Patent ID: 8380203
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of managing roaming of a communication device through a wireless local area network with multiple access points, the method comprising: in a session with a first access point, communicating data packets between the communication device and the first access point; choosing to associate with a second access point; sending, to the first access point, a first signal to suspend a connection between the communication device and the first access point; responsive to sending the first signal to the first access point, i) suspending the connection between the communication device and the first access point, and ii) storing data packets to be transmitted to the first access point; determining if a session between the communication device and the second access point is available; if the session between the communication device and the second access point is available, establishing the connection between the communication device and the second access point while the connection between the communication device and the first access point is suspended; sending, to the second access point, a second signal to suspend the connection between the communication device and the second access point; responsive to sending the second signal to the second access point, suspending the connection between the communication device and the second access point while the connection between the communication device and the first access point is suspended; subsequent to establishing and suspending the connection between the communication device and the second access point: (i) unsuspending the connection between the communication device and the first access point, (ii) communicating, to the first access point, the stored data packets while the connection between the communication device and the first access point was suspended; (iii) subsequent to the stored data packets being transmitted to the first access point, concluding the session with the first access point; (iv) unsuspending the connection between the communication device and the second access point; and (v) in a session with the second access point, communicating data traffic between the communication device and the second access point.