Managing Communications Using a Mobile Device

1 . A method for transferring a communication session between a first network path and a second network path using a mobile communications device, comprising the steps of:

monitoring one or more parameters associated with the first network path and the second network path using the mobile communications device;

selecting one of the network paths based on one or more criteria; and

transferring the communication session to the selected network path whenever the communication session is not using the selected network path.

2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

using the selected network path for new incoming and outgoing communication sessions; or

buffering the communication session during the transfer to the selected network path.

3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication session is a new incoming communication session and the step of transferring the communication session to the selected network path comprises the steps of:

delaying acceptance of the new incoming communication session via the non-selected network path;

transferring the new incoming communication session from the non-selected network path to the selected network path; and

accepting the new incoming communication session via the selected network path.

4 . The method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising the step of accepting the new incoming communication session via the non-selected network path whenever the selected network path is unavailable, the transfer is delayed or the transfer is unsuccessful.

5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication session is a new outgoing communication session and the step of using the selected network path comprises the steps of:

initiating the new outgoing communication session with the selected network path whenever the selected path is available; and

initiating the new outgoing communication session via the non-selected network path whenever the selected network path is unavailable, the initiation of the new outgoing communication session via the selected network path is delayed or the initiation of the new outgoing communication session via the selected network path is unsuccessful.

6 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of transferring the communication session comprises sending a transfer request via the first network path, the second network path or a combination thereof.

7 . A dual mode communications device comprising:

a VoIP module;

a RF module; and

an application communicably coupled to the VoIP module and the RF module, wherein the application monitors one or more parameters associated with the first network path and the second network path, selects one of the network paths based on one or more criteria and transfers the communication session to the selected network path whenever the communication session is not using the selected network path.

8 . The dual mode communications device as recited in claim 7 , wherein:

the one or more parameters comprise diagnostic information, operational information, performance information, location information, network information, network operator information, network path information, quality of service information, security information, signal strength, velocity, connection quality, voice quality, communications rate, packet loss, RF channel estimation, roaming speed or a combination thereof;

the one or more criteria comprise diagnostic information, operational information, performance information, location information, network information, network operator information, network path information, historical information, quality of service information, security information, communication session type, trigger events, user information or preferences, rate plans for the first and second network paths, estimated cost for the communication session, estimated costs for the transfer, minutes used, minutes available or a combination thereof;

the trigger events comprise the mobile communications device roaming between the first network path and the second network path, the communication session is dropped, successful association with an IP network, a user override, a drop in signal strength, communications rate or voice quality below a threshold value or a combination thereof;

the communication session comprises an existing communication session, a new incoming communication session or a new outgoing communication session; and

the first network path comprises a cellular network and the second network path comprises an IP network, or the first network path comprises the IP network and the second network path comprises the cellular network, or both network paths comprise different paths within the IP network, or both network paths comprise different paths within the cellular network.

9 . The dual mode communications device as recited in claim 7 , wherein:

the communication session transfer comprises a horizontal handover or a vertical handover;

the communication session is transferred without interruption, using a make-before-break process or transparently to a user of the communications device;

the selected network path is used for new incoming and outgoing communication sessions;

the communication session is only transferred if a minimum time period has elapsed since initiation of the communication session, a previous transfer or a combination thereof;

the application transfers the communication session by sending a transfer request via the first network path, the second network path or a combination thereof; or

the application buffers the communication session during the transfer to the selected network path.

10 . The dual mode communications device as recited in claim 7 , wherein:

the communication session is a new incoming communication session and the application transfers the new incoming communication session to the selected network path by delaying acceptance of the new incoming communication session via the non-selected network path, transferring the new incoming communication session from the non-selected network path to the selected network path and accepting the new incoming communication session via the selected network path;

the application accepts the new incoming communication session via the non-selected network path whenever the selected network path is unavailable, the transfer is delayed or the transfer is unsuccessful;

the communication session is a new outgoing communication session and the application initiates the new outgoing communication session with the selected network path whenever the selected network path is available, and initiates the new outgoing communication session via the non-selected network path whenever the selected network path is unavailable, the initiation of the new outgoing communication session via the selected network path is delayed or the initiation of the new outgoing communication session via the selected network path is unsuccessful; or

the application transfers the communication session by sending a transfer request via the first network path, the second network path or a combination thereof.

11 . A method of managing an association with one or more wireless network access points, comprising the steps of:

monitoring a signal from one of the access points;

preparing to change to a new access point whenever one or more parameters of the signal fall below a first threshold;

changing to the new access point whenever one or more parameters of the signal fall below a second threshold; and

periodically performing a scan of at least one of the access points wherein the scan comprises a short scan if a communication session is active and a complete scan otherwise.

12 . The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the step of preparing to change to the new access point comprises the steps of:

performing the short scan;

selecting the new access point; and

creating an association with the new access point.

13 . The method as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:

selecting an access point based on a short scan, a complete scan, a sorted list of available channels or a combination thereof; and

creating an association with the selected access point.

14 . The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein:

the short scan comprises the steps of selecting a channel from a list of available channels that are sorted based on one or more criteria, scanning the selected channel, and adjusting the list whenever the selected channel does not satisfy the one or more parameters; and

the complete scan comprises the steps of scanning for available channels, creating or adjusting the list of available channels sorted by one or more criteria, and storing the list of available channels in a memory.

15 . The method as recited in claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:

repeating the short scan for another channel; or

retrieving a different list based on a current location.

16 . A communications device comprising:

a VoIP module; and

an application communicably coupled to the VoIP module, wherein the application monitors a signal from a wireless network access point, prepares to change to a new access point whenever one or more parameters of the signal fall below a first threshold, changes to the new access point whenever one or more parameters of the signal fall below a second threshold, and periodically performs a scan of one or more access points wherein the scan comprises a short scan if a communication session is active and a complete scan otherwise.

17 . The communications device as recited in claim 16 , further comprising a RF module communicably coupled to the application.

18 . The communications device as recited in claim 16 , wherein the application prepares to change to the new access point by performing the short scan, selecting the new access point and creating an association with the new access point.

19 . The communications device as recited in claim 16 , wherein the application further selects an access point based on a short scan, complete scan, a sorted list of available channels or a combination thereof, creates an association with the selected access point.

20 . The communications device as recited in claim 16 , wherein:

the one or more criteria comprise operational information, performance information, location information, network information, historical information, quality of service information, security information, user information or a combination thereof;

the one or more parameters comprise signal strength, velocity, connection quality, data rate or a combination thereof; and

the list comprises one or more location specific lists.

21 . The communications device as recited in claim 16 , wherein:

the short scan is also performed during a low power mode or when a communication session is active;

the short scan saves time, reduces power consumption, is not detectable to a user or a combination thereof;

the application performs the short scan by selecting a channel from a list of available channels that are sorted based on one or more criteria, scanning the selected channel and adjusting the list whenever the selected channel does not satisfy the one or more parameters;

the application performs the complete scan by scanning for available channels, creating or adjusting the list of available channels sorted by one or more criteria and storing the list of available channels in a memory; or

the application further repeats the short scan for another channel.

22 . A communications device comprising:

a VoIP module; and

an application communicably coupled to the VoIP module, wherein the application selects a channel from a list of available channels that are sorted based on one or more criteria, scans the selected channel and adjusts the list whenever the selected channel does not satisfy one or more parameters.

23 . The communications device as recited in claim 22 , further comprising a RF module communicably coupled to the application.

24 . The communications device as recited in claim 22 , wherein:

the one or more criteria comprise operational information, performance information, location information, network information, historical information, quality of service information, security information, user information or a combination thereof;

the one or more parameters comprise signal strength, velocity, connection quality, data rate or a combination thereof;

the application further selects an access point based on the scan, a complete scan, a sorted list of available channels or a combination thereof, and creates an association with the selected access point;

wherein the scan is also performed during a low power mode or when a communication session is active; or

the application repeats the selection, scanning and adjusting steps for another channel.

25 . The communications device as recited in claim 22 , wherein:

the application further selects an access point based on the scan, a complete scan, a sorted list of available channels or a combination thereof, and creates an association with the selected access point; or

the application further retrieves a different list based on a current location.