Method and system for neighbor list adaptive mapping

Abstract

An adaptive mapping of the neighbor list can be provided. Requests for a client device view of the network can be sent to client devices periodically at time intervals. The length of the time interval can depend on the status of the client device, and identity data can be associated with the client device. In response to sending a request to the client device, data corresponding to the client device view of the network can be received. Then, in response to receiving the data, the network mapping can be updated based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of the network. This mapping can be associated with the identity data associated with the client device.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application was filed as a PCT international patent application on July 28, 2021, and claims the benefit and priority of U.S. non-provisional patent application serial number 16,984,797, filed on August 4, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to the mapping of neighbor lists in wireless networks. Background Technology

[0004] In computer networks, a wireless access point (AP) is a network hardware device that allows Wi-Fi-compatible client devices to connect to a wired network and other client devices. An AP typically connects to a router as a standalone device (directly or indirectly via a wired network), but it can also be an integral part of the router itself. Several APs can also work together via direct wired or wireless connections, or through a central system commonly known as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) controller. An AP differs from a hotspot, which is a physical location where a WLAN can be accessed via Wi-Fi.

[0005] Before the advent of wireless networks, setting up computer networks in businesses, homes, or schools often required laying numerous cables through walls and ceilings to provide network access to all network-enabled devices within the building. With the creation of wireless access points (APs), network users could add devices to access the network with little or no cabling. An AP connects to a wired network and then provides a radio frequency link to that wired network for other wireless devices. Most APs support connecting multiple wireless devices to a single wired connection. APs were built to support standards for using these radio frequencies to send and receive data. Attached Figure Description

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0007] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a wireless network;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a method for providing adaptive mapping of neighbor lists;

[0009] Figure 3 This illustrates location determination based on signal strength.

[0010] Figure 4 The variance of the difference between the upstream Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the downstream RSSI is shown; and

[0011] Figure 5 It is a block diagram of a computing device. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Overview

[0013] Various aspects of the invention are set forth in the independent claims, and preferred features are set forth in the dependent claims. A feature of one aspect may be applied alone to any aspect or in combination with other aspects to any aspect.

[0014] An adaptive mapping of the neighbor list can be provided. Requests for a client device view of the network can be sent to client devices periodically at time intervals. The length of the time interval can depend on the status of the client device, and identity data can be associated with the client device. In response to sending a request to the client device, data corresponding to the client device view of the network can be received. Then, in response to receiving the data, the network mapping can be updated based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of the network. This mapping can be associated with the identity data associated with the client device.

[0015] The foregoing overview and the following example embodiments are merely illustrative and explanatory, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of this disclosure as described and claimed. Furthermore, features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those described. For example, embodiments of this disclosure may relate to various combinations and sub-combinations of features described in the example embodiments.

[0016] Example Implementation

[0017] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of this disclosure can be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, elements shown in the drawings may be replaced, added, or modified, and the methods described herein may be modified by replacing, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Therefore, the following detailed description does not limit this disclosure. Rather, the appropriate scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0018] An access point (AP) can request client devices to perform a scan of the wireless network in several modes. One mode may include the AP requesting client devices to scan a specific channel (e.g., the current channel on which the AP and the client are operating, "channel-on-demand mode") and report what it hears ("this is how the client device sees the AP and potential neighboring APs on the same channel"). This mode may only be useful if there is a difference between the upstream (i.e., how the client device sees the AP) and downstream (i.e., how the AP sees the client device). Otherwise, it may waste call time and client device battery power.

[0019] Another mode could be for the AP to request client devices to scan multiple channels (e.g., an entire frequency band, "band mode") and report what it detects. This mode can be helpful in gaining a deeper view of the client devices, but it can be highly disruptive to them (e.g., battery drain and prolonged absence from the channel when the client device might need to send or receive data). Yet another mode could be for the AP to request client devices to simply forward the results of their last scan (e.g., "table mode"). This mode can be the least disruptive; however, if the client device scanned recently, the information may be outdated (e.g., not reflecting what the client device would hear at its current location).

[0020] Embodiments of this disclosure can provide a process for triggering a client device to send its wireless network view. A comprehensive map of the client device view can then be constructed, incorporating individual client device battery power preservation, minimal disruption to client activity (e.g., especially when the client device may be at the edge of a challenging cell), and creating a comprehensive map of the entire floor. Such a map can be implemented at a Digital Network Architecture Center (DNAC) and can be valuable for resolving client device radio frequency (RF) issues or for seed radio resource management (RRM) using client device view information. Embodiments of this disclosure can implement two processes in the DNAC; for example, one process can be designed to build a predictive map for a specific client type (e.g., based on identity data), while another process can be used to troubleshoot a specific client device connection. The troubleshooting process can be a specific embodiment where it can be applied to a single client device to track the client device's wireless network view in near real-time as the client device moves.

[0021] Figure 1 A block diagram of a wireless network 100 for providing adaptive mapping of neighbor lists is shown. Figure 1As shown, the wireless network 100 may include multiple cells 102 in which client devices 104 can roam. Each cell 102 may have a corresponding multiple wireless access points (APs), which can establish a wireless local area network (WLAN) to provide network connectivity for the client devices 104.

[0022] Site-specific policies can be provided on the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) 106 to allow multiple access points (APs) to join the wireless network 100 and to allow the WLC 106 to control the wireless network 100. Consistent with embodiments of this disclosure, the Digital Network Architecture Center (DNAC) Controller 108 (i.e., the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Controller) can configure information about the wireless network 100 to provide adaptive neighbor list mapping consistent with embodiments of this disclosure.

[0023] Multiple cells 102 may include a first cell 110, a second cell 112, a third cell 114, a fourth cell 116, a fifth cell 118, a sixth cell 120, and a seventh cell 122. The first cell 110 may correspond to the first AP 124, the second cell 112 may correspond to the second AP 126, the third cell 114 may correspond to the third AP 128, the fourth cell 116 may correspond to the fourth AP 130, the fifth cell 118 may correspond to the fifth AP 132, the sixth cell 120 may correspond to the sixth AP 134, and the seventh cell 122 may correspond to the seventh AP 136.

[0024] Each of the plurality of cells 102 may include an area edge that indicates the variation between the inner and outer areas of the AP's coverage area. For example, an area edge may indicate a signal level that might not be optimal for a client device experience when it moves away from its associated AP, from an inner area to an outer area. This suboptimal signal level may include, but is not limited to, -65 dBm or lower, and may define where the outer area of ​​the AP's coverage area can begin. A first cell 110 may correspond to a first area edge 138, a second cell 112 to a second area edge 140, a third cell 114 to a third area edge 142, a fourth cell 116 to a fourth area edge 144, a fifth cell 118 to a fifth area edge 146, a sixth cell 120 to a sixth area edge 148, and a seventh cell 122 to a seventh area edge 150. Some inner areas may have apertures with signal strength compatible with the outer areas. For example, a first cell 110 may include a first aperture 152 and a sixth cell 120 may include a second aperture 154. These holes can be created, for example, by barriers that reduce the signal strength from their respective APs.

[0025] As described above, wireless network 100 may include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) that can be configured to support a wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) hotspot. The Wi-Fi hotspot may include a physical location where a user operating client device 104 can use Wi-Fi technology, via a router connected to a service provider, to gain access to wireless network 100 (e.g., internet access).

[0026] In other embodiments of this disclosure, devices that can connect to a cellular network instead of an access point (AP) can be used. This cellular network can communicate directly and wirelessly with end-user devices (e.g., client device 104) to provide access to the wireless network 100 (e.g., internet access). These devices may include, but are not limited to, eNodeBs (eNBs) or gNodeBs (gNBs). The aforementioned cellular networks may include, but are not limited to, Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadband cellular networks, fourth-generation (4G) broadband cellular networks, or fifth-generation (5G) broadband cellular networks operated by service providers. Nevertheless, embodiments of this disclosure may use, for example, Wi-Fi technology, cellular network wireless communication protocols, or any other type of wireless communication.

[0027] Client device 104 may include, but is not limited to, telephones, smartphones, digital cameras, tablets, laptops, personal computers, mobile devices, cellular base stations, telephones, remote control devices, set-top boxes, digital video recorders, cable modems, network computers, mainframes, routers, or any other similar microcomputer-based device capable of accessing and using Wi-Fi networks or cellular networks.

[0028] The aforementioned components of the wireless network 100 (e.g., controller 106, DNAC 108, first AP 124, second AP 126, third AP 128, fourth AP 130, fifth AP 132, sixth AP 134, and seventh AP 136) can be implemented in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) or any other circuit or system. The components of the wireless network 100 can be implemented in electronic circuits including discrete electronic components, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, circuits utilizing microprocessors, or on a single chip containing electronic components or a microprocessor. Furthermore, the components of the wireless network 100 can also be implemented using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluid, and quantum technologies. As follows regarding… Figure 5 In more detail, the components of the wireless network 100 can be implemented in the computing device 500.

[0029] Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating the general stages involved in a method 200 for providing an adaptive mapping of a neighbor list, consistent with embodiments of this disclosure. Method 200 can be implemented using a computing device 500, as described below. Figure 5 A more detailed description follows. The implementation of method 200 will be described in more detail below for each stage.

[0030] Method 200 may begin at start block 205 and proceed to stage 210, in which the first AP 124 may periodically send requests to client device 104 for a view of the client device providing wireless network 100 at time intervals. The length of the time interval may depend on the status at client device 104. Furthermore, identity data may be associated with client device 104. For example, when client device 104 enters a location and attempts to associate with wireless network 100, client device 104 may send an identifier (e.g., identity data), such as device type and operating system (OS). This data may be stored in controller 106, DNAC 108, or any of the multiple APs in wireless network 100. One embodiment may be where the identity data is used to establish the client device type (e.g., "phone" versus "tablet" or "laptop"). A more refined embodiment may be where client device families are also considered (e.g., Samsung S10, iPhone XI). Another embodiment may be where a separate implementation is also considered (e.g., the complete SSG S10 w / A.9.1). Identity data may include, but is not limited to, data indicating the following: client device includes tablets, client device includes phones, client device includes laptops, client device operating system, and client device includes device type within a device family. Some embodiments may result in building coverage maps that take longer (and have higher processing costs) but have higher predictive accuracy.

[0031] When client device 104 associates with first AP 124, first AP 124 can push a query to client device 104 to send a list of tables it built during the scanning phase before client device 104 associates with first AP 124. Based on this client signal (as detected at first AP 124) and DNAC configuration, the following can be determined for each AP in wireless network 100 as described above. Figure 1The area edges associated with the internal and external areas (e.g., first area edge 138, second area edge 140, third area edge 142, fourth area edge 144, fifth area edge 146, sixth area edge 148, and seventh area edge 150). Area edges can indicate that the client device's experience may not be optimal in terms of signal level (e.g., Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)) when it moves away from its associated AP, from the internal area to the external area. This suboptimal signal level may include, but is not limited to, -65 dBm or lower, and can define, for example, where the external area of ​​the AP's coverage area begins.

[0032] Method 200 can proceed from phase 210 to phase 220, in which the first AP 124 periodically sends requests to client device 104 at the specified time intervals for a client device view of wireless network 100, and in phase 220, the first AP 124 may receive data corresponding to the client device view of wireless network 100 in response to sending the requests to client device 104. For example, the first AP 124 may send requests to client device 104 at regular intervals (e.g., IEEE 802.11k neighbor requests). If client device 104 is within an internal area (e.g., of the first cell 110), is not actively communicating, and is not moving (e.g., RSSI is near a stable value and has low variance in probed RSSI for the first n (e.g., 3) neighbors), the first AP 124 may send requests at a slow rate configurable on DNAC 108 (e.g., the time interval may include a first value). If client device 104 is within the internal area (e.g., of the first cell 110), actively communicating but not using real-time streaming (e.g., voice or video queuing), and is not moving (e.g., RSSI is near a stable value and has low variance in probed RSSI for the first n (e.g., 3) neighbors), then the first AP 124 may send requests at a slower rate configurable on DNAC 108 (e.g., time intervals including a second value greater than the first value). If client device 104 is within the internal area (e.g., of the first cell 110), actively communicating using real-time streaming (e.g., voice or video queuing), and is not moving (e.g., RSSI is near a stable value and has low variance in probed RSSI for the first n (e.g., 3) neighbors), then the first AP 124 may stop or abort sending requests.

[0033] In other embodiments, the AP can detect client devices in similar locations (e.g., reporting similar neighboring AP counts and signal levels). The AP can then request each client device to scan a subset of channels (e.g., including partially overlapping subsets). The AP can then concatenate the results while calculating possible offsets for each reporting client device. In another embodiment, the AP can use compressed sensing techniques between client devices to offload out-of-channel scanning. In this embodiment, the AP can also detect clients in similar locations as described above. The AP can also identify the least busy client devices (e.g., this can be done by counting traffic over time and determining the maximum available time slot between upstream transmissions of the client device), and then request, for example, to begin scanning from those clients with the maximum free interval between transmissions in a round-robin scheduling. These embodiments can be combined to minimize the time / energy spent scanning per client device while maximizing neighbor data feedback to the AP.

[0034] Requests made by the AP can follow a structured pattern. For example, in one embodiment, the AP can begin by querying the client for a full-band report. The AP can then consider the client report to determine the approximate area of ​​the client device. Even without using location services, the DNAC 108 can use the AP signal to construct a relative location map. Based on such determination and the client report, the AP can determine the approximate area of ​​the client device. Positioning techniques (e.g., RSSI trilateration, angle of arrival (AoA), fine time measurement (FTM)) can improve accuracy. However, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these processes and may not require positioning accuracy, but may depend on signal strength regions.

[0035] Figure 3 The location determination of the region depends on the signal strength. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the client can report to AP6 that it hears AP5 at a medium signal strength level, AP7 at a strong signal strength level, AP2 at a medium signal strength level, AP3 at a strong signal strength level, and AP4 at a medium signal strength level. Based on these signal strength levels, AP6 can determine that the client is... Figure 3 The AP can then limit subsequent requests to a subgroup of the frequency band (e.g., only client devices reporting the AP's channels or the AP expecting client devices to detect channels in that area). Similarly, the AP can limit subsequent queries to channel-specific queries. Furthermore, the AP can use compressed sensing as described above to limit scanning activity from individual client devices while still obtaining optimal neighbor mapping.

[0036] Figure 4This shows the variance (sigma) of the difference between the upstream Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the downstream RSSI. When an AP queries a client device for on-channel measurements, a difference between the upstream and downstream RSSI is expected. The AP records not only the RSSI difference but also the variance (sigma) of that difference. In a stable RF environment, the variance (the deviation between the UL and DL signal differences) should be stable. Once the variance changes (e.g., increases), a trigger signals to the AP that the RF condition is present at the client device level but not at the AP level. The AP then changes its request mode to query on-channel or in-band modes more frequently. This configuration can also be effective as the client device moves (signal changes, within the internal area). The UL and DL RSSI may change as the client device moves; however, the variance only changes when the RF condition is asymmetrical (AP and client locations differ). Therefore, the variance can also be used as an estimate of changes in RF condition.

[0037] In another embodiment, client devices from similar vendors, models, and chipsets can be grouped into bins (e.g., client type A and client type B) to report similar UL and DL differences and variances (e.g., because they may employ similar radio front-end systems). Through this embodiment, the variance reported by a client can also be applied to other clients of the same type (e.g., the same bin) in the vicinity. Similarly, this embodiment can allow the system to detect outliers (i.e., inefficient clients that may report considerable variance even when / when other clients do not report variance). These client devices with large variances may be isolated in unreliable bins, and their results may be discarded.

[0038] When client devices are using traffic, the AP may sometimes be unable (or may not be configured) to query client devices, creating "gaps" in coverage maps (e.g., areas where the AP has no direct reports from client devices). The module can log client devices and their paths. As more client devices of the same type (or category) may appear in the same area, the AP can query these client devices and build a confidence map. RSSI can be random, so even consecutive reports from the same client device and the same location may show RSSI differences. If, for a given area, the AP receives consecutive reports that contribute to the AP establishing a bias, additional reports from other client devices within the same area may increase the AP's map confidence for that area (and vice versa). For areas with high confidence, when gaps exist in the client map, the AP may only query new client devices to obtain in-band reports. The AP can use on-channel reports to query and verify confidence values. The goal of the above configuration may be to limit queries to a strict minimum, thus increasing the query frequency only in low-confidence areas or in areas where gaps are recorded, when the UL-DL variance changes.

[0039] When a client device enters an external area, it can scan multiple channels (including its current channel) to discover new access points (APs). Once the client device returns to its current channel after scanning (and is detected because it may have already sent a probe request on its local channel, then set its "sleep" bit to 1 while scanning other channels, and then returned to its local channel and set its "sleep" bit back to 0), the AP can query the client device's table report to obtain the latest client view of all channels.

[0040] Embodiments of this disclosure may send, for example, a "switch to LTE" request to a client device. A client device that rejects the request may indicate that the wireless network 100 is available from its perspective. This information may be used to move the boundary between "interior" and "edge" areas (e.g., as more clients indicate "good Wi-Fi," the "interior" area may slowly move toward that point).

[0041] In many cases, client devices can report unknown access points (APs) (e.g., malicious APs) to the system. Embodiments of this disclosure can use a specific "malicious" label to map the locations of these APs on a map, which can further indicate whether the malice expresses the same SSID or something else. In other embodiments, client devices can report hidden nodes. In this case, the client device can report APs that may be missing from the neighbor list view of its serving APs in a beacon report. Information about these APs can be stored and highlighted on the map.

[0042] In other embodiments, active sensors can be placed on the field. Since their locations are likely known, they can be used as "distance candles." Similar to the above, observations of their uplink / downlink reports and their variances can be used for two additional purposes, as described below. First, the detection of changing RF conditions at the sensor locations can be used. Since the sensors are observed over long time intervals, their variances can be expected to be well-known. Sudden changes may be detected and could affect other clients in the same area, signaling changes in the RF environment (e.g., temporary or new obstacles). Second, when other clients are detected near the sensors, the AP may query the channel or a subset of channels for scanning and then compare the results. The client signals on other channels can then be estimated using offsets based on the known reports from the sensors on those channels.

[0043] As more and more client devices of each type appear on the site, the AP can record reports and variances on each new client channel and forward them to DNAC 108. DNAC 108 can then compare these with other client devices and confidence values. DNAC 108 then instructs the AP (e.g., via controller 106) to query only client types and areas with low confidence or gaps. This way, for example, reports from known types of client devices moving in areas with high confidence (for that client type) can be avoided (and the system can rely on natural scans and reports from external areas to confirm confidence levels). Known client devices in new client types or low-confidence (or areas with multiple gaps) can be instructed to report more frequently or on more channels.

[0044] Once the first AP 124 receives data corresponding to the client device view of the wireless network 100 in response to sending a request to the client device 104 in phase 220, method 200 can continue to phase 230, in which the first AP 124, controller 106, or DNAC 108 can update the mapping of the wireless network 100 based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of the wireless network 100 in response to receiving the data. This mapping can be associated with identity data associated with the client device 104. For example, embodiments of this disclosure may implement two processes in DNAC 108; one process may be designed to build a predictive mapping for a specific client device type (e.g., based on identity data), while another process may be used to troubleshoot a specific client device connection. The troubleshooting process may be a specific embodiment in which the process can be applied to a single client device to track the view of the wireless network 100 of that client device in near real-time as the client device moves. Once the first AP 124, controller 106, or DNAC 108 responds to the received data in phase 230 and updates the mapping of wireless network 100 based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of wireless network 100, method 200 can then end in phase 240.

[0045] Figure 5 A computing device 500 is shown. (For example...) Figure 5 As shown, computing device 500 may include a processing unit 510 and a memory unit 515. Memory unit 515 may include software module 520 and database 525. When executed on processing unit 510, software module 520 may perform functions for example to provide services as described above. Figure 2 The process of adaptive mapping of the neighbor list is described. Computing device 500 can provide an operating environment for, for example, controller 106, DNAC 108, first AP 124, second AP 126, third AP 128, fourth AP 130, fifth AP 132, sixth AP 134, or seventh AP 136. Controller 106, DNAC 108, first AP 124, second AP 126, third AP 128, fourth AP 130, fifth AP 132, sixth AP 134, and seventh AP 136 can operate in other environments and are not limited to computing device 500.

[0046] Computing device 500 can be implemented using the following: Wi-Fi access point, cellular base station, tablet device, mobile device, smartphone, telephone, remote control device, set-top box, digital video recorder, cable modem, personal computer, network computer, mainframe, router, switch, server cluster, smart TV-like device, network storage device, network relay device, or other similar microcomputer-based device. Computing device 500 can include any computer operating environment, such as handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable transmitter electronics, minicomputers, mainframes, etc. Computing device 500 can also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. The above systems and devices are examples, and computing device 500 can include other systems or devices.

[0047] For example, embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented as a computer process (method), computing system, or article of manufacture, such as a computer program product or a computer-readable medium. A computer program product can be a computer storage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a program of computer instructions for performing a computer process. A computer program product can also be a signal propagated on a computing system-readable carrier and encoding a program of computer instructions for performing a computer process. Therefore, this disclosure can be embodied in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.). In other words, embodiments of this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code contained therein for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. A computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be any medium that can contain, store, transmit, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0048] Computer-usable or computer-readable media can be, for example, but not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, apparatuses, or propagation media. More specific examples of computer-readable media (a non-exhaustive list) include: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, and portable read-only optical disc storage (CD-ROM). Note that computer-usable or computer-readable media can even be paper or other suitable media for printing programs, as programs can be captured electronically, for example, by optical scanning of paper or other media, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in an appropriate manner (if necessary), and then stored in computer memory.

[0049] While some embodiments of this disclosure have been described, other embodiments may exist. Furthermore, although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described in association with data stored in memory and other storage media, data may also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices like hard disks, floppy disks or CD-ROMs, carrier waves from the Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Moreover, the stages of the disclosed method may be modified in any way without departing from this disclosure, including by reordering the stages and / or inserting or deleting stages.

[0050] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced in electronic circuits including discrete electronic components, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, circuits utilizing microprocessors, or on a single chip containing electronic components or a microprocessor. Other techniques capable of performing logical operations such as AND, OR, and NOT can also be used, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluid, and quantum technologies. Additionally, embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced in general-purpose computers or any other circuit or system.

[0051] Embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced via a system-on-a-chip (SOC), wherein Figure 1 Each or many of the components shown can be integrated onto a single integrated circuit. Such a SoC device may include one or more processing units, graphics units, communication units, system virtualization units, and various application functions, all of which can be integrated (or “burned in”) onto a chip substrate as a single integrated circuit. When operating via the SoC, the functions described herein with respect to embodiments of this disclosure can be performed via dedicated logic integrated onto a single integrated circuit (chip) along with other components of the computing device 500.

[0052] For example, embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the block diagrams and / or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. Functions / actions indicated in the blocks may occur in a sequence other than that shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or these blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions / actions involved.

[0053] While the specification includes examples, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the appended claims. Furthermore, although the specification is described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, the claims are not limited to the features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as examples of embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for a network, comprising: A computing device periodically sends a request to a client device for a view of the network provided by the client device at time intervals, wherein the length of the time interval depends on the status of the client device, and wherein identity data is associated with the client device. In response to sending the request to the client device, data corresponding to the client device view of the network is received; In response to receiving the data, the mapping of the network is updated based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of the network, the mapping being associated with the identity data associated with the client device; Determine whether the variance of the difference between the upstream Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the downstream RSSI has increased; and In response to the increase in variance determining the difference between the upstream RSSI and the downstream RSSI, the length of the time interval is reduced.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the time interval includes a first value when the client device is located within the coverage area of ​​the access point (AP), the client device is not actively communicating, and the client device is not moving.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, When the client device's condition includes the client device being located within the coverage area of ​​the AP, the client device actively communicating but not using a real-time stream, and the client device not moving, the length of the time interval includes a second value greater than the first value.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, When the client device is in a situation where it is within the coverage area of ​​the access point (AP), actively communicating using a real-time stream, and is not moving, the periodic sending of requests to the client device is temporarily suspended.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: Receive data corresponding to a view of another client device in the network, the other client device having the same identity data as the client device and being in a similar location to the client device; and Updating the network mapping includes updating the network mapping based on received data corresponding to a client device view of the network and received data corresponding to another client device view of the network, wherein the channel corresponding to the received data corresponding to the other client device view is different from the channel corresponding to the received data corresponding to the client device view.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The identity data includes data indicating at least one of the following: the client device includes a tablet computer, the client device includes a telephone, the client device includes a laptop computer, the operating system of the client device, and the client device includes a device type in a device family.

7. A system for a network, comprising: One or more memory storage devices; as well as One or more processing units are coupled to the one or more memory storage devices, wherein the one or more processing units are operable to: Periodically send requests to the client device for a view of the network provided by the client device, wherein the length of the time interval depends on the status of the client device, and wherein identity data is associated with the client device; In response to sending the request to the client device, data corresponding to the client device view of the network is received; In response to receiving the data, the mapping of the network is updated based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of the network, the mapping being associated with the identity data associated with the client device; Determine whether the variance of the difference between the upstream Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the downstream RSSI has increased; and In response to the increase in variance determining the difference between the upstream RSSI and the downstream RSSI, the length of the time interval is reduced.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The length of the time interval includes a first value when the client device is located within the coverage area of ​​the access point (AP), the client device is not actively communicating, and the client device is not moving.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein, When the client device's condition includes the client device being located within the coverage area of ​​the AP, the client device actively communicating but not using a real-time stream, and the client device not moving, the length of the time interval includes a second value greater than the first value.

10. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, When the client device is in a situation where it is within the coverage area of ​​an access point (AP), actively communicating using a real-time stream, and not moving, the one or more processing units can operate to temporarily suspend the periodic sending of the request to the client device.

11. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The one or more processing units are further operable to receive data corresponding to a view of another client device in the network, the other client device having the same identity data as the client device and being in a similar location to the client device; and The one or more processing units are operable to update the network mapping, including the one or more processing units being operable to update the network mapping based on received data corresponding to a client device view of the network and received data corresponding to another client device view of the network, wherein the channel corresponding to the received data corresponding to the other client device view is different from the channel corresponding to the received data corresponding to the client device view.

12. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The identity data includes data indicating at least one of the following: the client device includes a tablet computer, the client device includes a telephone, the client device includes a laptop computer, the operating system of the client device, and the client device includes a device type in a device family.

13. A computer-readable medium storing an instruction set, which, when executed by a processor, performs a method comprising: A computing device periodically sends a request for a view of a client device providing a network to a client device at time intervals, wherein the length of the time interval depends on the status of the client device, and wherein identity data is associated with the client device. In response to sending the request to the client device, data corresponding to the client device view of the network is received; In response to receiving the data, the mapping of the network is updated based on the received data corresponding to the client device view of the network, the mapping being associated with the identity data associated with the client device; Determine whether the variance of the difference between the upstream Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the downstream RSSI has increased; and In response to the increase in variance determining the difference between the upstream RSSI and the downstream RSSI, the length of the time interval is reduced.

14. The computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein, The length of the time interval includes a first value when the client device is located within the coverage area of ​​the access point (AP), the client device is not actively communicating, and the client device is not moving.

15. The computer-readable medium according to claim 14, wherein, When the client device's condition includes the client device being located within the coverage area of ​​the AP, the client device actively communicating but not using a real-time stream, and the client device not moving, the length of the time interval includes a second value greater than the first value.

16. The computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, When the client device is in a situation where it is within the coverage area of ​​the access point (AP), actively communicating using a real-time stream, and is not moving, the periodic sending of requests to the client device is temporarily suspended.

17. The computer-readable medium according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising: Receive data corresponding to a view of another client device in the network, the other client device having the same identity data as the client device and being in a similar location to the client device; and Updating the network mapping includes updating the network mapping based on received data corresponding to a client device view of the network and received data corresponding to another client device view of the network, wherein the channel corresponding to the received data corresponding to the other client device view is different from the channel corresponding to the received data corresponding to the client device view.

18. An apparatus for a network, comprising: A device for periodically sending a request from a computing device to a client device for providing a view of the network at time intervals, wherein the length of the time interval depends on the state of the client device, and wherein identity data is associated with the client device; A device for receiving data corresponding to a client device view of the network in response to sending the request to the client device; A device for updating a mapping of the network in response to receiving the data, based on received data corresponding to a client device view of the network, the mapping being associated with the identity data associated with the client device; A device for determining whether the variance of the difference between the upstream Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the downstream RSSI has increased; and A device for reducing the length of the time interval in response to determining that the variance of the difference between the upstream RSSI and the downstream RSSI has increased.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising equipment for carrying out the method of any one of claims 2 to 6.

20. A computer program product storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images