Abstract: Uplink medium access control on per-wireless device level. An access point sends a beacon frame to a wireless device. The beacon frame includes a BSSID that is unique to the wireless device. The beacon frame also includes embedded uplink configurations specifying uplink medium access for the wireless device. In one embodiment, a controller recognizes a device or user associated with the device, and sends corresponding uplink configurations for embedding in a subsequent beacon frame.

Abstract: Using the feature named “KEY_SEARCH_AD1” in the Atheros 11n chipset, an access point can determine whether to send an ACK packet in response to a message packet in response to whether the BSSID present in the sender address is present in the keycache. The AP can maintain a list of about 128 arbitrarily selected BSSID's, to each of which it will respond with an ACK packet if it receives a message from a mobile station with that BSSID. (1) the number of mobile stations that can be assigned to that AP is relatively greater. (2) the selection of those BSSID's is no longer constrained by having to match the AP's BSSID using a mask. With selection of those BSSID's being no longer so constrained, it is easier to assign BSSID's to mobile stations while allowing those mobile stations to roam among multiple AP's.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a seamless transition between access points for mobile devices. The method comprises associating a unique identifier for a plurality of mobile stations with a unique identifier for a first network in an acknowledgment table, then, upon receiving a frame from a mobile station, acknowledging the reception of the frame if the frame includes the unique identifier for the mobile station and the unique identifier for the network. The transfer of operation between access points is effectuated through the use of control circuitry which transfers portions of the contents of the acknowledgement table between various access points. This has the effect that the mobile stations does not sense a change in access points and thus the roaming from a first access point to a second access point is seamless.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for improving location accuracy in multi-channel wireless networks. Specifically, to coordinate with other Access Points (APs) and improve location accuracy of client devices, each access point can (a) obtain a schedule of another neighboring AP; (b) switch to the operating channel of the neighboring AP at a scheduled time for communication exchanges between the neighboring AP and the client device, (c) listen to the communication exchanges between the neighboring AP and the client device; (d) collecting signal samples, e.g., signal strength associated with messages originated from the client device; and (e) send the report to the location engine to allow the location engine collect more signal samples associated with the client device, thereby more accurately determine the location of the client device; etc.

Abstract: A technique for providing per station control of multiple stations in a wireless network across multiple access points. A look-up table that assigns a station connected to the access point and at least one communication parameter to each of a plurality of persistent, uniquely-assigned BSSIDs (Basic Service Set Identifiers) is stored. An access point responds to messages addressed one of the plurality of persistent, uniquely-assigned BSSIDs and ignores messages addressed to other BSSIDs. Persistence of the BSSID allows the controller to maintain individual control over each station after moving to a second access point of the plurality of access points. A frame comprising the plurality of BSSIDs corresponding to each connected station aggregated into the frame is generated. The frame is transmitted to the plurality of stations.

Abstract: A controller directing access points to default to a virtual cell service mode which allows seamless mobility for stations in motion around a wireless network is disclosed. Responsive to identifying a first station, the controller logic may dictate tighter controls for the first station by selecting a virtual port service mode. Some embodiments can also select a native cell service mode for devices due to a connection history of the station or a MAC OUI that is incompatible with virtual cell service mode. An initial service mode can be changed due to a condition. Also, the controller provides multiple BSSIDs to each access point.

Abstract: For seamless mobility, at least one communication parameter to associate with a BSSID is selected. A beacon is sent from a first access point to advertise its presence, wherein the beacon comprises the BSSID associated with the at least one communication parameter. Responsive to the mobile station choosing the BSSID being advertised in the beacon sent from the first access point, a uniquely assign the BSSID is selected for a mobile station. The first access point from the plurality of access points is associated with the mobile station persistently. Associating is made as selected by the system coordinator, the uniquely assigned BSSID being independent of an identify of mobile station and being eligible for subsequent assignment to a different mobile station as determined by the system coordinator.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: A control element identifies the possibility that a station will transfer to a destination AP, and prepares that destination for a handoff. The control element repurposes messages from the station which indicate a possible near-term handoff, to prepare access points to receive that handoff. The control element treats a neighbor list request as a trigger to select which AP's to identify, to restrict the neighbor list to selected AP's, and to prepare each selected AP for a handoff. In selecting a destination AP, the control element also selects a particular set of related features for the combination of that AP and BSS. When an AP receives a repurposed message, it informs the control element, which selects destination AP's for transfer. The control element treats the repurposed message like a probe request. The control element prepares more than one AP for transfer if handoff is possible to more than one AP.

Abstract: One or more 802.11 access points that are programmed or otherwise configured to transmit a preferably continuous waveform over a band of frequencies that interferes with other devices in the region, effectively blocking all (or at least most) 802.11 traffic on channels spanned by that band of frequencies.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: Uplink medium access control on per-wireless device level. An access point sends a beacon frame to a wireless device. The beacon frame includes a BSSID that is unique to the wireless device. The beacon frame also includes embedded uplink configurations specifying uplink medium access for the wireless device. In one embodiment, a controller recognizes a device or user associated with the device, and sends corresponding uplink configurations for embedding in a subsequent beacon frame.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.