Method and system for enabling centralized control of wireless local area networks
First Claim
1. A computer method for performing a seamless handoff of a mobile device from an initial access point to a target access point in a wireless local access network, comprising the steps of:
- assigning session data at a roaming server to the initial access point to establish an initial connection from the mobile device through the initial access point to the roaming server;
detecting at the roaming server a triggering event that initiates a seamless transfer of the mobile device from the initial access point to the target access point; and
seamlessly transferring at the roaming server assignment of the session data from the initial access point to the target access point to establish a target connection from the mobile device through the target access point to the roaming server based on the session data in response to the triggering event, thereby enabling the mobile device to use the session data to communicate with the roaming server in a continuous manner during the transfer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless local area network (WLAN) includes mobile devices that are allowed to transfer wireless connections between WLAN subnets or channels having different access points. The access points connect to a central controller or roaming server that supports seamless hand-offs of mobile devices from one access point to another access point. The roaming server supports the reassignment of session data parameters from one access point to another (e.g., access point address spoofing) so that the mobile device can use the same parameters for communicating to a new access point. The roaming server also supports the seamless handoff of a mobile device from one access point to another by using a master-slave switch technique across two piconets. The roaming server also facilitates the control of access points by establishing a host controller interface and wireless protocol stack in the roaming server and another, complementary wireless protocol stack in the access point. The roaming server then encapsulates host controller commands in a packet based network protocol used for communication between the roaming server and the access points.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer method for performing a seamless handoff of a mobile device from an initial access point to a target access point in a wireless local access network, comprising the steps of:
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assigning session data at a roaming server to the initial access point to establish an initial connection from the mobile device through the initial access point to the roaming server; detecting at the roaming server a triggering event that initiates a seamless transfer of the mobile device from the initial access point to the target access point; and seamlessly transferring at the roaming server assignment of the session data from the initial access point to the target access point to establish a target connection from the mobile device through the target access point to the roaming server based on the session data in response to the triggering event, thereby enabling the mobile device to use the session data to communicate with the roaming server in a continuous manner during the transfer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising a digital processor for performing a seamless handoff of a mobile device from an initial access point to a target access point in wireless a local access network, the system comprising:
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a gateway application executing on a roaming server for assigning session data to the initial access point to establish an initial connection from the mobile device through the initial access point to the roaming server and seamlessly transferring assignment of the session data from the initial access point to the target access point to establish a target connection from the mobile device through the target access point to the roaming server based on the session data, thereby maintaining a continuous connection with the roaming server during the transfer; and a communications interface coupled with the gateway application for detecting the triggering event that initiates the transfer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer program product that includes a computer usable medium having computer program instructions stored thereon for performing a seamless handoff of a mobile device from an initial access point to a target access point in a wireless local area network, such that the computer program instructions, when performed by a digital processor, cause the digital processor to:
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assign session data to the initial access point to establish an initial connection from the mobile device through the initial access point to a roaming server; detect a triggering event that initiates a seamless transfer of the mobile device from the initial access point to the target access point; and transfer, at the roaming server, assignment of the session data from the initial access point to the target access point to establish a target connection from the mobile device through the target access point to the roaming server based on the session data in response to the triggering event, thereby enabling the mobile device to use the session data to maintain a continuous connection with the roaming server during the transfer.
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24. A method for enabling seamless roaming of mobile devices among access points in a wireless local area network, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a host controller interface in a roaming server; encapsulating host controller commands in a packet-based network protocol for use in communication between the roaming server and access points in the wireless area network, the host controller commands directed to a connection session of the mobile device with the wireless local area network; and exchanging the encapsulated host controller commands between access points in the wireless area network to enable a mobile device to receive the host controller commands from the roaming server and continuously maintain the connection session with the roaming server while roaming among the access points. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A roaming server comprising a digital processor for enabling seamless roaming of mobile devices among access points in a wireless area network, comprising:
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a host controller interface established in the roaming server; a packet encapsulation module executing on the digital processor for encapsulating host controller commands in a packet-based network protocol for use in communication between the roaming server and access points in the wireless area network, the host controller commands directed to a connection session of the mobile device with the wireless local area network; and a communications interface coupled with the digital processor for exchanging the encapsulated host controller commands between access points in the wireless area network to enable a mobile device to receive the host controller commands from the roaming server and continuously maintain the connection session with the roaming server while roaming among the access points. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A computer program product that includes a computer usable medium having computer program instructions stored thereon for enabling seamless roaming of mobile devices among access points in a wireless area network, such that the computer program instructions, when performed by a digital processor, cause the digital processor to:
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establish a host controller interface in a roaming server; encapsulate host controller commands in a packet-based network protocol for use in communication among the roaming server and access points in the wireless area network, the host controller commands directed to a connection session of the mobile device with the wireless local area network; and exchange the encapsulated host controller commands between access points in the wireless area network to enable a mobile device to receive the host controller commands from the roaming server and continuously maintain the connection session with the roaming server while roaming among the access points.
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Specification