Client driven client steering

A method of using a client device with a first access point device and a home network controller device, the first access point device and the home network controller device providing a wireless local area network for the client device and providing access to an external network to the client device, said method comprising:

• accessing, via a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory, the external network via the wireless local area network by way of the first access point device to perform a function;
• determining, via the processor, a steering opportunity for steering the client device based on the performance of the function;
• transmitting, via the processor, a steering opportunity signal, based on the determined steering opportunity, to the home network controller;
• receiving, via the processor, a steering request to steer the client device at a steering time based on the steering opportunity;
• and
• transmitting, via the processor, a steering response honoring the received steering request.

A non-transitory, computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions being capable of being read by a client device for use with a first access point device and a home network controller device, the first access point device and the home network controller device providing a wireless local area network for the client device and providing access to an external network to the client device, wherein the computer-readable instructions are capable of instructing the client device to perform the method comprising:

• accessing, via a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory, the external network via the wireless local area network by way of the first access point device to perform a function;
• determining, via the processor, a steering opportunity for steering the client device based on the performance of the function;
• transmitting, via the processor, a steering opportunity signal, based on the determined steering opportunity, to the home network controller;
• receiving, via the processor, a steering request to steer the client device at a steering time based on the steering opportunity;
• and
• transmitting, via the processor, a steering response honoring the received steering request.

A method of using a home network controller device with a first access point device and a client device, the first access point device and the client device being included within a wireless local area network, said method comprising:

• permitting access, via a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory, for the client device to the external network via the wireless local area network by way of the first access point device to perform a function;
• receiving, via the processor and from the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering opportunity signal for steering the client device based on the performance of the function;
• transmitting, via the processor and to the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering request to steer the client device at a steering time based on the steering opportunity;
• receiving, via the processor and from the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering response honoring the steering request;
• and
• transmitting, via the processor and to the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering instruction to steer the client device based on the steering opportunity.

A home network controller device for use with a first access point device and a client device, the first access point device and the client device being included within a wireless local area network, said home network controller device comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor configured to execute instructions stored on said memory to cause said home network device to:
• permit access for the client device to the external network via the wireless local area network by way of the first access point device to perform a function;
• receive, from the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering opportunity signal for steering the client device based on the performance of the function;
• transmit, to the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering request to steer the client device at a steering time based on the steering opportunity;
• receive, from the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering response honoring the received steering request;
• and
• transmit, to the client device by way of the first access point device, a steering instruction to steer the client device based on the steering opportunity.