CLIAMS:
1. A method for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, the method comprising:
initiating a session between a first device and a network;
receivinga trigger signal for initiatingtransfer of the session from the first device to the second device;
providing a session continuity context to the second device;
establishing a connection between the second device and the network on the basis of the session continuity context; and
continuing the session with the network.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said session with the network keeps on until the session ends or the session transfer time elapsed.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid continuing the session with the network is based on a predefined configuration.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid predefined configuration comprises the number of times said transfer of context take place.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, whereinsaid predefined configuration comprises the time duration specified for said transfer of the session.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid continuing the session with the network is based on a decision taken during handshake.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the session is a voice call session.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the session is a data transfer session.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising entering into a suspended state by the first devicewhenthe session continuity context gets transferred to the second device.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising entering into an idle state by the first device when the session continuity context gets transferred to the second device.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising taking a backup of credentials, and context of the second device.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising performing registration update by the first device to the network when the continuity of the session ends or the session transfer time elapsed.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising clearing the received session continuity context and reverting the second device back to saved context when the continuity of the session ends or the session transfer time elapsed.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said establishing a connection further comprises informing the network concerning an authorization received by the second device for continuing with the ongoing session on behalf of the first device.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said establishing a connection further comprises reconfiguring context and credential of the second device by the network.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said initiating transfer of the session requires proximity of the first device with the second device, said proximity depends upon the technology used to transfer the session context.
17. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the session continuity context comprises
information with respect to the session;
identity Information with respect to the session;
identity information of the first device;
security context for the session;
protocol related configuration; and
information related to Transfer of context.

18. A system for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, the system comprising:
means for initiating a session between a first device and a network;
means for receiving a trigger signal for initiating transfer of the session from the first device to the second device;
means for providing a session continuity context to the second device;
means for establishing a connection by the second device with the network on the basis of received session continuity context; and
means for continuing the session with the network.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the session with the network keeps on until the session ends or the session transfer time elapsed.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, whereinsaid continuing the session with the network is based on a predefined configuration.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, whereinsaid predefined configuration comprises the number of times said transfer of context take place.

22. The system as claimed in claim 20, whereinsaid predefined configuration comprises a time duration specified for said transfer of the session.

23. The system as claimed in claim 18, whereinsaid continuing the session with the network is based on a decision taken during handshake.

24. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the session is a voice call session.

25. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the session is a data transfer session.

26. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the session continuity context comprises
information with respect to the session;
identity Information with respect to the session;
identity information of the first device;
security context for the session;
protocol related configuration; and
information related to Transfer of context.
,TagSPECI:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication and more particularly relates to a method and system for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transfer of data between communication devices involves technologies such as Bluetooth, Near Field Communication, S- Beam. These technologies enabled the transfer of contents (already existing in the device) between devices in a close proximity.

There is no technology exists where user can transfer the active sessions during instances like running out of battery or moving out of home network to another device. User when in active session with the network (for voice or data) would like to transfer the ongoing session with a first device to a second device and continue with the same session on the second device (i.e. the voice call or a data download seamlessly on the other device).

Therefore, there is a need for a method and system for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device.

SUMMARY

An objective of the invention is to provide amethod and system for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device.

An embodiment of the present invention describes a method for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device. The method comprises initiating a session between a first device and a network, receivinga trigger signal for initiatingtransfer of the session from the first device to the second device, providing a session continuity context to the second device, establishing a connection between the second device and the network on the basis of the session continuity context, and continuing the session with the network.

Another embodiment of the present invention describes asystem for transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device. The system comprises means for initiating a session between a first device and a network, means for receiving a trigger signal for initiating transfer of the session from the first device to the second device, means for providing a session continuity context to the second device, means for establishing a connection by the second device with the network on the basis of received session continuity context, and means for continuing the session with the network.

BRIEF DESRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present invention will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication systemfor transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication systemfor transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a method of transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a method of transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The present invention can be modified in various forms. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention are only provided to explain more clearly the present invention to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include operatively connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication systemfor transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.The system 100 comprises a source device 101, a target device 102, and a wireless network 103. The source device 101 and target device 102 are wirelessly connected to the network 103.

According to one embodiment of present invention, the source device 101 is directly communicating with the wireless network during an ongoing session. The source device and target device can be any communication device including, but not limited to, mobile phone, tablet, or a laptop. The ongoing session is transferred to the target device by transferring session continuity context information. For example, the session continuity context information comprises information regarding the ongoing session such as Internet Protocol address and bearer information.

The target device 102 receives the transmitted session continuity context information and starts communicating with the wireless network and the source device is suspended until the expiry of the session. According to this embodiment, the wireless network does not possess the knowledge of session transfer. The session continuity context information enables the target device 102 to mimic the identity of the source device 101 and communicate with the wireless network 103. The source device 101 enables the current session to continue directly between the wireless network 103 and the target device 102.

In one embodiment, the source device is a first device and the target device is a second device.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram depicting of a wireless communication systemfor transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to another embodiment of the present invention.The system 200 comprises a source device 101, a target device 102, anda wireless network 103. The source device 101 and target device 102 are wirelessly connected to the network 103.

The source device communicates with the wireless network directly. According to one embodiment of present invention, the source device 101 transfers the ongoing session to the target device 102 by sending sessioncontinuity context information based on the requirements or configuration of the source device 101. The target device 102 according to present embodiment transmits an uplink message to the network 103 indicating session transfer from source device 101 to target device 102. Then the wireless network starts communicating with the target device directly until the expiration of ongoing session or based on the configuration. Once the session is transferred to the second device, the source device goes to idle state.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The source device is in an active voice/data session with a network as shown in step 301. The network continuously transmits and receives informationfrom the source device 101. In one embodiment of present invention, the source device 101 wish to transfer the ongoing session to one or more other communication devices, called target device 102.The source device 101 can select one or more target devices based on the requirementand / or configuration. In one embodiment, the configuration may include, but not limited to number of times transferrable, time limit for using the context.

For instance, consider that the source device 101 selects only one target device. Then, at steps 302 and 303, the source device establishes a link with the target device and vice versa. The link is established between the source device and target device through one or more technologies including, but not limited to Blue tooth, near field communication or S-beam. At step 304, the source device 101 generates session continuity context information. In an exemplary embodiment, the session continuity information comprises information with respect to the session such as IPaddress, Bearer information etc, Identity Information needed for the session such as Temporary identities like S-TMSI, C-RNTI, identity Information of the Source Device such as IMEI, IMSI. Further, the session continuity context may contain informations such as security Context for the session like Ciphering, Integrity protection keys and algorithm along with sequence number information and others for key derivation and Protocol related configuration: Radio and NAS level context necessary for data decoding. Moreover, the informations related to Transfer of context are also included in session continuity context information.

At step 305, the session continuity context information is transferred from the source device to the target device 102. At step 306, the source device enters in to suspended state. The source device continuous to be in suspended state until the expiration of the ongoing session.

At step 307, the target device 102 receives the session continuity context information from the source device 101. The target device 102 uses the information and establishes the session with the Network with the identity of the source device 101. At step 308, the target device takes back up of the target credentials. The target device uses the identity of the source device 101 at step 309. The target device 102 takes a backup of credentials, context of the source device 101 and starts using the Session continuity context received from Source device101. This enables the session to continue in the target device 102 as shown in step 310. The target device starts communicating with the network through the source device 101. According to the present embodiment, the network is unaware that the session is being transferred from the source device to target device.

At step 310 and step 312, the source device 101 and the target device 102 determines the expiration of ongoing session. If the session time is not expired or the target device is not terminated, the target device 102 continues with the ongoing session by communicating with the network 103. At step 313, the source device exits fromthe suspended state. At step 314, the source device sends a registration update to the network. At step 315, the target device 315 discontinue to use the received session continuity context once the session is terminated or session timer expires and reverts back to the original identity of the target device.

In one embodiment, the transfer of context is limited to ‘N’ Hops as determined by the source device, with a default being one-time transferrable context.

Figure 4 illustrates a method of transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to another embodiment of the present invention.The source device is in an active voice/data session as shown in step 401. The network continuously transmits and receives informationfrom the source device 101as shown in step 402. In one embodiment of present invention, the source device 101 wishes to transfer the ongoing session to one or more other communication devices, called target device 102. In one embodiment, the transfer of the ongoing session initiates when the source device comes in proximity with the target device.The source device 101 can select one or more target devices based on the requirement and / or configuration. In one embodiment, the configuration may include, but not limited to number of times transferrable, time limit for using the context.For instance, consider that the source device 101 selects only one target device. Then, at steps 403 and 404, the source device establishes a link with the target device and vice versa. For instant, the source device and target device are connected with wireless data transfer technologies including, but not limited to Blue tooth, near field communication or S-beam.

At step 405, the source device 101 generates session continuity context information. In an exemplary embodiment, the session continuity information comprises information with respect to the session such as IP address, Bearer information etc., Identity Information needed for the session such as Temporary identities like S-TMSI, C-RNTI, identity Information of the Source Device such as IMEI, IMSI. Further, the session continuity context may contain informations such as security Context for the session like Ciphering, Integrity protection keys and algorithm along with sequence number information and others for key derivation and Protocol related configuration: Radio and NAS level context necessary for data decoding. Moreover, the informations related to Transfer of context are also included in session continuity context information.

At step 406, the session continuity context information is transferred from the source device to the target device 102. At step 407, the target device 102 receives the session continuitycontext information 407 form the source device 101. At step 408, the target device 102 sends an uplink message to the network 103 informing the session transfer message of the source device 101. In an exemplaryembodiment, the uplink message contains all the details of source device and contents of session continuitycontext information. At step 409, the network may reconfigure the context and credentials according to the target device 102. At step 410, the target device establishes connection with the network 103. Further, at step 411, the network 103 initiates to continue the ongoing session with the target device 102. The target device replaces the source device 101. This enables the source device to enter in to idle mode as shown in step 412. The source device 101 stops interfering in the session and can start another session or activities.

At step 413, the network starts sending and receiving data/voice in respect of the ongoing session with the target device 102. At step 414, the session continues with the network 103. At step 415, the target device 102 determines the expiration of transfer time or the termination of the session. Once the session terminates, the target device 102 clears the session continuity context information of the source device as shown in step 417 and set back to the target identity.

Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of transferring an ongoing session from one device to another device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 501, a session is initiatedbetween a first device and a network. At step 502, a trigger signal for initiating transfer of the session from the first device to the second device is received. At step 503, a session continuity context is provided to the second device. At step 504, a connection between the second device and the network is established on the basis of the session continuity context. At step 505, the session is continued with the network.

Although the invention of the method and system has been described in connection with the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.