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GB2556060A - Seamless handover between wireless communications networks - Google Patents

Seamless handover between wireless communications networks Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2556060A
GB2556060A GB1619398.9A GB201619398A GB2556060A GB 2556060 A GB2556060 A GB 2556060A GB 201619398 A GB201619398 A GB 201619398A GB 2556060 A GB2556060 A GB 2556060A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
wireless communication
communication network
credentials
network
translation device
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Granted
Application number
GB1619398.9A
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GB2556060B (en
Inventor
Timmis Rick
Elmes Richard
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Wifispark Ltd
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Wifispark Ltd
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Priority to GB1619398.9A priority Critical patent/GB2556060B/en
Publication of GB2556060A publication Critical patent/GB2556060A/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
    • H04W36/0005—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
    • H04W36/0011—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off for data sessions of end-to-end connection
    • H04W36/0033—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off for data sessions of end-to-end connection with transfer of context information
    • H04W36/0038—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off for data sessions of end-to-end connection with transfer of context information of security context information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
    • H04W36/0005—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
    • H04W36/0055—Transmission or use of information for re-establishing the radio link
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

To enable the seamless handover of a user device 108 between first 102 and second 106 wireless communication networks, a translation device 104 receives device credentials from the first network then translates them into a format that is accepted by the second network. The translated credentials are then forwarded to the second network, and the response from this network is then relayed by the translation device back to the first network. The device is then able to access the second network without providing credentials directly. The networks may be provided on mass transport vehicle such as a bus or train, or at a transport terminal. The networks may be Wi-Fi networks and the credentials may be one or more of a username, email address or a password. The first network may be operative to make a call to the translation device via an API in order to transmit the credentials to the translation device.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):
WIFISpark Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)
Cranmere Court, Lustleigh Close,
Matford Business Park, Exeter, Devon, EX2 8PW, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):
Rick Timmis Richard Elmes (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Withers & Rogers LLP
More London Riverside, LONDON, SE1 2AU, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:
H04W 36/00 (2009.01) (56) Documents Cited:
WO 2012/092604 A2 US 20160142944 A1
US 20130198817 A1 US 20110106959 A1 (58) Field of Search:
INT CL H04W
Other: EPODOC, WPI, Patent Fulltext (54) Title of the Invention: Seamless handover between wireless communications networks
Abstract Title: Translation of credentials for seamless handover between wireless communications networks (57) To enable the seamless handover of a user device 108 between first 102 and second 106 wireless communication networks, a translation device 104 receives device credentials from the first network then translates them into a format that is accepted by the second network. The translated credentials are then forwarded to the second network, and the response from this network is then relayed by the translation device back to the first network. The device is then able to access the second network without providing credentials directly. The networks may be provided on mass transport vehicle such as a bus or train, or at a transport terminal. The networks may be Wi-Fi networks and the credentials may be one or more of a username, email address or a password. The first network may be operative to make a call to the translation device via an API in order to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
100 \
Figure GB2556060A_D0001
108
Figure 1
This print incorporates corrections made under Section 117(1) of the Patents Act 1977.
1/1 ο
Figure GB2556060A_D0002
Figure 1
100
SEAMLESS HANDOVER BETWEEN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORKS
Technical Field
The present application relates to a method for seamless handover between wireless communications networks.
Background to the Invention
Operators of mass transit vehicles such as buses, trains and trams often provide on-board WiFi® networks for the benefit of their customers, to allow passengers to use mobile communication devices such as mobile telephones and tablet computers to access the internet while travelling. Separate WiFi® networks are often provided at transport terminals such as train station platforms, bus stations and tram stops, again to allow travellers to access the internet using their mobile communication devices. Typically in order to access the on-board WiFi® network on a bus, train or tram, a traveller must register with or log on to the network. Similarly, in order to access the separate WiFi® network at the transport terminal, the traveller must register with or log on to that network. At present there is no mechanism for automatically transferring a user's device between the two WiFi® networks. Thus, when a traveller disembarks from a vehicle such as a bus, train or tram and moves out of the range of the on-board WiFi® network, he must register with or log on to the WiFi® network at the transport terminal or perform some other manual intervention in order to continue using his device. Similarly, when a traveller boards a mass transport vehicle such as a bus, train, tram or the like and moves out of range of the transport terminal network, he must register with or log on to the onboard network or perform some other manual intervention in order to continue using his device. This can have a significant adverse impact on the traveller's experience.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method for seamlessly handing over from one wireless communication network to another.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for handover of a device between a first wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network, the system comprising: a translation device configured to: receive, from the first wireless communication network, credentials of a device connected to the first wireless communication network, wherein the credentials are in a format accepted by the first wireless communication network; translate the received credentials into a format that is accepted by the second wireless communication network; forward the translated credentials to the second wireless communication network; receive a response from the second wireless communication network; and relay the response to the first wireless communication network, such that the device is able to access the second wireless communication network without having to provide credentials to the second wireless communication network directly.
The system of the first aspect of the invention provides a mechanism for seamlessly handing the device over from the first wireless communication network to the second wireless communication network, thus obviating the need for a user of the device to connect and/or authenticate manually with the second wireless communication device when moving from an area in which the first wireless communication network is active to an area in which the second wireless communication network is active.
The first and second wireless communication networks may be WiFi® networks, for example.
The first wireless communication network may be provided on a mass transport vehicle such as a bus, train, tram or the like.
The second wireless network may be provided at a transport terminal such as a bus station, train station, tram stop or the like.
Alternatively, the first wireless communication network may be provided at a transport terminal.
The second wireless communication network may be provided on a mass transport vehicle.
The credentials may comprise one or more of: a username; an email address; and a password.
The first wireless communication network may be operative to make a call to the translation device via an API to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for handover of a device between a first wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving, at a translation device, from the first wireless communication network, credentials of a device connected to the first wireless communication network; at the translation device: forwarding the translated credentials to the second wireless communication network; receiving a response from the second wireless communication network; and relaying the response to the first wireless network, such that the device is able to access the second wireless network without having to provide credentials to the second wireless network directly.
The first and second wireless communication networks may be WiFi® networks, for example.
The first wireless communication network may be provided on a mass transport vehicle such as a bus, train or tram or the like.
The second wireless communication network may be provided at a transport terminal such as a bus station, train station or tram stop or the like.
Alternatively, the first wireless communication network may be provided at a transport terminal.
The second wireless communication network may be provided on a mass transport vehicle.
The credentials may comprise one or more of: a username; an email address; and a password.
The first wireless communication network may be operative to make a call to the translation device via an API to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a translation device for a system for handover of a device between a first wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network, wherein the translation device is configured to: receive, from the first wireless communication network, credentials of a device connected to the first wireless communication network, wherein the credentials are in a format accepted by the first wireless communication network; translate the received credentials into a format that is accepted by the second wireless communication network; forward the translated credentials to the second wireless communication network; receive a response from the second wireless communication network; and relay the response to the first wireless communication network, such that the device is able to access the second wireless communication network without having to provide credentials to the second wireless communication network directly.
The first and second wireless communication networks may be WiFi® networks, for example.
The first wireless communication network may be provided on a mass transport vehicle such as a bus, train or tram or the like.
The second wireless communication network may be provided at a transport terminal such as a bus station, train station or tram stop or the like.
Alternatively, the first wireless communication network may be provided at a transport terminal.
The second wireless communication network may be provided on a mass transport vehicle.
The credentials may comprise one or more of: a username; an email address; and a password.
The first wireless communication network may be operative to make a call to the translation device via an API to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program which, when executed by processing means, performs the method of the second aspect.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1, which is a schematic representation of a system for handover of a device between first and second wireless communication networks.
Description of the Embodiments
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system for handover of a device between first and second wireless communication networks.
In the system shown generally at 100 in Figure 1, a first wireless communication network 102 is provided. The first wireless communication network 102 may be, for example, a WiFi® network provided on a mass transport vehicle such as a train or bus.
A second wireless communication network 106 is also provided. The second wireless communication network 106 may be, for example, a WiFi® network provided at a transport terminal such as a train station platform or a bus station.
A translation device 104 is provided to facilitate seamless handover of a user device 108 such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer between the first and second wireless communication networks 102, 106, as will now be explained.
A user of the device 108 desiring to access the first wireless communication network 102, for example in order to access the internet on the device 108, must either register with the first wireless network 102 (if the user has not previously registered) or must log in to the first wireless network 102 (if the user has previously registered with the first wireless network 102). In either case, the user must typically provide credentials such as a username or email address and password to enable the first wireless network 102 to identify the user and validate that the user is an authorised user of the first wireless network 102.
When the user provides the required credentials to the first wireless network 102, the credentials are received at a server of the first wireless network 102. The server makes a call to a translation device 104, for example via an API (application programming interface), in which the credentials are passed to the translation device 104. The translation device 104 receives the call and the credentials, and translates the credentials into a format that is accepted by the second wireless network 106. The translated credentials are transmitted to the second wireless network 106, which receives them and validates the user and/or device 108 as being permitted to access the second wireless network 106. The second wireless network 106 generates a reply to the call from the translation device 104 indicating whether the translated credentials have been accepted by the second wireless network 106, and thus whether the device 108 is permitted to access the second wireless network 106. The second wireless network 106 transmits the reply to the translation device 104, which in turn transmits the reply to the first wireless network 102.
When the device 108 comes within range of the second wireless network 106, for example when a train on which the user is travelling arrives at a station platform, the user may desire to terminate the connection of the device 108 to the first wireless network 102 and establish a connection to the second wireless network 106, in order to allow the user to continue using the device 108, to access the internet for example, once out of range of the first wireless network 102. Hitherto this has required a manual process of providing identification and validation credentials to the second wireless network 106 via a registration or login screen which appears on the device 108 when the second wireless network 106 is detected. However, in the system illustrated in Figure 1, the device 108 is pre-registered and validated with the second wireless network 106 because the translation device 104 has provided acceptable credentials to the second wireless network 104. Thus, the device 108 is able automatically to access the second wireless network 106 without requiring manual entry of credentials by the user, thereby providing seamless handover of the device 108 from the first wireless network 102 to the second wireless network 106.
Similarly, where the user of the device 108 wishes to access the second wireless communication network 106 (for example to use the device 108 to access the internet whilst waiting on a station platform for a train), the user must either register with the second wireless network 106 (if the user has not previously registered) or must log in to the second wireless network 106 (if the user has previously registered with the second wireless network). Again, in either case, the user must typically provide credentials such as a username or email address and password to enable the second wireless network 106 to identify the user and validate that the user is an authorised user of the second wireless network 106.
When the user provides the required credentials to the second wireless network 106, the credentials are received at a server of the second wireless network 106. The server makes a call to the translation device 104, for example via an API (application programming interface), in which the credentials are passed to the translation device 104. The translation device 104 receives the call and the credentials, and translates the credentials into a format that is accepted by the first wireless network 102. The translated credentials are transmitted to the first wireless network 102, which receives them and validates the user and/or device 108 as being permitted to access the first wireless network 102. The first wireless network 102 generates a reply to the call from the translation device 104 indicating whether the translated credentials have been accepted by the first wireless network 102, and thus whether the device 108 is permitted to access the first wireless network 102. The first wireless network 102 transmits the reply to the translation device 104, which in turn transmits the reply to the second wireless network 106.
When the device 108 comes within range of the first wireless network 102, for example when a train on which the user intends to travel arrives at the station platform, the user may desire to terminate the connection of the device 108 to the second wireless network 106, and establish a connection to the first wireless network 102 (which in this example is provided on the train) in order to continue using the device 108, to access the internet for example, once out of range of the second wireless network 106. Hitherto this has required a manual process of providing identification and validation credentials to the first wireless network 102 via a registration or login screen which appears on the device 108 when the first wireless network 102 is detected. However, in the system illustrated in Figure 1, the device 108 is pre-registered and validated with the first wireless network 102 because the translation device 104 has provided acceptable credentials to the first wireless network 102. Thus, the device 108 is able automatically to access the first wireless network 102 without requiring manual entry of credentials by the user, thereby providing seamless handover of the device 108 from the second wireless network 106 to the first wireless network 102.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the system, method and translation device described provide a mechanism for seamlessly handing the device over from the first wireless communication network to the second wireless communication network, thus obviating the need for a user of the device to connect and/or authenticate manually with the second wireless communication device when moving from an area in which the first wireless communication network is active to an area in which the second wireless communication network is active.
In the exemplary scenario described above, a first wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle such as a bus, train, tram or the like and a second wireless communication network is provided at a transport terminal such as a bus station, train station, tram stop or the like. It will of course be appreciated that the first network wireless communication network may be provided at the transport terminal and the second wireless communication network may be provided on the mass transport vehicle.
Moreover, the exemplary scenario described above involves the user of a device moving between wireless communication networks provided on a mass transport vehicle and at a transport terminal, but it will be appreciated that the principles described are equally applicable to other scenarios, such as movement between different wireless communication networks within a building such as a shopping centre, office block or the like, or movement between wireless communication networks provided within a building and outside a building.
Further, although the exemplary scenario described above relates to movement between WiFi® networks, it will be appreciated that the principles described are equally applicable to other wireless networks, including (but not limited to) networks based on Bluetooth®, ZigBee® and other wireless networking technologies.

Claims (25)

1. A system for handover of a device between a first wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network, the system comprising:
a translation device configured to:
receive, from the first wireless communication network, credentials of a device connected to the first wireless communication network, wherein the credentials are in a format accepted by the first wireless communication network;
translate the received credentials into a format that is accepted by the second wireless communication network;
forward the translated credentials to the second wireless communication network;
receive a response from the second wireless communication network; and relay the response to the first wireless communication network, such that the device is able to access the second wireless communication network without having to provide credentials to the second wireless communication network directly.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second wireless communication networks are WiFi® networks.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle.
4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second wireless communication network is provided at a transport terminal.
5. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first wireless communication network is provided at a transport terminal.
6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the second wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle.
7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the credentials comprise one or more of: a username; an email address; and a password.
8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first wireless communication network is operative to make a call to the translation device via an API to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
9. A method for handover of a device between a first wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network, the method comprising:
receiving, at a translation device, from the first wireless communication network, credentials of a device connected to the first wireless communication network;
at the translation device:
forwarding the translated credentials to the second wireless communication network;
receiving a response from the second wireless communication network; and relaying the response to the first wireless network, such that the device is able to access the second wireless network without having to provide credentials to the second wireless network directly.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the first and second wireless communication networks are WiFi® networks.
11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle.
12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the second wireless communication network is provided at a transport terminal.
13. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the first wireless communication network is provided at a transport terminal.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the second wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle.
15. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the credentials comprise one or more of: a username; an email address; and a password.
16. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 15 wherein the first wireless communication network is operative to make a call to the translation device via an API to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
17. A translation device for a system for handover of a device between a first wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network, wherein the translation device is configured to:
receive, from the first wireless communication network, credentials of a device connected to the first wireless communication network, wherein the credentials are in a format accepted by the first wireless communication network;
translate the received credentials into a format that is accepted by the second wireless communication network;
forward the translated credentials to the second wireless communication network; receive a response from the second wireless communication network; and relay the response to the first wireless communication network, such that the device is able to access the second wireless communication network without having to provide credentials to the second wireless communication network directly.
18. A translation device according to claim 17 wherein the first and second wireless communication networks are WiFi® networks.
19. A translation device according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the first wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle.
20. A translation device according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the second wireless network is provided at a transport terminal.
21. A translation device according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the first wireless communication network is provided at a transport terminal.
22. A translation device according to claim 21 wherein the second wireless communication network is provided on a mass transport vehicle.
23. A translation device according to any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein the credentials comprise one or more of: a username; an email address; and a password.
24. A translation device according to any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein the first wireless communication network is operative to make a call to the translation device via an API to transmit the credentials to the translation device.
25. A computer program which, when executed by processing means, performs the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1619398.9 Examiner: Dr Stephen Bevan
GB1619398.9A 2016-11-16 2016-11-16 Seamless handover between wireless communications networks Active GB2556060B (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110106959A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2011-05-05 France Telecom Method for transferring a flow between heterogeneous access points
WO2012092604A2 (en) * 2010-12-30 2012-07-05 Interdigital Patent Holdings, Inc. Authentication and secure channel setup for communication handoff scenarios
US20130198817A1 (en) * 2012-01-31 2013-08-01 Wassim Haddad Enabling seamless offloading between wireless local-area networks in fixed mobile convergence systems
US20160142944A1 (en) * 2014-11-14 2016-05-19 Parallel Wireless, Inc. Seamless Mobile Handover

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110106959A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2011-05-05 France Telecom Method for transferring a flow between heterogeneous access points
WO2012092604A2 (en) * 2010-12-30 2012-07-05 Interdigital Patent Holdings, Inc. Authentication and secure channel setup for communication handoff scenarios
US20130198817A1 (en) * 2012-01-31 2013-08-01 Wassim Haddad Enabling seamless offloading between wireless local-area networks in fixed mobile convergence systems
US20160142944A1 (en) * 2014-11-14 2016-05-19 Parallel Wireless, Inc. Seamless Mobile Handover

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