Association of a multi-access terminal to a communication network

An association device for associating a multi-access terminal, connected to a mobile communication network of a first access technology type, with a second communication network of a second access technology type, the second access technology type being different from the first access technology type, the terminal storing at least one parameter retrieved from the mobile communication network by the terminal, the at least one parameter characterizing a connection between the terminal and the mobile communication network, the association device comprising:

• means for receiving the at least one parameter from the terminal in a subfield of a header of a medium access control (MAC) frame, the header of the MAC frame further comprising an access technology type subfield specifying the access technology that the terminal is using to access the mobile communication network, the specified access technology being one of a plurality of defined access technologies;
• means for receiving an association request from the terminal for obtaining access to the second communication network;
• and
• means for sending an association response comprising an indication of whether the association request has been accepted or rejected by the association device, the association response being sent from the association device to the terminal,
• wherein the association device is part of the second communication network, and the association device uses the at least one parameter and the access technology type subfield in determining whether to accept or reject the association request, and if the association device accepts the association request, the terminal obtains access to the second communication network.

A multi-access terminal connected to a mobile communication network of a first access technology type, the multi-access terminal comprising:

• means for retrieving at least one parameter from the mobile communication network by the terminal, the at least one parameter characterizing a connection between the terminal and the mobile communication network;
• means for sending the at least one parameter to an access point of a second communication network in a subfield of a header of a medium access control (MAC) frame, the header of the MAC frame further comprising an access technology type subfield specifying the access technology that the terminal is using to access the mobile communication network, the specified access technology being one of a plurality of defined access technologies, the second communication network being of a second access technology type, the second access technology type being different from the first access technology type;
• means for sending an association request to the access point of the second communication network for obtaining access to the second communication network;
• and
• means for receiving an association response comprising an indication of whether the association request has been accepted or rejected by the access point, the association response being sent from the access point of the second communication network,
• wherein the access point of the second communication network uses the at least one parameter and the access technology type subfield in determining whether to accept or reject the association request, and if the access point accepts the association request, the terminal obtains access to the second communication network.