Dynamic wireless local area network with interactive communications within the network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a local area network including at least one mobile unit and a plurality of access point units, the access point units being connected to each other, the method comprising the steps of:
- the mobile unit receiving at least one wireless transmission from at least one of the access point units, the at least one (wireless) transmission including information indicative of which of the access point units are within radio range of the mobile unit, the at least one wireless transmission not being solicited by the mobile unit;
storing the information indicative of which access point units are within (wireless radio transmission) range of the mobile unit;
updating the stored information when the access point units or any other mobile units receive new information indicative of which of the access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit;
the mobile unit determining that it is no longer to be associated with a first of the access point units and that it is to be associated with a second of the access point units; and
the mobile unit establishing communication with the second access point unit using the stored information indicative of which access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network with wireless links is a dynamic learning system which allows a mobile (wireless) unit to determine which access point (wired) unit provides the mobile unit with the best communications as the mobile unit roams within an area and from area to area. As a mobile unit enters a new area, it scans the area to find an access point unit. After the mobile unit is verified by the access point unit, the mobile unit receives updated information about other access points in the area, including information indicating which access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit as well as multiple values indicating a communication range for a particular access point unit to the mobile unit. The information is updated as the system gathers new information through the mobile units and access point units within the system area. The more mobile units that enter and leave the area, the more information is gathered by the access point units functioning in the system and the more information the system learns. A mobile unit can also decide to switch to a new access point unit when the quality of service degrades by accessing information about access point units within the system.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of operating a local area network including at least one mobile unit and a plurality of access point units, the access point units being connected to each other, the method comprising the steps of:
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the mobile unit receiving at least one wireless transmission from at least one of the access point units, the at least one (wireless) transmission including information indicative of which of the access point units are within radio range of the mobile unit, the at least one wireless transmission not being solicited by the mobile unit; storing the information indicative of which access point units are within (wireless radio transmission) range of the mobile unit; updating the stored information when the access point units or any other mobile units receive new information indicative of which of the access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit; the mobile unit determining that it is no longer to be associated with a first of the access point units and that it is to be associated with a second of the access point units; and the mobile unit establishing communication with the second access point unit using the stored information indicative of which access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A local area network comprising:
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a plurality of access point units connected to each other; at least one mobile unit receiving at least one wireless transmission from at least one of the access point units, the at least one transmission including information indicative of which of the access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit, the at least one transmission not being solicited by the mobile unit; means for storing the information indicative of which access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit; means for updating the stored information when the access point units or any other mobile units receive new information indicative of which of the access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit; means for determining the mobile unit is no longer to be associated with a first of the access point units and that it is to be associated with a second of the access point units; and means for establishing communication with the second access point unit using the stored information indicative of which access point units are within wireless transmission range of the mobile unit.
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Specification