Methods and systems for reducing MAC layer handoff latency in wireless networks
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
- associating with a first access point, wherein key information that identifies the first access point is stored into a cache located at the mobile station;
determining whether a handoff is necessary;
querying the cache to determine whether another access point is associated with the key information in response to determining that the handoff is necessary;
performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station upon determining that another access point is not associated with the key information, wherein the selective scan comprises;
accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station;
detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and
determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points;
storing information relating to the second access point into the cache located at the mobile station, wherein the information identifies the second access point and is associated with the key information;
transmitting one or more messages to the second access point for association with the second access point; and
associating with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point.
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, computer implemented methods and systems are provided for reducing handoff latency in a wireless network. In response to detecting that a handoff is necessary, the present invention uses a selective scanning algorithm that includes the use of a channel mask and/or a caching algorithm for detecting one or more new access points.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
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associating with a first access point, wherein key information that identifies the first access point is stored into a cache located at the mobile station; determining whether a handoff is necessary; querying the cache to determine whether another access point is associated with the key information in response to determining that the handoff is necessary; performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station upon determining that another access point is not associated with the key information, wherein the selective scan comprises; accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station; detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points; storing information relating to the second access point into the cache located at the mobile station, wherein the information identifies the second access point and is associated with the key information; transmitting one or more messages to the second access point for association with the second access point; and associating with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
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associating with a first access point, wherein key information that identifies the first access point is stored in a cache located at the mobile station; determining whether a handoff is necessary; performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station in response to determining that the handoff is necessary, wherein the selective scan comprises; accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station; detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points; associating with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point; and updating the channel mask to remove the channel that is used to connect to the second access point.
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13. A system for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the system comprising:
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means for associating with a first access point, wherein key information that identifies the first access point is stored into a cache located at the mobile station; means for determining whether a handoff is necessary; means for querying the cache to determine whether another access point is associated with the key information in response to determining that the handoff is necessary; means for performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station upon determining that another access point is not associated with the key information, wherein the selective scan comprises; means for accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station; means for detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and means for determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points; means for storing information relating to the second access point into the cache located at the mobile station, wherein the information identifies the second access point and is associated with the key information; means for transmitting one or more messages to the second access point for association with the second access point; and means for associating with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point.
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14. A system for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the system comprising:
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means for associating with a first access point, wherein key information that identifies the first access point is stored in a cache located at the mobile station; means for determining whether a handoff is necessary; means for performing a selective scan of channels at the mobile station in response to determining that the handoff is necessary, wherein the selective scan comprises; means for accessing a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station; means for detecting one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and means for determining a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points; means for associating with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point; and means for updating the channel mask to remove the channel that is used to connect to the second access point.
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15. A system for reducing handoff latency in a wireless network, the system comprising:
a mobile station that is associated with a first access point, the mobile station comprising; memory; a processor at least partially executing a handoff application program configured to; store key information that identifies the first access point in a cache located at the mobile station; determine whether a handoff is necessary; query the cache to determine whether another access point is associated with the key information in response to determining that the handoff is necessary; perform a selective scan of channels at the mobile station upon determining that another access point is not associated with the key information, wherein processor is further configured to; access a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station; detect one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and determine a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points; store information relating to the second access point into the cache located at the mobile station, wherein the information identifies the second access point and is associated with the key information; transmit one or more messages to the second access point for association with the second access point; and associate with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for reducing handoff latency in a wireless network, the system comprising:
a mobile station that is associated with a first access point, the mobile station comprising; memory; a processor at least partially executing a handoff application program configured to; store key information that identifies the first access point in a cache located at the mobile station; determine whether a handoff is necessary; perform a selective scan of channels at the mobile station in response to determining that the handoff is necessary, wherein the processor is further configured to; access a channel mask that is associated with the mobile station; detect one or more access points using the channel mask, wherein the mobile station receives one or more responses from the one or more access points; and determine a second access point for association by the mobile station based at least in part on the responses from the one or more access points; associate with the second access point in response to receiving an indication from the second access point; and update the channel mask to remove the channel that is used to connect to the second access point.
Specification