Method and apparatus for controlling service acquisition in a local area network device

• US 7,136,644 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hull, Andrew William
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, LANA N
• Application Number:
  US09/995,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20030100309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,811 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-4566, 455/440, 455/414.3, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/432.1, 455/433, 455/574, 455/436, 455/67.1, 455/432, 455/437, 455/438, 455/560, 455/422.1, 455/435, 370/338, 370/330, 370/331, 370/333, 370/401, 370/332
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method of and WLAN device that is arranged and constructed to control service acquisition includes a transceiver for coupling to a second WLAN device; a user (I/O) for interacting with a user; and a controller for deciding whether the transceiver will enter a service acquisition mode thereby coupling to said second WLAN device by; determining a parameter that corresponds to a present environment for the WLAN device; comparing the parameter to a predetermined value to provide a comparison, the predetermined value defining, in part, an environment where service for the WLAN device is desirable; analyzing the comparison according to a rule to provide a decision; and enabling the service acquisition mode when the decision is favorable; and otherwise forgoing service acquisition.

Claims

1. A wireless local area network (WLAN) device arranged and constructed to control service acquisition comprising in combination:

a transceiver for coupling to a second WLAN device;

a user input output (I/O) for interacting with a user, and

a controller, coupled to said user I/O and said transceiver, for deciding whether said transceiver will enter a service acquisition mode thereby coupling to said second WLAN device by;

determining a parameter that corresponds to a present environment for the WLAN device;

comparing said parameter to a predetermined value to provide a comparison, said predetermined value defining, in part, an environment where service for the WLAN device is desirable;

analyzing said comparison according to a rule to provide a decision;

enabling said service acquisition mode when the decision is favorable; and

foregoing said service acquisition mode when the decision is unfavorable.

2. The WLAN device of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a parameter includes determining a location of the WLAN device.

3. The WLAN device of claim 2 wherein said determining said location uses one of a cellular zone ID, a global position system (GPS) signal, and a signal strength measurement.

4. The WLAN device of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a parameter includes determining a time at the WLAN device.

5. The WLAN device of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a parameter includes determining a state relevant to the WLAN device.

6. The WLAN device of claim 5 wherein said determining said state includes one of detecting a need for service and a reference to a schedule database.

7. The WLAN device of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a parameter includes determining a combination of location, time, and state for the WLAN device.

8. The WLAN device of claim 1 further including a step of programming said predetermined value for the WLAN device.

9. The WLAN device of claim 8 wherein programming said predetermined value includes programming the WLAN device with one of a location, time, and state.

10. The WLAN device of claim 8 wherein providing said predetermined value includes memorizing one of a location, time, and state when service has been acquired.

11. The WLAN device of claim 1 arranged and constructed to operate within one of a Bluetooth, 802.11, and Home RF based wireless WLAN.