# US 2014/0192776 A1 · Mobile internet protocol square > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192776 A1 - Document ID: US20140192776A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/203,175 - Filed: 2014-03-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 1999-06-09 - Assignees: Cellco Partnership - Applicants: Cellco Partnership - Inventors: Jau Young Lee; Ce Xu; William C. Y. Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192776A1 ## CPC - H04W 76/15: Setup of multiple wireless link connections - H04L 67/148: Migration or transfer of sessions - H04L 69/14: Multichannel or multilink protocols - H04W 8/085: {involving hierarchical organized mobility servers, e.g. hierarchical mobile IP [HMIP]} - H04W 76/12: Setup of transport tunnels - H04W 88/06: adapted for operation in multiple networks {or having at least two operational modes}, e.g. multi-mode terminals - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract The present invention provides a method and apparatus for network access for consumers in both wired and wireless environments. Multiple-interface/multiple-connections are used to support high-speed handoff and seamless roaming between different networks (wired and wireless). The present invention is implemented by using multiple interfaces and connections to interface a mobile PC unit, providing additional functions, and enhancing current PC device drivers and software. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A communications method, comprising: maintaining multiple connections between a mobile unit having a single address and a home agent using at least first and second networks, wherein: a first signaling path and a data path for a session are provided between the mobile unit and the home agent on the first network, a second signaling path is provided between the mobile unit and the home agent on the second network, both the first and second signaling paths are simultaneously supported between the mobile unit and the home agent, and the data path for the session is switched from the first network to the second network based on a user profile when a predetermined condition occurs, but the switch of the data path does not interrupt or tear-down the session. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the first network becomes unavailable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the second network becomes available. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is dependent on a type of data to be provided to the mobile unit and that use of the second network is less expensive or provides a higher Quality of Service (QoS) than use of the first network. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile unit scans for available networks based on the user profile stored in the mobile unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein connections to the available networks are established and maintained based on the user profile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile unit is served simultaneously by the available networks, so long as the connections to the available networks can be established and maintained. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the home agent maintains at least one user profile for the mobile unit identifying foreign agents in at least the first and second networks and routes packets to the mobile unit via the foreign agents based on the user profile. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the user profile is a table that comprises a network type, a priority, and a foreign agent care-of address for each of the connections for the mobile unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the table is dynamically updated by the mobile unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) controls routing of packets to the mobile unit by mapping the single address of the mobile unit to each of the connections. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile unit uses an Internet Control Management Protocol (ICMP) to notify a next-in-line network of a disconnection when a connection to a previous network is either terminated or unavailable. ### Claim 14 A communications device, comprising: a mobile unit having a single address that maintains multiple connections with a home agent using at least first and second networks, wherein: a first signaling path and a data path for a session are provided between the mobile unit and the home agent on the first network, a second signaling path is provided between the mobile unit and the home agent on the second network, both the first and second signaling paths are simultaneously supported between the mobile unit and the home agent, and the data path for the session is switched from the first network to the second network based on a user profile when a predetermined condition occurs, but the switch of the data path does not interrupt or tear-down the session. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the mobile unit scans for available networks based on the user profile stored in the mobile unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein connections to the available networks are established and maintained based on the user profile. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the mobile unit is served simultaneously by the available networks, so long as the connections to the available networks can be established and maintained. ### Claim 18 A communications system, comprising: a home agent that maintains multiple connections with a mobile unit having a single address using at least first and second networks, wherein: a first signaling path and a data path for a session are provided between the mobile unit and the home agent on the first network, a second signaling path is provided between the mobile unit and the home agent on the second network, both the first and second signaling paths are simultaneously supported between the mobile unit and the home agent, and the data path for the session is switched from the first network to the second network based on a user profile when a predetermined condition occurs, but the switch of the data path does not interrupt or tear-down the session. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the predetermined condition is that the first network becomes unavailable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the predetermined condition is that the second network becomes available. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the predetermined condition is dependent on a type of data to be provided to the mobile unit and that use of the second network is less expensive or provides a higher Quality of Service (QoS) than use of the first network.