Apparatus, system, and method for rapid wireless network association

• US 20060189311A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Cromer, Daryl Carvis, Locker, Howard Jeffrey, Springfield, Randall Scott, Jakes, Philip John
• Granted Patent: US 7,630,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for rapid wireless network association. The apparatus includes a logic unit containing a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of conducting a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum to identify the frequency of an active communication channel, investigate the availability of the active communication channels identified during the preliminary search, and associate with a wireless network device on the available active communication channel. These modules in the described embodiments include a search module, an investigation module, and an association module. Beneficially such an apparatus, system, and method provide for more efficient searching, scanning, and association than typically found in wireless networks.

Claims

1. An apparatus for rapid wireless network association, the apparatus comprising:

a search module configured to conduct a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum to identify the frequency of an active communication channel;

an investigation module configured to investigate the availability of the active communication channel identified during the preliminary full band search; and

an association module configured to associate with a wireless network device on the available active communication channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a previous access module configured to attempt association with a previously accessed wireless access point prior to attempting associations with any other wireless access points, wherein the attempt is made within a predetermined time interval.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the search module further comprises a trigger module configured to trigger a broadband capture mode, such that the search module collects information that characterizes activity on the predefined frequency spectrum.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the search module further comprises a sequence module configured to sequentially search a plurality of predefined frequency spectra, the sequence determined by a predetermined priority policy.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the search module further comprises an identification module configured to identify active communication channels characterized by a plurality of digital data networking standards.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the investigation module further comprises a check module configured to check a communication channel identified as active by the search module for energy associated with a wireless access point.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the investigation module further comprises an order module configured to sequentially order active communication channel candidates according to predefined criteria.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the investigation module further comprises a determining module configured to determine a protocol supported by an active communication channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a convert module configured to convert the investigation module and the association module to operate according to standard scanning mode subsequent to a condition selected from a group consisting of successful wireless access point association and failure to associate with a wireless access point on communication channels identified by the search module.

10. An apparatus for rapid wireless network association, the apparatus comprising:

a transmit module configured to transmit energy that can be detected during a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum;

a receive module configured to receive an association request from a wireless network device; and

an association module configured to associate with a wireless network device on an available active communication channel in response to the association request.

11. A system for rapid wireless network association, the system comprising:

a wireless access point configured for wireless network connections; and

a wireless network client configured to;

enable operation according to promiscuous mode to conduct a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum to identify the frequency of an active communication channel;

investigate availability of the active communication channel identified during the preliminary full band search; and

associate with a wireless access point on an available active communication channel.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to attempt association with a previously accessed wireless access point prior to attempting association with any other wireless access points, wherein the attempt is made within a predetermined time interval.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to trigger a broadband capture mode, such that the search module collects information that characterizes activity on the predefined frequency spectrum.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to sequentially search a plurality of predefined frequency spectra, the sequence determined by a predetermined priority policy.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to identify active communication channels characterized by a plurality of digital data networking standards and overlapping frequencies.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to check a communication channel identified as active by the search for energy associated with a wireless access point.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to order active communication channel candidates according to predefined criteria.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to determine a protocol supported by an active communication channel.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the wireless network client is further configured to convert the client to operate according to standard scanning mode subsequent to a condition selected from a group consisting of successful wireless access point association and failure to associate with a wireless access point on communication channels identified by the client.

20. A signal bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform operations for rapid wireless network association, the operations comprising:

conducting a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum to identify the frequency of an active communication channel;

investigating availability of the active communication channel identified during the preliminary full band search; and

associating with a wireless access point on an available active communication channel.

21. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions further comprise an operation to attempt association with a previously accessed wireless access point prior to attempting associations with any other wireless access points, wherein the attempt is made within a predetermined time interval.

22. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the operation to search further comprises an operation to trigger a broadband capture mode, such that the search module collects information that characterizes activity on the predefined frequency spectrum.

23. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the operation to search further comprises an operation to sequentially search a plurality of predefined frequency spectra, the sequence determined by a predetermined priority policy.

24. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the operation to search includes identifying active communication channels characterized by a plurality of digital data networking standards.

25. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the operation to investigate further comprises an operation to check a communication channel identified as active by the search operation for energy associated with a wireless access point.

26. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the operation to investigate further comprises an operation to order active communication channel candidates according to predefined criteria.

27. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the operation to investigate further comprises an operation to determine a protocol supported by an active communication channel.

28. The signal bearing medium of claim 20, wherein the instructions further comprise an operation to convert to a standard scanning operation subsequent to a condition selected from a group consisting of successful wireless access point association and failure to associate with a wireless access point on communication channels identified by the search operation.

29. A method for rapid wireless network association, the method comprising:

conducting a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum to identify the frequency of an active communication channel;

investigating availability of the active communication channel identified during the preliminary full band search; and

associating with a wireless access point on an available active communication channel.

30. An apparatus for rapid wireless network association, the apparatus comprising:

means for conducting a preliminary full band search on a predefined frequency spectrum to identify the frequency of an active communication channel;

means for investigating availability of the active communication channel identified during the preliminary full band search; and

means for associating with a wireless access point on an available active communication channel.