Enhanced passive scanning
First Claim
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1. An enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, comprising:
- transmitting beacon signals at a beacon interval, each beacon containing a beacon information set;
transmitting gratuitous probe response signals at a gratuitous probe response interval containing a subset of the beacon information, the gratuitous probe response signals transmitted at a gratuitous probe response interval, the gratuitous probe response interval being shorter than the beacon interval such that a plurality of gratuitous probe response signals are transmitted between successive beacon signals, and containing a subset of the beacon information.
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Abstract
The invention provides an enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, including the steps of transmitting at least one of a beacon signal or a gratuitous probe response in a WLAN channel by an access point. The gratuitous probe response is a supplemental beacon signal that is transmitted at intervals between the occurrence of regular beacon signals, but contains only essential information to allow mobile station manage roaming and timing.
245 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, comprising:
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transmitting beacon signals at a beacon interval, each beacon containing a beacon information set;
transmitting gratuitous probe response signals at a gratuitous probe response interval containing a subset of the beacon information, the gratuitous probe response signals transmitted at a gratuitous probe response interval, the gratuitous probe response interval being shorter than the beacon interval such that a plurality of gratuitous probe response signals are transmitted between successive beacon signals, and containing a subset of the beacon information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for facilitating enhanced passive scanning by mobile stations in a WLAN by an access point, comprising:
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determining the occurrence of one of a target beacon transmit time and an target gratuitous probe response time;
transmitting a beacon signal if the target beacon transmit time occurs; and
transmitting a gratuitous probe response signal if the target gratuitous probe response time occurs. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of indicating to a mobile wireless local area network device that an access point supports supplemental beaconing, comprising:
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transmitting from the access point a beaconing signal selected from one of a beacon signal and a gratuitous probe response signal, and including a supplemental beacon field in the beaconing signal; and
receiving the beaconing signal at the mobile wireless local area network device.
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Specification