Patent ID: 8598984
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for providing location-aware WiFi access for a portable device, the method comprising: determining an initial location of the portable device; transmitting the initial location of the portable device to a WiFi location provider, wherein the WiFi location provider comprises locations, WiFi parameters, and wireless ranges for a plurality of WiFi access points; receiving, from the WiFi location provider, a respective location, a respective set of WiFi parameters, and a respective wireless range for each WiFi access point included in a set of WiFi access points, wherein the each WiFi access point included in the set of WiFi access points is within a radius of the initial location of the portable device; determining a subset of WiFi access points of the set of WiFi access points, each WiFi access point in the subset of WiFi access points containing the portable device within the respective wireless range of the each WiFi access point; scanning for at least one WiFi access point in the subset of WiFi access points; and connecting to one of the at least one WiFi access point in the subset of WiFi access points, thereby forming a WiFi connection.