Enhanced passive scanning
First Claim
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1. An enhanced passive scanning method by a wireless device for a wireless local area network, comprising:
- transmitting by the wireless device, beacon signals at a beacon interval, each beacon containing a beacon information set; and
transmitting by the wireless device, gratuitous probe response signals at a gratuitous probe response interval containing a subset of the beacon information, the gratuitous probe response signals transmitted at a gratuitous probe response interval, the gratuitous probe response interval being shorter than the beacon interval such that a plurality of gratuitous probe response signals are transmitted between successive beacon signals, and containing a subset of the beacon information.
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Abstract
This application describes an enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, including the steps of transmitting at least one of a beacon signal or a gratuitous probe response in a WLAN channel by an access point. The gratuitous probe response is a supplemental beacon signal that is transmitted at intervals between the occurrence of regular beacon signals, but contains only essential information to allow mobile station manage roaming and timing.
42 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An enhanced passive scanning method by a wireless device for a wireless local area network, comprising:
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transmitting by the wireless device, beacon signals at a beacon interval, each beacon containing a beacon information set; and transmitting by the wireless device, gratuitous probe response signals at a gratuitous probe response interval containing a subset of the beacon information, the gratuitous probe response signals transmitted at a gratuitous probe response interval, the gratuitous probe response interval being shorter than the beacon interval such that a plurality of gratuitous probe response signals are transmitted between successive beacon signals, and containing a subset of the beacon information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for facilitating enhanced passive scanning by mobile stations in a WLAN by an access point, comprising:
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determining by the access point, the occurrence of one of a target beacon transmit time and a target gratuitous probe response time; transmitting by the access point, a beacon signal if the target beacon transmit time occurs; and transmitting by the access point, a gratuitous probe response signal if the target gratuitous probe response time occurs. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of indicating to a mobile wireless local area network device that an access point supports supplemental beaconing, comprising:
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transmitting from the access point a beaconing signal selected from one of a beacon signal and a gratuitous probe response signal, and including a supplemental beacon field in the beaconing signal, wherein the supplemental beacon field provides frequency of occurrence of the gratuitous probe response signals; and receiving the beaconing signal at the mobile wireless local area network device.
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Specification