 . The computer program product as defined by  claim 9  wherein the program code for forwarding includes program code for forwarding the state information to a second network device in communication with the second base unit.  
     
     
         11 . The computer program product as defined by  claim 10  wherein the second network device includes a state processor capable of applying the state information to the communication of the first network device and the second base unit.  
     
     
         12 . The computer program product as defined by  claim 9  wherein the state information relates to use of one of the first and second channels by the first network device.