Wireless local access network system detection and selection

• US 7,146,130 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sinnarajah, Ragulan, Hsu, Raymond T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Matthew D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US10/373,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20040176024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.04, 455/552.1, 455/456.1, 455/433, 455/411, 455/422.1, 455/414.1, 455/179.1, 455/160.1, 455/41.2
• US Class Current: 455/3.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection

Abstract

Method and apparatus for detection and selection of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) service. A cellular network may provide an advertisement for a WLAN, such as in an overhead signaling message. The advertisement may identify the Access Point(s) by an Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID). The remote station may then scan for the WLAN service automatically or manually.

Claims

1. A method for a remote station, comprising:

receiving a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) advertisement; and

scanning for the WLAN in response to the WLAN advertisement;

wherein the receiving the WLAN advertisement comprises;

receiving a WLAN advertisement including at least one Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID) corresponding to a WLAN;

comparing the at least one ESSID to an ESSID list stored in the remote station; and

in response to the ESSID matching the at least one ESSID in the WLAN advertisement, scanning for the WLAN.

2. An apparatus for a remote station, comprising:

means for receiving a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) advertisement; and

means for scanning for the WLAN in response to the WLAN advertisement;

wherein the means for receiving the WLAN advertisement comprises;

means for receiving a WLAN advertisement including at least one Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID) corresponding to a WLAN;

means for comparing the at least one ESSID to an ESSID list stored in the remote station; and

in response to the ESSID marching the at least one ESSID in the WLAN advertisement, means for scanning for the WLAN.