Method and apparatus for determining alternative second stationary access point in response to detecting impeded wireless connection
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorSarosh N. Vesuna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When a connection between a remote unit (MU) and a first stationary access point (SAP) in a wireless network is impeded, an alternative connection between the MU and a second stationary access point is set up using information from announcement messages. The announcement messages are transmitted to notify MUs about messages waiting to be transferred, but the MU looking for an alternative to the impeded connection uses the announcement message to determine other stationary access points it may communicate with. This eliminates congestion normally caused by the MU performing dedicated probing to determine alternative stationary access points. Probing messages and probing response messages often cause congestion in a network.
Claims26
A method of operating a data communications network including a plurality of access points operatively connected to a host computer and a plurality of remote mobile wireless units, at least one of the remote units located within communication range of at least two access points and normally associated with and in communication with one of said at least two access points, comprising:
- (a) establishing communication and association between a first remote unit and a first access point;
- (b) determining, in said first remote unit, that communication between the first remote unit and the first access point has been impeded;
- (c) receiving in said first remote unit announcement messages broadcast over the airwaves, each message having an identification of particular ones of said remote units that have data messages waiting for transmission to said particular ones of said remote units;
- (d) determining, in said first remote unit, the identity of the access point sending the announcement message;
- and
- (e) sending from a said remote unit a message including a request that said remote unit associate with the access point determined to be sending the announcement message.
A method of associating a remote mobile unit to a second access point when a connection between the remote unit and a first access point becomes impeded, comprising:
- detecting when a connection between a remote unit and a first access point is impeded;
- receiving at the remote unit an announcement message from a second access point, the announcement message containing undelivered message information;
- determining identity information of the second access point based on the announcement message;
- and
- requesting association between the remote unit and the second access point using the identity information.
An apparatus for associating a remote mobile unit to a second access point when a connection between the remote unit and a first access point becomes impeded, comprising:
- means for detecting when a connection between a remote unit and a first access point is impeded;
- means for receiving at the remote unit an announcement message from a second access point, the announcement message containing undelivered message information;
- means for determining identity information of the second access point based on the announcement message;
- and
- means for requesting association between the remote unit and the second access point using the identity information.
An apparatus for associating a remote mobile unit to a second access point when a connection between the remote unit and a first access point becomes impeded, comprising:
- a detecting element for detecting when a connection between a remote unit and a first access point is impeded;
- a receiver element for receiving at the remote unit an announcement message from a second access point, the announcement message containing undelivered message information;
- an identity element for determining identity information of the second access point based on the announcement message;
- and
- an association requestor element for requesting association between the remote unit and the second access point using the identity information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.