IP Library Granted Patent US 8,897,265
Granted Patent B2
US 8,897,265 · App. 14/141,590 · Granted Nov 25, 2014

Call handoff between different networks for hybrid mobile device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,897,265
App. No.
14/141,590
Granted
Nov 25, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are techniques for hosting a communication session in a call server between communication devices. The call server functions as a bridge service between the communication devices joining an original communication link between the first communication device and the call server with a second communication link between the second communication device and the call server. The first communication device includes at least two RF transceivers each capable of communicating with the call server over a separate network using separate telephone numbers. The call server establishes an alternate communication link with the first communication device on an alternate network and joins it with the second communication link before disabling the original communication link to maintain the communication session between the communication devices.

Claims (33)

1. A method comprising:

hosting a communication session in a call server between a first communication device and a second communication device, the call server operable in an Internet Protocol (IP) based packet data network in which:

(i) the call server functions as a bridge between the first communication device and the second communication device joining an original communication link between the first communication device and the call server with a second communication link between the second communication device and the call server to create a communication session between the first and second communication devices, and

(ii) the first communication device includes at least two RF transceivers each capable of communicating with the call server over a separate network, wherein the original communication link between the first communication device and the call server is initially established over an original network and the IP based packet data network using a first telephone number associated with the first communication device;

receiving an out of band signal from the first communication device, the out of band signal separate from the communication session and sent over an open data channel between the first communication device and the call server, the out of band signal comprising an instruction to handoff the original communication link to an alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server;

establishing the alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server on an alternate network and the IP based packet data network using a second telephone number associated with the first communication device; and

joining the alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server on the alternate network with the second communication link between the second communication device and the call server to maintain the communication session between the first and second communication devices.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the original network is one of a voice over IP (VoIP) data network, a mobile carrier network, a WiMax network, and a whitespace network.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternate network is one of a VoIP IP data network, a mobile carrier network, a WiMax network, and a whitespace network.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising disabling the original communication link between the first communication device and the call server.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the open data channel between the first communication device and the call server is a Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) data channel.

6. A call server operable in an Internet Protocol (IP) based packet data network, the call server comprising:

a processor operable to execute one or more software modules, the software modules including instructions that when executed:

host a communication session between a first communication device and a second communication device wherein:

(i) the call server functions as a bridge between the first communication device and the second communication device joining an original communication link between the first communication device and the call server with a second communication link between the second communication device and the call server to create a communication session between the first and second communication devices, and

(ii) the first communication device includes at least two RF transceivers each capable of communicating with the call server over a separate network, wherein the original communication link between the first communication device and the call server is initially established over an original network and the IP based packet data network using a first telephone number associated with the first communication device;

receive an out of band signal from the first communication device, the out of band signal separate from the communication session and sent over an open data channel between the first communication device and the call server, the out of band signal comprising an instruction to handoff the original communication link to an alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server;

establish the alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server on an alternate network and the IP based packet data network using a second telephone number associated with the first communication device; and

join the alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server on the alternate network with the second communication link between the second communication device and the call server to maintain the communication session between the first and second communication devices.

7. The call server of claim 6 , wherein the original network is one of a voice over IP (VoIP) data network, a mobile carrier network, a WiMax network, and a whitespace network.

8. The call server of claim 6 , wherein the alternate network is one of a voice over IP (VoIP) data network, a mobile carrier network, a WiMax network, and a whitespace network.

9. The call server of claim 6 , further comprising disabling the original communication link between the first communication device and the call server.

10. The call server of claim 6 , wherein the open data channel between the first communication device and the call server is a Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) data channel.

11. A method comprising:

establishing an original communication link between a first communication device and a call server operable in an Internet Protocol (IP) based packet data network, the original communication link established over an original network and the IP based packet data network using a first telephone number associated with the first communication device;

joining the original communication link between the first communication device and the call server on the original network with a second communication link between a second communication device and the call server to establish a communication session between the first and second communication devices;

receiving an out of band signal from the first communication device, the out of band signal separate from the communication session and sent over an open data channel between the first communication device and the call server, the out of band signal comprising an instruction to handoff the original communication link to an alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server;

establishing the alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server on an alternate network and the IP based packet data network using a second telephone number associated with the first communication device; and

joining the alternate communication link between the first communication device and the call server on the alternate network with the second communication link between the second communication device and the call server to maintain the communication session between the first and second communication devices.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the original network is one of a voice over IP (VoIP) data network, a mobile carrier network, a WiMax network, and a whitespace network.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the alternate network is one of a VoIP IP data network, a mobile carrier network, a WiMax network, and a whitespace network.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising disabling the original communication link between the first communication device and the call server.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the open data channel between the first communication device and the call server is a Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) data channel.

Assignments (6)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 27, 2021
From: REPUBLIC WIRELESS, INC.
To: RELAY, INC.
Reel/Frame 056753/0703 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT NO. 9,014,138 SHOULD BE PATENT NO. 9,014,038 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041030 FRAME 0123. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Aug 17, 2020
From: BANDWIDTH.COM, INC.
To: REPUBLIC WIRELESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053583/0771 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2016
From: BANDWIDTH.COM, INC.
To: REPUBLIC WIRELESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041030/0123 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2016
From: BANDWIDTH.COM, INC.
To: REPUBLIC WIRELESS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040821/0231 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2014
From: COOK, ADAM; MILAM, JUSTIN
To: BANDWIDTH.COM
Reel/Frame 033800/0074 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2014
From: KASHIMBA, JARED; RATHNAM, SAI
To: BANDWIDTH.COM, INC.
Reel/Frame 031882/0552 →