POWER SAVING SCHEME FOR NODES THAT ARE OUT OF RANGE OF A NETWORK
First Claim
1. A method for operating a node that is out of range of a network, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining that the node is disconnected from a network;
sending out a “
disconnect”
message that is not synchronized to any network;
immediately after sending the “
disconnect”
message, listening for an “
in-range”
message for a period of time shorter than a frame length, wherein the “
disconnect”
message indicates that the node is in range of the network;
associating with the network when an “
in-range”
message is received; and
powering down when an “
in-range”
message is not received.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power saving scheme for nodes (101) that are out of range of a network is provided herein. During operation when a node determines that it is out of range of a network it will switch to a “disconnected” mode of operation. In the “disconnected” mode the node will transmit a message on a semi-random interval (so as not to interfere continuously with a beaconing network once back in range), and then switch to receive mode for a short period of time (much less than a frame length). The transmitted message will inform any node that receives it that the transmitting node is currently disconnected from the network and include the MAC address of the disconnected node. The disconnected node will go into sleep mode after the short receive period.
21 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for operating a node that is out of range of a network, the method comprising the steps of:
-
determining that the node is disconnected from a network;
sending out a “
disconnect”
message that is not synchronized to any network;
immediately after sending the “
disconnect”
message, listening for an “
in-range”
message for a period of time shorter than a frame length, wherein the “
disconnect”
message indicates that the node is in range of the network;
associating with the network when an “
in-range”
message is received; and
powering down when an “
in-range”
message is not received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a transmitter sending out a “
disconnect”
message when a node is disconnected from a network;
a receiver for listening for an “
in-range”
message immediately after sending the “
disconnect”
message, wherein the “
in-range”
message indicates that the node is in range of the network;
logic circuitry associating with the network when an “
in-range”
message is received and powering down when an “
in-range”
message is not received. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification