Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for reducing bottlenecks in a wireless communication system by allowing messages to be directly transmitted between wireless stations in certain circumstances instead of transmitting such messages through a centralized access point (AP) computer. Each AP computer maintains a connection list reflecting which stations are currently 'connected' by wireless link to the AP by virtue of their being in its service area. As wireless stations move into and out of the service area for a particular AP, the AP updates this list, and any changes to the list are broadcast to all wireless stations in the service area. Thus, all stations (and the AP) have a current list of stations in the area. Each wireless station may periodically transmit a 'keep alive' message to the AP, and thus the AP can determine which stations are in its area by noting which stations send such messages. Before transmitting a message, the transmitting station checks its copy of the connection list to determine whether the destination station is in the same service area or not. If it is in the same service area and the communication link with it is good, then the message is directly transmitted to the destination station. Otherwise, the message is transmitted to the AP for further relay to the destination station.

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First Claim