Handoff Of A Multimedia Call Session Using Background Network Scanning

Abstract

A method and system supporting handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning is disclosed. A mobile multimedia handset may engage in the exchange of a multimedia information stream via a first wireless network, and may sniff a portion of radio frequency spectrum for a second wireless network. Information about available services and network quality of service for the second network may be received by querying the second wireless network or from advertising by the second wireless network. Hand-off between the two networks may be based upon the results of the comparison and one or more user-defined criteria, and the handoff may be synchronized according to predefined events in the stream of multimedia information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for hand-off of a network communication session using background network scanning, the method comprising:
 initiating, at a mobile access device, exchange of multimedia information with a wireless wide area network;   activating a communication path by the wireless wide area network to communicate multimedia information between the wide area network and the mobile access device;   activating background network scanning by the mobile access device to detect a broadband access gateway; and   detecting, by the mobile access device, signals from the broadband access gateway;   analyzing the signals from the broadband access gateway and send information about the signals to the wireless wide area network; and   providing, by the wireless wide area network, information about the broadband access gateway to the mobile access device.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information enables the mobile access device to access the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising presenting a user interface with a first option to continue using the wireless wide area network and a second option to use the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising, in response to a selection on the user interface of the second option, exchanging messaging with the broadband access gateway to request service. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising, in response to the request of service, accepting service for the mobile access device and notifying the mobile access device of acceptance. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising establishing a path for communication with the mobile access device through the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising exchanging messaging from the mobile access device to the wireless wide area network to dismantle the communication path between the wireless wide area network and the mobile access device. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising comparing a round trip delay for the path for communication with the mobile access device though the broadband access gateway and a round trip delay of the communication path between the wide area network and the mobile access device; and in response to the comparison automatically select between the path for communication with the mobile access device though the broadband access gateway and the communication path between the wide area network and the mobile access device. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising comparing a round trip delay for the path for communication with the mobile access device though the broadband access gateway and a round trip delay of the communication path between the wide area network and the mobile access device; and in response to the comparison presenting a user interface with a first option to continue using the wireless wide area network and a second option to use the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising comparing an error bit rate for the path for communication with the mobile access device though the broadband access gateway and an error bit rate of the communication path between the wide area network and the mobile access device; and in response to the comparison automatically select between the path for communication with the mobile access device though the broadband access gateway and the communication path between the wide area network and the mobile access device. 
     
     
         11 . A mobile device configured to hand-off a network communication session using background network scanning, the mobile device comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:   initiate exchange of multimedia information with a wireless wide area network;   activate a communication path to communicate multimedia information with a wide area network;   activate background network scanning to detect a broadband access gateway;   detect signals from the broadband access gateway;   analyze the signals from the broadband access gateway and send information about the signals to the wireless wide area network; and   receive, through the wireless wide area network, information about the broadband access gateway.   
     
     
         12 . The mobile device according to  claim 11 , wherein the information enables the mobile device to access the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device according to  claim 11 , further comprising presenting a user interface with a first option to continue using the wireless wide area network and a second option to use the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device according to  claim 13 , further comprising, in response to a selection on the user interface of the second option, exchanging messaging with the broadband access gateway to request service. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device according to  claim 14 , further comprising, in response to the request of service accepting service, receiving a notification of acceptance prior to establishing a path for handing off the network communication session with the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         16 . The mobile device according to  claim 11 , further comprising establishing a path for communication with the mobile device through the broadband access gateway. 
     
     
         17 . A broadband access gateway configured to hand-off a network communication session with a mobile access device using background network scanning, the broadband access comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:   transmit signals to a mobile device performing background network scanning;   receive a request for information about communication characteristics of the broadband access gateway;   provide information about the communication characteristics of the broadband access gateway to a wireless wide area network information for transmission to the mobile access device; and   establish a communication path with the mobile access device.   
     
     
         18 . The broadband access gateway according to  claim 17 , wherein the information comprises a cost, a bit rate, or a bandwidth. 
     
     
         19 . The broadband access gateway according to  claim 17 , wherein the information comprises a spatial resolution, a grey scale level, a color depth, or a frame rate. 
     
     
         20 . The broadband access gateway according to  claim 17 , wherein the information comprises an error rate, a quality of service, or a network delay.