Patent ID: 7929968

Claim:
A method for changing association of a mobile node in a wireless communication network from a first access point to a second access point, the method comprising: within the mobile node: communicating at a first frequency with the first access point with which the mobile node is associated; determining that it is to associate with the second access point; initiating a handoff process in response to determining the association of the mobile node with the second access point by sending a request message including a quality of service requirement at a second frequency at which the second access point communicates for receipt by the second access point; and changing its communication frequency back to the first frequency after sending the request message, thereby continuing communication with the first access point; within the second access point: receiving the request message including the quality of service requirement; determining if it can meet the quality of service requirement; and sending a reply message indicating if the second access point can meet the quality of service requirement to the mobile node via the first access point; and within the mobile node: receiving the reply message sent by the second access point in response to the request message, wherein the reply message includes a performance characteristic of the second access point, wherein the performance characteristic relates to a quality of service desired by the mobile node; and when the performance characteristic meets a desired criteria, operating the mobile node to change its frequency to the second frequency and become associated with the second access point.