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 basedon 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, and wherein connecting to the new AP, comprises;
determining if a new IP address will need to be assigned to a client;
if the new IP address does not need to be assigned to the client, then reassociating the client to the new AP; and
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.
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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.
37 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of roaming in a packet communication system during a call, comprising:
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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, and wherein connecting to the new AP, comprises; determining if a new IP address will need to be assigned to a client; if the new IP address does not need to be assigned to the client, then reassociating the client to the new AP; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for packet communication, comprising:
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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, and wherein connecting to the new AR, comprises; determining if a new IP address will need to be assigned to a client; if the new IP address does not need to be assigned to the client, then reassociating the client to the new AP; and 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.
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18. A method of roaming in a packet communication system during a call, comprising:
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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.
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Specification