Network access restoration
AssigneeBritsh Telecommunications Public Limited Comapny
InventorsDavid Mark ELLIOTT, Patrick Rowan LIMB, Richard GEDGE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Access between a data terminal 1 and a data network 5 by way of a first wireless-enabled access point 3 is restored after a primary connection 4 between the first access point and the data network is lost by having the access point 3 scan for a further wireless-enabled access point 6 and establishing a wireless connection between the first access point 3 and the further access point 6 such that the data terminals 1 etc can connect to the data network by way of the access points 3, 6 and the wireless connection between them.
Claims13
A process for restoration of access between one or more data terminals and a data network by way of a first wireless-enabled access point in communication with the data terminals through a wireless interface after a primary connection between the first access point and the data network is lost, comprising the steps of
- a) detecting loss of the primary connection to the data network
- b) conducting a scan for a further wireless-enabled access point
- c) establishing a wireless connection using the said wireless interface between the first access point and the further access point
- d) attempting connection between the first access point and the data network by way of the further access point,
- e) in the event of successful connection to the data network by the first access point, establishing connection between the one or more data terminals and the data network by way of the first and further access points.
A wireless-enabled access point for connecting one or more user terminals to a data network, having a wireless interface to communicate with the user terminals and a second interface arranged to provide a primary connection to the data network, the access point having a connection monitor to detect loss of the primary connection, a scanner to detect the presence of one or more further wireless-enabled access points, and arranged to establish a wireless connection to the data network by way of the said wireless interface and one of the further wireless-enabled access points, and a switching processor for connecting user terminals to the data network by way of the further wireless-enabled access point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.