Patent ID: 9622255
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: H04L,H04W

Claim:
1. A method of prioritizing bandwidth for an access point configured to provide a wireless network for a plurality of devices, the method comprising: associating one of a plurality of interframe spacing (IFS) values with each of a plurality of user groups such that at least a first IFS value of the plurality of IFS values associated with a first group of the plurality of user groups is less than a second IFS value of the plurality of IFS values associated with a second group of the plurality of user groups due to the first group having higher priority than the second group; assigning one of the plurality of IFS values to each of the devices when executing an authentication process necessary for obtaining access to the wireless network, wherein the assigning includes selecting the one of the plurality of IFS values assigned to each device as the one of the plurality of IFS values associated with the user group of a user identified during the authentication process as being associated therewith; applying a multiplier to one or more of the devices after completing the authentication process, each one or more multiplier being a numerical value greater than zero to be multiplied with the one of the plurality of IFS values previously assigned to the corresponding device, thereby adjusting the previously assigned one of the plurality of IFS values according to the corresponding numerical value; and prioritizing the devices to use the bandwidth according to an IFS policy where the devices wait at least for expiration of a period of time from a common reference before deciding the wireless network is clear for transmission, the period of time for each device being proportional to the one of the plurality of IFS values assigned thereto after being adjusted by the corresponding multiplier when applied such that at least the devices having shorter IFS values are entitled to use of the bandwidth ahead of the devices having longer IFS values.