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;
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, wherein information that identifies the second access point is stored in the mobile station; and
removing a channel corresponding to the second access point from the channel mask.
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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.
95 Citations
27 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; 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, wherein information that identifies the second access point is stored in the mobile station; and removing a channel corresponding to the second access point from the channel mask. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for reducing handoff latency for a mobile station in a wireless network, the method comprising:
a processor that; associates with a first access point; determines whether a handoff is necessary; performs 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; associates with the second access point, wherein information that identifies the second access point is stored in the mobile station; and removes a channel corresponding to the second access point from the channel mask. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform 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; 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, wherein information that identifies the second access point is stored in the mobile station; and removing a channel corresponding to the second access point from the channel mask. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification