Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing a wireless local area network with a wide area, cellular or public switched telephone network including the function of a wireless LAN base station or access point, and a gateway. The interface may contain one or more different types of gateways, including a PSTN voice gateway, an analog modem gateway, and others. The apparatus may also include a well designed to receive the handset or mobile computer device to recharge the battery as well as to automatically transfer data when the phone or device is secured in the well.

Abstract: When a connection between a remote unit (MU) and a first stationary access point (SAP) in a wireless network is impeded, an alternative connection between the MU and a second stationary access point is set up using information from announcement messages. The announcement messages are transmitted to notify MUs about messages waiting to be transferred, but the MU looking for an alternative to the impeded connection uses the announcement message to determine other stationary access points it may communicate with. This eliminates congestion normally caused by the MU performing dedicated probing to determine alternative stationary access points. Probing messages and probing response messages often cause congestion in a network.