Method for wireless connectivity continuity and quality

Abstract

Configurations are described for maintaining a continuity and quality of wireless signal connection between a mobile device and systems accessible through the internet. In particular, configurations are disclosed to address the challenge of a mobile device that moves through a physical environment wherein the best wireless connectivity performance is achieved by switching between available connection sources and constantly evaluating a primary connection with other available connections that may be switched in to become a new primary connection. The mobile device may be self-propelled or carried by some other mobilizing means.

1 . A method for maintaining wireless connectivity between a mobile controller and a remote controller, comprising:
 a. providing a wireless adaptor operatively coupled between the mobile controller two wireless access points that are operatively coupled to the remote controller, the wireless adaptor configured to have a timing-multiplexed operational mode wherein connectivity may be maintained between the mobile controller and the remote controller on both a first channel to a first wireless access point of the two wireless access points, and a second wireless access point of the two wireless access points, such that data transmission between the mobile controller and remote controller is switched between the first channel and the second channel based at least in part upon data transmission timing gaps associated with a protocol that is operated by wireless adaptor and the two wireless access points;   b. operating the wireless adaptor to automatically:
 i. scan to find available wireless access points and check the signal strength thereof; 
 ii. connect with the available wireless access point that has the strongest signal strength using the first channel; 
 iii. while retaining connectivity with the remote controller through the first channel, continue scanning using the second channel to try to find an alternative access point and check the signal strength thereof; 
 iv. compare the signal strength of the access point connected through the first channel with the signal strength of the alternative access point available through the second channel; and 
 v. maintain connectivity between the mobile controller and remote controller through the channel associated with the access point that has the highest signal strength. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless adaptor has a single wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the single wireless transmitter is an RF antenna. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein in the background scanning mode, data is alternated through the single wireless transmitter from both the first channel and the second channel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the data is alternated in bit packets based upon a bit packet size. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the data is alternated based upon a time interval. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bit packet size is predetermined. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bit packet size is adjustable using the mobile controller. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the time interval is predetermined. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the time interval is adjustable using the mobile controller. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless adaptor is compatible with an IEEE 802.11 standard selected from the group consisting of: 802.11A, 802.11B, 802.11G, and 802.11N. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless adaptor is a cellular telephone adaptor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless adaptor is an IEEE 802.16 compatible adaptor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless adaptor is a free-space optical adaptor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile controller is configured to operate the wireless adaptor to scan using a discrete frequency band. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the discrete frequency band is selected based upon a determined prevalence of active wireless access points. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile controller is configured to scan again to find available wireless access points after disconnecting connectivity between the mobile controller and remote controller through the channel which has the lowest compared signal strength. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile controller is configured to repeatedly cycle between scanning to find available wireless access points and disconnecting connectivity between the mobile controller and remote controller through the channel which has the lowest compared signal strength. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the mobile controller is configured to repeatedly cycle at a frequency between about 100 cycles/second and about ½ cycles/second. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile controller is coupled to a motorized vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the motorized vehicle comprises a robot. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile controller further is configured to evaluate the connectivity of the connection with the first or second channel based at least in part upon a factor selected from the group consisting of: latency, packet loss, and financial cost of connectivity. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising operating the wireless adaptor to automatically disconnect connectivity between the mobile controller and remote controller through the lowest evaluated channel. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the data transmission timing gaps is based upon an IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function timing protocol. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the timing gaps represents a protocol element selected from the group consisting of: a random backoff period, a DCF interframe spacing period, a request to send period, a short interframe spacing period, a clear to send period, and an acknowledgement period.