Methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss in a wireless communication network
Several related methods and apparatus for re-establishing communication for a wireless communication device after a communication loss between the wireless device and a wireless communication network are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the wireless network broadcasts identifiers of wireless devices associated with communication losses in the wireless network over a control channel. After regaining signal coverage, a wireless device monitors the control channel to decode and compare each broadcasted identifier with an identifier of the wireless device. Based on a match between a broadcasted identifier and the identifier of the wireless device, the wireless device transmits a control message which informs the wireless network of the presence of the wireless device. Otherwise, the wireless device normally refrains from transmitting the control message to the wireless network. Advantageously, communication with the wireless network is re-established (if at all necessary) without overburdening the wireless link with unnecessary traffic.
1. A method for use in re-establishing a data connection between an application server and a wireless communication device operating in a wireless communication network, the method comprising the acts of:
storing an identifier used to contact the application server in association with an identifier used to contact the wireless communication device;
receiving an indication of an out-of-coverage condition between the wireless communication device and the wireless communication network which causes the data connection to be terminated;
after the out-of-coverage condition, receiving an indication that the wireless communication device has regained signal coverage with the wireless communication network; and
in response to receiving the indication that the wireless communication device has regained signal coverage, using or providing, from the stored association, the identification of the application server for contacting the application server to re-establish the data connection with the wireless communication device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of storing the identifier is performed in response to the act of receiving the indication of the out of coverage condition.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of storing the identifier is performed prior to the act of receiving the indication of the out of coverage condition.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of storing the identifier used to contact the application server comprises the further act of storing an application server name of the application server.
5. The method of claim 1 , comprising the further act of:
using the identifier of the application server, contacting the application server to cause the connection to be re-established.
6. A method for use in re-establishing data communication over a data connection between an application server and a wireless communication device after an out of coverage condition between the wireless communication device and a wireless communication network which causes the data connection to be terminated, the method comprising the acts of:
storing an identifier used to contact the application server in association with an identifier used to contact the wireless communication device; and
after the out of coverage condition, in response to identifying that the wireless communication device regains signal coverage with the wireless communication network:
using or providing, from the stored association, the identifier of the application server for contacting the application server to re-establish the data connection with the wireless communication device.
7. The method of claim 6 , comprising the further act of:
using the identifier of the application server to contact the application server to assist in re-establishing the connection.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the identifier used to contact the application server comprises an application server name.
9. A server, comprising:
a data storage medium;
computer instructions stored on the data storage medium;
a computer processor which executes the computer instructions for use in re-establishing data communication over a data connection between an application server and a wireless communication device after an out of coverage condition between the wireless communication device and a wireless communication network which causes the data connection to be terminated, by performing the following acts of:
storing an identifier used to contact the application server in association with an identifier used to contact the wireless communication device; and
after the out of coverage condition, in response to identifying that the wireless communication device regains signal coverage with the wireless communication network:
using or providing, from the stored association, the identifier of the application server for contacting the application server to re-establish the data connection with the wireless communication device.
10. The server of claim 9 , wherein the computer processor which executes the computer instructions for using or providing the identifier is used for contacting the application server to re-establish the connection between the application server and the wireless communication device.
11. The server of claim 9 , which is a presence server.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of using or providing comprises the further act of:
providing the identifier of the application server to a contacting server which contacts the application server using the identifier.
13. The method of claim 1 , which is performed by a presence server and the act of using or providing comprises the further act of:
providing the identifier of the application server to a contacting server based on the identifier of the wireless communication device.