Embedded access point supporting communication with mobile unit operating in power-saving mode
First Claim
1. A wireless communication system in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the system comprising:
- a first mobile unit (MU) capable of operating in a power-saving mode; and
a second mobile unit (MU) comprising an access unit configured to support communication with the first mobile unit while the first mobile unit is operating in the power-saving mode, the access unit including a first data storage area comprising an association table for storing information concerning other mobile units in the system and a second data storage area for a message transmission queue.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communication system, in particular a wireless LAN includes at least two mobile units, one of the mobile units including an adapter card configured to support embedded access point capability and including an association table for retaining status information concerning other mobile units in the network and message transmit queues allowing the system to operate in power saving polling mode. According to another aspect the invention relates to a wireless communication system including roaming mobile units wherein, when a mobile unit roams from a first access point to a second access point, the first access point only becomes aware of the roam once the mobile unit has transmitted a packet on to the backbone.
479 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A wireless communication system in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the system comprising:
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a first mobile unit (MU) capable of operating in a power-saving mode; and a second mobile unit (MU) comprising an access unit configured to support communication with the first mobile unit while the first mobile unit is operating in the power-saving mode, the access unit including a first data storage area comprising an association table for storing information concerning other mobile units in the system and a second data storage area for a message transmission queue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A radio card for a mobile unit in a wireless communication system in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the radio card including an access unit configured to support communication with another mobile unit while the other mobile unit is operating in a power-saving mode, the access unit having a first data storage area for an association table for storing information concerning other mobile units in the network and a second storage area including message transmit queue storage capability.
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12. A mobile unit for a wireless communications network in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the mobile unit including an adapter card having an access unit configured to support communication with another mobile unit while the other mobile unit is operating in a power-saving mode, and the access unit having a first data storage area for an association table for storing information concerning other mobile units in the network and a second storage area including message transmit queue storage capability.
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13. A vehicle based distribution system including a wireless communications system in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the system comprising:
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a first mobile unit (MU) capable of operating in a power-saving mode; and a second mobile unit comprising an access unit configured to support communication with the first mobile unit while the first mobile unit is operating in the power-saving mode.
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14. A retail store inventorying system including a wireless communications system in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the system comprising:
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a first mobile unit (MU) capable of operating in a power-saving mode; and a second mobile unit comprising an access unit configured to support communication with the first mobile unit while the first mobile unit is operating in the power-saving mode.
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15. A method of operation of a wireless communication network in which mobile units wirelessly communicate with a host computer or a computer network via access units, each mobile unit communicating with an access unit selected using an association protocol, the method comprising:
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a first mobile unit (MU) capable of operating in a power-saving mode; and a second mobile unit comprising an access unit configured to support communication with the first mobile unit while the first mobile unit is operating in the power-saving mode, wherein the second mobile unit stores address and status information concerning all other mobile units in a network in an association table, and stores messages for transmission in a message transmit queue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A wireless communication system comprising a backbone, a plurality of access units and at least first and second mobile units, wherein:
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the access units communicate with the backbone, the first mobile unit is capable of operating in a power-saving mode, at least one of the access units is embedded in a second mobile unit and is configured to support communication with the first mobile unit while the first mobile unit is operating in the power-saving mode, and when the first mobile unit roams from a first access unit to a second access unit, the first access unit is only notified of the roam once the first mobile unit issues a packet to the backbone. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification