OPERATING SYSTEM INTERFACES FOR VIRTUAL WIFI AND SOFTAP CAPABLE DRIVERS
First Claim
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1. A computer comprising:
- a processor for executing instructions;
a set of computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, form an operating system for the computer, the operating system controlling one or more operations of the computer;
a radio constructed and arranged to send and receive wireless signals for communication with at least one device in a wireless network independent of frequency;
a miniport driver comprising a hardware interface adapted to communicate with the radio, provide control signals to the radio, and receive information regarding wireless signals received by the radio from the at least one device via a wireless network; and
an interface operable to invoke functionality implemented by the miniport driver, in response to a request issued by the operating system, the functionality relating to enabling the computer to maintain simultaneous connections with at least two wireless networks using the radio and/or to enabling the computer to operate as an access point for a wireless network;
wherein the interface invokes the functionality by making a call to the miniport driver using at least one OID.
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Abstract
Some embodiments of the invention provide an interface between programmed instructions (e.g., an operating system) and a miniport driver configured to communicate with radio hardware on a computer. The interface may include components operable to invoke various wireless connectivity-related functionality implemented by the radio hardware and/or miniport driver. The functionality may, for example, include a capability whereby the computer may maintain simultaneous connections on a plurality of wireless networks using a single radio, and/or a capability whereby the computer may function as an access point for a wireless network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer comprising:
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a processor for executing instructions; a set of computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, form an operating system for the computer, the operating system controlling one or more operations of the computer; a radio constructed and arranged to send and receive wireless signals for communication with at least one device in a wireless network independent of frequency; a miniport driver comprising a hardware interface adapted to communicate with the radio, provide control signals to the radio, and receive information regarding wireless signals received by the radio from the at least one device via a wireless network; and an interface operable to invoke functionality implemented by the miniport driver, in response to a request issued by the operating system, the functionality relating to enabling the computer to maintain simultaneous connections with at least two wireless networks using the radio and/or to enabling the computer to operate as an access point for a wireless network; wherein the interface invokes the functionality by making a call to the miniport driver using at least one OID. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for use in a computer comprising an operating system, a radio operable to send and receive wireless signals to enable the computer to communicate with at least one device in a wireless network, and a miniport driver comprising a hardware interface adapted to communicate with the radio, provide control signals to the radio, and/or receive information regarding wireless signals received by the radio from at least one device via a wireless network, the method comprising an act of:
(A) providing an interface enabling the operating system to invoke virtualization functionality implemented by the miniport driver and/or the radio, the virtualization functionality relating to enabling the computer to maintain simultaneous connections with at least two wireless networks using the radio. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. At least one computer storage medium encoded with instructions which, when executed, perform a method, the method for use in a computer comprising an operating system, a radio operable to send and receive wireless signals to enable the computer to communicate with at least one device in a wireless network, and a miniport driver comprising a hardware interface adapted to communicate with the radio, provide control signals to the radio, and/or receive information regarding wireless signals received by the radio from at least one device via a wireless network, the method comprising an act of:
(A) providing an interface enabling the operating system to invoke access point functionality implemented by the miniport driver and/or radio, the access point functionality relating to enabling the computer to act as an access point for a wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification