Apparatus and method for wireless network services in moving vehicles
First Claim
1. A computerized method performed via a given stationary access point for operating a wireless network, the method comprising:
- when a mobile access point is disposed within a first location, establishing a data connection via a first wireless local area network (WLAN) connection to the mobile access point that services a computerized client device, the mobile access point servicing the computerized client device via a second WLAN connection;
communicating digitally rendered data between the mobile access point and a service provider via the first WLAN connection;
causing the mobile access point to communicate the digitally rendered data to the computerized client device via the second WLAN connection; and
when the mobile access point moves from the first location to a second location;
selecting another stationary access point from a plurality of stationary access points, the selecting of the other stationary access point being based on one or more network quality parameters; and
performing a handover, by the given stationary access point, to the selected other stationary access point, the performing of the handover comprising enabling the computerized client device to communicate with the given stationary access point via a third WLAN connection to the selected other stationary access point, the selected other stationary access point being in data communication with the service provider via the given stationary access point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing backhaul access connectivity to e.g., a vehicular hotspot. In one embodiment, a wireless network of access points comprises so-called “parent access points” (PAPs), “child access points” (CAPs), and “transit access points” (TAPs). Each PAP operates as a service gateway and provides a wireless coverage area, which is further augmented by the coverages of its subsidiary CAPs. Each TAP can connect to either a PAP or a CAP for backhaul access. During exemplary operation, a user'"'"'s Wi-Fi client device connects to a TAP located in the vehicle (e.g., car, train, bus, etc.), and provides connectivity to a host managed content distribution network to which the user subscribes.
583 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computerized method performed via a given stationary access point for operating a wireless network, the method comprising:
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when a mobile access point is disposed within a first location, establishing a data connection via a first wireless local area network (WLAN) connection to the mobile access point that services a computerized client device, the mobile access point servicing the computerized client device via a second WLAN connection; communicating digitally rendered data between the mobile access point and a service provider via the first WLAN connection; causing the mobile access point to communicate the digitally rendered data to the computerized client device via the second WLAN connection; and when the mobile access point moves from the first location to a second location; selecting another stationary access point from a plurality of stationary access points, the selecting of the other stationary access point being based on one or more network quality parameters; and performing a handover, by the given stationary access point, to the selected other stationary access point, the performing of the handover comprising enabling the computerized client device to communicate with the given stationary access point via a third WLAN connection to the selected other stationary access point, the selected other stationary access point being in data communication with the service provider via the given stationary access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computerized method of operating a wireless network having at least a mobile access point, the method comprising:
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when the mobile access point is in a first position, establishing a first Wi-Fi connection to a first stationary access point; establishing a second Wi-Fi connection to a computerized client device; communicating digital data between the computerized client device and a service provider network via the first Wi-Fi connection and the second Wi-Fi connection; receiving an indication that a quality of the first Wi-Fi connection to the first stationary access point is below a signal strength threshold; and when the mobile access point is in a second position and the indication is received, establishing a third Wi-Fi connection to a second stationary access point while concurrently maintaining the second Wi-Fi connection established to the computerized client device, the second stationary access point being in data communication with the service provider network via the first stationary access point. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for use within a wireless network, the system comprising:
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a plurality of stationary access points, each of the plurality of stationary access points configured to effectuate a respective Wi-Fi connection to one or more respective mobile access points, and to communicate data between the one or more respective mobile access points and a respective service provider via the respective Wi-Fi connection; wherein a first stationary access point of the plurality of stationary access points is configured to effectuate a wired connection to a network, and to communicate data between the respective mobile access point and the respective content provider via the respective Wi-Fi connection and the wired connection to the network; and wherein a second stationary access point of the plurality of stationary access points is configured to effectuate a Wi-Fi connection between the second stationary access point and the first stationary access point configured to effectuate the wired connection to the network, the second stationary access point configured to communicate data between the respective mobile access point and the respective service provider via at least the respective Wi-Fi connection to the mobile access point, the Wi-Fi connection to the first stationary access point, and the wired connection to the network. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification