Processing wireless packets to reduce roaming host power consumption

• US 20040151147A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Huckins, Jeffrey L.
• Application Number:
  US10/355,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20040151147A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An access point in a wireless network may receive packets over a wired network. The access point may be provided with instructions from the host to enable an assist capability whereby the access point determines when to awaken the host from a reduced power consumption state in response to the receipt of a packet. When the station roams from a first basic service set using a first access point to a second basic service set using a second access point, information may be exchanged between those access points to enable the second access point to automatically implement the access point assist capability formerly provided by the first access point.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

enabling a first access point to detect an in range station; and

providing the first access point with wake packet filtering instructions for the station from a second access point.

2. The method of claim 1 including enabling an access point to receive a request for association from an in-range station.

3. The method of claim 1 including broadcasting from the first access point a notification that the station has come in-range of said first access point.

4. The method of claim 1 including notifying the second access point that the station has come in-range of the first access point.

5. The method of claim 4 including receiving from the second access point information about wake packet filtering instructions for the station from the second access point.

6. The method of claim 5 including receiving those instructions over a distribution system.

7. The method of claim 5 including receiving said instructions in an Internet Protocol message.

8. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that, if executed, enable a processor-based system to:

detect an in-range station; and

receive wake packet filtering instructions for the station from another access point.

9. The article of claim 8 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive a request for association from an in-range station.

10. The article of claim 8 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to broadcast a notification that the station has come in-range of the first access point.

11. The article of claim 8 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to notify the second access point that the station has come in-range of the first access point.

12. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive, from the second access point, information about wake packet filtering instructions for the station from the second access point.

13. The article of claim 12 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive the filtering instructions over a distribution system.

14. The article of claim 13 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive said instructions as an Internet Protocol message.

15. An access point comprising:

a processor; and

a storage, coupled to said processor, storing instructions that, if executed, enable the processor to detect an in-range station and to receive wake packet filtering instructions for the station from another access point.

16. The access point of claim 15 wherein said storage stores instructions that enable the access point to receive a request for association from an in-range station.

17. The access point of claim 15 wherein said storage stores instructions that enable the access point to broadcast a notification that the station has come in-range.

18. The access point of claim 17 wherein said storage stores instructions that enable the access point to receive information about wake packet filtering instructions for the station from another access point.

19. The access point of claim 15 wherein said storage stores instructions that enable the access point to send Internet Protocol messages to other access points.

20. The access point of claim 15 wherein said storage stores instructions that enable an access point to receive information from a station to enable the access point to advise other access points of the station'"'"'s identity.