Scanning for wireless local area networks

• US 20060215622A1
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Abdel-Kader, Sherif, Bajar, David, Chen, Yongsheng
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In a wireless device, active scanning for a particular wireless network name is initiated during passive scanning for a wireless network that matches a profile stored in a wireless local area network controller, the profile including the particular wireless network name. Active scanning for the particular wireless network name includes transmitting one or more probe requests, each transmitted on a different communication channel.

Claims

1. A method in a wireless device, the method comprising:

initiating active scanning for a particular wireless network name during passive scanning for a wireless network that matches a profile stored in a wireless local area network controller, said profile including said particular wireless network name,

wherein active scanning for said particular wireless network name includes transmitting one or more probe requests, each of said one or more probe requests transmitted on a different communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

aborting said passive scanning upon receipt of a response that indicates a failure to discover any access points with said particular wireless network name.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

storing a different profile with a different wireless network name in said wireless local area network controller; and

during passive scanning for a wireless network matching said different profile stored, initiating active scanning for said different wireless network name.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

putting a radio of said device into a sleep state.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

following receipt of a response that indicates discovery of one or more access points with said particular wireless network name, identifying that said profile is misconfigured if said passive scanning fails to result in association.

6. A wireless device comprising:

a memory to store profiles of one or more wireless networks;

a wireless local area network controller that supports passive scanning for wireless networks matching a profile and that supports active scanning for wireless networks having a wireless network name; and

a processor,

wherein said memory is to store executable code which, when executed by said processor, initiates active scanning by said controller for a particular wireless network name during passive scanning by said controller for a wireless network that matches a profile including said particular wireless network name,

wherein active scanning for said particular wireless network name includes transmitting one or more probe requests, each of said one or more probe requests transmitted on a different communication channel.

7. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein said code, when executed by said processor, is, upon receipt of a response that indicates a failure to discover any access points with said particular wireless network name, to cause said controller to abort said passive scanning.

8. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein said code, when executed by said processor, is

storing a different profile with a different wireless network name in said wireless local area network controller;

and

during passive scanning for a wireless network matching said different profile, initiating active scanning for said different wireless network name.