Method of seamlessly roaming between multiple wireless networks using a single wireless network adaptor
First Claim
1. A method in a portable device having a single wireless network interface adaptor of roaming between access points on the same or different wireless networks while maintaining real-time IP data transfer with another device, the method comprising:
- when connected with a first wireless network access point for real-time IP data transfer with another device, establishing a connection with a second wireless network access point such that the portable device can concurrently communicate with the first and second wireless access points for relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, andswitching between the first and second network access points for concurrently sending and receiving data packets via both access points using a switching strategy based at least in part on a number of the data packets to be send to each network access point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of roaming between access points on the same or different wireless networks using a single wireless network interface adaptor. A device will establish a connection with a second wireless network access point while still connected with a first wireless network access point such that the device can concurrently communicate with both wireless access points. During and after connection with the second wireless network access point real-time IP data transfer is maintained with another network device by switching between the first and second access points for concurrently sending and receiving data packets via both access points using a switching strategy based at least in part on a number of the data packets to be send to each network access point. The method also determines when to roam, scans for candidate wireless network access points to connect to and selects the best access point for roaming based on selection criteria.
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Citations
77 Claims
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1. A method in a portable device having a single wireless network interface adaptor of roaming between access points on the same or different wireless networks while maintaining real-time IP data transfer with another device, the method comprising:
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when connected with a first wireless network access point for real-time IP data transfer with another device, establishing a connection with a second wireless network access point such that the portable device can concurrently communicate with the first and second wireless access points for relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, and switching between the first and second network access points for concurrently sending and receiving data packets via both access points using a switching strategy based at least in part on a number of the data packets to be send to each network access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 77)
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16. A method in a portable device having a single wireless network interface adaptor of roaming between access points on the same or different wireless networks while maintaining real-time IP data transfer with another device, the method comprising:
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receiving a beacon signal from a first wireless network access point with which the portable device has established a first connection for real-time IP data transfer with the other device, determining whether to search for a second wireless network access point with which to established a second connection based at least in part on a condition, and when it is determined to search for a second wireless network access point, probing each wireless radio channel separately to locate wireless network access points on the probed channel and between each probe allowing the portable device to send and receive packets to/from the other device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method in a portable device having a single wireless network interface adaptor of roaming between access points on the same or different wireless networks while maintaining real-time IP data transfer with another device, the method comprising:
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providing a data buffer for storing received data during playback in the portable device and while connected with a first wireless network access point for real-time IP data transfer with another device; making a decision to switch to a second wireless network access point for relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, increasing a size of the buffer, establishing a connection with the second wireless network access point such that the portable device can concurrently communicate with the first and second wireless access points, switching between the first and second network access points for concurrently sending and receiving packets via both access points using a switching strategy based at least in part on a number of packets to be send to each access point, relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, and after the real-time IP data transfer is relocated to the second access point, disconnecting from the first wireless network access point and decreasing the size of the buffer. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method in a portable device having a single wireless network adapter of simultaneously associating with two wireless network access points, the method comprising:
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providing in the device an adapter driver for controlling the wireless network adapter, maintaining a list of association parameters for at least a first and a second wireless network access point with which the portable device is associated, determining a switching schedule for switching between the first and second wireless network access points, and switching between the first and second network access points according to the schedule, wherein a power save message is sent to one of the first or second network access points and association parameters from the list are loaded to the adapter driver for connection with the other one of the first or second network access points.
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36. A portable device for engaging in real-time IP data transfer with another device over a network, the device having a single wireless network interface adaptor and at least one electronic storage medium having machine readable instructions thereon permitting the device to perform steps of:
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connecting with a first wireless network access point for real-time IP data transfer with another device, establishing a connection with a second wireless network access point such that the portable device can concurrently communicate with the first and second wireless access points for relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, and switching between the first and second network access points for concurrently sending and receiving data packets via both access points using a switching strategy based at least in part on a number of the data packets to be send to each network access point. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A portable device for engaging in real-time IP data transfer with another device over a network, the device having a single wireless network interface adaptor and at least one electronic storage medium having machine readable instructions thereon permitting the device to perform steps of:
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receiving a beacon signal from a first wireless network access point with which the portable device has established a first connection for real-time IP data transfer with the other device, determining whether to search for a second wireless network access point with which to established a second connection based at least in part on a condition, and when it is determined to search for a second wireless network access point, probing each wireless radio channel separately to locate wireless network access points on the probed channel and between each probe allowing the portable device to send and receive packets to/from the other device. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A portable device for engaging in real-time IP data transfer with another device over a network, the device having a single wireless network interface adaptor, and at least one electronic storage medium having a data buffer for storing received data during playback and machine readable instructions thereon permitting the device to perform steps of:
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connecting with a first wireless network access point for real-time IP data transfer with another device making a decision to roam to a second wireless network access point for relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, increasing a size of the buffer, establishing a connection with the second wireless network access point such that the portable device can concurrently communicate with the first and second wireless access points, switching between the first and second network access points for concurrently sending and receiving packets via both access points using a switching strategy based at least in part on a number of packets to be send to each access point, relocating the real-time IP data transfer to the second access point, and after the real-time IP data transfer is relocated to the second access point, disconnecting from the first wireless network access point and decreasing the size of the buffer. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
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73. A method in a portable device having a single wireless network interface adaptor of roaming between access points on the same or different wireless networks while maintaining real-time IP data transfer with another device, the method comprising:
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when connected with a first wireless access point on a first wireless network scanning wireless radio channels to locate a second wireless access point with which to established a second connection, and upon locating a second wireless access point determining if the second wireless access point is on the first wireless network or another wireless network, said determining step comprising sending a digital communications packet to the second wireless access point and waiting for a response to the sent communications packet from the second wireless access point, wherein the packet has as its immediate destination the first wireless access point and as its final destination the second wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76)
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Specification