PACKET COMMUNICATION ROAMING METHOD AND SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of roaming in a packet communication system during a call, comprising:
- a) in a scanning process;
i) scanning for one or more available access points (AP'"'"'s); and
ii) prioritizing the one or more available AP'"'"'s into a prioritized AP list based on at least one criterion in addition to a received signal strength indicator (RSSI); and
b) in a connection process;
i) making a decision to roam from an existing AP to a new AP; and
ii) connecting to the new AP, wherein the new AP is selected from the prioritized AP list.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of roaming in a packet communication system during a call is disclosed. The method of roaming has a scanning process and a connection process. During the scanning process, one or more available access points (AP'"'"'s) are scanned-for. The one or more available AP'"'"'s are prioritized into a prioritized AP list based on at least one criterion in addition to a received signal strength indicator (RSSI). During the connection process, a decision is made to roam from an existing AP to a new AP. A connection is made to the new AP, wherein the new AP is selected from the prioritized AP list. Associated methods, systems, and data signals are also disclosed
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of roaming in a packet communication system during a call, comprising:
-
a) in a scanning process; i) scanning for one or more available access points (AP'"'"'s); and ii) prioritizing the one or more available AP'"'"'s into a prioritized AP list based on at least one criterion in addition to a received signal strength indicator (RSSI); and b) in a connection process; i) making a decision to roam from an existing AP to a new AP; and ii) connecting to the new AP, wherein the new AP is selected from the prioritized AP list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A system for packet communication, comprising:
-
a) a plurality of access points (AP'"'"'s); b) a core processor coupled to the plurality of AP'"'"'s, and configured; i) to maintain performance information about the plurality of AP'"'"'s; and ii) to create at least one performance-based-list selected from the group consisting of; a black list comprising one or more AP'"'"'s which have undesirable performance information; and a white list comprising one or more AP'"'"'s which have desirable performance information; and c) a mobile phone configured; i) to connect to at least one of the plurality of AP'"'"'s at a time; ii) while in a call, to execute a scanning process comprising; scanning for one or more available AP'"'"'s; and prioritizing the one or more available AP'"'"'s into a prioritized AP list based at least on RSSI and the performance-based-list; and iii) while in the call, to execute a connection process comprising; making a decision to roam from an existing AP to a new AP; and connecting to the new AP, wherein the new AP is selected from the prioritized AP list.
-
-
20. A data signal for transmission over a physical medium from a core processor to at least one mobile phone, the data signal comprising:
-
a white list of recommended access points (AP'"'"'s) which are recommended for connection; and a black list of blocked AP'"'"'s which are not recommended for connection. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
-
22. A method of roaming in a packet communication system during a call, comprising:
-
a) in a scanning process; i) sending an access point (AP) probe request on one or more channels; ii) monitoring the one or more channels for one or more AP probe responses from one or more available AP'"'"'s; iii) accumulating a current list of AP scan data from the one or more AP probe responses; iv) determining an AP signal direction for each of the available AP'"'"'s based on a comparison of historical AP scan data and currently accumulated AP scan data; v) updating external AP information by receiving a black list and a white list, wherein the black list comprises a list of blocked AP'"'"'s which are not recommended for connection, and wherein the white list comprises a list of recommended AP'"'"'s; vi) prioritizing a list of AP'"'"'s based on currently accumulated AP scan data, AP signal direction, and external AP information; and b) in a connection process, if a received signal strength indication (RSSI) has dropped below a roaming RSSI threshold or if a command to execute an AP change has been received, then; i) selecting a preferred new AP from the prioritized AP list; ii) determining if a new IP address will need to be assigned to a client; iii) if the new IP address does not need to be assigned to the client, then reassociating the client to the new AP; and iv) if the new IP address does need to be assigned to the client, then; putting the call in a hold mode; reassociating the client to the new AP; creating the new IP address for the client; executing a SIP reinvite command; and taking the call out of the hold mode.
-
Specification