Cell network selectively applying proxy mode to minimize power
First Claim
1. A wireless network in a communication infrastructure having a packet switched backbone network, the wireless network comprising:
- an access point, communicatively coupled to the packet switched backbone network, having access point processing circuitry and access point wireless transceiver circuitry;
a plurality of client devices, each having client processing circuitry and client wireless transceiver circuitry;
the access point processing circuitry, using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parameters;
managing communications both between the plurality of client devices and the packet switched backbone network;
receiving reception characteristics from at least some of the plurality of client devices, each reception characteristic received from a client device relating to evaluations made by the client device regarding transmissions intercepted by the client device, the intercepted transmissions between another of the plurality of client devices and the access point;
based upon the received reception characteristics, selecting a first client device to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point and a second client device; and
directing the first client device to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point and the second client device.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange utilization, status, mobility and reception characteristics. Each wireless terminal generates reception characteristics based on transmissions received from the wireless access point and from other devices in the network. In one operating mode, the characteristics gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received characteristics, the wireless access point selects a client device for the relay of communications between itself and another client device. In another mode of operation, the access point selects a relay proxy on a transmission by transmission basis. In response to a request, a servicing client device repeats intercepted transmissions sent by a client device and intended for the access point.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A wireless network in a communication infrastructure having a packet switched backbone network, the wireless network comprising:
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an access point, communicatively coupled to the packet switched backbone network, having access point processing circuitry and access point wireless transceiver circuitry; a plurality of client devices, each having client processing circuitry and client wireless transceiver circuitry; the access point processing circuitry, using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parameters; managing communications both between the plurality of client devices and the packet switched backbone network; receiving reception characteristics from at least some of the plurality of client devices, each reception characteristic received from a client device relating to evaluations made by the client device regarding transmissions intercepted by the client device, the intercepted transmissions between another of the plurality of client devices and the access point; based upon the received reception characteristics, selecting a first client device to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point and a second client device; and directing the first client device to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point and the second client device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An access point for use in a wireless network to service a plurality of client devices including a first client device and a second client device, the access point comprising:
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a network interface coupled to a packet switched backbone network; access point wireless transceiver circuitry; and access point processing circuitry coupled to the network interface and to the access point wireless transceiver circuitry, the access point processing circuitry, using the access point wireless transceiver circuitry and an associated set of communication parameters; manages communications between the plurality of client devices and the packet switched backbone network; receives reception characteristics from at least some of the plurality of client devices, each reception characteristic received from a client device relating to evaluations made by the client device regarding transmissions intercepted by the client device transmitted between another of the plurality of client devices and the access point; based upon the received reception characteristics, selects a first client device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wireless transmissions between the access point and the second client device; and directing the first client device to act as a relay proxy by relaying wireless transmissions between the access point and the second client device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A client device for use in a wireless network in a communication infrastructure having a packet switched backbone network and having an access point communicatively coupled to the packet switched backbone network and a different client device, the client device comprising:
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client device wireless transceiver circuitry; client device processing circuitry; and the client processing circuitry, using the client device wireless transceiver circuitry; receiving a request from the access point to report reception characteristics relating to evaluations made by the client device regarding transmissions intercepted by the client device transmitted between another of the plurality of client devices and the access point; determining reception characteristics relating to transmissions intercepted by the client device transmitted between another of the plurality of client devices and the access point; reporting the reception characteristics to the access point; receiving a direction from the access point to act as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point and the different client device; and acting as a relay proxy to relay wireless transmissions between the access point and the different client device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification