Seamless roaming across multiple data networks

Abstract

A method for seamless roaming on a client comprises the steps of installing a proxy on a client, wherein the proxy communicates with a content server via a network connection and intercepting data from at least one user application via the proxy on the client before the data is transmitted across the network connection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numbers, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a multiple data network or plurality of access points connected to an Internet or Intranet.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a seamless roaming system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a seamless roaming system without a server agent.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a seamless roaming system with a server agent.

Claims

1. A method for seamless roaming on a client comprising: installing a proxy on a client, wherein the proxy communicates with a content server via a network connection; andintercepting data from at least one user application via the proxy on the client before the data is transmitted across the network connection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising buffering data within the client or maintaining the session or active state of the user application upon an interruption in the network connection.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing a server in front of the content server, wherein the server forwards data to the content server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising switching from a first access point to a second access point upon an interruption in the network connection with the content server.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein intercepting data from the at least one user application further comprises intercepting only the data from the at least one user application which requires seamless roaming capabilities.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically switching from a first network connection to a second network connection upon a detection of an interruption in the first network connection.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of automatically switching from a first network connection to a second network connection further comprises switching to the second network connection having the fastest network connection if more than one second network connections are available.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the proxy further includes a network stack, and inserting a new layer into a socket layer and passing all socket API calls through the new layer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the proxy further includes a network stack and adding or hooking a layer on top of a transport layer (TCP or UDP) to intercept all TCP or UDP traffic.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the proxy further includes a virtual device selected from a group comprising a network adapter, a virtual Point-to-Point (PPP) adapter or a virtual serial port, and wherein the virtual device intercepts all IP packets without the at least one user applications knowledge.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising intercepting data from the user's application and not directly sending the data through a physical network link during interruption of the network link.

12. A system for seamless roaming comprising: a client, the client having a proxy, wherein the proxy communicates with a content server via a network connection and intercepts data from at least one user application via the proxy on the client before the data is transmitted across the network connection.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the client buffers data within the client upon an interruption in the network connection.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a server and a content server, wherein the server is installed in front of the content server and forwards data to the content server.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising switching from a first access point to a second access point upon an interruption in the network connection with the content server.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein intercepting data from the at least one user application further comprises intercepting only the data from the at least one user application which requires seamless roaming capabilities.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising automatically switching from a first network connection to a second network connection upon a detection of an interruption in the first network connection.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the step of automatically switching from a first network connection to a second network connection further comprises switching to the second network connection having the fastest network connection if more than one second network connections are available.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the proxy further includes a network stack, and inserting a new layer into a socket layer and passing all socket API calls through the new layer.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the proxy further includes a network stack and adding or hooking a layer on top of a transport layer (TCP or UDP) to intercept all TCP or UDP traffic.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the proxy further includes a virtual device selected from a group comprising a network adapter, a virtual Point-to-Point (PPP) adapter or a virtual serial port, and wherein the virtual device intercepts all IP packets without the at least one user applications knowledge.

22. The system of claim 12, further comprising intercepting data from the user's application and not directly sending the data through a physical network link during interruption of the network link.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one user application is protected from interruptions or changes in a physical layer by hiding the physical connection from the at least one user application and the content server.