Mobile WiFi network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12513488-B2
Application number	US-201916393324-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2019
Priority date	Jan 17, 2012
Publication date	Dec 30, 2025
Grant date	Dec 30, 2025

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for managing a dynamic wireless network. Access points may be mobile and may be caused to move to locations to improve wireless coverage and network access for user devices.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A method comprising:
determining, based on a plurality of wireless coverage areas associated with a plurality of access points associated with a service provider, a location to move at least one access point of the plurality of access points for improved wireless coverage for network access via the service provider for at least one user device; after the determining the location, determining, based on information indicating an availability of the at least one access point of the plurality of access points, that the at least one access point is available to move; and causing the at least one access point to move to the location, wherein at the location a connection between the at least one access point and one or more user devices improves wireless coverage for network access via the service provider for the one or more user devices.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the location comprises at least one of:
a location for which there is insufficient wireless network coverage; a location in need of wireless network coverage; a location for which it is desirable to add wireless network coverage; a location that would benefit from receiving wireless network coverage; a location outside coverage areas of the plurality of access points; a location lacking wireless network coverage; a location where a wireless signal has a strength below a threshold strength; or a location where bandwidth being used exceeds a threshold bandwidth.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the causing the at least one access point to move to the location comprises:
causing the at least one access point to establish a first connection between the at least one access point and the one or more user devices in a wireless coverage area associated with the at least one access point, wherein the first connection uses a different protocol than a second connection between the at least one access point and a network.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the location to move the at least one access point for improved wireless coverage for network access via the service provider for the at least one user device comprises:
determining, using a database storing a plurality of locations of the plurality of access points, a coverage area associated with the plurality of access points; wherein the location is outside the coverage area.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the location to move the at least one access point for improved wireless coverage for network access via the service provider for the at least one user device comprises:
determining, based on the plurality of wireless coverage areas associated with the plurality of access points, a plurality of candidate locations; and determining, among the plurality of candidate locations, a location closest to one of the plurality of access points.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining, based on the information indicating the availability of the at least one access point of the plurality of access points, that the at least one access point is available to move comprises determining that the at least one access point is not providing network access to any user device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises information from a user of a mobile unit associated with the at least one access point.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises schedule information.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the causing the at least one access point to move comprises sending directions associated with the location.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to the causing the at least one access point to move to the location, sending a message indicating an incentive to move the at least one access point.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
after the causing the at least one access point to move to the location, storing information indicating that the at least one access point is unavailable to move.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises a schedule associated with a mobile unit carrying the at least one access point.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, based on a plurality of locations of a plurality of mobile units each carrying one of the plurality of access points, the plurality of wireless coverage areas, wherein the determining, based on the information indicating the availability of the at least one access point of the plurality of access points, that the at least one access point is available to move comprises:
determining that at least one mobile unit, of the plurality of mobile units, that carries the at least one access point is rented by a user and the user has indicated a willingness to move the at least one mobile unit as directed.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of access points transmit a service set identifier (SSID) that enables the one or more user devices to connect to the plurality of access points.

15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to the determining that the at least one access point is available to move, determining, based on movement availability information, that another access point, of the plurality of access points and carried by a mobile unit, is not available to move.

16 . The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the causing the at least one access point to move to the location comprises causing the at least one access point to provide access to a network to a mobile user device that is not connected to the network via any of the plurality of access points, and wherein the mobile user device comprises at least one of:
a laptop;
a portable computer;
a portable display device;
a tablet;
a notebook;
a personal digital assistant;
a mobile phone; or
a smartphone.

17 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to the causing the at least one access point to move to the location, determining that the at least one access point is underutilized.

18 . An apparatus comprising:
one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
determine, based on a plurality of wireless coverage areas associated with a plurality of access points associated with a service provider, a location to move at least one access point of the plurality of access points for improved wireless coverage for network access via the service provider for at least one user device;
after determining the location, determine, based on information indicating an availability of the at least one access point of the plurality of access points, that the at least one access point is available to move; and
cause the at least one access point to move to the location, wherein at the location a connection between the at least one access point and one or more user devices improves wireless coverage for network access via the service provider for the one or more user devices.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the location comprises at least one of:
a location for which there is insufficient wireless network coverage; a location in need of wireless network coverage; a location for which it is desirable to add wireless network coverage; a location that would benefit from receiving wireless network coverage; a location outside coverage areas of the plurality of access points; a location lacking wireless network coverage; a location where a wireless signal ha

Assignees

• Comcast Cable Comm Llc

Inventors

• Cook Michael J
• Ong Ivan

Classifications

• H04W84/18

  Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks · CPC title

• H04W24/02

  Arrangements for optimising operational condition · CPC title

• H04W16/18

  Network planning tools · CPC title

• H04W12/55

  involving three or more devices, e.g. group pairing · CPC title

• H04W4/46

  for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V] · CPC title