Opportunistic relay among mobile communication devices

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method comprising:

• monitoring dynamic locations of a plurality of mobile communication devices within a physical area covered by a wireless communication network, wherein keys are distributed to the plurality of mobile communication devices at association time;
• determining that a particular mobile communication device of the plurality of mobile communication devices should have a relay for communication with the wireless communication network based on a first location of the particular mobile communication device and inadequate wireless communication characteristics at the first location;
• selecting an opportunistic relay device from the plurality of mobile communication devices based on a second location of the opportunistic relay device and adequate wireless communication characteristics of the opportunistic relay device within the wireless communication network and to the first location from the second location;
• and
• directing the opportunistic relay device to relay communications for the particular mobile communication device at the first location, wherein the communications are encrypted based on the keys.

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more network interfaces to communicate with a network;
• a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute one or more processes;
• and
• a memory configured to store a process that is executable by the processor, the process, when executed, configured to:
• monitor dynamic locations of a plurality of mobile communication devices within a physical area covered by a wireless communication network, wherein keys are distributed to the plurality of mobile communication devices at association time;
• determine that a particular mobile communication device of the plurality of mobile communication devices should have a relay for communication with the wireless communication network based on a first location of the particular mobile communication device and inadequate wireless communication characteristics at the first location;
• select an opportunistic relay device from the plurality of mobile communication devices based on a second location of the opportunistic relay device and adequate wireless communication characteristics of the opportunistic relay device within the wireless communication network and to the first location from the second location;
• and
• direct the opportunistic relay device to relay communications for the particular mobile communication device at the first location, wherein the communications are encrypted based on the keys.