Patent ID: 8738023

Claim:
A method for use in a wireless network comprising a plurality of user devices adapted for communication with at least one access point device, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a test of a communication link between at least one of the user devices and the access point device, the test comprising a determination of data throughput performance involving the transmission of a plurality of known packets at different bit rates between the at least one user device and the access point device; monitoring information characterizing an area, the information comprising communication link performance characteristics, information relating to capabilities of the plurality of user devices, and location information of the plurality of user devices; generating, based at least in part on a result of the test and the monitored information characterizing the area, an instruction displayable to a user associated with a given one of the user devices, the instruction being indicative of a location within the area at which the given user device is expected to obtain a particular level of data throughput performance; wherein the test comprises a test of at least one of an uplink communication channel between the at least one user device and the access point device and a downlink communication channel between the at least one user device and the access point device; wherein the test is initiated by the at least one user device, and the packets are transmitted to the access point device and returned from the access point device to the at least one user device; wherein the generating step utilizes information derived from a global positioning system (GPS) in determining the location at which the given user device is expected to obtain a particular level of data throughput performance; and wherein the generated instruction comprises an indication of a particular seating location in a group of seating locations within a given facility.