US 10,952,118 B2Granted

Apparatus and method for wireless network extensibility and enhancement

AssigneeTime Warner Cable Enterprises LLC

InventorsKiran Yeddala, Don Gunasekara

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Abstract

Apparatus and methods for extending and enhancing wireless networks. An exemplary wireless network configured according to the disclosure uses in-service Wireless Network Clients (WNCs), such as mobile phones, laptops, etc., to extend and enhance the wireless network coverage via peer-to-peer sub-networks. In one implementation, each WNC is configured to operate as a Service Access Node (SAN) to other wireless client devices in the same network. The SAN provides peer-to-peer communications capabilities (to communicate with wireless clients) and gateway functionality (to aggregate data traffic over its own uplink communications), thereby enabling wireless clients to “piggyback” their data link onto the WNC. Peer Control Manager (PCM) software on each WNC enables, disables, and controls the service functions for that WNC in accordance with an overarching Peer Controller (PC) entity operated by an Access Point Controller/Core Network.

Claims28

Dependent claims

Computerized network controller apparatus for use within a wireless network, the computerized network controller apparatus in data communication with one or more computerized network access points, a plurality of computerized wireless user devices in data communication with the wireless network via the one or more computerized network access points, the computerized network controller apparatus comprising:

a data interface, the data interface configured for data communication with the one or more computerized network access points;
a processor apparatus in data communication with the data interface;
and
a storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus, the storage apparatus having at least one computer program stored thereon which is operative to run on the processor apparatus, the at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the computerized network controller apparatus to:
establish a data communication session with a first computerized wireless user device of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices via a first computerized network access point of the one or more computerized network access points;
evaluate at least one parameter associated with a wireless link between the first computerized wireless user device and the first computerized network access point to identify degradation of performance of the wireless link, the evaluation comprising comparison of the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link to a pre-determined threshold for handoff;
based on a determination that the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link is less than the pre-determined threshold for the handoff, evaluate at least one network parameter to enable at least a determination of whether an undesirable network overhead condition is present;
based at least in part on a determination that the undesirable network overhead condition is present:
generate an adjusted threshold for the handoff, such that the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link is greater than the adjusted threshold for the handoff;
and
maintain the wireless link between the first computerized wireless user device and the first computerized network access point;
and
based at least in part on a determination that the undesirable network overhead condition is not present:
identify a target network access point for the handoff, the identification of the target network access point comprising identification of a second computerized wireless user device of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices;
and
communicate one or more data elements to the second computerized wireless user device, the one or more data elements configured to cause the second computerized wireless user device to establish data communication with the first computerized wireless user device.

13 more elements

A computerized method of operating a wireless network, the wireless network comprising a computerized network control entity in data communication with one or more computerized network access points, the computerized method comprising:

establishing a data communication session between a first computerized wireless user device of a plurality of computerized wireless user devices and the computerized network control entity via a first computerized network access point of the one or more computerized network access points;
evaluating at least one parameter associated with a wireless link between the first computerized wireless user device and the first computerized network access point to identify degradation of performance of the wireless link, the evaluating comprising comparing the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link to a pre-determined threshold for handoff;
evaluating at least one network parameter to enable at least a determination of whether an unacceptable level of network reception is present;
based at least in part on:
(i) a determination that the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link is greater than the pre-determined threshold for the handoff, and (ii) a determination that the unacceptable level of network reception is present:
adjusting the pre-determined threshold for the handoff to generate an adjusted threshold for the handoff, such that the at least one parameter associated with the wireless link is less than the adjusted threshold for the handoff;
identifying a target network access point for the handoff, the identifying of the target network access point comprising identifying a second computerized wireless user device of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices;
and
communicating one or more data elements to the second computerized wireless user devices, the one or more data elements configured to cause the second computerized wireless user device to enable data communication with the first computerized wireless user device when the first and second computerized wireless user devices are within wireless communications range of one another.

6 more elements

a data interface configured for data communication with the one or more computerized network access points;
a processor apparatus in data communication with the data interface;
and
a storage apparatus in data communication with the processor apparatus, the storage apparatus having at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the computerized network controller apparatus to:
establish a data communication session with a first computerized user device of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices via a first access point of the one or more computerized network access points;
determine that at least one link parameter associated with a wireless link between the first computerized user device and the first access point meets a pre-determined criterion for handoff;
determine whether an undesired network overhead condition is present;
based at least in part on a determination that the undesired network overhead condition is present:
(i) generate an adjusted criterion for the handoff, such that the at least one link parameter does not meet the adjusted criterion for the handoff;
and (ii) maintain the wireless link between the first computerized user device and the first access point;
and
based at least in part on a determination that the undesired network overhead condition is not present:
(i) identify a second computerized user device of the plurality of computerized wireless user devices for the handoff;
and (ii) cause the second computerized user device to establish data communication with the first computerized user device.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/443,718Filed 17 Jun 2019 · division
Priority: 4 Dec 2015
Published: US 2019/0335375 A131 Oct 2019
Granted: 16 Mar 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H04W 36/302
By measured or perceived connection quality data: due to low signal strength
H04W 36/037
Reselecting a link using a direct mode connection: by reducing handover delay, e.g. latency
H04W 84/12
Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks: wLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
H04W 88/04
Terminal devices: adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Family

Application14/959,948Parent of this division · filed 4 Dec 2015
US 10,327,187 B2Parent of this division · filed 18 Jun 2019
US 2019/0335375 A1Pre-grant publication · published 31 Oct 2019
US 2017/0164416 A1Published application
US 10,952,118 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.