Relocation of content sources during IP-level handoffs

A access router that supports an application for a mobile terminal, comprising:

• a port;
• and
• a processor that receives a packet data steam and forwards the packet data stream through the port to the mobile terminal in order to support the application, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
• (a) receiving application context information that is associated with the application;
• (b) obtaining an indication about a transfer of the application context information;
• and
• (c) transferring the application context information in accordance with the indication.

A access router that supports an application for a mobile terminal, comprising:

• a port;
• and
• a processor that receives a packet data stream and forwards the packet data stream through the port to the mobile terminal in order to support the application, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
• (a) receiving application context information that is associated with the application;
• (b) discovering a new content source in accordance with the application context information, wherein the application context information comprises a content profile;
• (c) providing a new care-of address that is associated with the mobile terminal;
• and
• (d) forwarding the packet data stream to the mobile terminal that is utilizing the new care-of address.

A content source that supports an application for a mobile terminal, comprising:

• a port;
• and
• a memory;
• and
• a processor that accesses the memory to obtain media content, forms a packet data stream from the media content, and sends the packet data stream through the port in order to support the application, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
• (a) receiving a request for the application;
• (b) sending the packet data stream to the mobile terminal;
• (c) supporting a connection with a new content source;
• (d) receiving a handoff trigger that is associated with a network layer protocol;
• and
• (e) sending session information to the new content source.

A content source that supports an application for a mobile terminal, comprising:

• a port;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor that accesses the memory to obtain media content, forms a packet data stream from the media content, and sends the packet data stream through the port in order to support the application, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
• (a) receiving a new care-of address and a second address of a current content source;
• (b) establishing a connection to the current content source by utilizing the second address of the mobile terminal;
• (c) configuring a path through a new access router to the new care-of address;
• (d) receiving session information through the connection with the current content source;
• and
• (e) sending the packet data stream in accordance with the session information.

A method for supporting an application with a mobile terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) initiating the application with a current content source;
• (b) from the current content source, receiving a packet data stream that supports the application;
• (c) registering application context information that is associated with the application;
• and
• (d) from a new content source, receiving the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing a network layer-level handoff.

A method for supporting an application with a mobile terminal in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising a current access router, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving application context information that is associated with the application;
• (b) obtaining an indication about a transfer of the application context information;
• and
• (c) transferring, to a new access router, the application context information in accordance with the indication.

A method for supporting an application with a mobile terminal in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising an access router, the method comprising the steps of

• (a) receiving application context information that is associated with the application;
• (b) discovering a new content source in accordance with the application context information, wherein the application context information comprises a content profile;
• (c) providing a new content source a new care-of address that is associated with the mobile terminal;
• and
• (d) forwarding a packet data stream to the mobile terminal that is utilizing the new care of address, the packet data stream associated with the application.

A method for supporting an application with a mobile terminal in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising a content source, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a request for the application;
• (b) sending the packet data stream to the mobile terminal;
• (c) supporting a connection with a new content source;
• (d) receiving a handoff trigger that is associated with a network layer protocol;
• and
• (e) sending session information to the new content source.

A method for supporting an application with a mobile terminal in a wireless system, the wireless system comprising a content source, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a new care-of address and a second address of a current content source;
• (b) establishing a connection to the current content source by utilizing the second address;
• (c) configuring a path to a new access router by utilizing the new care-of address;
• (d) receiving session information through the connection with the current content source;
• and
• (e) sending the packet data stream in accordance with the session information.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for allocating and controlling a mobile terminal to support an application for the mobile terminal, comprising instructions that cause the mobile terminal to perform the steps of:

• (a) initiating the application with a current content source;
• (b) from the current content source, receiving a packet data stream that supports the application;
• (c) registering application context information that is associated with the application;
• and
• (d) from a new content source, receiving the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing a network layer-level handoff.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for allocating and controlling an access router that supports an application for a mobile terminal, comprising instructions that cause the access router to perform the steps of

• (a) receiving application context information that is associated with the application;
• (b) determining whether to transfer the application context information;
• and
• (c) transferring, to a new access router, the application context information.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for allocating and controlling an access router that supports an application for a mobile terminal, comprising instructions that cause the access router to perform the steps of

• (a) receiving application context information that is associated with the application;
• (b) discovering a new content source in accordance with the application context information, wherein the application context information comprises a content profile;
• (c) providing a new content source a new care-of address that is associated with the mobile terminal;
• and
• (d) forwarding a packet data stream to the mobile terminal by utilizing the new care-of address, the packet data stream associated with the application.

A mobile terminal for supporting an application, comprising:

• a communications interface;
• and
• a processor that communicates through the communications interface, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
• (a) initiating the application with a current content source;
• (b) receiving, from the current content source, a packet data stream, the packet data stream associated with the application;
• (c) registering application context information that is associated with the application;
• (d) sending a first trigger that indicates to transfer the application context information;
• (e) sending a handoff trigger that causes the mobile terminal to be served by a new content source;
• and
• (f) from the new content source, receiving the packet data stream in response to the mobile terminal completing a network layer-level handoff.

An access router that supports a first application for a first mobile terminal and a second application for a second mobile terminal, comprising:

• a port;
• a processor that receives and forwards a first packet data stream to the first mobile terminal and a second packet data stream to the second mobile terminal through the port, the processor configured to perform the steps of:
• (a) receiving a first application context information that is associated with the first application;
• (b) determining whether to transfer the first application context information;
• (c) transferring, to a second access router, the first application context information in response to step (b);
• (d) receiving a second application context information that is associated with the second application;
• (e) discovering a new content source in accordance with the second application context information, wherein the second application context information comprises a content profile;
• (f) providing a new care-of address that is associated with the second mobile terminal;
• and
• (g) forwarding the second packet data stream to the second mobile terminal by utilizing the new care-of address.