Patent ID: 9008045
Filing Date: 2015-04-14
Classification: H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for managing wireless connectivity, the computer-implemented method comprising: in a wireless local area network (WLAN), receiving a request from a client device to establish a wireless data link between the client device and a first access point device, the first access point device providing a connection to a network of interconnected computers; in the wireless local area network (WLAN), establishing the wireless data link between the client device and the first access point device on a radio frequency communication channel, the wireless data link used to transmit data packets between the client device and the first access point device; in the wireless local area network (WLAN), monitoring at least one parameter indicative of the wireless data link between the client device and the first access point device, the at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the wireless data link and a rate of packet errors in uplink data transmission on the wireless data link; in response to determining that the at least one indicative parameter meets a predetermined criterion, transmitting a disassociate message to the client device, the disassociate message causing the client device to end the wireless data link with the first access point device in the wireless local area network (WLAN), the first access point device being in network communication with a second access point device, the first and second access point devices providing Wi-Fi connectivity to the computer network via a same service set identifier (SSID); in response to transmitting the disassociate message to the client device, the second access point device receiving a request from the client device to establish a second wireless data link between the client device and the second access point device; establishing the second wireless data link between the client device and the second access point device on a radio frequency communication channel using the same SSID, the second wireless data link used to transmit data packets between the client device and the second access point device, the client device maintaining a same Internet Protocol (IP) address as used with the first access point device; monitoring radio signal strength of the client device via the second access point device; and wherein determining that the at least one parameter meets a predetermined criterion includes identifying that received radio signal strength of the client device at the second access point device is greater than received radio signal strength of the client device at the first access point device.