WLAN-To-WWAN Handover Methods And Apparatus Using A WLAN Support Node Having A WWAN Interface

Abstract

A mobile device establishes and maintains a voice call via a wireless local area network (WLAN). During voice call handover, the mobile device receives, from the cellular network, voice data of the voice call which is routed via a network support node. The network support node is connected to the WLAN and has a wireless link with a base station of the cellular network, for sending the voice data to the mobile device. The mobile device also sends, to the cellular network, voice data of the voice call which is communicated to the network support node over the wireless link with the base station.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method in a mobile device, the method comprising:
 establishing and maintaining a voice call via a wireless local area network (WLAN);   receiving via a cellular network voice data of the voice call from a network support node which is connected as a node in the WLAN, the network support node having a wireless link with a base station of the cellular network over which the voice data is communicated to the mobile device; and   sending via the cellular network voice data of the voice call which is communicated to the network support node over the wireless link with the base station.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the acts of receiving and sending are performed during a handover procedure of the voice call from the WLAN to the cellular network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 identifying a predetermined condition during the voice call; and   performing a handover procedure for handing over the voice call o a cellular network.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 sending, to the network support node, a message which includes an IP address or link layer address of the mobile device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the network support node, a message which includes an identification of the cellular network; and   communicating with the cellular network that is identified by the identification.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the WLAN comprises an IEEE 802.11 network. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the voice call comprises a voice over IP (VoIP) communication session. 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product, comprising:
 a computer readable medium;   computer instructions stored in the computer readable medium;   the computer instructions being executable on one or more processors of a mobile device for;
 establishing and maintaining a voice call via a wireless local area network (WLAN); 
 receiving via a cellular network voice data of the voice call from a network support node which is connected as a node in the WLAN, the network support node having a wireless link with a base station of the cellular network over which the voice data is communicated to the mobile device; and 
 sending via the cellular network voice data of the voice call which is communicated to the network support node over the wireless link with the base station. 
   
     
     
         16 . A mobile communication device, comprising:
 one or more processors;   first and second wireless transceivers coupled to the one or more processors;   the one or more processors being configured to:
 establish and maintain a voice call via a wireless local area network (WLAN); 
 receive via a cellular network voice data of the voice call from a network support node which is connected as a node in the WLAN, the network support node having a wireless link with a base station of the cellular network over which the voice data is communicated to the mobile device; and 
 send via the cellular network voice data of the voice call which is communicated to the network support node over the wireless link with the base station. 
   
     
     
         17 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to receive and send during a handover procedure of the voice call from the WLAN to the cellular network. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 identify a predetermined condition during the voice call; and   perform a handover procedure for handing over the voice call to a cellular network.   
     
     
         19 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 send, to the network support node, a message which includes an IP address or link layer address of the mobile device.   
     
     
         20 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
 receive from the network support node a message which includes an identification of the cellular network; and   communicate with the cellular network that is identified by the identification.   
     
     
         21 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the MAN comprises an IEEE 802.11 network. 
     
     
         22 . The mobile device of  claim 16 , wherein the voice call comprises a voice over IP (VoIP) communication session.