Intelligent wireless switch (IWS) and intelligent radio coverage (IRC) for mobile applications
First Claim
1. A method of managing communications associated with a plurality of wireless devices, comprising:
- detecting a first access point;
associating a station of a wireless switch with said first access point;
routing data between said plurality of wireless devices and said first access point using said first station;
detecting a second access point;
associating a second station of said wireless switch with said second access point;
monitoring signal strengths of said first and second access points as received by said first and second stations; and
switching to routing data between said plurality of wireless devices and said second access point using said second station in response to said monitoring.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is generally related to managing wireless communications associated with a plurality of mobile devices moving in the same direction. In one embodiment, an intelligent wireless switch (IWS) is used to manage communications. The IWS includes an internal access point for managing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for a plurality of wireless devices. The IWS includes a plurality of stations for communicating with a plurality of external access points. The IWS also includes a packet switch controller for directing data between the plurality of wireless devices and the plurality of stations. By switching between the plurality of stations in response to the signal strengths of the external access points, the plurality of wireless devices are able to continuously conduct data communications without interruptions associated with reaching the limits of a coverage area of an external access point.
20 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of managing communications associated with a plurality of wireless devices, comprising:
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detecting a first access point;
associating a station of a wireless switch with said first access point;
routing data between said plurality of wireless devices and said first access point using said first station;
detecting a second access point;
associating a second station of said wireless switch with said second access point;
monitoring signal strengths of said first and second access points as received by said first and second stations; and
switching to routing data between said plurality of wireless devices and said second access point using said second station in response to said monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A wireless switch system for managing communications of a plurality of wireless devices, comprising:
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an internal access point for managing a wireless local area network (WLAN) that includes said plurality of wireless devices;
a plurality of stations for communicating with external access points; and
a packet switch controller for routing data between said plurality of wireless devices and external access points using said plurality of stations, wherein said packet switch controller is operable to switch communications between said plurality of stations in response to signal strengths received from said plurality of access points crossing threshold values. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A wireless system, comprising:
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a plurality of access points; and
a wireless switch comprising;
a plurality of stations for communicating with said plurality of access points;
an internal access point for managing communication with a plurality of wireless devices; and
a packet switch controller for directing data between said plurality of stations and said plurality of wireless devices, wherein said packet switch controller switches between said plurality of stations in response to signal strengths received from said plurality of access points. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification