System and method for proactive, early network switching

A computer program product for reduction of data loss during transitioning of a mobile terminal between network devices, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion for transmitting a request to transition;
• a second executable portion for receiving queued data from an original network device prior to transition from the original network device to a target network device, the queued data being content data intended for and undelivered to the mobile terminal that is temporarily stored at the original network device from a time when the request to transition is transmitted to when the transition occurs;
• a third executable portion for transitioning from the original network device to the target network device;
• and
• a fourth executable portion for receiving data stored at the target network device following transition.

A method for reduction of data loss during switching association of a mobile terminal between network devices, the method comprising:

• transmitting a request to transition to at least one of an original network device and a target network device;
• receiving queued data from the original network device following transmission of the request to transition, the queued data being content data intended for and undelivered to the mobile terminal that is temporarily stored at the original network device from a time when the request to transition is transmitted to when the transition occurs;
• transitioning from the original network device to the target network device following receipt of the queued data;
• and
• receiving data stored at the target network device following transition.

A computer program product for reduction of data loss during switching association of a mobile terminal between network access points, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion for receiving a request to transition from the mobile terminal;
• a second executable portion for relaying the request to transition to a network device;
• a third executable portion for transmitting queued data previously received from the network device to the mobile terminal responsive to the request to transition;
• a fourth executable portion for storing data newly received from the network device responsive to the request to transition;
• and
• a fifth executable portion for delivering the stored data to the mobile terminal following delivery of the queued data.

A system for reduction of data loss during transitioning between network devices, the system comprising:

• a network source capable of communication with a third party device;
• an original network device capable of communication with the network source;
• a target network device capable of communication with the network source;
• and
• a mobile terminal capable of wireless communication with either of the original and target network devices, the mobile terminal being configured to transmit a request to transition from the original network device to the target network device,
• wherein at least one of the original and target network devices is configured to transmit notification of the request to the network source, and the network source is configured to switch transmission of data to the target network device in response to the notification, and
• wherein the original network device is configured to provide queued data to the mobile terminal following the request and the target network device is configured to store data received from the network source after the request but prior to transition of the mobile terminal to the target network device, the queued data being content data intended for and undelivered to the mobile terminal that is temporarily stored at the original network device from a time when the request is transmitted to when the transition occurs.