Border access point protocol facilitating wireless client macro-mobility
First Claim
1. A wireless network access point operative to facilitate mobility operations between a first network associated with a first coverage area and a second network, comprising a wireless transceiver;
- a control unit coupled to the wireless transceiver, wherein the control unit is operative to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit border information, wherein the border information indicates that the wireless network access point is proximal to the perimeter of the first coverage area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a border access point protocol that facilitates network selection and mobility operations for wireless clients, such as dual-mode wireless telephones and other devices. In one implementation, the present invention provides a wireless network infrastructure comprising a plurality of access points, at least some of which are so-called border access points that provide border information to wireless clients. The border information, in one embodiment, indicates to the wireless client that the transmitting access point is proximal to the perimeter of the intended coverage area of the wireless network infrastructure. In another implementation, the border information indicates that the transmitting access point is proximal to a point of egress from, or ingress to, a coverage area. Wireless clients within range of the border access points can use the border information to facilitate or enhance selection of a network for initiation of a given section, as well as in handoff or other mobility operations between two network types or domains (e.g., a WLAN and a cellular network).
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A wireless network access point operative to facilitate mobility operations between a first network associated with a first coverage area and a second network, comprising
a wireless transceiver; -
a control unit coupled to the wireless transceiver, wherein the control unit is operative to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit border information, wherein the border information indicates that the wireless network access point is proximal to the perimeter of the first coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A dual-mode wireless client operative to communicate, in a first access mode, with a cellular network and, in a second access mode, with a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of access points distributed over a coverage area, comprising
a processor; -
a memory;
a wireless network interface for communication with a wireless local area network;
a cellular network interface for communication with a cellular network;
a network software application, stored in the memory, comprising instructions operable to cause the processor and the dual-mode wireless client to transmit and receive data over a selected interface; and
access mode selection logic comprising instructions operable to cause the processor to select, responsive to operation of the network software application, the wireless network or cellular network interface for initiation of a session based in part on border information received from one or more wireless network access points, wherein the border information indicates whether a wireless network access point is proximal to the perimeter of the first coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method facilitating mobility between a first wireless network and a second network, comprising
deploying a plurality of wireless access points over a coverage area, wherein the coverage area is defined by a portal; - and
configuring an access point located proximally to the portal to transmit border information indicating that the at least one access point is proximal to the portal. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A wireless network access point operative to facilitate mobility operations between a first network associated with a first coverage area and a second network, wherein the first coverage area includes a portal and at least one border access point located proximally to the portal, comprising
a wireless transceiver; a control unit coupled to the wireless transceiver, wherein the control unit is operative to cause the wireless transceiver to transmit information indicating the number of access points on a selected path to a selected border access point.
Specification