Wireless LAN system, method for providing network services, and medium storing program to provide network services

• US 7,555,296 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Buffalo Incorporated (Melco Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ishidoshiro, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US10/268,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20040071121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,454 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/41.1, 455/465, 455/444, 455/67.11, 455/226.1, 455/41.2, 455/456, 370/338, 370/331, 370/336, 709/209
• US Class Current: 455/426.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

The conventional wireless LAN system has the difficulties in limiting the extent to which network services are provided simply by controlling the intensity of radio wave.

When the master unit 100 detects a mobile wireless terminal in its communication area (in step S100), it inquires of a plurality of slave units 200 and 300 if they are ready for communication with the mobile wireless terminal (in step S110). The master unit determines whether or not to provide network services to the mobile wireless terminal according to the combination of readiness for communication between each the slave units 200 and 300 and the mobile wireless terminal (in steps S120 and S125).

Claims

1. A wireless LAN system which comprises one master unit and one or more slave units, said master unit having a master antenna and functioning as a first access point to provide network services to mobile wireless terminals according to an appropriate communication procedure within an appropriate communication area, said slave unit functioning as a second access point having a slave antenna and being capable of detecting whether or not it can communicate with said mobile wireless terminal, said master unit functioning in such a way that when it detects a wireless terminal within its communication area, it inquires about readiness for communication from said slave antenna to said mobile wireless terminal and then determines whether to provide network services to said mobile wireless terminal in accordance with the combination of readiness of communication between said slave unit and said mobile wireless terminal.

2. A wireless LAN system as defined in claim 1, in which a plurality of slave units are installed.

3. A wireless LAN system as defined in claim 2, in which the master unit permits the slave unit to provide network services when all the slave units are capable of communication for the combination of readiness for communication between each slave unit and the mobile wireless terminal.

4. A wireless LAN system as defined in claim 2, in which the master unit permits the slave unit to provide network services in response to the combination of a slave unit capable of communication and a slave unit incapable of communication for the combination of readiness for communication between each slave unit and the mobile wireless terminal.

5. A wireless LAN system as defined in any of claims 1, in which the antenna of the slave unit is a directional antenna.

6. A wireless LAN system as defined in any of claims 1, in which the antenna of the master unit is a directional antenna.

7. A method for providing network services through a wireless LAN system which comprises one master unit and one or more slave units, said master unit having a master antenna and functioning as a first access point to provide network services to mobile wireless terminals according to an appropriate communication procedure within an appropriate communication area, said slave unit functioning as a second access point having a slave antenna and being capable of detecting whether or not it can communicate with said mobile wireless terminal, said master unit functioning in such a way that when it detects a wireless terminal within its communication area, it inquires about readiness for communication from said slave antenna to said mobile wireless terminal and then determines whether to provide network services to said mobile wireless terminal in accordance with the combination of readiness of communication between said slave unit and said mobile wireless terminal.

8. A medium storing a program for providing network services through a wireless LAN system which comprises one master unit and one or more slave units, said master unit having a master antenna and functioning as a first access point to provide network services to mobile wireless terminals according to an appropriate communication procedure within an appropriate communication area, said slave unit functioning as a second access point having a slave antenna and being capable of detecting whether or not it can communicate with said mobile wireless terminal, said master unit functioning in such a way that when it detects a wireless terminal within its communication area, it inquires about readiness for communication from said slave antenna to said mobile wireless terminal and then determines whether to provide network services to said mobile wireless terminal in accordance with the combination of readiness of communication between said slave unit and said mobile wireless terminal.