Systems and methods for maintaining base stations in wireless networks

• US 8,116,815 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Loh, Kai Siang
• Primary Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US12/195,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20090117852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 455/561, 455/442, 455436-437, 455/450, 455/452.1, 455/452.2, 455/13.4, 455/562.1, 455/63.1, 455/67.11, 370/318, 370/331, 375/133
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for maintaining base stations are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a base station that is electrically connected to a first power source. The base station is configured to receive electric power from the first power source. The base station includes a wireless transmitter and a distress module that is configured to determine whether the base station lost the electrical connection to the first power source. The distress module is further configured to instruct the wireless transmitter to transmit a distress signal that includes information associated with the status of the base station responsive to determining that the electrical connection was lost between the first power source and the base station.

Claims

1. A system for maintaining a base station comprising:

a base station that is electrically connected to a first power source and configured to receive electric power from the first power source, the base station including;

a wireless transmitter, and

a distress module that is configured to;

determine whether the base station lost the electrical connection to the first power source, and

responsive to determining that the electrical connection was lost between the first power source and the base station, instruct the wireless transmitter to transmit a distress signal that includes information associated with the status of the base station.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second power source that is electrically connected to the base station, and wherein responsive to determining that the electrical connection between the base station and the first power source was lost, the distress module is configured to instruct the base station to receive electric power from the second power source.

3. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein responsive to determining that the base station received electric power from the first power source, the second power source is configured to recharge using the electric power from the power source.

4. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein the second power source includes a battery.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein responsive to determining that the electrical connection between the base station and the first power source was lost, the distress module is configured to instruct the base station to operate in low power mode that restricts the base station to operate less electrical components than the base station operating in normal mode, the electrical component including at least one of the wireless transmitter and the distress module.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the base station further includes an alert module that is configured to receive a distress signal from another base station.

7. The system as defined in claim 6, wherein the first power source includes a network switch, the alert module being further configured to send an alert signal to a network server via the network switch responsive to receiving the distress signal from the another base station.

8. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first power source includes at least one of a network switch and an electrical outlet.

9. A method for maintaining a base station in a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving electric power from a first power source by a base station via an electrical connection;

determining whether the electrical connection was lost between the first power source and the base station; and

responsive to determining that the electrical connection was lost between the first power source and the base station, wirelessly transmitting a distress signal that includes information associated with the status of the base station.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising responsive to determining that the electrical connection between the base station and the first power source was lost, receiving electric power from a second power source.

11. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising responsive to determining that base station received the electric power from the first power source, recharging a second power source using the electric power from the first power source.

12. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising responsive to determining that the electrical connection between the base station and the first power source was lost, instructing the base station to operate in low power mode that restricts the base station to operate less electrical components than the base station operating in normal mode, the electrical component including at least one of the wireless transmitter and the distress module.

13. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising receiving a distress signal from another base station.

14. The method as defined in claim 13, further comprising sending an alert signal to a network server via a network switch responsive to receiving the distress signal from the another base station.

15. The method as defined in claim 13, further comprising determining the identity and location of the distressed base station based on the received distress signal.

16. A base station associated with a wireless network comprising:

a wireless transmitter;

a distress module that is configured to;

determine whether the base station lost the electrical connection to a first power source, and

responsive to determining that the electrical connection was lost between the first power source and the base station, instruct the wireless transmitter to transmit a distress signal that includes information associated with the status of the base station; and

a second power source that is electrically connected to the wireless transmitter and the distress module,

wherein responsive to determining that the electrical connection between the base station and the first power source was lost, the distress module is configured to instruct the base station to receive electric power from the second power source.

17. The base station as defined in claim 16, wherein responsive to determining that the base station received electric power from the first power source, the base station is configured to recharge the second power source using the electric power from the first power source.

18. The base station as defined in claim 16, wherein responsive to determining that the electrical connection between the base station and the first power source was lost, the distress module is configured to instruct the base station to operate in low power mode that restricts the base station to operate less electrical components than the base station operating in normal mode, the electrical component including at least one of the wireless transmitter and the distress module.

19. The base station as defined in claim 16, wherein the base station further includes an alert module that is configured to receive a distress signal from another base station.

20. The base station as defined in claim 19, wherein the first power source includes a network switch, the alert module being further configured to send an alert signal to a network server via the network switch responsive to receiving the distress signal from the another base station.