System, apparatus and method for managing ap selection and signal quality

A portable apparatus comprising:

• a radio logic unit adapted for tuning to a selected frequency associated with a particular wireless channel in order to establish communications with a first wireless node operating as an access point;
• and
• a processor in communication with the radio logic unit, the processor to:
• extract channel information from a non-unicast message received from the first wireless node, the channel information includes a channel number used by a second wireless node that is operating as an access point and transmitting signals within a signal coverage area at least partially used by the first wireless node,
• conduct an active scan of a frequency spectrum for wireless signals based on the channel information by initially scanning frequencies associates with the channel number used by the second wireless node, and
• determine whether to (i) maintain wireless communications with the first wireless node or (ii) establish wireless communications with the second wireless node.

A software stored within a memory and executed by a processor implemented within a first wireless node being a portable, battery-powered electronic device with data processing capability and wireless communication capabilities, to perform the operations of:

• measuring parameters associated with a wireless signal after a monitoring time period has elapsed, the wireless signal being received over a first wireless channel from a second wireless node that is operating as an access point for a wireless network and is currently in wireless communications with the first wireless node;
• performing an active scan process in (i) searching wireless channels different than the first wireless channel using a same network identification of the second wireless node, (ii) detecting wireless signals by a third wireless node over a second wireless channel, and (iii) selecting either second wireless node or the third wireless node for subsequent wireless communications;
• increasing the monitoring time period by an incremental value if the second wireless node is selected;
• and
• resetting the monitoring time period to a minimum value if the third wireless node is selected.