Lurker,
from the patent:
"In order to accomplish this identification parameter, [the distance at which the wireless communication device 10 communicates with the computer (access point) 20] must be within [maximum distance between wireless communication device 10 and the computer (access point) 20], which of course may vary, as described above."
- words in brackets are judges interpretations
Signal strength and quality alone are not good enough. As the amorphous zone (where wireless phone and access point can communicate) may all be within the access point "up to" distance, by constructive interference or other beneficial factors the amorphous zone may also extend outside the access point "up to" distance. This outside distance is not the place to do a handoff even though the signal strength and quality are good because the affects which may extend the manufacturer's "up to distance" will not necessarily be more reliable outside the manufacturer's recommendation. Even within the access point distance, it cannot be guaranteed that your phone will stay in the amorphous zone, but chances are much higher with good signal strength and quality that the handoff will be more successful than if the handoff occurred outside the "up to" distance.
Lurker, do you disagree with these arguments? You are saying that WHENEVER signal strength and quality are good enough then the handoff should occur. Do you really believe that will always be the most reliable time to handoff?
AI
